Encountering a Landmine

Chu Chen felt a bit awkward hearing that. He hadn't expected Zhao Qirui to have attended this year's spring auction as well, meaning Zhao Qirui would definitely know the price. However, a thought suddenly struck him, and he said:

"Heh heh, that price was actually what the other person quoted me. I thought it would be an honor to do something for you, so... Brother Zhao, how about this? I won't add any more money. Just help me with one thing."

"Oh? What is it? Tell me about it."

So Chu Chen briefly explained Zhou Wenping's situation with buying a house to Zhao Qirui.

"Just this?"

Hearing it was about this matter, Zhao Qirui's expression became somewhat amused. He had initially thought it was something significant, but it turned out to be a trivial matter for him. However, after a moment's thought, he realized it could be viewed differently. He smiled and said:

"Alright, a small matter like this. If you don't find it embarrassing, I do. How about this: don't worry about the house anymore, I'll arrange it. After you go back, tell your friend to get a household registration certificate from their hometown, and I'll help them transfer their hukou to Beijing. What do you say, Xiao Chu, do you want to transfer your hukou over too?"

Chu Chen was extremely surprised to hear that he could transfer Zhou Wenping's family's hukou. When it was mentioned that his own hukou could also be transferred, he repeatedly waved his hands:

"Brother Zhao, it's already troublesome enough for you to help my friend's family transfer their hukou this time. I don't need mine for now. It's not too late to do it after I buy a house later. Just don't find me bothersome then."

Zhao Qirui didn't insist, laughing, "What's so troublesome about such a small matter? Keep teasing me. Alright, jot down Ah Chao's phone number. When your friend has the certificate ready, contact him. Also, keep an eye out for calligraphy and painting matters, but it doesn't matter if it works out or not."

Ah Chao was the name of Zhao Qirui's driver. After Chu Chen noted down his phone number, he and Zhao Qirui quickly completed their transaction and parted ways.

Chu Chen carefully put away the check he had just received and walked towards antique street with a cheerful mood. Today's events made him feel particularly satisfied. Not only had he "excellently" completed the task Zhao Qirui assigned him, improving Zhao Qirui's impression of him, but he had also solved Zhou Wenping's housing and hukou issues, which was an unexpected bonus.

For ordinary people like them, a Beijing hukou was often considered highly unattainable and extremely difficult to obtain. Yet, Zhao Qirui could arrange their dream Beijing hukou with just a few words, which made Chu Chen feel quite emotional.

"Brother, little brother!"

As Chu Chen was about to reach antique street, he suddenly heard someone on his left calling him. He turned his head and saw a middle-aged man, dressed as if he had just come from the countryside, standing in a corner and waving at him.

Chu Chen, being quite experienced, recognized this type of person as someone who "lays landmines." However, he was in a good mood today and felt confident in his own abilities, so he decided to see what kind of trick the man was up to.

When he approached the man, Chu Chen pretended to be somewhat confused and asked, "Brother, do you need something from me?"

The middle-aged man timidly whispered, "Boss... I... I have a good item here, do you want it?"

Seeing this, Chu Chen pretended to frown and examine him before asking somewhat impolitely, "With someone like you, what good item could you possibly have? You're not trying to trick me, are you?" He then made a move as if to leave.

The middle-aged man, naturally unwilling to let him go easily, stopped him and pleaded, "Boss, don't go, I really have a good item. Believe me, take a look!"

With that, the middle-aged man took out a replica Northern Song Ding ware large plate from his cup and prepared to hand it to Chu Chen. At this moment, Chu Chen couldn't figure out how he had managed to conceal a roughly thirty-centimeter printed plate inside his clothes without it being noticeable, especially since it was summer.

As for why it was a replica Northern Song Ding ware, it was because Chu Chen had seen a hint of cunning in the middle-aged man's eyes. In this situation, it was a classic "laying landmines" tactic, and the man wouldn't possibly have a genuine item.

However, immediately after, Chu Chen's heart trembled violently. Despite his currently excellent composure, the shock almost showed on his face. This was because the Treasure Sense in his mind had alerted him that this printed plate was indeed valuable. Whether it was from the Northern Song dynasty or not, he would have to see.

Calm down! Calm down!

