“I’ll add ten grand more, making it sixty grand,” Mr. Tyler proposed another figure.
The shop owner’s heart raced even faster. He was well aware that whatever antique Mr. Tyler laid his eyes on, the value he stated was the value it held.
Mr. Tyler was an absolute authority in the world of antiques. To put it bluntly, even if something was a replica, if Mr. Tyler deemed it authentic, over ninety percent of people would agree with him.
“Young man, Mr. Tyler is an expert in antiques. This calligraphy wouldn’t fetch a dime on the market. Since Mr. Tyler is interested, you should just sell it to him,” someone advised.
“Yeah, make your move. Sixty grand is already an outrageous price. Miss this chance, and you might lose the store,” others chimed in.
The onlookers feared that Leo might do something foolish and tried persuading him. Their intentions were good; after all, newcomers in the antique circle were often pitiable.
“Mr. Tyler, it’s not about the money. I genuinely like this calligraphy and don’t want to part with it,” Leo persisted, shaking his head.
Martin couldn’t tolerate it any longer. He directly addressed Mr. Tyler, “Mr. Tyler, he’s my son-in-law. This calligraphy piece belongs to me. Since you like it, I’ll give it to you.”
Martin’s words came from the heart. Although he had been passionate about antiques for many years, he never had the chance to meet Mr. Tyler. Today was a perfect opportunity.
If he could make a connection with Mr. Tyler, even if he spent six hundred thousand on a counterfeit, it wouldn’t be a wasted trip.
“That won’t work. I have to pay for it,” Mr. Tyler quickly waved his hand.
Leo promptly took the calligraphy piece from Mr. Tyler’s hand and said, “Dad, this calligraphy piece can’t be sold or given away.”
“Leo, are you really rebelling?” Martin pointed at Leo, anger in his voice. “Give me the calligraphy!”
“Leo, what are you up to?” Sophia was also frustrated, unsure if Leo had taken the wrong medicine today.
The shop owner hurriedly approached Mr. Tyler, smiling. “Mr. Tyler, we have similar calligraphy pieces in our shop. Since the owner here doesn’t want to sell it at all, why not take a look at the ones we have? The quality of our reproductions is even better.”
“No need,” Mr. Tyler shook his head.
He had already witnessed everything that happened earlier in the crowd. He had no favorable opinion of this scheming merchant.
The shop owner looked disappointed. He wanted to say something more, his lips moved, but nothing came out. Mr. Tyler’s attention was not on him at all.
“Leo, my young friend, you’re not willing to part with it and sell it to me?” Mr. Tyler still sought Leo’s opinion, as he had seen that Leo had chosen this calligraphy piece himself.
The reason Mr. Tyler offered such a high price was due to the paper used for copying the calligraphy.
It was a kind of antique patterned paper, extremely rare and unknown to many.
Mr. Tyler’s intention was to buy not calligraphy itself, but the paper-an inherently valuable collectible.
Leo affirmed, “Mr. Tyler, I’m sorry.”
“Alright.” Mr. Tyler sighed and turned to leave.
Martin grew anxious. “Leo, you useless fool, you’re driving me crazy! Give me the calligraphy piece!”
As Martin moved to seize the calligraphy piece from Leo’s hand, Leo easily evaded him.
Leo knew Martin wanted to impress Mr. Tyler, so he called out to him, “Mr. Tyler, just a moment.”
Mr. Tyler turned to Leo. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No, I want Mr. Tyler and everyone else here to witness the marvel of this calligraphy,” Leo said with a smile.
Witness a marvel? The crowd exchanged confused glances, wondering if this young man had lost his mind. How could a copied imitation calligraphy be marvelous?
Seeing Leo’s earnest demeanor, Mr. Tyler became intrigued. “Leo, are you suggesting that there’s more to this calligraphy than meets the eye?”
Leo nodded. “Exactly. The value of this calligraphy is immeasurable.”
Mr. Tyler chuckled. “Leo, let me be honest with you. The reason I’m willing to pay sixty grand for this calligraphy is because of the paper it’s written on. While rare, this antique paper isn’t as extravagant as you’re making it sound. Sixty grand is already the top price it can fetch.”
In Mr. Tyler’s view, this young man he’d crossed paths with probably wanted to seize the opportunity to show off to the crowd.
The shop owner, realizing the true value of the calligraphy according to Mr. Tyler, felt a bitter frustrated. He had no clue about this “antique paper.”
Experts were experts for a reason. His own limited knowledge of antiques couldn’t hold a candle to Mr. Tyler’s expertise.
“Young man, I’ll tell you straightforwardly. This calligraphy has been in my shop for three years. Today, Mr. Tyler has keen eyes and discovered its true value. Don’t make a fool of yourself. Boosting its price any further is impossible,” the shop owner sneered.
“Shop owner, don’t believe there might be something extraordinary about this calligraphy?” Leo raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t believe it!” The shop owner scoffed, frustrated that he had missed the significance of the antique paper. This young man was trying to provoke him.
Leo smiled. “Since you’re skeptical, how about we make a bet?”
“What kind of bet?” he asked.
“If this calligraphy harbors a hidden treasure, you’ll have my dad return the painting he bought from your shop, and you’ll refund him sixty grand. But if the calligraphy holds no special significance, I’ll return it to you. You can then sell it to Mr. Tyler. How about that?” Leo laid out the terms.
The shop owner’s interest was piqued. He immediately agreed, “No problem. A gentleman’s word is as weighty as a thousand gold pieces. Everyone, please bear witness.”
The shop owner turned to the onlookers.
Fools were abound every year, and this year, there seemed to be an abundance. In the shop owner’s opinion, Leo was handing him a regret medicine. He believed that he would win the calligraphy, sell it to Mr. Tyler, and come out of the situation laughing.
“Leo, stop fooling around,” the astute Sophia discerned that Leo’s actions were intentional. However, Mr. Tyler had already explained everything about the calligraphy. How could there be something mysterious about it? Leo would only be making a mockery of himself.
“Darling, let him have his fun. Let’s see how he handles this in the end!” Given the circumstances, Martin was both disappointed and helpless. He was the one who had been unlucky enough to welcome this sort of son-in-law.
“Shop owner, do you have any alcohol here?” Leo inquired.
The shop owner turned and went inside the store, returning shortly with a bottle of alcohol, which he handed to Leo.
Leo opened the calligraphy and spread it out on the wooden table. He then took the alcohol, twisted the cap open, and raised an eyebrow as he brought the bottle to his lips.
This sight left the crowd dumbfounded. He was about to drink medical alcohol! Downing it would only result in a trip to the emergency room.
However, Leo wasn’t actually drinking alcohol; he was spraying alcohol onto the calligraphy piece on the table.