Chapter 5 Major Leak

The stall owner never expected that this small bowl, which he had purchased for less than 100 yuan, contained such hidden value. Watching as he sold this bowl worth over 10,000 yuan for 2,000 yuan, the stall owner's heart was bleeding. In a state of emotional turmoil, he blurted out this completely unreasonable statement.

Hi, it seems to be a way to save face for oneself

The middle-aged man decisively took out 2,000 yuan in cash from his wallet and handed it to the vendor. The vendor, seeing his business going so smoothly, felt quite pleased with himself. He looked at Zheng Zheng, who was frowning beside him, and secretly sneered a few times, thinking to himself: "Kid, today let me broaden your horizons and show you what it means to be shortsighted"

Although Zheng Zheng did not understand why this middle-aged man suddenly became so enthusiastic, he still responded with a few nods and smiles. However, he was also anxious inside; if this coarse porcelain bowl was indeed not worth the price, losing money would be the least of his worries. The key issue was that the reputation of Donglai Pavilion would be tarnished. Once such a misjudgment spread, it would become a lifelong stain.

I... the stall owner also knew that he had misspoken, and he wanted to say something more to ease the situation for himself. However, he found that the people around him were all looking at him with a contemptuous gaze

The two individuals walked over while exchanging barbs at each other, and only after carefully listening for a while did they realize that the situation was not as they had previously thought

Zheng Zheng looked at the flustered vendor and said with a cold smile: "We had an agreement before, payment in one hand and delivery in the other for mhetushu.com. Now that the business is done and you see that this item can be sold at a high price, you no longer want to sell it? This is not how business is conducted."

Zheng Yonghe rolled his eyes while listening, shaking his head and saying: "You are young; I will give way to you. I have no need to bicker with a little fellow who is about the same age as my son"

Zheng Yonghe ... ... " Zheng Zheng murmured in a strange tone.

You are surnamed Zheng, I am also surnamed Zheng, so we can be considered family

At this moment, whatever he says is of no use. From now on, he has become notorious in this bulk goods street; everyone will know what he has done today, and it will be difficult for him to conduct business here in the future

The large crowd gathered here is not due to any dispute between the vendor and the customers, nor is it because there is some extraordinary treasure on this stall, but rather because there is a counterfeit item on display.

Despite the numerous discussions and speculations from others, Zheng Zheng remained completely unconcerned. From this minuscule damage, akin to a grain of rice, he had already gained a clear understanding in his heart.

Zheng Zheng held the coarse porcelain bowl in one hand, and after searching for a while on its surface, he finally found the crack that had been caused by the middle-aged man throwing it. He let out a gentle breath, then carefully inserted the tip of his Swiss Army knife into the crack.

I... I will not sell it anymore

Is that so? It really is just a word apart, Zheng Yonghe said with a low nod. As he spoke, a strange glimmer flashed in his eyes, but Zheng Zheng, who had been looking around, did not notice it.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zheng Zheng did not show it on his face, but his heart was in turmoil. He was uncertain whether his judgment was correct, but according to the assessment on the bronze balance, this was the only possibility. At this point, he could only brace himself and proceed according to his own thoughts.

Little brother, do not compete with him any longer, let's go

What is going on with all those people up ahead? Is it that people just like to gather in groups today?

Zheng Zheng smiled without saying a word, took the coarse porcelain bowl from the middle-aged man's hand, and with the other hand, took out a multi-functional Swiss Army knife from his pocket

Just now, Zheng Zheng already mentioned that purchasing this coarse porcelain bowl at this price would certainly not be a loss, and the onlookers possess enough discernment to recognize the true value of this coarse porcelain bowl. At this moment, they are all waiting for Zheng Zheng to speak, curious to see how he will resolve this matter.

What is wrong with this?

"My name is Zheng Yonghe, little brother, we can be considered family now," said the middle-aged man as he played with the small bowl in his hand, addressing Zheng Zheng.

Oh... the middle-aged man took the coarse porcelain bowl, glanced at it, and called out softly. He looked at Zheng Zheng, who appeared relaxed, with genuine admiration in his eyes: "Good lad, you really have it."

Even though the material of this jade bowl is not of high quality, it is an antique from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and its value cannot be compared to that of a coarse porcelain bowl in any way

Zheng Zheng nodded and then said: "I want to buy this item, but I don't have that much money on me. If you have it, then you can take out the money now to buy this small porcelain bowl; you definitely won't lose out. However, if you don't have enough money on you, then forget it; I will go back to the shop to get the money and come back to buy it."

