Chapter 35: Wu Ke's Tuition Fees

  Although this pair of double-ear bottles looks very exquisite and authentic, Chu Chen was still meticulous in his appraisal. He first observed the bottom of the bottle, where he saw the six characters "Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi" (Made in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Great Qing Dynasty) in bright red seal script, which were extremely neat and powerful, revealing the typical characteristics of imperial kilns at a glance.

  Looking at its body, it is fine and clean. Due to the decline in quality of porcelain during the Qianlong period, this pair of double-ear bottles should be a product of the early or middle Qianlong period.

  The body is like bone, and the glaze is like clothing. After looking at the body, one must also look at the glaze. This pair of ear vases has a glaze that is dense and lustrous, fine and smooth as jade, clean and flawless, and can be said to be a masterpiece among colored vases.

  Finally, Chu Chen looked at the overall shape and pattern decoration features, using six words to describe: dignified and atmospheric, regular and delicate, stylish and luxurious, not afraid of hard work, glaze natural, good quality, from these points, this should be a fine work of the early Qianlong period, with great collection value.

  Before buying antiques, during the appraisal, it is most taboo to show sudden surprise or excitement. The seller can take advantage of your current expression and open with a higher price. If you reveal your fondness for the item, the price will undoubtedly skyrocket.

  After carefully appreciating the double-ear bottle, Chu Chen's face was still calm and composed, without revealing any of the astonishment he felt in his heart. He put away his gloves and magnifying glass, and spoke to Mr. Wang at a moderate pace:

  "Mr. Wang, I still like this pair of double-ear bottles, but I don't know how much you want for them."

  This tone undoubtedly gave Mr. Wang a feeling that if he quoted a price too high, the deal might not be made, so he thought for a moment before saying:

  "Mr. Chu, if I weren't in a hurry for the money, I wouldn't have sold this pair of ear bottles at all. I'll give you a realistic price, 5.5 million, what do you think?"

  Chu Chen thought to himself, you're in a hurry, that's perfect, if you weren't in a hurry, how would I be able to lower the price? So he smiled faintly and said:

  "Do you know, Mr. Wang, that during the spring auction this year, a similar pair of double-ear bottles were also sold? Do you know what the final price was?"

  "Six hundred and sixty thousand! Think about it, at the auction, there are still commissions and personal income taxes to be paid, and that's all for six hundred and sixty thousand. And on top of that, you have to consider the time spent on the auction, what do you think?"

  "This..."

  Mr. Wang was taken aback by the news and became somewhat flustered, his face revealing a hint of worry and anxiety, with fine sweat even breaking out on his forehead, betraying his inner turmoil and concern.

  Mr. Wang thought for a while and perhaps really needed money urgently or something else, gritted his teeth and said to Chu Chen:

  "Mr. Chu, 500,000 yuan, you want it, we'll make the deal right away, I have to leave immediately, if not, I'll go find someone else."

  Chu Chen thought that Mr. Wang should not be very familiar with antiques. Otherwise, he would know that the price of antiques can change greatly even if it's only a difference of a few months. For an item like this pair of vases, if they were to be auctioned again, the possibility of them selling for more than 660,000 is extremely low.

  Chu Chen did not hastily agree, for if he had, Mr. Wang might have changed his mind, so he thought for a moment before smiling and agreeing.

  "Mr. Wang, since you're in such a hurry, I'll just buy it then. We can sign the agreement right now."

  Chu Chen agreed, and Mr. Wang also breathed a sigh of relief. Then both parties made a simple agreement, with Uncle Wu as the witness. After signing the agreement, they went to the bank together to transfer the money, and then bid each other farewell.

  Wu Shu saw Mr. Wang hurry away and excitedly patted Chu Chen's shoulder saying:

  "It's a deal now, doing business has its rules. At current prices, you can't get such a beautiful crimson lip color for less than 600,000. You've made a profit this time."

  Chu Chen shook his head and said, "Uncle Wu, this is also because Mr. Wang was too eager to make a move, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to get this amount of money, and I didn't plan on making a profit from this pair of double-ear vases anyway."

  "Oh! Honestly, I haven't even asked you who you borrowed the money from yet, and where did you get 500,000 yuan from? I know that recently you paid rent and bought a computer, and the money you picked up earlier wasn't enough to be 500,000 yuan, right?"

  When Wu Shu mentioned this matter, Chu Chen felt a little embarrassed. He hadn't told Wu Shu about his experiences over the past two days, so they walked and talked together. It wasn't until they returned to Wu Shu's store that Chu Chen briefly explained what had happened to him over the past two days.

  Uncle Wu's expression was quite colorful after listening, and he didn't expect Chu Chen's experience in just a few days to be so unbelievable. In just a few days, a multimillionaire was born so easily, making Uncle Wu feel like the seas had changed. After digesting this shocking news, he jokingly said to Chu Chen:

  "Xiaochen, how could you not tell me about such a good thing? Are you afraid I'll ask you for money?"

