Zhou Changke, watching from the side, grew anxious. He nudged Xu Kuo's arm and whispered, "Brother Xu, that bronze jue looked quite nice, and it seemed to be quite old. Why didn't you make a move?"
Xu Kuo curled his lip and uttered a few words indifferently: "A piece of junk, worthless."
Although the voice was not loud, the auction hall was relatively quiet, and Bai Donghua was listening intently to hear Xu Kuo's reaction, so he overheard it!
Bai Donghua's face instantly darkened, and he shrieked, "What did you say?! You little brat, what do you know! Let me tell you, this is a bronze ritual vessel! Priceless! You say it's worthless? I think you're just sour grapes!"
Xu Kuo raised his eyelids to meet Bai Donghua's angry gaze, his face filled with undisguised mockery: "Priceless? Heh, Mr. Bai, you should worry about whether you've bought another 'surprise'. In my opinion, your two hundred yuan for a modern-made counterfeit is quite a bargain."
"You...you're talking nonsense!" Bai Donghua trembled with rage, pointing at Xu Kuo's nose and cursing, "What evidence do you have that it's a fake? I think you're just jealous! You're deliberately causing trouble!"
He grew angrier the more he thought about it. He hadn't even regained the face he'd just lost, and now this kid was provoking him in public. He couldn't swallow this insult no matter what!
Bai Donghua suddenly turned to the auctioneer and shouted sternly, "Host! Bring up that bronze jue from earlier! Today I'm going to open this ignorant bumpkin's eyes! Let him see what a real treasure is!"
The auctioneer immediately looked troubled: "Mr. Bai, this... the item has already been sold, according to the rules..."
"Rules my ass!" Bai Donghua interrupted him rudely, pulling out several ten-yuan bills from his pocket and slamming them on the table beside him. "I'll add five more! Consider it a tip for your trouble! Bring the stuff up here! This isn't over yet!"
Looking at the few brand-new banknotes and then at the furious Bai Donghua, the auctioneer hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and signaled the staff to bring the bronze jue, which had just been removed, back up.
All eyes in the auction hall turned back to them, filled with curiosity and anticipation.
This is going to be interesting!
Among the crowd, some people recognized Bai Donghua and began to whisper among themselves.
"Isn't that Bai Donghua, the famous collector in the city? I heard he has a very sharp eye and has collected a lot of good things."
"This kid actually dares to question what Boss Bai has his eye on? He's really a fearless newborn calf!"
"I think this country bumpkin's really messed up this time! Boss Bai is not someone to be trifled with!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the bronze jue (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel) was carefully placed on the display stand in front of Xu Kuo and Bai Donghua. Its surface was covered with mottled patina, its shape was simple and ancient, with three legs standing upright and a long spout, it did indeed have a certain ancient charm.
Bai Donghua crossed his arms, raised his chin slightly, and looked down at Xu Kuo with a condescending gaze. He sneered, "Boy, look closely! This rust, this shape, this patina! What doesn't match the characteristics of Shang Dynasty bronzes? Tell me, what makes it fake?"
The bronze jue (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel) gleamed with a dim luster under the lamplight, its patina naturally formed. Standing firmly on its three legs, with smooth lines, it truly exuded an ancient and dignified air.
The onlookers couldn't help but nod in approval. Many thought to themselves that Boss Bai had a good eye; this Zunjue (a type of ancient Chinese artifact) looked like an old object and might actually be a treasure from the Shang Dynasty.
"Yeah, it doesn't look fake."
"This young man was impressive with his appraisal, but bronze artifacts are a different story; the market is very complex!"
"I doubt it. Boss Bai has been doing this for so many years, how could he be wrong?"
Many people looked at Bai Donghua with envy, and some even secretly regretted not bidding higher earlier. If they could have gotten a great deal for two hundred yuan, they would have been rich!
Hearing the surrounding chatter, Bai Donghua's smugness deepened. He glanced sideways at Xu Kuo and said, "Well? Dumbfounded? Can't say anything coherent? Let me tell you, if you don't understand, don't spout nonsense! This antique business isn't for a greenhorn like you to get involved in. Go back to your rural backyard!"
Xu Kuo met his disdainful gaze, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips, and slowly replied, "Well, on the surface, there really is no problem."
"Hahaha!" Bai Donghua laughed exaggeratedly, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Did you hear that? Did everyone hear that? He himself admitted that there was no problem! What a piece of trash! He still dares to act all high and mighty here! I think you're just a complete idiot who doesn't know anything!"
A burst of laughter erupted around them, and their gazes towards Xu Kuo were filled with mockery and contempt. This kid—they thought he was so capable just now, but it turns out he was just bluffing!
Just as Bai Donghua was laughing so hard he was doubled over, and everyone was waiting to see Xu Kuo slink away in disgrace—
A sudden change has occurred!
Xu Kuo moved with lightning speed, his right hand suddenly reaching out to grab the bronze jue (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel) on the display stand!
"What are you doing?!"
"stop!"
Exclamations erupted! Everyone was startled by Xu Kuo's sudden action! That was a bronze artifact; even if it wasn't from the Shang Dynasty, it was still an old object. How could it withstand such rough treatment?
Bai Donghua's smile froze instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, and his heart skipped a beat! He instinctively reached out to stop him: "You dare touch my things?!"
But it was too late!
Xu Kuo's hand was even faster! His five fingers firmly gripped the abdomen of the bronze jue, his arm muscles tightened slightly, and a clever force was released!
"Snap!"
A crisp snapping sound echoed throughout the auction hall!
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Everyone stared in disbelief as Xu Kuo broke off one of the legs of the bronze jue (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel) from his hand.
After a brief silence, the auction hall erupted in chaos!
"My God! He broke the shin guard!"
"He's gone mad! This kid's gone mad!"
"You beast! What a waste! Even if it's not real, you can't destroy things like this!"
Shouts, accusations, and gasps filled the air! The way everyone looked at Xu Kuo changed from mockery to anger and terror!
"You...you..." Bai Donghua trembled with rage, his face turning from black to purple. His finger pointing at Xu Kuo trembled, and he could barely speak. "You...you ruined my treasure! You pay for it! You pay for it!"
He abruptly turned to the equally stunned auctioneer beside him and roared, "Host! What are you all standing there for?! Quick! Call someone! Arrest him! Take him to the police station! This bastard who destroyed cultural relics!"
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