Those who are close to the two individuals can see clearly. Beneath the crack in this coarse porcelain bowl, what is revealed is not the darkened coarse porcelain, but a bright and translucent white color.

Looking at Zheng Zheng's strange expression as he struggled to hold back laughter, the middle-aged man awkwardly said: "If you want to laugh, go ahead. I've seen this kind of situation many times. Before that soy milk shop opened, when I mentioned my name, no one laughed. Now it's different; the first time someone meets me, they always think my old man must really like that soy milk shop, otherwise, he wouldn't have given me such a name."

Zheng Zheng of Donglaige... The middle-aged man took the business card and then looked Zheng Zheng up and down, his expression somewhat unusual, leaving one to wonder what he was really thinking

"Little brother, now that the item has been purchased, why don't you tell me how this object is worth two thousand yuan?" The middle-aged man asked with a smile, holding the coarse porcelain bowl in one hand.

If I am not mistaken, this indicates that within this seemingly unremarkable coarse porcelain bowl lies a jade bowl

To acquire such an item for two thousand yuan is truly a remarkable bargain

Questioned by this middle-aged man, Zheng Zheng remained unperturbed. He smiled and said, "This brother, my name is Zheng Zheng, I am from the East Lai Pavilion on Antique Street. I have only recently entered this field, so you may not have heard of me. Here is my business card."

"Have all those who broke someone else's porcelain gathered here today?" Zheng Zheng glanced from a distance and muttered

This coarse porcelain bowl is definitely not worth 2,000 yuan, but the bronze balance indicates that it far exceeds this price. If the judgment of the bronze balance is not incorrect, then the only possibility is ... ...

Looking at the vendor, whose face was filled with indignation and embarrassment as he packed up his stall to leave, Zheng Zheng also lost the desire to continue entangling with him. He nodded slightly to the middle-aged man, picked up the bronze balance, and the two turned and walked out of the crowd

This name is chosen for its meaning of harmony bringing wealth. Previously, my father wanted me to be named Zheng He, but upon reflection, although that name is impressive, it carries certain connotations. Thus, I settled on this name. Who would have thought that halfway through, a soy milk shop would emerge, effectively ruining my lifelong reputation.

The middle-aged man tugged at Zheng Zheng and said with a smile, "This item has already been purchased, so why say so much to him? Let's go and browse other stalls."

Zheng Zheng stopped his actions, retracted the Swiss Army knife, and then handed the coarse porcelain bowl to the middle-aged man: "At last, I did not make a mistake, please take a look."

Although his movements were gentle, they were not slow; in just a short while, he had pried open a crack about the size of a fingertip in the coarse porcelain bowl with his Swiss Army knife

Zheng Zheng's actions appeared to the onlookers as mere theatrics, while the vendor beside him crossed his arms and watched with a cold smile, eager to see Zheng Zheng embarrass himself. The only person who did not show any signs of doubt was the middle-aged man who had purchased the porcelain bowl; he simply watched Zheng Zheng's movements with a smile, offering no comment.

Are you crazy

In that case, your name is quite similar to my father's name," Zheng Zheng said with a smile, "My father is named Zheng Yongping, and there is only a one-character difference between your names.

While speaking, Zheng Zheng took out a business card and handed it to the middle-aged man. He could be considered the de facto manager of Donglai Pavilion, and he always carried his business card with him

The middle-aged man had not finished speaking, but his meaning was already quite clear. He has begun to suspect whether Zheng Zheng and this vendor are in cahoots, deliberately acting as a stooge to deceive him.

The two individuals walked and talked, engaging in a conversation that was quite congenial. Although Zheng Yonghe was about twenty years older than Zheng Zheng, he did not carry himself with the airs of someone older. Meanwhile, Zheng Zheng spoke and acted without the immaturity and flamboyance typical of his peers, allowing the two to connect well in their discussions

Two people were walking through the street of stalls, looking from one stall to another. Suddenly, Zheng Yonghe noticed a crowd of people standing by a stall in the distance, not knowing what was happening.

The middle-aged man put away his business card, as if he had transformed into a different person, and said with a beaming smile: "As soon as I saw you, young brother, I felt you were trustworthy; you would never deceive me. Alright, let's proceed as you suggested."

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Zheng Zheng exerted force with his hand, using the tip of the Swiss Army knife to delicately pry open a piece of damage approximately the size of a grain of rice along the crack.

The money had reached the vendor's hands, and the coarse porcelain bowl had been handed over to the middle-aged man. This matter seemed to have come to a conclusion, yet the onlookers did not disperse; instead, their interest grew even stronger.