After Chen Mo removed the bottom panel, he found two items tightly wrapped in oilcloth. Each was roughly three or four centimeters thick and over ten centimeters long, surrounded by wood shavings that provided cushioning and support. After taking out the two items, he poured out the shavings as well. Seeing that there was nothing else inside, he put everything back as it had been, fastened the bottom panel and retaining strip, and the wooden box was restored to its original state.
"This wooden box is one thousand yuan. We can make the deal." Chen Mo did not open the wrapped items. After restoring the box, he pushed it in front of the old man. Since the old man had wanted to buy it earlier, he would sell it for one thousand yuan. He was not particularly greedy, and since the old man had identified it as something from the Republic of China era, he owed him that favor. He was no antiques collector, but knowing it was an old item would at least let him value what was inside a little higher.
"Haha, little brother, could you let this old man see what treasure you took out?" the old man asked with a smile. He had been watching Chen Mo the entire time Chen Mo was removing the items. He had noticed that Chen Mo's technique was crude, clearly not that of someone in the antiques trade, and he was curious about what exactly Chen Mo had found.
He also understood Chen Mo's thoughts about asking him for one thousand yuan. Though he could not be sure whether his guess was right, it was probably close enough. Chen Mo had not asked for three thousand yuan, only one thousand yuan. The young man's character seemed quite good; he did not have that greedy mindset. The little guy seemed fairly upright.
And this youngster's sharp eyesight was astonishing. Though he was not part of the circle, how could he possess such uncanny eyesight? He could not be underestimated.
Chen Mo said nothing. Instead, he turned to look at the young girl, feeling slightly teasing. It was as if he were asking her, Didn't you doubt me just now? Now that your grandfather wants to see this thing, should I open it?
The old man smiled. "Don't worry, little brother. You don't need to care about what my granddaughter says."
The young girl rolled her white eyes and muttered, "Petty." Still, she was curious about what good thing this fellow had found. Her expression and movements made Chen Mo's heart stir. She was still so young, yet already so captivating. In a few more years, she would probably be even more extraordinary.
He suppressed those thoughts. Since reaching the first level of cultivation, his lustful thoughts seemed to have increased somewhat. Was it because his abilities had grown that his thoughts were starting to run wild too?
He nodded to the old man and the young girl, then carefully examined the two items in his hands. His Spiritual Sense had long since told him what they were, but putting on an act was still necessary. He then used a Utility Knife to gently cut along the binding cord and slowly opened the tight wrapping. What came into view were two beautiful yellow seal stones. Square seals without inscriptions were called seal material.
"Top-grade Tien Huang!?" The old man suddenly became so excited that his voice cracked. Trembling, he asked, "L-little brother, may I examine them closely?"
"No problem." Chen Mo smiled and handed the items to the old man. Then he took out his phone and started searching for top-grade Tien Huang. The old man's startled cry had made it seem rather credible. Chen Mo had heard of Tien Huang stone seals before, but he did not know what Tien Huang actually was, so he wanted to look it up. To his surprise, his search left him quite astonished.
After a long while, the old man finished carefully examining the two seals and let out a sigh. "I never expected to encounter such an opportunity today. Little brother, would you be willing to transfer these items to me?"
Chen Mo smiled. "I can, but I'd like to keep one and only transfer one. Also, how much are you offering?"
"Greedy miser!" the young girl complained, but Chen Mo pretended not to hear. Though the young girl was beautiful, she was the sort one could only admire and not touch. Besides, only a fool would turn down money. Making money was better. And although the young girl had been looking down on Chen Mo all along, her expressions and mannerisms did not provoke any dislike in him, so he simply acted as though he had not heard her.
"Seal material is the finest grade among Tien Huang stones, so I will not explain too much here. I'll offer seven million for one piece." The old man smiled. This price was fairly high, but he could tell that Chen Mo was not an antiques player. Still, his eyes were astonishingly keen; he had actually noticed things others could not see. The one who had staged the fake accident was unlucky indeed, treating treasure as trash. It was pitiful, and he deserved to stay poor for the rest of his life.
"Deal!" Chen Mo readily agreed upon hearing the price. It was quite high. Though he did not understand the Tien Huang market, he had just searched on his phone and had not found prices for similar square seal material, so he agreed without hesitation. He was not an antiques collector. As long as it felt about right to him, that was enough. People got along by instinct, after all.
Besides, it was seven million! The moment he heard that price, happiness nearly overwhelmed him. Just a few days ago, he had still been worrying about how to gather the first pot of gold for his startup. He had never expected it to arrive so soon, and through a fake accident at that. It truly made him sigh at the twists of fate.
"Little brother, could you transfer both pieces to me?" Old Man He asked somewhat greedily. It was not easy to come across such fine old items. Though they were only seal material with no provenance, they were unquestionably genuine, and they were rare top-grade Tien Huang stones. Naturally, he wanted to buy them for his collection. Knowing Chen Mo was not an antiques collector, he decided to ask again.
"This is my first time encountering such a lucky opportunity. I still want to keep one as a memento. If I ever want to transfer it, I'll definitely tell Old Man He," Chen Mo said.
Old Man He nodded, feeling a wave of disappointment, but it came and went quickly. He was calm and cultivated by nature. Such opportunities could only be encountered by chance, and obtaining one was already very good. Besides, it was not as if the second one could never be had. He could contact Chen Mo again after some time and ask. Perhaps the little guy would be willing to transfer it then. Politely, he said, "We've been talking all this time, but I still haven't asked your name, little brother. This old man has been rather presumptuous."
"You're too polite, Old Man He. My name is Chen Mo. Chen as in ears, Mo as in silence is golden," Chen Mo said. He sighed inwardly. It seemed this old man had acknowledged him. Otherwise, he probably would not even have bothered to ask his name.
Old Man He nodded. "Chen Mo, a good name! I'll presume upon my age and call you Little Chen. You can call me Old Man He." This settled how they would address each other. Old Man He had only said this because he found Chen Mo honest and steady; otherwise, he would never have spoken that way.
Chen Mo smiled, unsure how to respond. He had only just left school. Though he had delivered packages for two years, he still lacked experience in dealing with people. Besides, his name had been given to him by dad, and he had never seen what was so good about it. This was the first time anyone had called it a good name, and he felt somewhat pleased.
Old Man He was perceptive and noticed Chen Mo's awkwardness. He smiled to show his understanding, then asked, "Little Chen, give me your card number so I can transfer the money to you now."
Chen Mo nodded and sent his bank card number to Old Man He via text message. The young girl did not interrupt during this time. She kept staring at the two seals in astonishment, then looking at Chen Mo. She had become rather curious about this fellow.
Her curious expression was quite interesting. Chen Mo had not expected the young girl to have such a cute side. Though he did not flirt with her, he smiled as he looked at her curious expression. He smiled at the curious young girl, immediately earning a face from her.
The old man and Chen Mo both burst out laughing.
Before you continue