In an antique store.
Xiao Ran took Elaine and the others to visit several pieces of porcelain displayed on a museum shelf, and discussed them in a low voice.
In the reception area.
Brian was chatting with his two friends while paying attention to the situation here.
In the past ten minutes, Xiao Ran successively admired many goods displayed in this antique store.
During this period, he also showed some interest in some things and asked about the situation of related items.
The things he pointed out include both real antiques and various high imitations and fakes.
The prices of these things vary, some are high and some are low, and the quality is good and bad.
Their origins are also diverse, covering Eastern and Western civilizations, ancient and modern times, and modern times.
The reason why Xiao Ran did this was entirely intentional.
He wanted to test Brian's level and whether he knew enough about the items in his store.
This way it can be determined whether and how many leaks can be picked up in this antique store.
If Brian is very professional, he knows all about these so-called antique artworks in his store.
That means there are almost no holes to pick up here.
You must be very careful when taking action, making sure to hit the target with one hit and capture the most valuable big leak.
If Brian was average, or simply a stick, he could kill everyone with confidence.
In that case, Xiao Ran would not let go of anything valuable in this antique store.
He was prepared to teach Brian a profound lesson and make him pay a heavy price for despising him.
Unfortunately, Brian performed very well and was as steady as an old dog!
This guy has a very thorough understanding of the goods in his antique shop.
Every time Xiao Ran pointed out something, he could tell one, two or three.
Even if he doesn't understand the historical, cultural and artistic value of the item, or the decoration or text on it, he can still give a quote that is basically in line with the market conditions.
Among some of the antiques and artworks of good quality, this guy even opened his mouth like a lion and was ready to kill Xiao Ran with a knife.
As for those high imitations and fakes, he will also introduce and praise them in a lavish way. He highly recommends them!
How could Xiao Ran be fooled like this? He didn't want to be taken advantage of.
After understanding the relevant situation, he just smiled, then put the things back in their original places and continued to visit.
After a fight, he quickly figured out the situation.
Brian's appraisal level is quite good, his professional knowledge is solid and profound, and he can be regarded as an appraisal expert.
Since he is backed by Yale University, this guy must know many experts and scholars from the Yale School of History.
Those experts and scholars at Yale University are top experts in their respective fields, and they naturally have good vision.
You know, the subject ranking of Yale School of History has always been No. 1 in the United States.
With the help of these top experts and scholars, Brian is naturally confident.
This is exactly the case!
In his antique shop, there is almost no chance of being picked up by others!
His contempt for Xiao Ran stemmed from this.
After basically understanding the situation, Xiao Ran secretly adjusted his strategy.
While he was talking, he picked up a piece of porcelain on the museum shelf and admired it with interest.
This is a small yellow-glazed bowl, with two dragons engraved on the body, shining and elegant.
Its glaze color is thick and moist, white and bright, and has a bit of royal bearing.
On the bottom of this small bowl with yellow glaze and dragon pattern, there is a six-character regular script inscription made in the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty.
Judging from these characteristics alone, this small yellow-glazed bowl seems to be an antique porcelain from the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty.
Since the yellow glaze is exclusively for the royal family and is engraved with a double dragon pattern, this was decided.
This yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl is extremely rare and precious, and only a few of them exist.
If this is a real thing, it must be worth a lot of money.
Xiao Ran pretended to examine the small yellow-glazed bowl carefully, and then asked curiously:
"Brian, tell me the origin of this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl and its value?"
"This yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl looks very good. If the price is right, I will consider taking it and playing with it."
Brian looked at the yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl, thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile and said:
"Sean, I can see that you have a very good taste. This is an antique porcelain from your country."
"And it is a piece of royal porcelain. It came from the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 500 years."
"The reign name of the Ming Dynasty emperor is written on the bottom of this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl, which is enough to prove its origin."
"Since you like this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl, you can own this antique porcelain for only $2.6 million."
As soon as the words fell, a cry of exclamation immediately erupted from the scene.
"Wow! US$2.6 million, this price is not low!"
"It's just a bowl, but its value is so amazing. It's incredible!"
Several guys who didn't know what was going on exclaimed.
Their eyes became extremely hot when they looked at this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl.
The other two white people sitting in the reception area were also amazed.
However, a smile flashed quickly deep in their eyes, and it was fleeting.
As Brian's old friends, they obviously knew the details of this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl.
Looking at Xiao Ran again, he chuckled and shook his head.
"2.6 million US dollars, this offer is a bit amazing! It's a pity that I can't accept it."
"The most I can see is $5,000 for this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl!"
"I wonder if you can accept it? If so, we can trade immediately."
"ah!"
This time it was Brian who exclaimed and lost his voice. The guy couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Before the exclamation could end, his eyes were already a little more solemn.
