Matsumoto thought that Lautes's words meant there was no hope, but Chen Ke did not directly refuse, and only looked very hesitant and reluctant.

There is hope!

Matsumoto remembered Lauters saying that Mr. Chen was a straightforward person who valued friends, so he rolled his eyes and said, "Mr. Chen, I don't know what you think, but the first time I heard Lauters mention you, I really wanted to be friends with you. After meeting you in person today, I'm even more certain that I'm determined to be your friend!"

After listening, Lauters gave Matsumoto a reassuring look and said to Chen Ke, "Mr. Chen, you see, Mr. Matsumoto has truly come to regard you as a friend."

Chen Ke made a surprised expression, "That's really fate, fate. I also hit it off with Mr. Matsumoto at first sight, and I've already regarded him as a close friend in my heart."

"Hahaha, that's quite a coincidence. Mr. Chen, since we're all friends, you'll give me this rabbit... what rabbit—"

Chen Ke: "Hare's Fur Teacup"

"Ah, right, right, let's resell the rabbit fur teacup to Mr. Matsumoto."

At this moment, Matsumoto also stood up and said solemnly, "Mr. Chen, if you would be so kind as to sell the rabbit fur teacup to me, I will definitely cherish and take good care of it and not let it suffer any damage!"

Chen Ke did not immediately express his opinion, but instead lowered his brows and pondered.

About two or three minutes later.

Chen Ke stood up as if he had made some major decision. "Mr. Matsumoto, this treasure is truly my most cherished possession. I wouldn't agree to it for an ordinary friend, but you're different. I consider you a kindred spirit. Since you've asked... well, I have no choice but to agree..."

Listening to Chen Ke's words of reluctance yet still having to part with his friendship, Matsumoto felt from the bottom of his heart that Chen Ke was just as Lautes had said: a man who valued friendship and was straightforward and honest with his friends!

"Mr. Chen... I, I..."

Seeing that Matsumoto was so excited that he couldn't even speak, Chen Ke quickly adjusted the price he had prepared earlier upwards in his mind.

"Haha, Mr. Matsumoto, I've known you for so long, but this is the first time I've seen you so excited." Lautes joked with Matsumoto for the first time upon seeing this.

Although the two were said to be friends, Matsumoto's status in the Japanese Concession was much higher than his status in the French Concession. He was just a secretary to a trading company manager, while Matsumoto was the actual Minister of Transportation in the Japanese Concession.

Lauters had known Matsumoto for some time, but he was only invited to Matsumoto's home because he had recommended Chen Ke to Matsumoto last time. So now that Chen Ke had satisfied and pleased Matsumoto, Lauters was also a little proud because the person he recommended had made him look good.

Lauters then sided with Chen Ke, saying, "Mr. Chen, just name your price. Mr. Matsumoto has plenty of money."

Actually, the area where Japanese people live in Shanghai cannot be officially called the Japanese Concession, because apart from the separate French Concession, the area combined with the British and American concessions in Shanghai is now called the International Settlement. The place where Matsumoto lives now should be called the Japanese area.

The truly powerful Japanese concession was the one in Tianjin. However, through Chen Ke's observation, Lauters appeared to be an equal friend to Matsumoto, but his words contained a subtle hint of flattery and ingratiation. Therefore, even though Chen Ke did not know Matsumoto's true identity, he speculated that he likely held an important position in the Japanese concession in Tianjin.

So Chen Ke raised the price again.

“Mr. Lauters, I’m not happy with what you’re saying. We’ve already said we’re friends, why do you keep talking about money? It’s so hurtful. The antiques I sold to you were all sold at low prices. How could I ask for such a high price when I sold them to Mr. Matsumoto? This hare’s fur teacup is one I acquired from a fallen nobleman from the late Qing Dynasty. He asked for two hundred million silver dollars back then—”

"Hiss!" Before Chen Ke could finish speaking, Lauters interrupted him in disbelief, asking, "Two, two hundred million? Two... hundred million???" This fallen nobleman is already down on his luck, yet he dares to ask for such a price. Isn't he afraid of being beaten to death?

Before Chen Ke could even speak, Matsumoto explained for him, "Hey, Lauters, that's your limitation. Isn't it normal for someone to ask for two hundred million for such a priceless treasure?"

······

Chen Ke immediately swallowed the words "I bargained down to 100 million" and changed his words to "Yes, so I didn't even haggle, we'll settle for the price immediately!"

Lauters: "Hiss..."

Xu Manling: "~~~" Her emotions were in turmoil, beyond words.

After his initial excitement subsided, Matsumoto finally calmed down: "...Mr. Chen, really... there's no price at all... haggle?"

Chen Ke: "Mr. Matsumoto, this is a priceless treasure. If someone is willing to sell it to you, any hesitation you show even for a second is disrespectful! Don't you agree?"

Matsumoto gazed at the rabbit-fur teacup on the table; that small cup, yet it seemed to hold the mystery of the entire universe within it…

Two hundred million is indeed a lot, but it's not like he can't come up with it. If he goes back to the Japanese concession in Tianjin, there will be plenty of people rushing to give him money. He can take out two hundred million here and then turn around and get it back from the Chinese.

So Matsumoto agreed without even blinking: "Mr. Chen is right, treasures are priceless, we should be grateful that someone is willing to sell them. Two hundred million it is, it's just that I'm afraid I can't come up with that many silver dollars all at once—"

“Oh, Mr. Matsumoto, what are you saying?” Chen Ke interrupted Matsumoto, saying decisively, “The rabbit-fur teacup is yours from now on. As for the money, I will never ask Mr. Matsumoto to write an IOU. Everyone knows Mr. Matsumoto’s character…”

As Chen Ke spoke, he glanced at Xu Manling, who had been watching from the sidelines. Xu Manling looked at him blankly, as if she did not understand what he meant.

This clearly shows that he didn't want to get involved, but Chen Ke just kept dragging it out, as if the stalemate would continue until he spoke up.

Helpless, Xu Manling could only continue Chen Ke's words, saying, "Mr. Matsumoto is a man of his word, Mr. Chen can rest assured. Moreover, Mr. Lauters can also testify, so there is no need to write any IOU."

Lauters, who was suddenly called out, said: "Yes, Mr. Matsumoto is the most trustworthy person."

Matsumoto, who had originally intended to be less than honest, replied: "...Of course!"

"Haha, I like to be friends with honest people the most. Mr. Matsumoto, then I solemnly hand over this rabbit fur teacup to you."

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, I will definitely keep it safe and secure."

And so, an antique transaction worth two hundred million silver dollars was concluded.

This scene also marked the beginning of Chen Ke being misunderstood by later generations as a traitor. Regardless of the price he paid for the rabbit fur teacup to the Japanese, the mere act of selling a national treasure was enough to draw a barrage of criticism from netizens.