Chapter 43
Gu Yue had just completed the payment and pickup process. Upon returning, she saw Shen You and Xu Jiayan walking toward the banquet restaurant area.
Her fingertips tightened subconsciously.
She had deliberately chosen to stay at this hotel, because neither she nor Gu Shaoyu could attend the gathering organized by Grandpa Xu, as that level typically only admitted direct family descendants.
That antique shop owner, Boss Shen, had come to the auction specifically to build connections.
Otherwise, why would she attend for two consecutive days without bidding on a single item? It must have been quite difficult for her to show her face at the auction for two straight days.
“Young lady Shen You has arrived. Perfect timing for us to go together.” The just-arrived Old Master Xu said kindly.
Judging solely by the old master’s understated attire, outside these doors he would be indistinguishable from those elderly gentlemen who practiced tai chi in parks.
Yet when Gu Shaoyu saw him, he immediately straightened and greeted him alongside Gu Yue.
“Good evening, Grandpa Xu.” Gu Yue displayed a bright and gracious smile.
The old man nodded in acknowledgment, then turned toward Shen You, leading her toward the private room with a more familiar expression on his face.
Gu Yue watched their departing figures with some displeasure in her heart.
What exactly was it about Shen You that had caught Grandpa Xu’s attention? Even being Professor Li’s student didn’t qualify her for such treatment based on that status alone.
“Didn’t I ask you to ask about their relationship?” Gu Yue whispered.
“I did ask – they are friends.” Gu Shaoyu replied. “Shen You really is not what you think.”
“Ha, she probably saw better prospects, so she looks down on you now, creating your illusion. Haven’t you seen enough women who chase money? How can someone without skills survive in such a deep-water industry?”
Gu Shaoyu countered, “Aren’t you yourself interested in money? Do Mom and Dad not like money? What businessperson doesn’t pursue money?”
Even she herself had her eye on the Xu family for their conditions.
When Shen You followed the old man into the private room, several people had already arrived.
Initially, everyone was greeting the old master, so attention wasn’t focused on her.
Until one of the ladies wearing a jade brooch noticed the bag in her hand and immediately became interested.
“Young lady, your bag is truly exquisite. Is it custom fabric? Very few people can create such refined items nowadays.”
Hearing her comment, another lady wearing a xiangyu silk qipao also became interested.
“A friend gave it to me.” Shen You replied, afraid of questions about where to purchase it.
Most people present were experts among experts who not only collected antiques but also had knowledge of ancient techniques, possessing sharp discernment.
Among these people, she was inadequate.
Both ladies felt disappointed learning it was a gift, although the bag really complemented qipao beautifully.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t follow suit and purchase similar items.
Xu Jiayan quietly introduced these people to Shen You while everyone shifted their attention to her.
“This is the person Old Li mentioned who can repair your item – Shen You.” Old Master Xu introduced her to the influential Zhang collector himself.
Mr. Zhang, seated beside Old Master Xu, looked at Shen You with skepticism.
Could such a young girl really repair his item properly?
However, since she came with Old Master Xu and Jiayan, he couldn’t openly dismiss the old man’s recommendation. He decided to let her examine the item first.
Mr. Zhang had someone open the briefcase and place it before Shen You.
“This is a phoenix crown belonging to a first-rank imperial consort!”
The entire crown had three tiers, crafted with gold wire and precious stones in ultimate luxury. However, due to its age, some areas showed fractures requiring repair, although the damage wasn’t particularly severe.
This crown could genuinely be exchanged for an apartment in Hai City’s downtown area.
What kind of family would use such an item as dowry?
The set Gu Shaoyu had previously sent her of Gu Yue’s belongings wasn’t even in the same league as this.
International auction houses might not encounter such a piece.
“Excellent eye.” Mr. Zhang nodded slightly. “So Miss Shen, can you restore it?”
“Yes, but I won’t have time to take this commission until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
She needed to return home for Mid-Autumn Festival, and didn’t have a place to store such a large phoenix crown. If anything happened to it while in her possession, she would face serious trouble.
Mr. Zhang understood her concerns and so smiled while nodding. “Very well, then after Mid-Autumn Festival, I will have someone deliver it to Miss Shen’s location.”
Since Professor Li had recommended her, even if she couldn’t handle the matter properly, she would seek Professor Li’s assistance.
With Professor Li as backup, major errors shouldn’t occur.
“One million yuan in compensation. How does Miss Shen find this acceptable?” Mr. Zhang asked.
Everyone present understood that given this item’s required restoration level, the price was quite high.
However, Mr. Zhang’s standards were also high – he demanded perfect restoration and wouldn’t accept ordinary craftsmanship.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made the special trip to Jiang City to find Professor Li, having heard that Jiang City’s collection hall had restored ancient techniques.
After carefully examining the item’s condition, Shen You responded, “No problem. I can meet Mr. Zhang’s requirements.”
The moment she said this, everyone’s eyes showed some shock.
This item wasn’t only precious, it held special meaning for Mr. Zhang, yet she dared give such a confident promise.
If she failed to deliver, how could she continue in this industry? Both Old Master Xu and Professor Li would lose face as well.
Yet from her tone to her expression, she remained remarkably composed, not seeming to boast nor showing any concern about potential failure.
Having such capability at such a young age was truly rare.
“Young lady Shen, didn’t you mention bringing something for me to examine?” Old Master Xu asked with a smile.
“Yes, it is right here.” Shen You opened the combination box she had brought.
Inside was a grape-purple Jun kiln porcelain piece.
“You this girl have truly brought me a surprise!” Old Master Xu’s eyes could barely leave the item.
This was definitely the correct craftsmanship!
“Something seems off though. Jun kilns date back so many years that some traces are inevitable. This piece is well-preserved and certainly authentic, but this…” Mr. Zhang looked puzzled.
Old Master Xu shared the same thought. He couldn’t be mistaken – this vase was genuine, but its condition seemed strange.
“Could this be a later imitation of Jun kiln?” Mr. Zhang looked toward Shen You.
Shen You answered decisively, “Correct! This is craftsmanship restored during the Ming and Qing periods.”
She had considered this explanation before coming and confirmed its feasibility before daring to bring the item here.
Like that Ru kiln porcelain set, Li Heng had mentioned that it used lost firing techniques and was considered antique even during the Great Qi dynasty.
“This imitation craftsmanship is really excellent! This is my first time seeing later-period porcelain that could restore techniques without any difference.”
“I wouldn’t have bid on that inferior piece several months ago if I had seen this earlier!”
Several people examined it with magnifying glasses for quite some time but couldn’t detect any trace of imitation. If not for the unusual condition, who would dare claim it was later-period reproduction?
Seeing everyone’s interest in this porcelain piece, one quick-thinking collector decided to act first:
“Miss Shen, would you be willing to sell this item?”