Chu Chen repeatedly told himself. In this situation, there was a high probability that he had encountered a "landmine," and he had to be extremely careful. Even if it might be an antique, it could also be a high-quality replica!

"Yes! It's absolutely like this. This person's methods are quite skillful. I mustn't be careless."

Since he had identified it as a "landmine," Chu Chen could have simply walked away. However, his years of experience as a street vendor stirred a desire to play a trick on the man. So, he adopted the tone of an antique novice and said to the middle-aged man:

"Brother, you don't seem to understand the rules of the antique trade at all. I've only been studying it for a short while, but I can still give you some pointers. Fragile items like porcelain cannot be directly handed from seller to buyer. The seller should place the item aside first, and the buyer should pick it up themselves. Do you understand?"

The middle-aged man outwardly appeared stunned, but inwardly, he was overjoyed. It was great that the other person was a novice; how else could he trick him out of his money? So, he said somewhat foolishly, "Oh, boss, you mean I should put this big bowl aside for you to take? But where is 'aside'?"

Little brat, you're quite the actor, Chu Chen thought to himself. If someone with a bit more kindness saw his naive appearance, they might truly believe he was an honest country bumpkin.

Chu Chen then put on a speechless expression and said with a slightly displeased tone, "Why are you so stupid? 'Aside' doesn't mean a literal side. Just put what you're holding on the ground."

The middle-aged man looked as if he suddenly understood. As he placed the plate on the ground, he muttered, "People in the city are so troublesome. They could have just said to put it on the ground."

Seeing the middle-aged man place the plate on the ground, Chu Chen prepared to pick it up, thinking, Heh, he's really committed to playing the country bumpkin. With that acting, he could win an Oscar. And this printed plate, I wonder where he got it. It's made so realistically, a true masterpiece of replica work.

However, as Chu Chen took the printed plate into his hands, he became more and more shocked. How was this made? It looked exactly like the real thing!

At this point, Chu Chen could no longer remain calm. He quickly activated his special ability, and the result made his heart pound. A trace of shock actually showed on his face. This printed plate from the Northern Song dynasty was a genuine artifact!

His first thought was, How is this possible? Did I misjudge and not encounter a "landmine"?

Fortunately, the slight emotion showing on Chu Chen's face was mistaken by the middle-aged man as him being tempted. He didn't suspect anything, thinking Chu Chen had fallen for the bait. He was inwardly ecstatic; the deal was about to be made.

Just as Chu Chen was questioning whether this was a "landmine" situation, he saw the hint of ecstasy in the man's eyes, which made him even more confused. What was going on? This felt so strange. No, he had to be cautious in this situation and probe the man first.

With that in mind, Chu Chen pretended to be somewhat delighted and said, "Brother, can you tell me how you obtained this item? Can you tell me about it?"

Seeing Chu Chen's expression, the middle-aged man thought to himself, It's done! He then started to tell Chu Chen a tearful story about his family.

The middle-aged man said that his family was once an official clan, but their fortune declined during the Republic of China era. Now they were impoverished, with nothing left but the item in Chu Chen's hands. He hadn't originally intended to sell it, but his elderly father had passed away, his wife had fallen gravely ill, and his child had broken a leg.

Chu Chen thought, You're incredibly unlucky. How could all these things happen at once? This person's storytelling skills aren't very good. It's highly likely he doesn't even recognize this genuine Ding ware.

With this thought, his spirits lifted. This possibility was very real. So, with feigned pity, he said, "Brother, don't be sad. People have to look forward. I don't have much ability, but I'll buy this item. How much do you want for it?"

"Brother, could you let me have a look at what you're holding?" A voice suddenly came from the side. Chu Chen frowned and glanced over. A young man in his early twenties stood nearby, dressed very neatly, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking like a scholar.

From the moment this young man appeared, Chu Chen knew this was a classic "landmine" setup. His gaze was very sharp, and he had noticed this young man lurking in a corner earlier. Now that he had come over, he was clearly a confederate. Today's events are truly interesting, Chu Chen thought.

Chu Chen frowned, placed the printed plate on the ground, and the young man took it. He appeared to be examining it carefully, but as he looked, he made appreciative "tsk tsk" sounds. After he finished, he revealed a delighted expression and said:

"This is truly a good item! Brother, how about I offer you one hundred thousand?"