Chapter 491: Saved for Over a Dozen Years

"Professor Wang, Expert Lin, please try this: authentic Chaozhou Daling!"

"And this marinated blood cockle, marinated oyster, it's extra fresh, General Manager Zhao, you should try some..."

Chen Shiquan was extremely enthusiastic, and Peng Yanzhi also kept urging them.

Lin Sicheng was a bit better off; he could basically accept all kinds of rare dishes in Cantonese cuisine, and could eat at least a little of the various types of fresh seafood. Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng, however, frowned: it wasn't that they hadn't eaten Cantonese cuisine before, but they had truly never seen a banquet table where nearly half the dishes were raw-marinated or half-cooked. Seeing them both staring intently at the braised goose and steamed fish, Lin Sicheng immediately understood. He asked the waiter to use the chicken broth left over from poaching the shrimp to set up a hot pot, and he personally mixed a dipping sauce with braising liquid.

"Teacher, Senior Brother, try this: take the marinated, crunchy ones, blanch them in the chicken broth, then dip them in this..."

The two nodded in unison: regardless of anything else, at least they could cook it thoroughly.

The pot was brought over, and the two tried it first, but immediately, all four eyes lit up.

Come to think of it, it was actually quite delicious?

The two kept putting food into the pot, specifically picking the marinated shrimp and marinated crab they hadn't dared to touch before. Seeing this, Lin Sicheng ordered a plate of beef tenderloin for them. A perfectly good seafood feast was stubbornly turned into a hot pot by the two. In no time at all, the two were sweating on their foreheads and praising it endlessly.

Seeing Chen Shiquan and Peng Yanzhi dumbfounded, Zhao Xiuneng smiled sheepishly: "Please excuse us!"

It was a kind gesture from the hosts to specially prepare a table of specialty seafood, yet he and Wang Qi Zhi had turned it into a street-side hot pot (a Guangdong specialty, street-side boiling pot), which was indeed a bit ridiculous.

But how would Chen Shiquan dare to laugh? He kept saying "not at all."

It was his own fault; he had been too focused on being shocked by Lin Sicheng's keen eye and had neglected to instruct his son to order more northern dishes.

It was fresh, and there was no lack of local character, but he had forgotten to cater to the guests' dietary habits.

Fortunately, Lin Sicheng helped smooth things over and avoided the awkwardness.

It was just a small matter, at most a minor interlude, but Chen Shiquan still felt something was not quite right: clearly Lin Sicheng was the youngest, yet he felt that at this dining table, he was the most seasoned.

It was strange indeed...

Chen Shiquan offered an explanation, and Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng both said it didn't matter.

They were just hungry; otherwise, they would be exactly the same as Chen Shiquan: their minds were full of those few sections of Vietnam Huanghuali that had been boiled and discolored, so how could they care about what they were eating, or whether it was edible?

No white spirits were served; instead, it was ten-year cellar-aged Huadiao wine, and Lin Sicheng also drank a little.

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Shiquan tentatively brought it up again, asking if, in the future, he encountered items that were difficult to appraise, could he bring them to Xijing and ask Lin Sicheng to help take a look.

Lin Sicheng agreed.

From the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, Guangdong had always been a bridgehead for foreign trade and immigration. If one were to ask which province had the most overseas Chinese, Guangdong would claim second place, and no other province would dare claim first.

Nearly half of the wealthy Chinese merchants collecting overseas were from Guangdong, and there was no shortage of rare items.

Perhaps at some point, he would encounter an item like the "Japanese Imitation Ru Ware Sky Blue Glaze Brush Washer."

Of course, it was limited to appraisal, and at most, mutual exchange; as for anything else, he didn't have the time, nor the interest.

The words were spoken very tactfully, but even so, Chen Shiquan was still beaming with joy and urged Lin Sicheng to drink several more cups.

Around three o'clock, the banquet ended, and Chen Shiquan arranged a car to take them to the hotel.

As soon as they left, he called Ye Xingchi again. Perhaps because he had been drinking, or perhaps because he was too happy, he rambled on and on.

At first, Ye Xingchi was confused: he wondered if old Chen had drunk too much?

To the outside world, Chen Shiquan loved collecting and exchanging, roughly similar to "half-collecting, half-selling." But privately, those who knew, knew what his business model was.

The two were just relatively pure fellow collectors; although Ye Xingchi had never asked, he knew very well what Chen Shiquan was specifically doing.

Someone like him, while it was true he made friends through antiques, what he showed you was only what he wanted you to see.

One reason was the fear of being intercepted and having business stolen, and the other was that it was taboo. Therefore, today, Chen Shiquan was able to open up three floors and let Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi see their fill, so Ye Xingchi owed him a huge favor.

But Chen Shiquan had reversed it and kept thanking him?

After listening for a long while, Ye Xingchi finally understood: Lin Sicheng had appraised a Jian ware tea bowl he was about to put on the market.