  When Chu Chen heard Wu Shu mention borrowing money, he suddenly remembered that it was almost time for the holiday in England again, which also meant that Wu Ke's tuition fees for the next semester would be due soon. Every time this happened, it was always the most troublesome time for Wu Shu.

  Although this line of business seems to make a lot of money, the business is often unstable. Sometimes you make a lot, sometimes you make little, otherwise there wouldn't be an old saying like "opening a shop and eating for half a year". Although Wu Shu has opened his antique shop for nearly twenty years and made a lot of money, Wu Ke's tuition and living expenses are also considerable.

  Uncle Wu spent almost all his savings on Wu Ke over the years. Although she worked part-time while studying abroad, it was still a drop in the bucket. Moreover, Uncle Wu didn't want Wu Ke to work either, always telling her that academic performance came first and saying to her, "As long as you can graduate early and return home, the money saved will be much more than what you earn from working."

  It's worth considering, if skipping a grade, at least 200,000 yuan can be saved. This much money, if earned through part-time jobs, who knows how much harder one would have to work to earn it, not to mention the impact on studies.

  She then put all her energy into studying, originally she was smart, skipping grades was a bit difficult for her, but with hard work, she could still complete it. Last year, she finally completed this goal, so the original five-year undergraduate and graduate program can be completed next year.

  Although so, this last year's tuition for Wu Shu is still a bit tight, can't help it, can only think of ways to borrow money.

  Thinking of this, Chu Chen felt a little ashamed. Wu Shu had always been so good to him, but when he needed help, he hadn't thought of it at all. This was really not right. So he explained somewhat apologetically:

  "There's no need, I've just been really busy these past few days and didn't have time to come see you, Uncle Wu. It's not something that can be explained clearly over the phone either. Don't trouble yourself, Uncle Wu, I'll take care of my tuition fees myself. Anyway, I have so much money now that I won't be using it anytime soon."

  Uncle Wu heard Chu Chen say that, and said with some comfort: "It's worth Uncle Wu's many years of doting on you. But how can Uncle Wu want your money? Besides, you're also at the age of setting up a family and career, shouldn't you consider buying a house in the capital too?"

  "Uncle Wu, I'm only 21 years old, okay? How can I be at the age of getting married and starting a career? Besides, even if I wanted to buy a house, how would I use over a million yuan? And I don't plan on buying a courtyard house. Even if I did want to buy one, my money wouldn't be enough. Alright, Uncle Wu, stop talking about it, I'll take care of my own tuition fees, and besides, I'm in a hurry!"

  Wu Shu listened to Chu Chen's firm tone and saw his unyielding expression, so he had no choice but to nod in agreement. He joked, "Alright, I've agreed, isn't that enough? However, Uncle Wu doesn't have the money to repay you, so when the time comes, you can ask Xiao Ke for it. If she can't pay, then you can take her as collateral."

  Chu Chen heard Wu Shu say this, and with a bitter face said: "Wu Shu, just spare me, consider this money as my support for Xiao Ke's education, don't make her pay it back."

  Actually, the money has been settled, and Wu Shu's heart is also relieved. Although he sold some antiques, he didn't need to borrow much money. However, although he appears to be magnanimous towards Chu Chen, in front of others, he values his dignity most. Whether it's him or his family members borrowing money, he really can't swallow his pride.

  Nothing to worry about, that's Wu Shu now. He can't help but want to smile when he sees Chu Chen's worried and unhappy face, but in his heart, he thinks Chu Chen is more and more pleasing to the eye, and sincerely wants Chu Chen to be his son-in-law. However, such things cannot be forced, and can only depend on the intentions of the two people themselves.

  Then, Wu Shu looked at the double-eared vase on the table and turned to Chu Chen, saying: "You just said that this double-eared vase was entrusted by Director Zhao to you? You're not afraid that your Uncle Zhao will blame you for stealing his business."

  Chu Chen chuckled and said, "This matter can't be blamed on me, and I think Zhao should take this opportunity to test me. In the future, I will probably replace Dong Lao's work. As for this kind of pulling strings job, I estimate it will still be handled by Uncle Zhao, after all, his channels are much more extensive than mine."

  He mentioned it here and raised another question: "By the way, Uncle Wu, are you clear that Director Zhao will be so dissatisfied with Lao Dong?"

  "This thing, I also know a bit about it."

  "Wu Shu furrowed his brow and replied, 'I heard that Old Dong has joined a new auction house. Lately, he's been acting strangely and is often nowhere to be found. I reckon Zhao must have asked him for help several times but was rebuffed, which is why he's so upset. Only the two of them know the details.'"

  Then he smiled and said, "This is also a good thing for you. In the future, following him will not only broaden your horizons but also accumulate knowledge. When it's time to appraise, don't be left in the dark, or you'll lose face all the way back to your ancestors' home."

  "This double-ear bottle, whether you raise the price or not doesn't matter, even if you don't raise it, Director Zhao won't let you lose out. You can judge the specific situation yourself."