Upgrading

Zhao Qirui quickly asked, "What, is there really a problem?"

"Heh, Manager Zhao, don't rush. Can you let me take a look first?"

After Zhao Qirui agreed, Chu Chen put on gloves and took the bowl out of the gift box. The moment the bowl was in his hands, his heart was immediately thrown into turmoil. This was not because the bowl was too precious, but because something unexpected had happened.

When the bowl reached Chu Chen's hands, his special ability started to stir. Chu Chen didn't pay much attention to this, as it only meant the bowl was an antique. However, what happened next shocked him. His special ability began to absorb the spirit energy from the bowl without his control.

Even though it only lasted for a little over a second, Chu Chen's heart was like a stormy sea! He had already used up his spirit energy absorption for the day, so why could he still absorb it now? And his special ability was out of his control! Could something have gone wrong?

Chu Chen's current achievements were largely due to obtaining his special ability. How could this situation not fill him with dread! Fortunately, nothing else strange happened, which allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Xiao Chu, Xiao Chu, what's wrong? Is there a problem?" Zhao Qirui asked, seeing the change in his expression.

Hearing the voice beside him, Chu Chen quickly snapped back to attention and said with spirit, "It's nothing, I'm just a bit surprised by this bowl."

"Oh? Is there a story behind it?" Zhao Qirui asked with interest.

Chu Chen didn't answer directly but first asked a question:

"Manager Zhao, this bowl was likely given to you as Yue ware celadon, wasn't it? You've been dealing with antiques for some time now. Did you initially feel the color was off?"

"Yes, I thought the bowl, from the patina, the clay, to the craftsmanship, was a fine piece of Yue ware celadon. But the celadon color was indeed not right, and I became unsure whether the bowl was genuine or not," Zhao Qirui said, puzzled.

Chu Chen smiled faintly and asked another question: "Manager Zhao, have you ever heard of secret-color porcelain?"

"Xiao Chu, are you referring to the secret-color porcelain described in the poem 'Secret-Color Yue Ware' by the Tang Dynasty poet Lu Guimeng?" Lu Changshun interjected from the side.

Seeing Chu Chen nod, Zhao Qirui asked in surprise, "Xiao Chu, are you saying this bowl is secret-color porcelain?"

Chu Chen smiled and nodded, "Yes, this is a piece of secret-color porcelain. Before I talk about secret-color porcelain, let me tell you about its origin."

"Secret-color porcelain is actually an improved version of ancient Yue ware, a special type of porcelain gifted to the imperial court. It is said that at the time, commoners were forbidden from using this type of porcelain, and its formula and production techniques were strictly kept secret. Therefore, 'secret-color porcelain' refers to porcelain with a secret glaze formula."

"What exactly is the 'secret color'? This question has been debated endlessly in our ceramics community for a long time."

"Until 1987, when thirteen pieces of Yue ware celadon were unearthed from Famen Temple. In the inventory of imperial offerings at Famen Temple, these pieces were indeed recorded as 'secret-color porcelain,' which further enlightened people about secret-color porcelain and solved this age-old puzzle, explaining many things that were previously unclear."

"The characteristics of secret-color porcelain are thin walls, smooth surfaces, regular shapes, and even glazing, all of which are evident in this bowl. Moreover, looking at the glaze color, this bowl is yellowish-green, moist, lustrous, and semi-transparent. Considering its patina and other features, it can be identified as a secret-color porcelain bowl from the early Five Dynasties period."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Qirui eagerly asked, "Then how much is this bowl worth?"

Chu Chen replied hesitantly, "I've only had the chance to see secret-color porcelain once with Uncle Wu, and that person also acquired it through a lucky find. I don't recall any major auction houses in the country having auctioned it, so it's really difficult to set a price. However, it should be worth at least six to seven hundred thousand yuan."

Hearing this, Zhao Qirui stared blankly at the secret-color porcelain bowl, then suddenly exclaimed happily, "Does this mean I got a lucky find!"

The three people present couldn't help but smile knowingly. Lu Changshun immediately flattered, "Manager Zhao, you can find treasures even while sitting at home. Truly blessed by fortune."

Manager Zhao laughed heartily upon hearing this and pointed at him, "Old Lu, I didn't realize your flattery skills were so good. I like hearing that. Xiao Chu, what do you think, should I pay that person some extra money?"

Chu Chen thought for a moment and then said, "Manager Zhao, our profession relies on our eyesight. We've never heard of anyone who made a lucky find returning the item to the seller. At most, they'll patronize them a few more times. However, Manager Zhao, you're not in the antiques business. If you feel it's truly unfair, compensating them is also an option."

