The other collectors realized that they had already taken all the money and goods, leaving no hope of recovering the missing items. One by one, they began to depart.


    After carefully putting away the bronze Buddha, Qian Jingming turned to Zhou Liangyun and said, “Boss Zhou, I need to hurry back to Eastcliff, so I’ll be taking my leave now. If youe across anything valuable in the future, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I’m always eager to bid. As long as the item and the price are right, I will pay immediately.”


    Zhou Liangyun smiled and replied, “Sure, I’ll let you know as soon as I have something worthwhile.”


    Qian Jingming nodded and then began to leave with his twopanions.


    Seeing this, the vendor became furious and hurried after him, eximing, “Mr. Qian, you can’t buy that! It’s a fake!”<fnc5e8> Readplete version only at Find?Novel</fnc5e8><h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Qian Jingming turned to him, frowning, and asked, “Aren’t you a friend of Boss Zhou? Why are you trying to undermine him right now?”


    The vendor quickly responded, “I’m not his friend! I just came to watch. I never imagined he would dare to swindle you out of 20 million. I can’t stand by and let you suffer such a huge loss!”


    Qian Jingming chuckled sarcastically, “I’ve been dealing with bronzes for decades, and I can spot authenticity. And the expert with me is one of the most renowned authorities in the field of copperware in the country. Even he believes this piece is genuine. How could it suddenly be a fake just because you say so?”


    The vendor stamped his feet in frustration. “Oh! Don’t be deceived! How could that piece be real? He bought it for 300,000 yuan yesterday! Everyone on Aurous Hill Antique Street knows it’s not from the Ming Dynasty! It’s fake! It’s fake!”


    Qian Jingmingughed and replied, “You’re correct; it’s not from the Ming Dynasty, but from the Northern Song Dynasty, which justifies the price.”


    He continued, “I’ve seen the video you showed me before. The person in that video is aplete novice. It appears that not only he but all of you who believe in that video arecking in knowledge. Even a novice shouldn’t be involved in antiques.”


    The vendor was taken aback to learn that the item was genuinely from the Northern Song Dynasty. Realizing that Qian Jingming was determined to buy it, he quickly eximed, “But he purchased it for only 300,000 and sold it to you for 20 million! You won’t find a more unscrupulous person than that!”


    Qian Jingming shook his head with a smile. “People often say there are critics but no one who appreciates. I’ve truly seen that here. Do you think Boss Zhou is profiting unfairly? It makes me ufortable to see him earning so much, but in my view, the reason he canmand such a price is entirely due to his insight and skill. You know the content of that video. Manager Chen had a chance to acquire it, but his judgment was clouded. If Boss Zhou had seen it first, then it would have been his turn to profit.”


    Qian Jingming paused before continuing, “By the way, you can’t im that Boss Zhou acted hically by selling me this bronze Buddha for 20 million. He clearly left me a window of opportunity. If this piece were auctioned in Eastcliff, it would easily fetch 27.8 million. Instead of resenting Boss Zhou, I’m grateful to him. No matter how ufortable you may feel seeing him profit, I’m afraid you’ll have to endure it.”


    “This… this… this…” The vendor was now at a loss for words, his thinkingpletely disoriented. He was sweating profusely and gritting his teeth, exhausted and only able to mutter, “Well… what if you take a closer look? What if there’s something wrong with it?”


    Qian Jingming sighed and turned to Zhou Liangyun, saying, “Boss Zhou, it seems the business environment here in the antique street is quite hostile. You should take care of yourself moving forward.”


    Zhou Liangyun cupped his hands and smiled, “Thank you for the heads-up, Mr. Qian. I believe the business environment here is, in a way, quite friendly. Otherwise, how could I have achieved such a fortune? When I first arrived, my colleague inadvertently put me onto such a significant opportunity. There are so many stores on this street, yet mine appears the most unassuming, and I ended up with such a treasure. I can only express my gratitude to my colleagues for the good fortune.”


    Hearing this, Qian Jingmingughed heartily, “Absolutely! Boss Zhou, you truly possess extraordinary insight! If you ever find yourself in Eastcliff, make sure to reach out to me so we can share a few drinks at my ce!”


    “Definitely!” Zhou Liangyun nodded and added, “It’s gettingte; I must take my leave now! Goodbye!”