Chapter 106: Using the Leg Freak as a Tool
Su Lin, Lin Xiaowan, and Zhao Yanyan came to a stall where Su Lin picked up two vases that were obviously mass-produced and asked, âThese vases are quite nice. Xiaowan, Iâm thinking of buying two to put on the wall cabinet at home. What do you think?â
Lin Xiaowan looked at the vases in Su Linâs hands and said, âThese are obviously fake, Su Lin. Are you sure you want to buy them?â
Su Lin nodded and asked the stout seller, âHow much for one of these?â
The seller, thinking Su Lin was an ignorant rich kid, smiled and said, âYoung man, you have a good eye. These are top-quality blue and white porcelain, just arrived today. If you like them, Iâll give you a discount. How about it?â
Su Lin casually asked, âHow much for one? Just name your price.â
The seller, assuming Su Lin was straightforward, replied, âSince youâre a straightforward guy, I wonât beat around the bush. Fifty thousand for one, but for two, I can do eighty thousand. What do you think?â
Su Lin immediately put down the vases and turned to leave.
âHey, hey, hey⦠young man, donât rush off. At least make a counteroffer.â
âEighty thousand? How can I make a counteroffer on that? You might as well be robbing me.â
âIn this business, bargaining is part of the process. Name your price, and if itâs reasonable, Iâll make a deal with you today.â
Su Lin gestured an eight with his hand.
âEight thousand?â
âNo, no, no, eighty!!!â
âEighty? Deal.â
Su Lin slapped his forehead, âRash decision, damn it!â
Lin Xiaowan and Zhao Yanyan burst into laughter.
âSu Lin, even you make mistakes,â Lin Xiaowan laughed.
Watching the two women laughing so heartily, Su Lin cheerfully paid: âEighty it is. If it makes my girlfriend this happy, itâs money well spent.â
The seller was delighted to actually get paid and handed Su Lin the change.
Su Lin handed the vases to Lin Xiaowan: âXiaowan, hold these.â
Lin Xiaowan, holding a vase in each hand, asked puzzledly, âSu Lin, whatâs this about? Why spend eighty on two useless vases? Theyâre even hard to use for drinking water.â
âHeh, they have their uses,â Su Lin said mysteriously.
As they walked on, Zhao Yanyan frowned and said, âWhy is Lin Tian also at the antique market?â
Su Lin immediately perked up and followed Zhao Yanyanâs gaze towards Lin Tian.
âIs he following me?â Zhao Yanyan muttered under her breath.
It wasnât vanity; Lin Tian indeed had a history of following her, and these past few days, he had used all sorts of methods to be with her.
Lin Tian eventually found the stall selling Yuan blue-and-white porcelain and his eyes lit up at the sight of it. But he knew the sellers here were shrewd, so he had to play it cool.
Approaching the stall, he casually picked up a plate: âBoss, how much for this plate?â
The seller, a sharp-looking short man in his forties, brightened up at the prospect of business: âYoung man, good eye. This is authentic Yuan blue-and-white porcelain, worth millions.â
âUh⦠boss, the color on this blue-and-white porcelain is fading.â
âItâs been around for many years, bound to lose some color, but no worries, itâs genuine Yuan blue-and-white, see the seal on the bottom.â
Lin Tian scoffed, âThose seals are basic, almost every bowl has them, let alone these fake antiques. Theyâre practically covered in stamps.â
Su Lin, following Lin Tianâs gaze, saw a row of Yuan blue-and-white porcelain at his stall. To him, they all appeared gray except for a small high-necked vase radiating golden light.
Su Lin knew Lin Tianâs first pot of gold was probably this very object. As for why Lin Tian didnât immediately go for the high-necked vase, it was simple: itâs a classic protagonistâs tactic, creating a diversion.
Su Lin knew he had to distract Lin Tian, or else his good luck might lead to an old man popping up out of nowhere to help him buy something valuable.
He looked at Zhao Yanyan, âYanyan, that guy is buying Yuan blue-and-white porcelain, heâs not here following you.â
Zhao Yanyan glared, âHe always does this, creating such coincidental encounters, really annoying.â
Lin Xiaowan nodded in agreement, âYeah, last time I visited Donghai and went out with Yanyan, we ran into him. He blocked our way and wouldnât let us pass.â
Su Lin nodded, âYanyan, you better go and get rid of him. I donât like the idea of someone following us, gives me the creeps.â
Zhao Yanyan nodded, clenched her teeth, and approached Lin Tian, pulling him aside to a less crowded area, âLin Tian, didnât I tell you not to follow me? Why are you still here?â
Lin Tian turned to her, feigning surprise.
âHeh! Who are you performing for? Youâre really good at acting, Lin Tian.â
âAh! Yanyan, why are you here?â Lin Tian asked baffled.
âJust keep acting, even now you can act so naturally, I really admire that,â Zhao Yanyan said, almost at her witâs end.
âIâm just here to buy something.â
âBuying antiques? Since when are you interested in antiques?â
âIâ¦â
Meanwhile, Su Lin walked up to a stall and picked up a Yuan blue-and-white vase, âBoss, how much for this vase? Give me a fair price, if itâs right, Iâll take it to put flowers in.â
The shrewd seller looked at Su Lin and then at Lin Xiaowan, made his calculations, and stretched out three fingers, âThree thousand! Young man, my goods here are all genuine, top quality. Three thousand for this and you wonât regret it.â
Su Lin nodded and without a second thought, took out his wallet and handed over the money, âHere, three thousand.â
âDone! Young man, this Yuan blue-and-white vase is yours now.â
Holding the vase, Su Lin smiled satisfactorily, âBoss, youâre a straightforward person. Iâll come and patronize your shop often in the future.â
âThat would be great.â
After purchasing the Yuan blue-and-white vase, Su Lin said to Lin Xiaowan, âLetâs wait for Yanyan at the entrance.â
âArenât we waiting here?â Lin Xiaowan asked, puzzled.
âNo, theyâre dealing with emotional stuff. Itâs not dignified for us to hang around. Letâs just wait for her outside.â
âOkay, letâs go then.â Lin Xiaowan carried a vase in each hand, looking quite uncomfortable.
Once they reached a trash bin, Su Lin suggested, âIf itâs uncomfortable, just throw them away.â
âAh! But we paid for these,â Lin Xiaowan said, surprised.
âHeh, I originally wanted to use them as decorations at home, but itâs a long walk back. I canât let you carry them all the way,â Su Lin said with a smile.
âItâs okay. If you want them, I can carry them back. Itâs not tiring.â
âNo need, I canât bear to see you like this. Letâs just break them and throw them in the bin, so no one else can use them to scam people.â
âOkay!â Lin Xiaowan gently tapped the two vases together, shattering them, âSo fragile, feels like theyâre made of plastic.â
âThey are just fakes, like everything else on this street.â
âSu Lin, arenât you going to smash the one in your hand?â
Su Lin shook his head, âNo, this one doesnât get smashed.â
âWhy not?â
âBecause itâs a real Yuan blue-and-white vase.â
Lin Xiaowanâs eyes widened in disbelief, âReal? Really?â
âOf course, Iâll teach you how to differentiate between real and fake when we get back.â
âOkay⦠okay!!!â