This was exactly the feeling Chen Ke wanted. After all, he wasn't really doing business; he just wanted to rip off the most gullible customers.

The store opened discreetly. Chen Ke only sent an invitation to Lauter's friend, specifically stating that he was the only one invited, saying that he valued Lauter's friendship and hoped he would give some advice when he visited the store. He also informed Lauter's friend that many exquisite items had arrived in Shanghai.

Was he the only one invited? When Lauters received the invitation, he raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of smugness.

The person who could attend Vice Commander Bai's party must know many high-ranking officials and dignitaries in Shanghai, but the fact that he only invited him to his shop opening shows what? It not only shows that Boss Chen values ​​him as a friend, but also indirectly reflects his status and position!

Moreover, the porcelain he bought as a gift for his boss last time really made him look good. The general manager not only didn't hold him accountable for his poor performance, but also praised him for his good taste. Those three pieces of porcelain were not only genuine antiques, but also masterpieces of Song Dynasty porcelain.

Thinking of this, Lauters' eyes gleamed. He had overheard his general manager and the antique appraiser saying that if this porcelain were taken to France to sell, the price could double!

The next day, with some burning desire, Lauters took a car to Chen Ke's Thirteen Factories.

Lauters stood at the entrance of this unconventional shop with a hint of doubt in his eyes. Although it was an antique shop and not many people would go in, this was, after all, Nanjing Road, a place bustling with people. Wouldn't it be a bit too deserted for a newly opened shop to have no one go in?

Look at the shoe and bag store on the left, its entrance practically trampled underfoot; then look at the jewelry store on the right, so crowded you can barely squeeze in…

"Mr. Lauters?" Chen Ke strode out. "Welcome, welcome! Why aren't you coming in? Please come in, please come in."

Lauters was a little confused when he stood at the door, but he knew why as soon as he stepped inside.

Such a place is indeed only fit for someone of his status, position, and taste!

"Wow, Mr. Chen, your antique shop is decorated in a very high-class style." Lautes gave a thumbs up.

Chen Ke smiled modestly, "Mr. Lauters is too kind. I was hoping that Mr. Lauters could give me some advice. After all, Mr. Lauters works for a trading company and has handled countless foreign firms. He must have a lot of experience in shop decoration and management."

Lauters was delighted by the flattery and actually began to inspect the work, but his final conclusion was: "Mr. Chen, I think you've done a perfect job with the renovations; there's no need to change anything."

Chen Ke knew, of course, that his shop didn't need any changes. He was just being polite and wanted to draw the foreigner's attention to the antique decorations displayed everywhere. He didn't expect that the clueless foreigner wouldn't recognize them for so long.

So Chen Ke had no choice but to take matters into his own hands. "Really? Mr. Lauters, do you think my huanghuali marble screen is suitable for this place?"

"Is this made of huanghuali wood?"

“Hmm, the marble inlaid on this screen looks like a traditional Chinese ink painting, doesn’t it? It sits on a fine seat, truly befitting the refined taste of a scholar…” Chen Ke said mysteriously, “It is said that this screen was once used by Su Shi, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties!”

"Su Shi?"

Chen Ke thought that since Su Shi was so famous, this foreigner should have heard of him, but he didn't expect him to have such a bewildered expression.

"Oh, he's a famous person in our country's history, but that's not important. Mr. Lauters, could you take another look and see if this rug looks too out of place here?"

"A carpet?" Lauters looked closely. "It feels like—"

“Sigh, if this carpet hadn’t been used by Emperor Kangxi, I wouldn’t have laid it here. It feels like—” Chen Ke said casually.

“It feels amazing!” Lautes interrupted Chen Ke this time.

His eyes shone, and his face was full of excitement. Chen Ke felt like he wanted to roll around on him.

This bastard only recognizes the emperor.

"Was this carpet really used by Emperor Kangxi?" Lauters couldn't resist touching it. An emperor, and such a famous one at that! If this were shipped to France and sold...

I dare not think about it.

After hearing Lauters' words, Chen Ke turned over a corner of the carpet and pointed to the five words woven on it, saying, "Look here."

Lauters leaned closer to take a look: "Wow... I don't recognize this word."

Chen Ke: "For use at Jingren Palace!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, the embroidery is really beautiful."

Chen Ke: ······

"This shows that it was used exclusively by the emperor. Look at this carpet, it is made of gold thread and woven with colorful wool. And look at the nine phoenixes facing the sun in the very center. Even after so many years, its poised and ready-to-fly posture has not been erased. It is truly exquisite and a masterpiece among masterpieces!"

Lauters: "It's truly a masterpiece!"

"Come on, let's see if this bottle will get in the way here..."

Two hours later, Chen Ke was hoarse from talking, while Lauters listened with gleam in his eyes and an excited expression.

"Mr. Lauters, do you really think there's nothing wrong with the layout of my shop?" Chen Ke asked sincerely.

Lauters took a big gulp of water. "No problem, but why is Mr. Chen displaying all these precious things as mere ornaments? If these things were put up for sale, Mr. Chen wouldn't be short of business, would he?"

Chen Ke, who seemed to regard money as dirt, said, "Well, to be honest with Mr. Lauters, I don't do antique business to make money. I don't love money. I just love making friends and sharing these good things with them. These are displayed so that people with similar interests can appreciate and appreciate them together. For example, it was very interesting to appreciate them with Mr. Lauters this time."

Lauters felt a pang of guilt upon hearing Chen Ke's words about being indifferent to fame and fortune and pursuing spiritual resonance. The other man was talking to him about ideals, hobbies, and appreciation, while Lautersters wanted to talk about business and money…

"Hmm, Mr. Lauters, what's wrong? Is my mountain snow water not good enough?"

Lauters quickly looked up from his glass at Chen Ke, "Oh no, no, it's very delicious, it has a natural sweetness."

Chen Ke smiled modestly, "That's good. From now on, I'll treat you to mountain snow water."

Lauters clasped his hands together, his face showing hesitation.

Chen Ke understood immediately. "Mr. Lauters, is there something you want to say? We're all friends, so just say what you want to say. After all, we're both straightforward people."

Lauters made up his mind, "...Then I'll tell you."

Chen Ke smiled broadly and raised his hand, "Please."

"I want to buy these rare treasures from Mr. Chen. Of course, this time Mr. Chen doesn't need to sell them to me at a low price. Just name your price. I just don't know if Mr. Chen... is willing?"