Chapter 16

When Zhang Tianyuan said he hadn't brought the item with him, the few people seemed a bit disappointed, but as they were all prominent figures in the antiques world, they controlled their emotions quite well.

Old Dong smiled and said, "It's our fault for being abrupt. Such valuable items should indeed be kept in a safe place. Carrying them around is always inconvenient."

"However, you can rest assured, I will definitely bring the item tomorrow for all of you to appreciate together," Zhang Tianyuan didn't want to miss the opportunity to befriend these four people; it was a rare and good chance.

Hearing Zhang Tianyuan's words, the four people all nodded secretly, thinking this young man was quite sensible and worth trying to befriend.

"Let's do it this way. We won't come here tomorrow. After your jade shop opens, business will surely be good, and with us here to support you, it won't go bad. So it will be quite busy here tomorrow. Why don't we choose a quieter place?" Old Li adjusted his glasses and said.

"Old Li makes a good point. How about Baiyi Workshop?" Liu Mengxun thought for a moment and said, "It's not only quiet, but we can also watch performances while discussing things, and enjoy good tea. It's an excellent place to talk about antiques."

"Baiyi Workshop, that's probably Mr. Murong's business, right?" Boss Xiao turned to look at Boss Murong and smiled.

"Baiyi Workshop is a place I built after years of collecting ancient dances and music. All the performances there are classics from ancient times, completely different from the popular music and dances of today. It's my proudest achievement. Only guests with special VIP cards can enter, to avoid disturbing the atmosphere. Since you all are willing to go to Baiyi Workshop, I, Murong, will certainly prepare everything for you," Boss Murong nodded and said.

He then took out a beautifully crafted card made of bronze and white jade and handed it to Zhang Tianyuan, saying, "This card will allow you to bring two friends. Keep it safe, don't lose it."

Zhang Tianyuan hurriedly and respectfully took the card and put it away carefully.

The people here, Old Dong, Old Li, Boss Xiao, and Liu Mengxun, all had VIP cards, so they weren't a problem. With this card, Zhang Tianyuan could also bring Xu Gang and Mou Ying to experience it. Boss Murong had thought of everything.

"Alright, since everything is settled for today, we won't stay any longer. See you tomorrow!" Boss Xiao stood up, straightened his clothes, and said.

The other three also showed signs of leaving.

However, Zhang Tianyuan then said, "Please wait a moment. Although I didn't bring the 'Shangyangtai Post' today, I have another item I'd like you all to appraise."

The item he was referring to was the comic book he had bought from Xifeng City's Treasure Alley. He understood the content of the comic book, which was "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio," but he wasn't sure when it was drawn, by whom, or its value. He had brought it today to get it appraised by experts, and now he had four experts right here, so he couldn't miss this good opportunity.

"Oh? What kind of treasure is it?" Boss Xiao asked.

Zhang Tianyuan took out the comic book and said, "It's a comic book of 'Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio'!"

Upon hearing it was a comic book, the four experts were clearly a bit disappointed. Although comic books have some collection value now, a top-grade comic book is worth at most five or six thousand yuan, and it's not considered an antique. No wonder they had such an attitude.

"It's just a children's book, right? I remember you loved children's books when you were a kid. Even if they are rare now, they are still easy to buy. How much did you spend on it?" Xu Gang looked at the comic book in Zhang Tianyuan's hand and said somewhat indifferently.

"Not much, just two thousand yuan," Zhang Tianyuan smiled.

"Two thousand! You really have money to burn. I remember buying these things for a few cents or at most a few yuan when I was a kid. Many of them were burned by my grandmother for heating. You actually spent two thousand on this?" Xu Gang had no idea about the value of comic books in the collection world. Even if they were worth four or five thousand, that was many times more than before. If Xu Gang's children's books were still around, they could probably sell for a good price now, but it was a pity they were gone.

Zhang Tianyuan didn't pay attention to him. His brother was very knowledgeable about jade, but when it came to other collectibles, he was clueless. Explaining the value of the comic book to him would be like playing the lute to a cow.

He was about to show the item to the four experts when Mou Ying's eyes lit up, and she said, "Old classmate, I'll give you six thousand yuan for this children's book, okay?"

Xu Gang was stunned and said irritably, "Yingzi, are you crazy? A broken book, and you're willing to pay six thousand? If you want it, I'll find one for you."

He wasn't upset that Mou Ying was buying something from Zhang Tianyuan; he just thought the world was too crazy. A children's book, not even a treasure, and she was willing to pay six thousand. That could buy a decent computer.

"Go away, you don't understand anything!" Mou Ying glared at Xu Gang and said disdainfully.

Zhang Tianyuan was a bit embarrassed. If Mou Ying really wanted the item, he would feel bad not giving it to her, considering she had helped him a lot and was an old classmate. But as a businessman, he felt he needed to be clear about the value of the item. He smiled and said, "Yingzi, don't join in the fun. Let the experts appraise it first. After the appraisal, if you want to buy it, I'll sell it to you."

Mou Ying nodded reluctantly.

But Xu Gang was unhappy and said, "Tianyuan, why are you so stingy? It's just a broken book. If your wife wants it, just give it to her. If it were me, I wouldn't even think twice."

Zhang Tianyuan sighed inwardly. His friend was too straightforward. If the item was worth four or five thousand, or even ten thousand, giving it away wouldn't be a problem. But if it was worth tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands, how could he give it away? Not only would he feel heartbroken, but the recipient might also feel uncomfortable in the future.

"Gangzi, don't interfere. Tianyuan is right. Let the experts appraise it first, and then you can buy it," Mou Ying said. She thought the comic book was worth at most four or five thousand.

Old Dong took the comic book, initially not paying much attention, but when he opened it, his eyes widened. He hurriedly put on his reading glasses, took out a magnifying glass, and carefully examined each page.

Old Li, who was standing nearby, felt curious and tried to touch it. Unexpectedly, his hand trembled, and he exclaimed, "This is—"

"You noticed too?" Old Dong asked.

"Even a blind person could feel it. Wasn't this item already bought by the Japanese? How did it come back?" Old Li said.

"I'm puzzled too. At first, I thought it was a fake, but after looking at it for a long time, it's definitely genuine," Old Dong looked excitedly at Zhang Tianyuan and said, "Young man, I don't want to take advantage of you. I'll give you one hundred thousand yuan for this children's book. Will you sell it to me?"

Hearing the price, not only Xu Gang and Mou Ying were stunned, but Zhang Tianyuan was also dumbfounded. He had initially estimated the item to be worth three or four thousand, but it seemed his judgment was far off. The factors affecting the value of such items were too many. From the attitude of Old Dong and Old Li, it seemed they were very familiar with and valued this comic book.