Chapter 24: 3.5 Million

"Snuff bottle? It’s in pretty good condition!" Zhao Defa said with admiration as he looked at the exquisite porcelain that Liu Dong had placed in the center of the table.

Although he had often made mistakes when he first started collecting due to his lack of expertise, he gradually improved his eye for antiques after making many mistakes. Therefore, when Liu Dong took out the item, Zhao Defa could still discern some characteristics of a valuable antique from the snuff bottle.

"Little brother, can I take a closer look?" Excited by the prospect, Zhao Defa couldn't help but ask.

"Of course, Mr. Zhao, please go ahead!" Liu Dong replied politely.

Understanding the rules of the antique trade, Zhao Defa carefully picked up the snuff bottle from the table and began to examine it closely.

As time passed, Zhao Defa's expression of joy grew more intense. Moreover, given his deep understanding of Old Li and Uncle Long's character, he didn't believe they would let a junior bring a fake item to deceive him.

"Good item, little brother, what's your price?" After finishing his examination, Zhao Defa didn't put the snuff bottle down but held it in his hand and asked directly. He had already learned from Old Li that the snuff bottle was for sale, so his question didn't seem abrupt.

"Why, aren't you afraid it might be fake?" At this point, Uncle Long had calmed down and, seeing Zhao Defa ready to buy, asked with a smile.

"Hehe, not afraid, not afraid. I don't trust others, but I trust Old Li and Uncle Long!"

Old Li smiled faintly and said, "This item is called a 'Copper胎画珐琅莲池图鼻烟壶' (Copper胎 Painted Enamel Lotus Pool Snuff Bottle). It's from the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi period, made by the imperial workshop, and is a genuine imperial creation. The market price is around 3 million!" Of course, Old Li was referring to the auction price. Unless someone truly loved collecting snuff bottles, it would be hard to sell a fine snuff bottle for such a high price in the auction market of the year 2000.

"Little brother, 3.5 million! How about transferring it to me?" After hearing Old Li's words, Zhao Defa asked without hesitation.

The reason he offered such a high price was largely out of respect for Old Li and Uncle Long. Otherwise, he wouldn't have raised the price; he might have even tried to drive it down to buy the fine snuff bottle.

Hearing this, Liu Dong, who had hoped to make a substantial profit from the item, didn't hesitate and agreed readily. He knew that if it weren't for Old Li and Uncle Long's reputation, his snuff bottle, even if it was a fine piece, wouldn't have fetched such a high price.

"Alright, Mr. Zhao, 3.5 million!"

Hearing this, Zhao Defa's face lit up with joy, and he continued, "Little brother, do you have a bank card? I'll have someone transfer the money to you right away!"

Liu Dong naturally had a bank card, but for convenience in sending money home, he had a card from the Agricultural Bank. After giving Zhao Defa the card number, he saw him make a phone call. Less than a minute later, Zhao Defa hung up and said with a smile, "Alright, little brother, the money has been transferred. You can check it if you want!"

"No need, I trust your character! This Kangxi snuff bottle now officially belongs to you!"

Hearing this, Uncle Long, who was sitting beside him, couldn't help but smile. He was the only one who knew that Liu Dong didn't have a mobile phone, so even if he wanted to check, he couldn't. It was better to be generous and leave a good impression on Zhao Defa.

"Hehe, little brother, you're indeed a straightforward person! Since we've officially met today, don't call me Mr. Zhao anymore. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Zhao."

Everyone likes to hear nice words, and Zhao Defa was no exception. Given Liu Dong's relationship with Old Li and Uncle Long, Zhao Defa spoke very warmly.

"Brother Zhao!" Liu Dong said with a smile.

Although it was their first meeting and they weren't very familiar with each other, through their interaction, Liu Dong found that Zhao Defa was a good person. Despite his wealth, he wasn't arrogant like some self-made billionaires and had a straightforward and generous demeanor typical of northern men. This made Liu Dong feel a natural affinity for him.

"Good, hahaha, then I'll call you Xiao Dong!" Zhao Defa laughed.

"Then wouldn't we be at a disadvantage? You're actually our senior!" Old Li joked, pointing at Zhao Defa.

"Hehe, Old Li, I think we should just stick to our own terms! That way, it'll be less troublesome!"

Zhao Defa nodded and smiled, "Let's do as Old Long suggested, we'll stick to our own terms!"

After a bit of banter, Zhao Defa looked at Liu Dong and said, "Xiao Dong, three days from now, come to my place with Old Li. I'll treat you and Old Li to a meal. Of course, if Uncle Long comes, I'd be even more welcome!"

Seeing the earnest look in Zhao Defa's eyes, the experienced Uncle Long understood his intentions and waved his hand, declining, "Forget it, I'm just a carpenter and a sculptor. I don't know much about antique appraisal, so I won't go. Let Xiao Dong go! It'll be good for him to broaden his horizons!"

After hearing Uncle Long's words, a hint of disappointment flashed in Zhao Defa's eyes. He had hoped to have more contact with Uncle Long and persuade him to reconsider and continue as Huatai Group's wood appraisal consultant. Now, it seemed unlikely.

By the time Liu Dong and the others left Old Li's Chenxiang Pavilion, it was almost 7 PM. However, because it was summer, the days were long and the nights short, so even at 7 PM, the sun had set, but the light outside was still bright.

"Uncle Long, Xiao Dong, I have some business at the company, so I'll leave first!" Standing outside the Chenxiang Pavilion, Zhao Defa said first.

He had originally intended to invite Old Long to represent Huatai Group at the wood appraisal conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, on the 15th of next month. But since Uncle Long was determined to retire, Huatai Group needed to find a new wood appraisal expert within a month, at least as good as Old Long.

To be honest, in an era dominated by machine production, where hand-carved wood and handmade antique furniture were becoming less common, finding a good wood appraisal expert was quite difficult. Therefore, Zhao Defa wanted to return to the company as soon as possible, gather the department heads, and instruct them to find a new wood appraisal expert. This was a crucial matter for Huatai Group's development and couldn't be taken lightly.

Hearing his words and seeing the urgency in his eyes, Uncle Long understood Zhao Defa's intentions and nodded.

"Xiao Dong, don't forget to come to my place with Old Li in three days. I'll show you my collection!"

"Sure, Brother Zhao, I'll come with Old Li in three days!" Liu Dong nodded.

Seeing Liu Dong agree, Zhao Defa turned to Old Li, who was standing at the door of the Chenxiang Pavilion, said goodbye, and then called his two bodyguards to leave in a hurry.

Afterward, Liu Dong made an appointment with Old Li to meet in three days and left the Chenxiang Pavilion with Uncle Long.

"Xiao Dong, now that you're a millionaire, what do you plan to do with the money?" Walking down the street, looking at the passing crowd, Uncle Long suddenly turned and asked.

Hearing Uncle Long's words, Liu Dong didn't hesitate and almost immediately shared his long-buried dream, "Uncle Long, I want to open a shop in the antique market, buy jade and wood materials, and then carve and sell them. With the remaining money, I plan to buy a house in Quancheng and bring my parents and sister from the countryside to live with me."