Zhao Qirui shook his head, "I don't give a damn about that person. I just feel sorry for his family."

Lu Changshun chuckled upon hearing this, "Manager Zhao, you're so sentimental towards his family." He particularly emphasized the phrase "sentimental towards."

"Ha, you old Lu, you've got too many schemes. I just feel sorry for the mother and daughter, they're having a tough time, and I want to help them."

Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but think, So he's planning to take on both mother and daughter. I didn't realize Manager Zhao had such a plan.

Zhao Qirui saw their "a man knows" expressions and cursed with a laugh, "You guys have such dirty minds. Talking to you is like playing the lute to a cow."

He then quickly changed the subject and asked Chu Chen, "Xiao Chu, I have to thank you this time. How do you calculate your appraisal fee?"

Chu Chen waved his hands repeatedly, "Having Manager Zhao treat me today is already a generous expense. Asking for an appraisal fee on top of that would be too much."

"Alright, I understand."

Zhao Qirui waved his hand, then beckoned the lobby manager over and said, "Please get this gentleman a gold card later."

Chu Chen immediately began to refuse. This private restaurant also had various membership cards, including diamond, gold, silver, and regular member cards. However, even a regular member card required a consumption of 100,000 yuan and only offered a 5% discount. A gold card offered a 50% discount, so how could he comfortably accept it?

"Xiao Chu, please accept it. I'll need to bother you for your expertise on antiques in the future."

Lu Changshun also persuaded him from the side, "Xiao Chu, just accept it. I have one of these cards too. Think of it this way, we're contributing to Manager Zhao's wallet."

Zhao Qirui laughed and cursed, "Old Lu, why do you make it sound like I'm a profiteer? Do you think I can still make much profit with a 50% discount?"

"You see, when Manager Zhao says that, of course he's making a profit, it's just a matter of how much," Lu Changshun said with a laugh.

Everyone else also laughed. After Chu Chen provided his identification information to the manager, he curiously asked Zhao Qirui, "Manager Zhao, don't you often consult Old Master Dong?"

Upon hearing "Old Master Dong," Zhao Qirui's expression soured slightly. He replied, "Him? He's found a new patron. Someone like us, small fry, he doesn't have time for."

Hearing this, Chu Chen knew there must have been some conflict between them, and Zhao Qirui held a strong opinion of him. However, he wasn't well acquainted with Old Master Dong and didn't say much, just nodding.

"Alright, as long as Manager Zhao doesn't mind my youth and rashness, if there's anything I can help you with, just give me a call."

"That's good."

Zhao Qirui said happily, "How about this, don't keep calling me Manager Zhao. If you're willing, just call me Brother Zhao."

Hearing this request, Chu Chen was naturally very happy, but he couldn't agree immediately, as it would seem too impetuous. So, after feigning some hesitation, he finally nodded in agreement.

Lu Changshun, watching from the side, felt very envious. He had known Zhao Qirui for quite some time, and their address terms weren't this intimate. Yet, Chu Chen, who clearly hadn't known Zhao Qirui for long, was now able to address him so familiarly. It seemed Zhao Qirui was very fond of Chu Chen.

Lu Changshun secretly took note of this. When he returned, he would instruct his subordinates that if Chu Chen visited the shop again for gambling on stones, they should offer preferential prices, both for selling and buying. Perhaps Chu Chen could become a closer bridge between himself and Zhao Qirui.

Afterward, they chatted for a while longer. Chu Chen, with his photographic memory, remembered news and information he had seen online. Therefore, he could chime in on most general conversation topics, which made Zhao Qirui and the others look at him with newfound respect.

This all-around performance further endeared Chu Chen to Zhao Qirui, who couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If Chu Chen hadn't already made a name for himself in antiques, Zhao Qirui would have definitely recruited him into his company. He would surely have become another one of his trusted right-hand men.

After the previous manager returned with the gold card, Zhao Qirui checked the time and said to everyone, "Alright, that's all for today. The bank should be open by now, let's go complete the transaction."

******************************************

After bidding farewell to Manager Zhao and the others, Chu Chen rushed straight home. His biggest "puzzle" right now was what exactly had happened with his ability just now.

Once home, Chu Chen plopped onto the sofa and began to read the information that had suddenly appeared in his mind after his ability changed earlier. He hadn't looked at it before because he was with Zhao Qirui and the others, not wanting to add to his worries, and also because his strangeness might have aroused their suspicion.

After carefully reading the information, Chu Chen finally understood what had happened to him.

It turned out that the earlier accident was merely a natural phenomenon that occurred because his ability had reached the critical point for an upgrade.