With each word Xu Kuo spoke, Bai Donghua's expression grew increasingly grim.
He was utterly astonished, especially when Xu Kuo pinpointed the flaws in his watch and snuff bottle! He hadn't even noticed these things; how could this kid have seen through them so easily?!
The surrounding laughter grew even louder.
"Hahaha, so not only the thumb ring, but the watch and snuff bottle were fake too?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, what a beautiful exterior but rotten inside!"
"They keep using different levels of sophistication, it's hilarious!"
Bai Donghua felt a burning pain on his face. He hurriedly stuffed the fake thumb ring into his pocket, and then subconsciously tried to cover the fake watch on his wrist, his movements were extremely awkward.
He glared at Xu Kuo fiercely, "You little brat, you've got some nerve! You just wait!"
After uttering this harsh remark, Bai Donghua turned away and stopped arguing with the two.
Zhou Changke spat at Bai Donghua's back, then turned around, patted Xu Kuo's shoulder heavily, his face full of excitement.
"Brother Xu! Well done! That was so satisfying! It's my good fortune to know you! Today, that Bai guy really got a taste of his own medicine!"
Zhou Changke was still immersed in the excitement he had just experienced.
In the auction hall, the previous disdainful and mocking gazes now turned into surprise and scrutiny, all falling on Xu Kuo. The young man's actions just now were truly remarkable.
But when their gaze swept over Xu Kuo's faded old cloth jacket and mud-splattered cloth shoes, the initial awe they felt quietly faded away, replaced by a more complex inquiry, mixed with a lingering sense of disdain.
So what if he has some sense? He's still just a country bumpkin who toils in the fields!
In their view, the antique business relies on profound knowledge, family tradition, and experience gained through hard work and financial investment. How could a young upstart possibly succeed by chance? Perhaps it was just a lucky break.
"clang--!"
A crisp gong sound interrupted the whispers of the crowd.
The auctioneer stepped onto the stage, cleared his throat, and wore a professional smile: "Distinguished guests, thank you for your patience. Our auction is now officially open!"
The previously noisy auction hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on the auction stage. The atmosphere became serious and expectant once again.
Soon, a hostess dressed in a cheongsam walked onto the stage carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.
The auctioneer lifted the red cloth, revealing a celadon bowl: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is our first item for today's auction, a Song Dynasty Longquan celadon bowl with carved decoration. This bowl has a regular shape, a vibrant celadon glaze, smooth carvings, and is in excellent condition, making it a truly rare find. Starting bid: eighty dollars!"
The moment the auctioneer finished speaking, Xu Kuo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"System, scan!"
He silently recited it in his heart.
[Ding! Scan complete. Item: Song Dynasty Longquan celadon carved bowl (fragment). Period: Mid-Southern Song Dynasty. Material: Porcelain clay. Value assessment: Craftsmanship is acceptable, glaze is average, there are minor cracks on the rim, and kiln cracks on the bottom. Overall value: 150 points.]
One hundred and fifty points, converted into purchasing power in this era, was roughly equivalent to one hundred and fifty yuan in real value. Xu Kuo had a better understanding of the situation.
"Eighty dollars!" The auctioneer looked around the room, waiting for the first person to raise their paddle.
Just as everyone was observing, appreciating, or considering whether to snag a bargain, a slightly abrupt voice rang out.
"One hundred and fifty!"
Xu Kuo raised his bidding paddle without hesitation and announced a price that stunned everyone present!
"Whoosh—!"
A murmur of surprise rippled through the auction hall!
All eyes immediately turned to Xu Kuo!
"Who...who is this?"
"Are you crazy? The very first item is already at the top?"
"The starting bid was eighty, and he immediately called for one hundred and fifty? That's an insane bidding war!"
"I see clearly now, it's that kid who exposed the fake thumb ring earlier!"
When they realized that it was that same dowdy-looking young man holding the sign, the surprise in everyone's eyes quickly turned into disdain and mockery.
"He really is a country bumpkin, he's never seen the world!"
"He probably got a little cocky earlier and's gotten arrogant! He thinks he's really an expert now?"
"This Longquan bowl is alright, but 150 is definitely a rip-off!"
In the corner, Bai Donghua, who had just suffered a setback, saw this scene and immediately revealed a gloating sneer. He deliberately raised his voice and snorted sarcastically at the person next to him.
"Hmph, he's just a peasant by nature, he doesn't even know the basic rules of an auction. This broken bowl is worth at most a hundred dollars, but he immediately bid one hundred and fifty. He's just wasting his money, and incredibly stupid!"
Xu Kuo heard the surrounding discussions and felt Bai Donghua's undisguised malicious gaze.
Stupid? I have the system at my fingertips. The price I quote is the true value of this thing, not a penny more or less. Who's the stupid one is still uncertain!
The auctioneer was taken aback by Xu Kuo's sudden move. In all his years of auctioning, he had rarely seen anyone bid so high for the very first item.
But he quickly realized what was going on and confirmed, "This gentleman is offering 150 yuan! Anything higher? 150 yuan once! 150 yuan twice!"
No one raised their paddle anymore. After all, in most people's eyes, the price was far beyond the value of the bowl.
"One hundred and fifty dollars, three times! Sold!" The auctioneer brought down the gavel. "Congratulations to this gentleman for winning the bid!"
Xu Kuo calmly put down the number plate, as if he had only done a trivial matter.
Soon, the second item was presented. It was a bronze jue (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel) with a simple and unadorned design.
As usual, the auctioneer gave a brief introduction, and the starting price was set at one hundred dollars.
This time, the bidding was noticeably more cautious. Everyone started bidding back and forth, but each time the increase was small, moving up by five or ten yuan at a time.
Xu Kuo sat there, completely unperturbed, not even lifting his eyelids, seemingly showing no interest in the bronze jue (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel).
The price slowly climbed, soon exceeding 180 yuan, nearly double the starting price. The number of bidders in the room noticeably decreased, with only two or three people still hesitating.
Just then, Bai Donghua suddenly raised his bidding paddle, with an arrogant air of certainty: "Two hundred!"
Once the price was announced, the two people who were still hesitating put down their signs.
Seeing this, the auctioneer began the process: "Two hundred dollars! Any higher bids? Mr. Bai bids two hundred dollars! Two hundred dollars once! Twice! Three times! Sold! Congratulations, Mr. Bai!"
Bai Donghua triumphantly put down the bidding paddle, a victor's smile spreading across his face. He deliberately glanced at Xu Kuo, his eyes filled with provocation and smugness, as if to say: "See? This is the real treasure, you bumpkin, you wouldn't understand!"
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