And then, he had also appraised the Vietnam Huanghuali he had recovered from someone?

The former was a bit better; even Peng Yanzhi and Zhao Xiuneng could discover something was wrong. If Chen Shiquan were to sell it, the appraiser he hired would likely also be able to tell.

At most, it would just be a loss, losing some money.

The key lay in that Flat-headed Table.

First, its background was too significant; it was an item recovered from the hands of a certain person's son. Thinking with one's backside: who would dare send a fake to this person?

One would never even think that this item could have a problem.

Second, the imitation craftsmanship was too high: in all of Guangzhou, and even all of Lingnan, in the rosewood furniture trade, the history of Nanmu Wood Wood Studio was already considered quite long.

Li Zhiyuan's eye and appraisal ability were second to none.

Therefore, the first moment the item was delivered, Chen Shiquan had asked Li Zhiyuan to look at it. Even he said there was no problem, so of course, there was no problem with this item. But what if, just say what if, this item was bought by someone and then gifted to someone else? And then, coincidentally, they happened to encounter a rosewood appraiser with a very high level of expertise, like Lin Sicheng, then what would happen?

Chen Shiquan's world would collapse.

The latter person wouldn't care about the background of this desk or who had collected it before; he would only know that this thing was fake.

The gift-giver wouldn't care either; the gift-receiver would cause trouble for him, and he would only cause trouble for Chen Shiquan.

Not only would Chen Shiquan offend old customers and potential sellers, but he would also offend the previous seller: the item someone gave me is fake, when I asked you to sell it on my behalf, why didn't you say so?

What, you didn't see it?

With this kind of eye, you dare to do this business?

His business relied on reputation; one wrong step, and the previous ninety-nine steps would all be for nothing. As long as the word got out, at the very least for a year, and at most for three to five years, don't even think about selling another valuable item.

Not to mention the seller had such a big background? His business might even be completely ruined.

Therefore, don't look at how calm Chen Shiquan appeared at that time; that was because he had already been shocked to the point of losing the ability to react.

The more he thought about it afterward, the more his heart palpitated, and he broke out in cold sweat several times.

They say great kindness is not expressed in words, but Chen Shiquan didn't dare to act as if nothing had happened...

After rambling and beating around the bush for a long time, Ye Xingchi finally understood that Chen Shiquan wasn't drunk, but was testing the waters: Director Ye, I want to thank Expert Lin, how do you think it would be appropriate to thank him?

Ye Xingchi didn't know whether to laugh or cry: originally, because of Lin Sicheng, he was going to owe Chen Shiquan a favor. But in the end, because of Lin Sicheng, Chen Shiquan was instead going to owe him a huge favor?

It was originally a spur-of-the-moment idea to let Lin Sicheng visit his place. But after going there, Lin Sicheng just showed a little bit of his skill and cleared two huge landmines for him?

Ye Xingchi could also understand clearly: if it weren't for his connection, Chen Shiquan would never have accepted the one million Lin Sicheng paid for the Flat-headed Table. Not only would he not have accepted it, he was even prepared to give Lin Sicheng something more.

But fearing he might have misunderstood, he could only accept the money first. Then he specifically called over, beating around the bush with him for a long time.

Ye Xingchi did not express a stance, only saying: "General Manager Chen, wait for me to ask someone..."

"Ah, alright... Sorry to bother you, Director Ye!"

Hanging up the phone, Ye Xingchi prepared to call Wang Qi Zhi. He had just found the number when the phone buzzed "bzz-bzz".

He glanced at it and answered it casually: "Director Peng!"

Peng Yanzhi had also been drinking, but he was still relatively sober. Given his relationship with Ye Xingchi, there was no need to beat around the bush, and he explained the gist in a few sentences. The more Ye Xingchi listened, the more astonished he became: "Wait... Director Peng, how much did you say?"

"Five million!" Peng Yanzhi was exceptionally certain, "Lin Sicheng saved Old Chen from losing at least five million!"

First was that Jian ware tea bowl; setting aside whether it would cause a misunderstanding or stir up trouble, if it weren't for Lin Sicheng, Chen Shiquan would have at least lost the cost price: 1.5 million.

After Lin Sicheng's appraisal, the Jian ware was indeed a replica, but it was a mid-Ming Dynasty Official Kiln replica. Not only was it still valuable, it might even be worth a bit more.

In this line of work, what matters is that scarcity makes things valuable; how many Ming Dynasty Official Kiln Jian ware tea bowls are there in this world?

One back and forth, it was equivalent to saving Chen Shiquan three million.

Then there was the Flat-headed Table; not to mention whether it would cause trouble, just speaking of its value: since it was a modern fake, Chen Shiquan certainly wouldn't dare to sell it. But with the seller's status, would he dare to say: "Your item is fake, I'm returning it to you"?

One hundred percent, not a cent less than one million, he would have to send it to them. And he would have to find a way: to let the seller know the item had some issues, while also making the other party believe: "Although the item has issues, I can definitely handle it well, you don't need to worry."

