Gene Unlocking: I Evolve Every Day

Chapter 70: Chapter 65: Priceless

Villa, inside the living room.

Qin Liang was dumbfounded as he held the fragments of the smashed pastel teapot!

He really didn’t expect that after the pastel teapot was smashed open, examining it carefully from the horizontal side, it indeed looked like Lu Li said, old on both sides but obviously fake inside.

Generally speaking, antiques that have undergone years of settling have a layered sense of ”old” from the outside in, without contradictions between ”new” and ”old”.

In other words, this pastel teapot that Qin Liang bought against Lu Li’s advice is indeed a counterfeit.

To be honest, when Qin Liang saw this scene, he was completely stunned.

Normally, judging whether a porcelain piece is an antique is often based on shape, glaze color, and body, historical inscriptions, and the color of high-temperature glaze firing.

The method Lu Li used, distinguishing layers merely based on keen eyesight, is truly rare in the world.

Qin Liang was completely convinced, and suddenly turning his head to look at the pile of things Lu Li had left, he said with a hint of surprise: ”Are all these things you picked genuine?”

”Do you think everyone is as clueless as you?” Qin Yuyong again scoffed at his son, pointing at the remaining pile of items: ”Although I’ve only taken a rough look, I’m basically sure these are all valuable things.”

Uncle Xu nodded with a hum, ”Especially this Daoguang Year pastel landscape ’Three Abundances’ double-eared vase, its value is extremely high.”

Lu Li blinked and asked: ”Uncle Xu, I really don’t understand antiques, what do you think my pastel landscape ’Three Abundances’ double-eared vase is worth?”

Qin Liang remembered that Lu Li spent only about five hundred dollars on this pastel double-eared vase, and now hearing the inquiry, he also wanted to know its real value, so he looked towards Uncle Xu’s face.

Uncle Xu didn’t directly mention the price but gave an example: ”Last year, during the large autumn auction in Singapore by Habsburg, there was a porcelain similar to this double-eared vase. Before the auction, it was estimated to be between two hundred thirty thousand to four hundred thousand Singapore dollars, with a starting price of two hundred forty thousand, finally sold for five hundred thousand Singapore dollars, which equates to roughly two million six hundred sixty thousand in soft sister currency.”

Holy crap!

Selling price two million six hundred sixty thousand?

Lu Li was genuinely taken aback; he couldn’t believe he picked up a porcelain vase worth so much at the antique market.

To know previously he painstakingly saved up only around one million eighty thousand.

Now just by spending an afternoon at the antique market.

He managed to get a porcelain vase worth two million six hundred sixty thousand?

At this moment, he finally realized what truly profitable industry was!

Compared to playing with antiques, scratch-and-win lotteries, livestream merchandise selling for commissions, and collecting bounties, are simply too weak!

Uncle Xu continued speaking, ”Of course, if trading privately, the price might not be that high, additionally this vase isn’t preserved as well as the one in the auction, having a small notch at the neck; if I were to estimate, perhaps around one million eighty thousand, with not more than ten thousand fluctuation.”

Lu Li activated his Mind Reading Technique superpower upon hearing about the appraisal and discovered that Uncle Xu was sincere, not deceiving him.

Despite the appraisal making the porcelain vase’s real value drop from two million six hundred sixty thousand to around one million eighty thousand, Lu Li was still very excited, thinking playing with antiques was truly lucrative.

He understood why Uncle Xu estimated it lower.

Successful auctions entail hefty commissions.

This rate is generally between ten to twenty percent.

Paying these commissions upon successful transactions isn’t a big deal.

The key is, if unsold, the auction house still charges a withdrawal fee.

This withdrawal fee is usually about three percent of the starting price of the antique.

Hence, although auctions might fetch higher prices, they come with risks.

Private transactions don’t have so many issues.

If someone offers a suitable price, you agree and transaction proceeds.

Then just go to the tax department to report tax.

Of course, some people might evade taxes since the regulation in this area isn’t so strict.

However, if found out, they might face huge fines several times the tax amount, it’s not worth the loss.

So to avoid hassles, paying taxes is generally advised if possible.

Lu Li was secretly contemplating whether to learn about antiques and frequently visit the antique city?

That way, getting rich faster!

Qin Liang was stunned for a moment and said, ”Is this double-eared vase worth so much?”

