While Sun Zhi was smashing the car and cursing Lin Yi on one side, on the other side Lin Yi was already sitting in Boss Zhuang's office with Elder Wang, drinking tea.
"Come on, Brother Lin, have a taste of this tea. I got this top-quality Longjing through some connections, and the taste is quite authentic."
Looking at the small cup of orange tea in front of him, Lin Yi wasn't very interested. What he really wanted was to quickly turn the porcelain cup in his backpack into red-hot cash, which was the real business.
Although his father usually liked to have a couple of cups of tea, Lin Yi hadn't inherited his father's calm demeanor at all.
Sure, he could drink tea, just brew a cup in a teacup, but spending an hour fussing with tea leaves was something Lin Yi simply couldn't do.
Nonetheless, even though he didn't like the elaborate tea brewing, he could still taste the quality of the tea to some extent.
He picked up the teacup and pretended to sip it like his father, immediately feeling this tea was much better than the tea his father usually drank. At least, it was genuinely fragrant.
"Wow, I didn't expect young friend to have some insights into tea as well. Haha, it's rare to see someone your age equipped with such knowledge, truly rare."
Seeing Lin Yi's standard actions, Elder Wang's eyes lit up, and in his heart, he held Lin Yi in even higher regard.
"Hehe, Elder Wang flatters me. I don't know anything about the tea ceremony. Isn't it just making a show in front of you? But Brother Zhuang's tea is genuinely good, leaving a lingering fragrance and taste, haha. If I get used to Brother Zhuang's tea, I won't be able to drink any other tea in the future."
In their lighthearted conversation, no matter what they talked about, Lin Yi could always keep the conversation going, which was naturally related to his father's upbringing as a slick state-owned enterprise junior leader.
Unbeknownst to Lin Yi, Elder Wang and Boss Zhuang exchanged a glance, recognizing the admiration in each other's eyes for Lin Yi.
At a young age, beyond his handsome and sunny appearance, he could appraise antiques, understand the tea ceremony, and more importantly, he had a steady demeanor.
Half an hour had passed since they arrived, and he still hadn't mentioned the porcelain cup, showing that he was definitely not a child brought up in an ordinary family.
After exchanging a glance, Boss Zhuang gently put down his teacup and finally directly approached today's topic:
"Haha, Brother Lin, you still have classes to attend this afternoon, so let's get to the point. After the college entrance exam, we'll get together again. Let's talk about the price of this porcelain cup now. If Brother Lin trusts us, let's have Elder Wang name the price."
Then, Boss Zhuang looked directly at Elder Wang and continued:
"Uncle Wang, Brother Lin and I hit it off well, so we won't go through all the business formalities. Just tell us the actual value of the item. As long as Brother Lin agrees, we'll settle it."
According to business habits, Boss Zhuang shouldn't speak like this. When the other party hasn't asked the price, he should first hear Lin Yi's offer. If Lin Yi's price was low, they could even get a deal.
But as Boss Zhuang said, he felt Lin Yi resonated with him. Besides, his primary income source wasn't Xuanrui Studio.
Which is why he spoke those words directly.
Upon hearing Boss Zhuang's words, Elder Wang also gave a wry smile. This wasn't the first time Boss Zhuang did this. Many times, he even wondered how a boss like him could thrive in the antique industry.
"Then I'll say it straight. In 2009, a similar Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain cup was auctioned at the Shanghai Brandywine Auction House, and I happened to be there. The price was 2.71 million.
Just three months ago, the owner of that Yuan blue and white piece sold it to Treasure Pavilion in Panjiayuan for 4.3 million. But young friend Lin's item is very open and transparent, in better quality compared to that one.
So I estimate if this piece goes to auction, the final price should be around 4.8 million. Of course, if it meets a fervent buyer, a price over 5 million isn't impossible."
After listening to Elder Wang, Lin Yi nodded secretly. Although he didn't know about the recent 4.3 million transaction, he had seen the 2009 auction price of 2.71 million online.
After more than ten years, one could imagine that the item must have appreciated significantly.
Based on his estimation, his psychological price was a bit over 4 million. After all, auctions take a commission, and what he would actually get would be about that amount.
Plus, with the system in place, he had no reason to spend months waiting for an auction.
Boss Zhuang, listening, nodded and directly intervened, saying:
"Alright then, we'll offer 5 million. If Brother Lin is willing, I'll wire the money right now!"
Hearing this, Lin Yi couldn't help but be taken aback. He didn't expect the other party to offer 5 million right away.
But the next moment, he understood. Boss Zhuang was casting a long line to catch a big fish, as Lin Yi had mentioned he had a few more items.
It's just that Lin Yi didn't know why the other party believed he still had more antiques.
"Hehe, since Brother Zhuang is so straightforward, let's settle it this way. But Brother Zhuang, do you have cash? Give me fifty thousand, and the remaining 4.95 million can be wired."
In the following time, Boss Zhuang asked for Lin Yi's bank card number and then used the office computer to wire Lin Yi the money.
After the transaction was completed, Boss Zhuang laughed heartily:
"Haha, 4.95 million, the money has been transferred, young brother. Check it out. And here's fifty thousand in cash."
Hearing this, Lin Yi reached for the fifty thousand in cash while waving his hand:
"Oh, just based on our interaction earlier, I really trust Brother Zhuang, so no need to check. Alright, I have to get back to school for my afternoon classes, so I won't stay longer. I need to handle things with your President Sun downstairs later."
Trust? No such thing. There's no absolute trust in an adult world. The only reason Lin Yi didn't check was that he didn't have his phone right now.
Plus, he was watching all along as the transfer was being made, which is why he deliberately acted nonchalant.
Just seeing Lin Yi's indifferent attitude towards the 5 million made Boss Zhuang and Elder Wang regard Lin Yi even higher.
Lightly weighing the five stacks of cash in his hand, Lin Yi's mouth curled into a smile. Now that he sold the antique, it was time to settle matters with Sun Zhi.
[To be continued...]