One back and forth, that was two million. As for that Flat-headed Table, Chen Shiquan could only let it gather dust in the Treasury...

Ye Xingchi was not surprised: "Five million, and Lin Sicheng just walked around like that?"

"Yes, he just walked around like that! Then, he walked around the second floor again and picked out more than ten pieces of porcelain!"

Peng Yanzhi was exceptionally emotional: "Before the banquet was even finished, Chen Shiquan's butler had already retrieved the test report. Including the Jian ware and the Flat-headed Table, seventeen pieces in total, without a single exception..."

Without a single exception, what?

Does that mean they were all fake?

Ye Xingchi was stunned and speechless.

He had been to Chen Shiquan's villa, and of course, he hadn't counted exactly how many pieces of porcelain were on the second floor. But Chen Shiquan had said: over 180 pieces. Even if you put them through a machine one by one, it would take a day or two, right?

Ask Peng Yanzhi; he is a specialist in this, would he dare to say: machine testing is one hundred percent accurate?

Lin Sicheng used only half a day, and he was right about all of them?

Subconsciously, Ye Xingchi recalled what he had heard before: Lin Sicheng had earned over ten million just by picking up leaks.

And, it had only taken a year and a half?

When Wang Qi Zhi said it, he had even sneered: Old Three Wang is really something; to gild his student's face, he dares to brag so shamelessly? Later, when Ye Anlan and Ye Anqi said it again, he had sighed: putting other things aside, this student of Wang Qi Zhi must have a very glib tongue. How could Ye Anqi and Ye Anlan actually believe such an outrageous brag?

Only now did he realize: earning over ten million in a year and a half was considered a small amount.

Because in just one morning, Lin Sicheng saved Chen Shiquan five million. It doesn't even need to be much; if he did this twice a year, wouldn't that be over ten million?

No wonder Chen Shiquan went through such a big circle?

Just for these five million, Chen Shiquan would have to properly thank Lin Sicheng.

What's more, Chen Shiquan was thinking further ahead: if he could cooperate with Lin Sicheng, with Lin Sicheng's pair of eyes, how much less risk would he have to bear in the future? Secretly sighing, Ye Xingchi mentioned another thing: "General Manager Chen called just now, saying he wants to thank Lin Sicheng!"

This was inevitable; Peng Yanzhi had already thought of it.

He paused slightly: "Lin Sicheng might not want it!"

Ye Xingchi raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

Peng Yanzhi was concise: "Today, General Manager Chen was able to open his collection room for him to visit; that is a favor. He helped General Manager Chen appraise a few items, which also counts as a favor. One thing offsets another, we're even, nobody owes anybody..."

So, let alone sending a gift afterward, if Chen Shiquan had said at the time: "Let's make this Flat-headed Table cheaper, or don't pay for it," Lin Sicheng would have refused on the spot. You don't have to take money, but you also have to see if I want to...

"Furthermore, with his level of Artifact Research, he isn't lacking this little bit!"

Ye Xingchi didn't understand: he could understand the first part, but the latter part... what does wanting it or not have to do with lacking it or not?

Immediately, he realized: Peng Yanzhi meant that exchanging ideas was fine, and Lin Sicheng helping to appraise things was no problem, since Chen Shiquan had enough good things here; it could be considered mutual benefit, exchanging and learning.

But as for wanting to cooperate or anything else, Lin Sicheng didn't have the energy, nor the time.

His research results were already prepared for external licensing, which was equivalent to making money while lying down. The key was that this money was not only clean, but also had extraordinary significance.

Lin Sicheng wouldn't even look at the business Chen Shiquan was doing, even with his eyes closed.

This was interesting: Peng Yanzhi wouldn't blab, and Chen Shiquan certainly wouldn't say anything; how did Lin Sicheng know what Chen Shiquan did? Wang Qi Zhi?

Impossible.

If he had such a keen sense of smell, how could his family have let him be so carefree?

Tsk, this kid is capable. Steady and introverted, looking unremarkable, yet making people marvel at every turn.

"Alright, then I know. Thank you, Director Peng, sorry to trouble you today!"

"Don't say that, Director Ye, I should be thanking you! If you hadn't asked me to accompany you last night, I wouldn't have been able to strike up a conversation with Lin Sicheng even after eighteen turns!" Peng Yanzhi sighed, "In a few days, I'm still hoping you can build a bridge and invite him to come to our Center's Research Center for a visit." Just for a visit?

Ye Xingchi was stunned for a moment: "Old Peng, isn't that an exaggeration?"

"It's really not an exaggeration!"

Because Ye Xingchi didn't do research, he didn't know the ins and outs and the stakes involved.

In the words of Director Lu: regarding the Stone Porcelain and Chaozhou Porcelain you are researching, if Lin Sicheng gives you a little guidance, you can save at least two or three years of time.

Don't disbelieve it; he has already saved me more than ten years...