When Liu Hui spoke those words, I wasn't surprised at all.
Considering this Doucai vase, its market value would easily fetch over a million, let alone five hundred thousand.
If I knew this, then Liu Hui certainly did too.
More importantly, he knew that I knew.
It might sound convoluted, but that's how it was.
Simply put, if I had sold him this Doucai vase too readily, he would have definitely suspected something fishy.
Therefore, in our current negotiation, tact was of utmost importance.
I needed to not only appear willing to sell this vase but also avoid arousing his suspicion.
"Boss Liu, to be honest, if I weren't in a difficult situation right now, I would never let this vase go so easily..." I feigned reluctance.
"Brother Xiang, if you're facing any difficulties, please don't hesitate to tell me. We're both businessmen in the Guangling antique circle, it's only natural for us to help each other," Liu Hui said with a smile.
I had to admit, he was truly a man of many faces, always able to play the most suitable role in different circumstances.
For instance, on the day An Yuan Tang reopened, who could have guessed he was a "delay tactic expert"?
Later, when Wang Yang ambushed him, and I went to see him, he was a completely different person, acting like a complete thug.
And then there was the incident with the chicken-head censer, where he again portrayed himself as a boss who strictly followed the rules of the Jianghu...
Now, he had transformed into a businessman once more.
"Boss Liu is too kind," I said with a smile. "Honestly, I know exactly how much this Doucai vase is worth. But in Guangling, besides the Bai family, I can't think of anyone else who could afford such an item."
I sighed, "It's a shame the Bai family doesn't appreciate its true value..."
Liu Hui chuckled, "Antiques are like that; everyone has different tastes."
I smiled and asked, "Earlier today, Boss Liu said this was a fake. How come now you're...?"
Liu Hui replied, "To be frank, my subordinates misjudged it earlier today."
"Is that so?" I casually sat down on a wooden chair nearby. "So, you mean to say that Boss Liu now believes my item is genuine?"
Liu Hui hesitated for a moment before smiling, "I still need to take another look."
I nodded. "Looking is fine, but shouldn't we agree on some terms first?"
"Of course, there are always ground rules for everything," Liu Hui said. "Brother Xiang, please voice any concerns you might have."
When did this guy become so agreeable?
Indeed, in the face of profit, this fellow would say anything.
I said, "First of all, I can't guarantee whether this Doucai vase is genuine or not. So, I must state upfront that if Boss Liu decides he wants it and agrees to the transaction, he must have people from Zui Xian Lou witness the entire process."
"That's natural. I was thinking the same thing; otherwise, I wouldn't have asked Brother Xiang to come to Zui Xian Lou," Liu Hui replied.
"Also, this vase is fifty thousand, and it will remain fifty thousand. I won't sell it for a penny less," I stated firmly.
"Of course!" Liu Hui nodded. "Don't worry about the price, Brother. I definitely won't let you suffer any loss."
I smiled and put my hands on my chest. "In that case, Boss Liu, you may examine it as you wish."
With that, I gestured for Wang Yang to place the vase on the table.
Liu Hui was not one to dally. He quickly summoned an appraisal expert to examine the Doucai vase.
This time, the appraisal process was clearly much more meticulous than it had been earlier that day. The expert, armed with a magnifying glass, examined every nook and cranny. He even licked the vase with his tongue.
I didn't know where this fellow learned such an appraisal method, but it made both Wang Yang and me feel a bit nauseous.
If he knew this vase had been soaking in a latrine, I wondered what his reaction would be.
After the appraisal, the expert and Liu Hui whispered together in a corner for quite some time.
About seven or eight minutes later, Liu Hui stood up and walked over to me. "Brother Xiang, there's no problem with the vase. Let's proceed with the transaction. Do you prefer cash or a bank transfer?"
"Cash, of course," I replied.
"Alright, I'll have someone fetch it right away."
In less than half an hour, Liu Hui's man appeared in the private room with five hundred thousand in cash.
Subsequently, a notary from Zui Xian Lou was brought in, and under the notary's supervision, Liu Hui and I signed a sales contract.
After the entire transaction was completed, Liu Hui was ecstatic, as if he had stumbled upon a treasure. Before leaving, he even said that if I ever faced difficulties in the future, I could always find him.
"Xiao Fei, you think if that guy knew..."
Wang Yang trailed off, then grinned at me.
I shrugged. "Now, there's only one final step left."
"Are we really going to do it like that?" Wang Yang sounded hesitant. "Doing so would mean completely alienating Liu Hui..."
I said, "As long as there are no mistakes with Da Guang and Xiao Guang on their end, even if he suspects me then, what can he do? I refuse to believe he can truly control everything in Guangling with just a word!"
Wang Yang conceded, "Alright, if that's what you want to do, I won't stop you."
Upon returning home from Zui Xian Lou, before I could even mention how to handle the five hundred thousand, Wang Yang suggested, "Why don't we put this money in your safe? Since the safe is empty anyway."
"No need. We'll go to the bank tomorrow to deposit the money," I replied.
"Then we'll just leave it in this bag tonight? It seems a bit unsafe..."
As Wang Yang spoke, he started to head upstairs to open the safe. I quickly stopped him and said, "I've already put some things inside that box."
"Put what?" Wang Yang asked.
"Just some antiques..."
"What antiques? Let me take a look."
I was unsure whether to tell Wang Yang about the money in the box.
This guy had said he would tell me about Sister Ying when he got back, but he still hadn't mentioned anything.
"Wang Yang," I looked at him.
"What is it?"
"Didn't you say you'd tell me about Sister Ying after you returned?" I asked calmly.
Wang Yang replied, "Haven't we been busy dealing with Liu Hui these past few days? It's not the right time yet."
"Then when will be the right time?"
"Once Liu Hui's matter is resolved..."
"Alright," I nodded and smiled. "I know you're also very curious about what's inside the safe. Once you tell me about Sister Ying, I'll open it and let you see to your heart's content."
My words had hit the nail on the head, and Wang Yang said, "You're truly a scheming fellow."
I smiled indifferently, "The feeling is mutual."
Frankly speaking, Sister Ying had already completely left my life and no longer had any influence on me.
Moreover, she had even left me some money. For me, there was no need to probe further.
But for some reason, the thought of Sister Ying made it difficult for me to let go.
Who was she? What was she doing?
I really wanted to know these things...