Uncle Xu smiled: ”I often do appraisals for Poly Auction, do you think my judgment can be that far off?”

Qin Liang couldn’t help but glance at Lu Li again, chuckling bitterly inside.

Initially, when he heard Lu Li say making money was quite easy, he was somewhat dismissive, thought the other was raising the price with such tactics.

Who would have thought, the other just spent an afternoon in the antique market and acquired a Daoguang Year double-eared vase worth around one million eighty thousand!

If it was only a double-eared vase it might not mean much, but Lu Li’s haul from the antique market wasn’t limited to just the double-eared vase, he also brought back a Republic era imitation Qianlong Imperial Kiln enamel porcelain vase.

What does this signify?

It indicates that Lu Li’s insight in antiques is indeed unmatched.

Meaning, when he said making money was relatively easy, he meant it.

At this realization, Qin Liang felt uneasy.

He pondered that someone capable of casually earning hundreds of thousands in the antique market wouldn’t be impressed by his tens or hundreds of thousands offer.

The answer is naturally negative.

Qin Liang understood that convincing Lu Li to collaborate might require significant costs, otherwise it’s futile.

He was thinking commercially.

Qin Yuyong, Uncle Xu, and Uncle Liu started appraising Lu Li’s remaining items.

”These copper coins are mostly from the Guangxu period, with substantial surviving quantities, essentially worthless.” Uncle Liu glanced and then focused on the list book, ”However, this school publication seems rather unique.”

Qin Yuyong, seeming a bit puzzled, asked: ”Old Liu, what makes this school publication unique?”

Lu Li listened attentively.

Uncle Liu chuckled: ”I skimmed through it just now, discovered this school publication is the National Wuhan University authentic school history of the Republic of China year 14 National Wuhan Normal University Class Yi-Chou classmates record, recording a considerable number of celebrities, such as Li Hanjun, Chen Tanqiu, Zhang Bojun, almost encompassing all student rosters from Wuchang Higher Normal School from 1917 to 1928, publications of such significant historical value are rare nowadays.”

Qin Liang couldn’t contain himself and asked: ”Then what is the approximate value of this school publication?”

”Can cultural relics be measured by money? You’re too vulgar!” Uncle Liu shook his head helplessly, but still mentioned a number, ”If you insist on an appraisal, its value should be between 100,000 to 120,000, of course, such precious publications really shouldn’t be measured by money, owning one would be an honor indeed.”

A Republic era enamel porcelain vase worth 120,000!

A Daoguang pastel double-eared vase worth around 1,80,000!

Now add on the school publication appraised between 100,000 to 120,000!

These three antiques combined are valued at approximately 2,10,000!

Lu Li’s heart was racing, thinking if he could really sell these antiques, over half the money needed for a Porsche 911 would be secured.

He secretly rejoiced at the value of these antiques.

Qin Liang was even more amazed; Lu Li bought four types of items from the antique market, although those Guangxu copper coins aren’t worth much, they’re genuinely old.

What does this indicate?

It indicates Lu Li’s antique judging accuracy rate is a full 100%!

This level of accuracy is incredibly frightening.

Thus, his previous claim about making money being easy isn’t mere boasting; in contrast, it might even be somewhat modest.

With such keen eyesight, relying on antiques to get rich is simply too easy!

Thinking this, Qin Liang felt even more troubled.

Originally intending to offer tens or hundreds of thousands for Lu Li to work for him.

Now seeing this, tens or hundreds of thousands certainly won’t impress the guy.

He was deeply conflicted, pondering what approach would make Lu Li collaborate with him.

”By the way, Xiaolu.” Uncle Xu spoke up again asking, ”I asked you earlier whether these antiques are for your collection or for sale, you haven’t answered yet.”

Lu Li was initially considering how to liquidate these antiques.

Now hearing Uncle Xu inquire, his eyes lit up.

Lu Li said: ”Uncle Xu, are you interested in these antiques?”

Uncle Xu smiled: ”If I wasn’t interested, why would I ask?”

Eh?

You really want to buy?

Lu Li was overjoyed, thinking it’s just like someone delivering a pillow when he needed sleep.

He definitely has no interest in antique collecting, only wants to cash in and buy a Porsche 911.

If Uncle Xu is willing to take over, Lu Li would be more than willing.

But there’s one problem, what’s the amount the other party is willing to pay for the purchase?