"Big brother, we haven't finished looking yet." Lu Qi said, still craving more.
"Big brother, may I ask your surname? Are you selling this bronze ware?"
"My surname is Wang."
Wang Chengxiang's eyes roamed wantonly over Xu Qingqing's body. "I won't sell this thing for any amount of money. I just want to appraise whether it's genuine or not."
Xu Qingqing felt uncomfortable under his gaze. Taking the opportunity of putting down her bag, she stood behind Lu Qi, hiding behind the counter.
"Mr. Wang, may I ask where you got this bronze ware?"
This bronze zun-pan must have just been unearthed recently. Otherwise, if it had been discovered, it would have caused a sensation long ago, and she couldn't have been unaware of it.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's question, a glint flashed in Wang Chengxiang's eyes.
"Don't worry about where it came from. Just tell me what era this thing is from and whether it's real or fake."
Xu Qingqing felt that this man didn't seem like a good person. Even though she had already identified it, she couldn't tell him immediately. She needed to get in touch with Wang Lide.
"Mr. Wang, your treasure might be from a rather distant era. I can't appraise it right away."
Xu Qingqing shook her head apologetically.
"If you trust me, you can leave this bronze ware here. I'll appraise it as soon as possible and inform you of the result."
Hearing that he was asked to leave the bronze ware here, Wang Chengxiang immediately refused.
"I've got plenty of time. I can wait here for one day or three days. You can appraise it slowly."
It seemed that this man was very vigilant.
Xu Qingqing nodded with a smile and then said, "It might be rather difficult for me to appraise it on my own."
"Can I call my teacher here and let him take a look with me? If we work together, we can save time."
"Moreover, we've never seen your treasure before. It's really novel. Just consider it as giving my teacher and me a chance to broaden our horizons."
Xu Qingqing was beautiful and her words were pleasant to hear.
Wang Chengxiang didn't want to agree at first, but he couldn't resist Xu Qingqing's charming smile. He agreed, feeling a bit light-headed.
"That's really thanks to you."
After thanking Wang Chengxiang, Xu Qingqing immediately hid behind the screen and called Wang Lide.
"Teacher Wang, I've got a bronze ware here that I can't appraise. I'd like you to take a look with me. Are you free now?"
Wang Lide was waiting for the result of the discussion. Hearing that there was a treasure that Xu Qingqing couldn't appraise.
He thought that he was idle anyway, so he readily agreed, "I'm free now. Where are you?"
"Do you know Lu Qi's shop? I'm here." Xu Qingqing sent her location to Wang Lide.
"Okay, I'll come right away."
While waiting for Wang Lide to arrive, Xu Qingqing took the initiative to serve tea and water to Wang Chengxiang, trying to get some information from him.
However, Wang Chengxiang's mouth was very tight. Apart from taking advantage of Xu Qingqing by touching her little hand when she handed him something.
Or telling some dirty jokes to tease Xu Qingqing, Xu Qingqing couldn't get any useful information at all.
"You can eat first. My teacher should be here soon."
Xu Qingqing finally gave up. She forced a smile and put down the fruit plate. Then she turned around and went into the women's restroom, frantically washing her hands with laundry detergent.
"Stinky hooligan!"
Xu Qingqing scolded while washing.
After Xu Qingqing finished washing and came out of the women's restroom, she saw Lu Qi waiting outside.
Xu Qingqing dried her hands, threw the tissue into the trash can, and said, "What are you doing standing outside the restroom? Aren't you afraid of being regarded as a pervert?"
"No, I've got something to ask you."
Lu Qi whispered to Xu Qingqing, "Have you identified the origin of the bronze ware?"
"No." Xu Qingqing denied it and turned to leave.
Lu Qi quickly followed up and said anxiously, "Why don't you even trust me? We're on the same side."
"I won't pass the message to Wang Chengxiang even if you tell me."
He just really wanted to know the origin of this bronze ware. He was so eager that he felt like a hundred claws were scratching his heart.
Xu Qingqing sniffed and still wanted to muddle through, "I've already said no..."
"Don't lie to me."
Lu Qi pointed at Xu Qingqing and also had to keep an eye on Wang Chengxiang sitting in front.
"I heard you gasp just now."
"Really?"
Xu Qingqing asked in surprise.
She did gasp, but she covered her mouth immediately. She didn't expect Lu Qi to hear it.
"Don't keep me in suspense. Tell me quickly." Lu Qi asked impatiently.
Xu Qingqing sighed. She pulled Lu Qi behind the screen and admonished him, "You mustn't say a word until my teacher comes."
"Otherwise, I won't let you off!"
"Okay, I swear!"
Seeing Xu Qingqing's serious expression, Lu Qi became even more expectant.
"Wang Chengxiang's bronze ware is actually from the Warring States Period..."
"The Warring States Period!"
Even though he had prepared himself mentally, Lu Qi still exclaimed. Xu Qingqing slapped his shoulder hard and quickly made a shushing gesture at him.
"Keep your voice down! What if he hears you?" Xu Qingqing complained in a low voice.
Lu Qi slapped his own mouth twice to show his apology. His tone was full of excitement.
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"You're so stupid. That's a treasure from the Warring States Period! The archaeological team hasn't discovered it until now, and there aren't even any records about it. Do you think it's possible?"
Lu Qi obediently shook his head.
If a treasure from the Warring States Period was unearthed, it should have caused a sensation in the entire archaeological circle long ago.
Lu Qi understood what Xu Qingqing meant. He opened his mouth silently and asked Xu Qingqing, "Do you suspect that he's a tomb robber?"
Xu Qingqing nodded, "I've already contacted someone. We'll decide what to do after my teacher comes."
Lu Qi nodded understandingly.
Soon Wang Lide arrived. Xu Qingqing asked Wang Chengxiang to open the red box and show the Ziwu Bronze Zun-Pan inside to Wang Lide.
Although Wang Lide had seen a lot in his lifetime, when he saw the Ziwu Bronze Zun-Pan, he was as surprised as Xu Qingqing and Lu Qi.
"Please wait a moment. My student and I need to look through some documents."
After saying that, Wang Lide immediately turned around with Xu Qingqing and came to Xu Qingqing's studio.
After making sure the door was closed, Wang Lide lowered his voice and asked, "Qingqing, which dynasty do you think this bronze ware is from?"
Xu Qingqing deliberately hid her knowledge and shook her head, "Teacher Wang, I'm not sure. You tell me."
Teacher Wang pondered for a moment and slowly expressed his opinion, "I once read a wild history about the Warring States Period."
"It described a kind of bronze ware that was very similar to Wang Chengxiang's. It's called the Ziwu Bronze Zun-Pan."
"If I'm not wrong, Wang Chengxiang's bronze ware should be the Ziwu Bronze Zun-Pan."
Xu Qingqing was surprised at Wang Lide's extensive knowledge and wide reading.
She didn't expect that Wang Lide could even recognize the Ziwu Bronze Zun-Pan.
"Teacher Wang, what should we do now? Should we tell him?"
Wang Lide thought for a long time and finally decided to call Officer Xiao first.