Chapter 27

Yang Bo waited for a while, feeling somewhat anxious, when suddenly he saw Fang Yuan return, clutching a cloth bag and running hurriedly.

"Mr. Yang, I... kept you waiting," Fang Yuan said, breathing heavily and speaking in a broken manner.

Yang Bo was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, "It's fine, not long at all. You live quite close, don't you?"

However, Fang Yuan's heart skipped a beat because he suddenly realized he had made a fatal mistake. In their previous interactions, they had never exchanged names. Such a transaction was a one-time deal, and they would not meet again. Even if they had given their names, they would likely have been aliases, so neither of them had asked for the other's name.

He could only manage a sheepish smile, observing Yang Bo's expression. Seeing only a hint of confusion and no further questions, he was still uneasy but had to respond, "Oh, yes, I brought a few items. Please take a look!"

Yang Bo smiled, but inside he was more certain. Since he hadn't introduced himself, the fact that the other party knew his name clearly indicated that this was a premeditated setup. But who was behind it?

Deciding to play along, Yang Bo remained calm and took the Buddha statue, examined it, and then put it down without a word.

Next, he picked up the ivory tablet, also known as a court tablet, which ancient ministers used to write down matters they wanted to report to prevent forgetting them, similar to a modern notepad but made with more refined materials. He examined it for a moment and then put it down.

Finally, there was a stone ink slab. Compared to the previous items, this one was much simpler, looking like a brick with no patterns. The only clue was a simple "Gu" character at the bottom.

Yang Bo felt disappointed, thinking that the person trying to frame him had poor skills. The items, though they looked good, were only superficial. A light circle formed in his mind, and he was surprised by its thickness!

This ink slab was actually made during the Yongzheng period, a result he had not expected. However, upon closer inspection, Yang Bo noticed something strange about the light circle. The ink slab had formed two light circles, overlapping but with different thicknesses. One was thick, while the other was thin, likely from the Republican era.

Yang Bo was stunned, unable to understand the situation.

"Is this ink slab good?" Fang Yuan saw Yang Bo holding the ink slab, looking puzzled, and was also surprised. He had thought this ink slab was the least likely to sell among the items he brought, and yet Yang Bo had taken an interest, which was truly unbelievable!

Yang Bo put the ink slab down, "It's average, clearly not as good as the previous ones!"

Since entering the business, Yang Bo had become adept at lying. He wanted to acquire the ink slab but knew that if the other party was prepared, it wouldn't be easy. A diversionary tactic wouldn't work.

Fang Yuan smiled, thinking that if Yang Bo was devaluing it, there was a chance. "That's not entirely true. Each has its own merits. This ink slab is simple and dignified, embodying the essence of nature!"

Yang Bo didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "How much?"

Fang Yuan didn't want to miss this opportunity. Knowing that he would be considered successful as long as he sold the item, he was afraid of scaring Yang Bo away and said, "This ink slab is a bit cheaper, 50,000 yuan!"

Yang Bo looked at it and shook his head, "200 yuan!"

"What? 200 yuan? Are you joking? My cost is a hundred times that!" Fang Yuan became agitated, inadvertently revealing his bottom price.

Yang Bo didn't believe him. Seeing Fang Yuan's hesitation, he thought the other party was experienced. "Let's be straightforward. If you really think this ink slab is worth 40,000 to 50,000 yuan, you should find someone else!"

With that, Yang Bo turned and walked away, taking steps while counting in his mind. If the other party was setting up a trap, they would definitely stop him!

One step, two steps, three steps... five steps.

"Wait!" Fang Yuan, after a moment of agony, stopped Yang Bo and said, "The lowest I can go is 20,000 yuan, no lower!"

Yang Bo turned around, "Alright!"

The two quickly went to a nearby bank branch to transfer the money and drafted a simple contract.

Yang Bo held the brick-like ink slab, wondering if the ancients had other uses for it, like hitting people?

...

Fang Yuan smiled and quickly returned to the small courtyard, where he saw Jia Huairen and smiled.

"Did it work? How much?" Jia Huairen looked at Fang Yuan, eager to know.

Fang Yuan smiled, pausing dramatically before saying, "40,000 yuan!"

Jia Huairen, unaware that this number was doubled, couldn't help but laugh, "Good! Good! Well done! I'll give you another 10,000 yuan, and I hope Mr. Fang can keep this a secret!"

Fang Yuan nodded solemnly, but inside he was elated. They had agreed that Jia Huairen would provide the items, and the higher the selling price, the more money he would get, plus a bonus for keeping quiet. He realized that these two must have some grudge, and Jia Huairen wouldn't confront him directly.

After laughing for a while, Jia Huairen remembered, "Mr. Fang, which item did you sell?"

Fang Yuan didn't speak but took out the remaining items from his pocket.

When the Buddha statue was taken out, Jia Huairen thought Yang Bo must have taken the ivory tablet. He knew it wasn't made of ivory but bleached cow bone!

However, when Fang Yuan took out the ivory tablet, Jia Huairen was stunned, taking a while to recover, "Yang Bo, he took the ink slab?"

"Yes, Mr. Jia, look, I helped you make a lot of money! That ink slab probably hasn't been sold for a long time!" Fang Yuan smiled, looking very pleased with himself.

Jia Huairen nodded but was deeply puzzled, "That ink slab looks like it was made during the Republican era, with no patterns at all. I didn't expect that kid to spend so much on it!"

Fang Yuan nodded, "I'm curious too, but once it's sold, I don't want to pay attention anymore!"