Zhou Changke was taken aback and looked at Xu Kuo in confusion. This kid, being called a country bumpkin to his face, how could he remain so calm?
Xu Kuo spoke slowly and deliberately, "Brother Zhou, why bother arguing with a clown covered in counterfeits? It's just an insult to our ears."
Covered in fakes?!
Zhou Changke's eyes widened instantly, and he abruptly turned to look at Bai Donghua, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt. What did Brother Xu mean by that?
Could it be that he could tell that Bai Donghua was wearing fakes? This... how is that possible?! Although Bai Donghua's character is questionable, he has been in the antique business for many years and has some discernment. How could he possibly wear a bunch of fakes and embarrass himself?
Not only Zhou Changke, but everyone around who had been listening intently to watch the spectacle also suddenly focused their attention on Bai Donghua and Xu Kuo.
Who comes here without some interest in and knowledge of antiques? The word "fake" is even more offensive than an insult!
"What the hell did you say?!" Bai Donghua instantly exploded, standing up abruptly, pointing at Xu Kuo's nose, spitting everywhere, "You bumpkin! What do you know?! How dare you say I'm wearing a fake? I think you're blind!"
He was both shocked and furious. He was shocked that this kid was so confident; had he really seen through something? He was furious that this country bumpkin dared to humiliate him in public!
Xu Kuo remained seated, his demeanor leisurely: "Don't you know in your heart whether it's a fake or not?"
He looked up and his gaze fell on the jade thumb ring on Bai Donghua's plump finger.
"Take that thumb ring on your hand, for example. The color is quite similar, but unfortunately, it's similar in form but lacks the spirit. Real old mine jadeite is all about 'water' (transparency). When light shines on it, it should be translucent and warm, with light penetrating most of it. As for yours..."
Kuo deliberately drew out his words, shook his head, and wore an undisguised sarcasm on his face.
"Bullshit!" Bai Donghua trembled with rage. "I paid a fortune for this ring! You think it's fake? Nobody believes you without some empty promise!"
"Oh?" Zhou Changke's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood Xu Kuo's meaning. He immediately took out a small flashlight from his pocket, weighed it in his hand, and raised his chin provocatively at Bai Donghua.
"Boss Bai, whether it's real or fake, why don't you take it out and let everyone see for themselves? Shine this flashlight on it, and it'll be clear."
The onlookers joined in the commotion.
"Yes, take a look!"
"Let's see what it's really like!"
Bai Donghua felt his face burning with embarrassment as he was the center of everyone's attention and provoked by Zhou Changke.
He gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Xu Kuo, and then suddenly ripped the jade thumb ring off his thumb and slammed it heavily on the table.
"Take a picture! Take a picture for me! Kid, if this picture turns out to be real, I'll make you kneel down and kowtow to admit your mistake! Let me tell you, I've already checked this ring myself before, and it's crystal clear!"
He was actually a little skeptical, but he had just bought the ring not long ago. The seller had raved about it, and he thought it was in good condition. He had even shone a flashlight on the thick part, and it was indeed translucent, so it couldn't be fake!
The next moment, Zhou Changke turned on his flashlight without hesitation, and a beam of light shone directly on the thickest part of the jade thumb ring.
The light penetrated the jade, emitting a shimmering green glow, and it did indeed appear quite translucent!
"Hahaha!" Upon seeing this, Bai Donghua immediately burst into triumphant laughter, pointing at Xu Kuo and cursing, "See that? You're blind! A bumpkin is a bumpkin, never seen anything good before! You dare to question me? Useless trash! Idiot!"
Those who had initially been skeptical shook their heads at the sight, their gazes towards Xu Kuo now filled with disdain. It seemed this young man had only tried to attract attention, and had ended up shooting himself in the foot.
Zhou Changke frowned, looking at Xu Kuo somewhat awkwardly. Could it be that Brother Xu had truly misjudged him?
However, Xu Kuo showed no sign of panic. "What's the rush?" He gestured to Zhou Changke. "Brother Zhou, move the flashlight to the side and try shining it on the thinner part of the ring."
Hmm? The thinner part?
Zhou Changke was taken aback, and subconsciously followed Xu Kuo's instructions, moving the flashlight beam to the side of the ring, closer to the thinner edge.
Bai Donghua's laughter stopped abruptly!
When the flashlight beam shone on the thinner part of the ring, the light seemed to hit a wall and was completely blocked, unable to penetrate at all! The shimmering green light disappeared completely, leaving only the dull color of the jade itself!
"hiss--!"
A collective gasp filled the auction hall!
"What...what's going on?"
"The thicker parts let in light, but the thinner parts don't?!"
"Fake! This is definitely a modern method of faking glass or inferior jade!"
"My God! How did this young man figure that out?!"
Everyone stared at Xu Kuo in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief! Just a moment ago they thought he was a country bumpkin, but now it seems he's a true master who doesn't show off!
Bai Donghua was struck dumb, his eyes wide open as he stared intently at the ring that revealed its true form under the light, muttering to himself, "No... impossible... how could this be..."
Zhou Changke was both surprised and delighted, and quickly asked, "Brother Xu, what exactly happened? How did you know to take pictures of that thinner area?"
Xu Kuo smiled faintly and explained, "It's very simple. When many people check whether a thumb ring or jade pendant is translucent, they habitually look at the thickest and most representative part, thinking that as long as light passes through there, the whole thing is probably fine."
"Counterfeiters take advantage of this psychology, focusing their efforts on thicker areas and using special treatments or splicing techniques to make them appear translucent. However, this kind of forgery often results in some problems being overlooked, or the cost being too high. The fake will easily be exposed at less conspicuous edges or thinner areas. With a little care and taking photos of several places, the real and fake will be clearly distinguishable."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood! Their gazes towards Xu Kuo became even more admiring. Such insight and meticulous thinking were beyond the reach of ordinary people!
Zhou Changke was secretly amazed, thinking to himself, "I've been collecting antiques for so many years, how come I never noticed such a detail? Brother Xu is truly amazing!"
Xu Kuo turned his gaze back to Bai Donghua, whose face was ashen, a cold glint in his eyes: "Boss Bai, now, what else do you have to say?"
"I..." Bai Donghua was choked and speechless for a long time. Under the mocking or contemptuous gazes of the crowd, he felt ashamed and wanted to disappear.
But he was still unwilling to admit defeat, stubbornly arguing, "Even if... even if this ring is fake, so what? You just got lucky, a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse!"
"Good luck?" Xu Kuo scoffed. "Then that 'Rolex' gold watch on your wrist, which claims to be imported from Switzerland, is probably also due to good luck, which is why the gold plating on the case is uneven and the movement is inaccurate?"
"And that 'Ming Dynasty blue and white' snuff bottle in your suit pocket, with its glaring reddish-brown bottom and porous body, which kiln did it come from that lucky place that you treasure it?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
