Chapter 60: The Easy Mark
Indeed, even with Gu Wanrong’s advanced Xia Country antique appraisal skills, some of the items were genuine.
Gu Wanrong politely declined the owner’s recommendations and began examining the items herself.
Her gaze was caught by a painting.
The painting was somewhat blurry, as if faded by time, giving it a mysterious air.
Gu Wanrong moved closer, studying the scroll.
A secluded mountain villa nestled in a quiet forest, surrounded by blooming plum blossoms, while peach blossoms bloomed at the foot of the mountain. Gu Wanrong, like the figures in the painting, looked perplexed.
Seeing Gu Wanrong’s interest, the owner approached, “Miss, you have a keen eye! This is one of our shop’s treasures.”
“You clearly know your stuff. It’s a Wen Zhengming painting!” The owner chuckled, giving a thumbs-up.
Gu Wanrong shifted her gaze, “How much do you want for this painting?”
The owner’s eyes twinkled. He rubbed his fingers, “Miss, if you’re serious, I’ll give you a price: five million. Fair enough, right?”
“There’s a Wen Zhengming painting at the Si Jiu City Museum.”
Gu Wanrong knew there was a Wen Zhengming painting at the museum, but this one was far less valuable.
Five million was a huge overcharge.
While she wasn’t short of money, she wouldn’t be an easy mark.
“Let me see…” Gu Wanrong feigned distress at the price and refused.
She moved to the jade section, examining the jade carvings, their color, texture, and quality. She stopped at a small jade bowl.
It was milky white, delicate, with a soft luster, exquisitely crafted.
“Miss, your eye is sharp! This is a Qianlong Emperor Han white jade bowl,” the owner approached, picking up the bowl.
Gu Wanrong examined it, “A Qianlong bowl? Your shop is amazing!” feigning excitement.
The owner stroked the bowl, “My shop has been passed down for generations. We have all sorts of treasures.” He boasted proudly.
He looked at Gu Wanrong expectantly, “Three million, two million less than the painting.”
He seemed to think the price was reasonable.
Gu Wanrong immediately countered, “Three hundred thousand.”
Her tone shifted from excited to indifferent. Online, Qianlong Han white jade bowls were commonplace. Three million was excessive. A genuine one might start at four million.
This bowl, however, was made of ordinary jade, not high-quality Hetian jade, and had simple craftsmanship; its market value was around 100,000 to 200,000.
The owner was taken aback, shaking his head, “Miss, that’s too low! You don’t have to be so harsh.”
He muttered: She somehow guessed the approximate price.
“A small bowl made of ordinary jade can sell for a million?” Gu Wanrong smiled.
The owner was embarrassed. Though she didn’t seem knowledgeable, she knew the market value. His price was exorbitant.
He chuckled, “It’s all about negotiation.”
“Why not double the price, six million?” Gu Wanrong retorted sarcastically.
“Fine, my mistake, 500,000, it’s yours.” The owner significantly reduced the price.
“300,000,” Gu Wanrong didn’t budge.
“Fine, 300,000,”
The owner looked as if he’d lost money, but Gu Wanrong knew he’d still profit at least 100,000.
An old man nearby, watching, shook his head. He thought: She overpaid.
“Anything else, Miss?” the owner asked.
Gu Wanrong nodded.
“How about this jade hairpin?”
“This jade bracelet, beautiful, isn’t it?”
“This gold and gemstone peach bat hairpin is elegant and auspicious.”
…
The owner recommended more items; Gu Wanrong haggled and spent two or three million. The owner’s smile widened.
The old man sighed: She’s such an easy mark; the owner is clearly delighted, and she keeps buying.
“That Wen Zhengming painting, 1 million?” Gu Wanrong concluded her shopping, returning to the paintings.
“Miss, you can haggle, but not that much,” The owner frowned, feigning difficulty.
“1 million is still too much! I bought so much from you.”
Gu Wanrong emphasized her purchasing power but didn’t want to overpay.
The owner hesitated, “2 million, I’m not making a profit.” He seemed to be making the biggest concession.
Gu Wanrong shook her head, “You’re still overcharging. Less!”
The owner sighed, lowering the price slightly, “1.8 million, that’s the lowest.”
“1.5 million,” Gu Wanrong haggled further.
The owner was firm, “1.8 million, or I’ll lose money.”
Gu Wanrong looked around, seeing decorative calligraphy on the window, and pretended to browse through a pile of scrolls.
She picked two and said, “Since you insist on 300,000 extra, give me these two calligraphy pieces.”
The owner glanced at them; they were cheap imitations, worth a few thousand. He nodded, “Fine, 1.8 million plus these. I lost money on those two.”
Both pretended to be making a loss while actually making a huge profit. They packed the items and settled the bill.
The owner watched Gu Wanrong pay, delighted: He’d made almost two million off this easy mark.