Naturally, he knew the origin and value of this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl.
At this time, he also understood that Xiao Ran had seen the details of this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl.
Otherwise, we would not have given a price of US$5,000, which is highly in line with the market price.
In fact, this is an antique porcelain made during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. It is an imitation of the yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl made during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty.
Regarding this point, some clues can be seen from details such as the texture and glaze color, the shape of the double dragon pattern, etc.
How could other people in the store see this?
The quotation given by Xiao Ran shocked everyone again.
"It's a direct cut from 2.6 million to 5,000 US dollars. This is too exaggerated!"
"Who says it's not the case! This is simply a heaven and an underground!"
Just when everyone was amazed, Brian had already responded.
"I'm very sorry, Sean, the price of $5,000 is too low and I can't accept it!"
Without any hesitation, Xiao Ran immediately put the yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl back on the museum shelf.
"Since we can't reach an agreement, forget it and let me look at other things in the store."
As he spoke, he looked at another piece of exquisite porcelain next to him.
Seeing how straightforward he was, Brian couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
At the same time, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.
He still wanted to sell the antique porcelain, and $5,000 was a good price.
Especially in the current environment, there are no Chinese tourists visiting New Haven at all.
This means that the largest customer base for Chinese antique artworks has disappeared.
If he sells this yellow-glazed dragon bowl for $5,000, Brian can make a full $4,500.
You know, when he received this yellow-glazed dragon-patterned bowl, he only spent $500.
One flip is nine times the profit, what else is there to be dissatisfied about?
Unfortunately, Brian directly ruined the business because of greed.
If he changes his mind now and says that he can accept the offer of US$5,000, it will be a big shame!
Brian can't do such a thing, so he can only swallow this bitter pill secretly!
In the blink of an eye, another twenty minutes passed.
Xiao Ran has basically finished viewing the things displayed in the antique store.
However, he did not buy any of them.
At most, I just asked about the price and pretended to appreciate it seriously.
While talking, he came to an oil painting and stopped to admire it.
This is a realistic landscape oil painting, approximately 120 x 100 in size, embedded in a Baroque style solid wood frame, luxurious and elegant.
What is depicted in the painting is the scenery of the Yale University campus in autumn, with red maple leaves flying all over the sky, which is particularly beautiful.
In this painting, you can see many landmark buildings and sculptures of Yale University, such as the statue of Nathan Hale.
From the shapes of the cars parked on the roadside in the painting, it can be determined that this oil painting was created in the 1960s and 1970s.
Although there is some history, it is not that long ago.
In the lower right corner of this realistic landscape painting, there is the artist's initials, only the two capital letters DW.
Since the painting stands against the wall, it is placed on the floor.
In order to facilitate appreciation, and to take care of Elaine, Fang Yufei and the others, Xiao Ran reached out to hold the frame, picked up the oil painting directly, and held it in front of him to appreciate.
The moment he picked up the oil painting, he suddenly paused, intentionally or unintentionally.
And the thumb of his right hand pressed on the canvas for a moment, seemingly inadvertently.
Then he held up the oil painting and pretended to appreciate it seriously.
Everyone saw his actions, but no one had the slightest suspicion, including Brian.
Looking at this realistic landscape oil painting, both Elaine and Fang Yufei's eyes lit up.
After admiring it for a moment, Elaine couldn't help but sigh.
"Wow! Yale is so beautiful in autumn. It is indeed the most beautiful urban campus in the United States, and it deserves its reputation!"
Hearing this, Xiao Ran immediately nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, this realistic landscape oil painting is really beautiful and intoxicating"
Having said this, he suddenly turned to look at Brian and asked curiously:
"Brian, who is this painter whose abbreviation is DW? Why haven't I heard of it?"
"If I guess correctly, this painter should be a teacher at Yale University, right?"
"Although this realistic landscape oil painting is beautiful, the artist's painting techniques are not very good."
After the words fell, Brian nodded immediately.
"Yes, this painter is indeed a teacher at Yale University and an amateur painter. He is somewhat famous in New Haven."
"This teacher's name is Devin White. He was a professor of philosophy. He originally lived nearby and passed away twenty years ago."
"He painted many landscapes of Yale University and New Haven during his lifetime, and this "Autumn Scenery of Yale University" is just one of them."
After hearing this explanation, Xiao Ran nodded slightly and then said:
"I see, I quite like this painting. Even though it is not a masterpiece, the scenery is indeed beautiful!"
"Please give me a price, Brian. I want to buy this landscape oil painting as a souvenir of my trip to Yale University."
Before he finished speaking, everyone at the scene looked at the oil painting.
Especially Brian, his eyes were full of surprise.
He never expected that Xiao Ran would fall in love with this landscape oil painting.
