C139 – It Was Actually Fake!!
“This expert is truly remarkable,” Su Ming marveled.
The counterfeit was so masterfully crafted that it managed to deceive both Boss Zhu and Lee Tiankuo!
Rumors had been circulating about a group of experts in the market who specialized in creating fakes.
These individuals had been around for over a century, blending seamlessly into society.
Resorting to fluorescence powder was the most basic trick in the book.
If a counterfeit was the work of a truly skilled expert, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to detect its falseness.
Take this Blue and White Porcelain bowl, for instance.
Without the scan, Su Ming would never have spotted the subtle signs.
The bowl’s main body was authentic, but its base was a forgery. Yet, the base’s origin was peculiarly unique, and it commanded a hefty price.
It seemed quite possible that the two pieces were originally one, but had separated due to some mishap. An expert had then meticulously restored the bowl, reuniting the main body with the base.
Nevertheless, if the bowl had ever been broken, its value would be significantly diminished, regardless of its original unity.
At that moment, Zhang Tao and Boss Zhu had just shaken hands, with Zhang Tao preparing to make the payment.
Su Ming blinked and interjected, “Hold on a moment.”
His words cast a hush over the room as everyone turned to look at him.
Boss Zhu burst into laughter. “Brother, don’t spout nonsense. I’ve had the bowl’s authenticity verified by experts. There’s no chance it’s flawed. We even have signed photos and a certificate of authentication. I would never dream of deceiving President Chen with a counterfeit.”
“I was merely speculating,” Su Ming responded with a nonchalant shrug.
Boss Zhu’s mood soured. Zhang Tao was on the verge of completing the transaction when Su Ming interjected his doubts, potentially jeopardizing the deal.
Zhang Tao’s face grew stern. Quick-witted Zhang Tongtong chimed in, “Dad, this place is vast. How about we explore a bit?”
Gift-giving should be accompanied by auspicious signs, especially when it’s for an elder’s milestone 80th birthday. A smooth purchase process boded well, but any complications could be seen as a bad omen.
As Zhang Tao prepared to leave, frustration boiled within Boss Zhu. His potential sale was slipping away, along with a valuable friendship.
“President Chen, we’ve been acquaintances for years. You’re familiar with my integrity in business. How could this possibly be a fake?”
Boss Zhu was growing impatient.
President Chen blinked, his gaze shifting from Zhang Tao to Su Ming, and finally resting on Boss Zhu. He simply shook his head, remaining silent. He was in a bind, unable to risk offending either man—one a friend of the head of the capital’s central bank, the other the enigmatic and influential Mr. Su.
On the sidelines, Lee Tiankuo peered through his magnifying glass, absorbed in scrutiny. Su Ming’s words had planted a seed of suspicion in his mind. No matter how he looked at it, something seemed off.
Boss Zhu, unable to contain his frustration, turned to Su Ming. “How about a wager, Boss Zhu? If this item is a counterfeit, what kind of compensation are you thinking?”
Boss Zhu’s patience had reached its limit. “Prove that my item is a fake, and you can choose anything from my shop. But if it’s genuine, my loss today will be substantial. How will you make it right?”
With a serene smile, Su Ming replied, “Tenfold compensation.”
With that, Su Ming tapped the bowl on the table, eliciting gasps from the onlookers as it shattered with a crisp, resonating snap. The once thought-to-be-lost ceramic bowl fragmented in an instant.
Before the crowd could voice their astonishment, they saw the bottom of the Blue and White Porcelain bowl, perfectly intact. The break revealed the hidden chemicals inside.
The room was filled with astonishment—the item was indeed a fake.