Looking at the fat man's somewhat dejected figure, Master Cao shook his head.
It's also his fault for being so rude earlier; somehow he brought up the bowl that Li Chu had shown him.
He was bothered by this fat man for most of the day, and he was almost driven crazy by it.
He bet this guy would come looking for him again in a couple of days. Thinking of this, Master Cao called out.
"Young Ma, come back here."
The fat man, who was almost at the store entrance, suddenly realized something and immediately turned around and ran back.
"Here you are, sir."
"Kid, do you trust my judgment?" Master Cao asked after leading the fat man back into the hut and closing the door.
"Sir, what are you saying? Even if I don't trust anyone else, I have to trust your judgment."
"Alright kid, stop joking. I know you're still not giving up and will definitely come back to bother me in a couple of days. Let me put it this way, 100,000, I'll swallow my pride and get that bowl over there for you."
"How much?" The fat man's eyes bulged out like he had hyperthyroidism.
Master Cao leaned back in his chair, calmly picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip of water.
"Sir, you're not joking, are you?"
"Do you think I'd joke with you? Do you think I'd have nothing better to do?"
"This is outrageous!" The fat man still couldn't accept such an outrageous price.
"Kid, is it really that exaggerated? You've just gotten addicted to finding bargains these past two years. Not everyone is naive."
"Even so, it's still a bit too expensive."
"Hehe, it's up to you. Nobody's forcing you to buy it. But if you don't want it, don't mention wanting to come and take a look again when you come here in the future."
"Sir, is this price reasonable?"
"Didn't you hear what I just said? I still have to shamelessly try to get 100,000 yuan."
"Can you trade it for something else?"
"Hey kid, I already told you he's not a collector."
"If I can scrape together the money, will I actually be able to buy the item?"
Upon hearing this, Master Cao was also taken aback. He had only said this to make the fat man back down.
"Kid, you don't actually want to buy it, do you?"
"Sir, didn't you say it was okay to buy it?"
"One hundred thousand! That's a lot! Where did you get so much money?"
"You don't need to worry about that, I have my own way of doing it. Just tell me, if I bring the money, can I buy anything?"
Master Cao was now in a bit of a predicament. He was genuinely unsure whether he could buy the bowl. Although Li Chu had said those things that day, who knew if he was joking?
He thought for a moment and said, "I won't lie to you. That day, they did say they could sell it to me for 100,000, but I'm not sure if it's true. If you really want it and have the money, I'll go and ask tonight."
This time, the fat man sat there frowning and thinking for a long time before finally nodding and saying, "Sir, I can definitely raise the money within two days."
"Kid, don't cause your father any trouble for some material possessions."
"Don't worry, old man, you've known me since I was a child. I'm not that kind of person."
"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I'll swallow my pride and ask for you tonight."
Having said all that, Master Cao didn't intend to persuade him any further. He was just going to ask. If the host family refused outright, then the boy would probably stop bothering him.
Imagine
As soon as Liu Dazhuang drove into the alley after get off work in the afternoon, he said, "Director, that Mr. Cao from the trust store was loitering at the intersection last time. He must have been looking for you, right?"
Li Chu, who was sitting in the back seat talking to his wife, looked up through the front window when he heard this.
"Who is this? Which Master Cao?" Ding Qiunan asked curiously.
"Oh, she used to repair porcelain at the museum, but now she's retired and works at the trust shop in front of the building, where she's in charge of appraising items."
"What does he want from you?"
"I suspect it's because of that bowl."
"bowl?"
Before Ding Qiunan could ask any more questions, the car had already stopped, so she stopped asking. She figured that Ding Qiunan would know the answer anyway.
After the car came to a complete stop, Li Chu opened the car door and got out.
"Old Cao, were you waiting for me?"
"Dr. Li, the old man did come to see you."
"Then please come inside."
"I won't go in. Let's talk here. It's just a matter of a few words."
"That's fine, please go ahead."
"Li Chu, you two chat, I'm going back to cook."
Ding Qiunan smiled, nodded to Master Cao, and headed home.
After parking his car, Liu Dazhuang stood next to it.
"Dr. Li, I came here to ask if you are interested in selling that blue and white porcelain bowl with a qilin and lotus design from last time?"
They really came here because of this bowl, but...
"Old Cao? You want it?"
"Hey, to be honest, this old man really can't afford it. It's my fault for being so talkative this time. I mentioned this bowl to someone while chatting, and he got pestered. He insisted that I bring him over to see it. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I told him that the owner was offering it for 100,000. I just wanted to get rid of him, but I didn't expect him to actually want it. I had no other choice, so I came to ask you for advice."
"Old Cao, I'm really sorry, I won't sell this bowl." Li Chu refused without the slightest hesitation.
"Oh? Dr. Li, you really won't sell? Actually, 100,000 is already quite a lot."
"It's not about how much money I have; I have no use for money."
"Well……"
This immediately shut Master Cao up. They already said that asking for money was useless, and raising the price now wouldn't work.
Besides, even if you raise prices, how much can they really go up?
"Doctor Luggage, I'll turn him down right away."
"Old Cao, how about having a simple meal at my house?"
"No need, no need. I've already cooked at home, it's just a short walk. Dr. Li, I won't bother you any longer."
"Alright, Mr. Cao, please take care."
"Okay, see you later."
After watching Master Cao leave, Li Chu was just about to turn around and go home when he heard the sound of a bicycle bell behind him.
"Dad, what are you doing standing here?"
Looking at his daughter getting out of the car, he smiled and said, "I can leave work on time today."
Wenhui rolled her eyes at her: "Isn't that all the work you've done for us? When have we ever worked overtime before, let alone all night?"
“That’s to help your Uncle Jianjun.” Li Chu reached out and grabbed the bicycle handlebars: “Come on, I’ll push the bike in for you.”
"Hmph~ I want to eat barbecue this weekend." Wenhui took the opportunity to make a request.
"No problem, I'll have the purchasing department help me buy some lamb and beef tomorrow, and we'll have barbecue tomorrow night."
"Hehe, thanks, Dad."
"Silly girl!"
(Announcement: Dear readers, this is the second update for today. The next chapter will be released at 5 PM. Thank you for your support and encouragement.)
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