“This painting, six hundred thousand! In the world of antiques, genuine and fake have always been intertwined. Even if this painting is a forgery, it’s his own fault. The rules of the antique business are clear: once the transaction is complete, there’s no possibility of a return!” The shop owner’s face turned somewhat unsightly.
Leo chuckled, “Six hundred thousand? That’s not too expensive.”
Hearing this, Martin almost spat out blood – buying a fake painting for six hundred thousand!?
“Leo, if you don’t understand, don’t speak. Step aside!” Martin reprimanded Leo in a low voice.
The shop owner’s face, which had initially darkened, now carried a smile. He spoke to Leo as if he had found a kindred spirit, “Young man, you have a good eye. Indeed, six hundred thousand for this painting is quite reasonable. I suggest you advise your father not to cause trouble anymore.”
Onlookers found this quite amusing. The middle-aged man appeared clueless, and it turned out this young man was a novice too.
No wonder they are families.
“Sir, while I do believe it’s a fair price, my father isn’t one to let things go easily. Can you consider throwing in something else to ease the situation?” Leo casually gestured towards some worthless “fake antiques” on a stall outside the shop.
Martin was incensed, “Leo, what nonsense are you spouting!?”
To be frank, the items on the stall were just imitation antiques targeting tourists from out of town – they were hardly worth much.
Hearing Leo’s words, the shop owner’s heart leapt with joy. As long as this guy’s father stopped pestering for a refund, he could give away those worthless things on the stall without concern.
Selling a forgery for six hundred thousand was a windfall profit, after all.
“Young man, you’re welcome to pick anything from the stall. Take whatever you want.” The shop owner waved his hand magnanimously.
Leo glanced over the items on the stall, then casually picked up a piece. “How about this?”
Seeing what Leo had chosen, the shop owner eagerly said, “Go ahead, take it. Just make sure your father stops causing a scene.”
The shop owner was now keen on ushering them away. This commotion might affect his business to some extent.
“Dad, now that the boss has made amends, let’s leave,” Leo signaled to Martin.
But Martin didn’t catch Leo’s signal and instead erupted, “You fool! Who allowed you to do this? Adding a second-rate piece to the forgery, causing me to lose six hundred thousand. Are you out of your mind!?”
“Boss, this kid has a screw loose. Don’t listen to him. You can keep the painting, and I don’t need the full refund either. How about fifty thousand back?” Given Leo’s actions, Martin had to take a step back.
The shop owner crossed his arms and smirked, “Impossible.”
“Boss, could you please write a receipt for this painting and the accompanying piece?” Leo pointed at the calligraphy work in his hand.
The shop owner quickly handed over a receipt to Leo, “Take it and go. Don’t disturb my business.”
“Leo, do you even know what you’re doing?” Sophia was infuriated. She had thought Leo showed up to help his father, but he ended up helping the other side.
It wasn’t so much about the money. Sophia was worried her father would have a fit.
“Dad, Sophia, let’s go,” Leo said with a satisfied grin, holding the receipt and the artwork.
Martin stood rooted in place, his chest heaving. If not for the crowd watching, he might’ve lost his temper and struck Leo.
He couldn’t fathom where Leo had gotten the nerve to make decisions on his behalf.
At that moment, another figure pushed through the crowd. His gaze fell on the calligraphy in Leo’s hand, and he asked, “Leo, would you be willing to show me the piece?”
“Mr. Tyler…” Martin was nearly blacking out, but when he saw the newcomer, his eyes brightened. His anger turned into excitement.
The onlookers were similarly stirred, their expressions mirroring Martin’s.
It was as if students had spotted a beloved teacher.
The man who had arrived was Mr. Tyler Tyler, the renowned expert in antique appraisal and collection at Langstel.
The shop owner also recognized Mr. Tyler and said with a smile, “Mr. Tyler, your presence brings honor to my humble store.”
The shop owner was astute. Regardless of Mr. Tyler’s reasons for being there, he aimed to associate himself with Mr. Tyler and his store, turning this encounter into a form of advertising…
Leveraging Mr. Tyler’s fame – the future looked promising.
Mr. Tyler paid him no heed, fixating on the calligraphy in Leo’s hand.
Leo handed the piece to him.
Mr. Tyler carefully examined it and said as he looked, “This is a copy of Zhao Mengfu’s calligraphy.”
The shop owner promptly chimed in, “Mr. Tyler, this is indeed a copy of Zhao Mengfu’s calligraphy, though it was transcribed by an unknown individual. The genuine one is in the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.”
The receipt for the painting and calligraphy had already been handed over to the young man. The shop owner had nothing to fear Leo’s change of heart. Plus, with Mr. Tyler present, he was unreserved.
“It was written by Zhao Mengfu at the age of sixty-six. It consists of three hundred and fifty-eight characters. The contrast between the strokes is distinct, with the front half displaying meticulous technique and forceful strokes, while the latter half speeds up with elements of cursive script.”
Mr. Tyler habitually shared his knowledge, then pointed to the calligraphy in Leo’s hand. “Although this transcribed copy lacks the divine spirit, the execution is still decent. I have always admired Zhao Mengfu’s calligraphy and paintings. Leo, my young friend, would you be willing to part with this?”
The shop owner widened his eyes, suspecting he had misheard. Mr. Tyler, the renowned figure, was interested in this piece of imitation?
“Hey, Leo, how about I give you fifty grand?” Mr. Tyler threw out a number.
Hearing that, the shop owner’s heart skipped a beat. Could this knock-off piece really be worth fifty thousand dollars!?
The shop owner vividly remembered buying this calligraphy copy for five hundred bucks. And now, in Mr. Tyler’s mouth, its value had instantly multiplied a hundredfold.
If only he had known that Mr. Tyler would show up here, they wouldn’t have casually included that calligraphy copy as a bonus along with that imitation painting for this young man.
Martin was also taken aback, never expecting that the calligraphy copy Leo casually asked for would actually be worth fifty grand.
But compared to the six hundred grand he had lost, even if he managed to get back fifty grand, it would be just a drop in the bucket.
Leo smiled and shook his head. “Mr. Tyler, I’m sorry. I’m quite fond of this calligraphy copy too. I’m not planning to part ways with it.”
Hearing this, the onlookers all wore puzzled expressions.
A copied imitation calligraphy piece fetching fifty grand from Mr. Tyler was already quite miraculous. Who would’ve thought this young man wouldn’t sell it? Could he possibly be out of his mind?