Chapter 17

"Thirty thousand!" Yang Bo glanced in the direction of Deputy Director Qu.

"Forty thousand!" Deputy Director Qu had a smiling face, but he raised the price without mercy.

Yang Bo did not rush to respond, speculating on the other party's intentions. Thirty thousand yuan was already the market price for this jade figurine, but why was Deputy Director Qu so determined to raise the price? Could it be that he had noticed something?

Indeed, if he could see it, others might see it too. Yang Bo hesitated slightly, "Forty-five thousand!"

"Forty-eight thousand!" Deputy Director Qu kept raising the price, seemingly unwilling to give up.

Yang Bo frowned, "Fifty thousand yuan!"

"Since the young man likes this jade figurine so much, I'll let it go to you!"

Deputy Director Qu suddenly stopped, leaving Yang Bo somewhat caught off guard. But then he remembered that when he sold the fish basket vase, it was also for fifty thousand yuan. Deputy Director Qu must have said this to teach him a lesson!

But Deputy Director Qu's methods were too harsh!

Yang Bo won the jade figurine for fifty thousand yuan, and everyone else did not react much. The auction continued.

After obtaining the Han Dynasty jade figurine, Yang Bo held it in his hands, feeling at ease. He no longer paid attention to the items on the stage, thinking only that after selling this jade figurine, he must go home. His father's illness could not be delayed any longer. Even if he did not have the full eighty-five thousand yuan, he could still get his father admitted to the hospital for preliminary examinations, which would give him more time to raise the medical fees!

While Yang Bo was lost in thought, the auction was nearing its end. He did not expect that Deputy Director Qu did not buy any items throughout the entire auction, which disappointed him greatly.

The last item was bought by a low-key old man, and the auction was over.

Lao San Mei stood at the front of the stage, clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention, "This auction is now over. Thank you all for coming. For the next one, it will still be at the usual time and place. If there are new friends who want to participate, you will need to show your strength next time!"

While Lao San Mei was speaking, he did not look at anyone in particular, but everyone knew that the last sentence was directed at Yang Bo.

Yang Bo did not say anything. He had no clear plans for the future and was even considering distancing himself from the other party. After all, these secret transactions were illegal, and their existence only further encouraged tomb robbers!

After negotiating with the other party, Yang Bo finally paid by card and obtained the Han Dynasty jade figurine. He was overjoyed but did not show it, fearing that others would notice.

As Yang Bo was about to leave with the jade figurine, the bald, tattooed man in charge asked, "Mr. Yang, will you come next time?"

Yang Bo hesitated. Although he did not want to come again, he was unsure if he could raise enough money for his father's medical fees by then. This was one last chance, just this once, and he would never come again!

Finally, he convinced himself and nodded at the other party, "I will come next time."

"Very well, Mr. Yang, please leave your contact information, and we will notify you when the time comes." The man looked rough but was very polite in his dealings.

Yang Bo planned to sell the jade figurine in the morning. He would tell Guo Bapi that he had to go home and send the money back. His father would not go to the hospital on his own, so he would have to force him to go.

If he sold the jade figurine, he should have raised a significant portion of the medical fees!

Yang Bo stepped out of the courtyard and ran into Luo Shao and his appraiser, who were standing outside, seemingly waiting for someone.

Yang Bo still did not fully understand Luo Shao's identity, but he nodded slightly to the other party and was about to leave.

Suddenly, Luo Shao called out, "Young Brother Yang, please wait a moment!"

Yang Bo stopped and looked at the other party, puzzled, not knowing what he meant.

Luo Shao smiled, "Old Master Feng has a question for Young Brother Yang."

Yang Bo followed Luo Shao's gaze and saw the old appraiser with a kind smile, "Young Brother, don't be nervous. I just want to know the origin of that Han Dynasty jade figurine and why you were so determined to get it!"

Yang Bo paused, "Old Master Feng, you also examined the jade figurine. Whatever you saw is what it is!"

Deputy Director Qu greeted a few acquaintances and stepped out, just in time to hear the last part of their conversation. He chuckled, "Brother Feng, why ask so many questions? Others who don't know the details might be deceived by this young man. I know very well that Yang Bo is a clerk at Gudezhai!"

"Gudezhai is a small antique shop near Chaotian Palace. He has only been a clerk there for two years. Such a person, relying on a bit of eloquence, has managed to get into here!"

Deputy Director Qu glanced at Yang Bo with a look of disdain.

Yang Bo nodded, "I am a clerk at an antique shop, and there is nothing to argue about. I have never introduced myself with any other identity!"

Deputy Director Qu laughed coldly, "Now that I've exposed you, you admit it so readily. But this person is morally corrupt and of low character. He once stood behind me and snatched an artifact I had my eye on, truly showing his lack of integrity!"

Deputy Director Qu said these words clearly to inform Luo Shao and the others. Luo Shao did not react much, but Old Master Feng frowned, "Young Brother, what do you have to say about this?"

Yang Bo looked at the other party and did not explain, but asked, "Old Master Feng, what did you call me here for? If it's just to ask about these trivial matters, I cannot answer!"

Old Master Feng pointed at the jade figurine in his hand, "I just want to know the condition of this jade figurine!"

Deputy Director Qu stood to the side and laughed, "Brother Feng, we've known each other for a long time. Can you not trust my character? This young man is just lucky. He bought this jade figurine today, probably thinking he was getting a bargain, but he didn't realize that the value of a Han Dynasty jade figurine is only two or three thousand yuan. Spending fifty thousand yuan on it is a huge loss!"

Yang Bo stood to the side, glanced at Deputy Director Qu, and felt nothing but disdain. He did not expect the other party to be so petty and malicious!

Old Master Feng did not have a good impression of Yang Bo. Hearing Deputy Director Qu's exaggerated tone, he was half-believing, half-doubting, as Yang Bo had always seemed composed, which did not match Deputy Director Qu's description!

Luo Shao, growing impatient, said, "Old Master Feng, let's not get into all this. Today, we're only asking about the jade figurine!"