Chapter 435: Strike a Deal_1

Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Strike a Deal_1

For Guan Xiangyuan—

Wang Fangtong was a big shot, unapproachable and a symbol of status, a super tycoon in the archaeology world with a big name in Longhu Province, often seen in high society, laughing and chatting with wealthy magnates.

If he was lucky enough to meet him, he felt honored. For Elder Wang to even encourage him was extraordinary, worth boasting about on social media for years.

Surprisingly, this guy whom he had repeatedly refused and even found annoying, actually knew Wang Fangtong quite well. What’s more, the latter had even taken the initiative to present a gift worth tens of thousands, which was incredible.

The key point was not Wang Fangtong stooping from his high position but that he lowered his generational status, proactively calling Xu Fan “young friend” and treating him as an equal.

This was not just an honor but a glory!

Bear in mind, even Zhonghai City’s richest man, Lu Chennong, with a wealth of over ten billion, still maintained a proper junior’s respect towards Wang Fangtong.

Yet Xu Fan was privileged to receive such an honor!

Who on earth was this person?

Guan Xiangyuan’s inner shock reached a critical point.

Wang Fangtong’s four companions were also staring wide-eyed at this scene, finding it unbelievable: a young man in his twenties was actually “brothers” with Elder Wang, which was unprecedented!

Among these four, there was a man in his forties, dressed in a suit and leather shoes polished to a shine, with a lofty and imposing presence, looking quite extraordinary.

The man was intimately holding hands with a woman, likely a couple. So affectionate with each other in public, one could imagine their loving relationship at home.

Trailing at the end were two robust men around their thirties, dressed in branded suits, carrying expensive briefcases under their arms.

The status of these individuals was not to be underestimated: they were executives of a large listed internet company. The middle-aged man was the chairman, the woman his wife, and the two robust men were major shareholders of the company.

These four people had managed to arrange a meeting with Wang Fangtong and had come to him proactively to seek a valuation of a collection of antiques for sale, due to a financial crunch in the company and an urgent need for external asset infusion.

Because they wanted to make a quick deal, they needed a very persuasive public notary, and Wang Fangtong’s judgement was well known; any item he appraised would be identified as genuine or fake right away.

In other words, Wang Fangtong’s name represented a discerning eye, guaranteed authenticity. As long as they went to him, nothing could escape his discernment.

“Don’t be nervous, I don’t bite,” Wang Fangtong shook his head and then inquired, “This bronze ding, did you buy it for 160,000?”

“Right,” Guan Xiangyuan nodded hastily.

“Guan, let me give you a piece of advice. Xu Fan here has already offered an additional 220,000, why don’t you sell it to him?” Wang Fangtong straightforwardly suggested.

“Professor Wang, this... I... I...”

Guan Xiangyuan wasn’t expecting Wang Fangtong to be so direct, almost vulgar, in his approach, and he couldn’t help feeling upset, thinking, What does he take me for? To tell me to sell just like that!

In an instant, Wang Fangtong’s status plummeted in Guan Xiangyuan’s heart, from a respected industry senior with profound professional knowledge to a cultural ruffian out for personal interest by any means necessary.

To come up and force me to sell without a shred of concern for face?

He clenched his teeth, gauging the situation and feeling quite uneasy, sensing that if he refused, he probably wouldn’t be able to leave this place.

After all, Wang Fangtong had said to that young man named Xu Fan right from the start that this place was his territory.

Feeling indignant, Guan Xiangyuan wrestled with a difficult choice...

Little did Wang Fangtong know that Guan Xiangyuan had developed such a great misunderstanding about him. If he had known, all he would have wanted to say was: What kind of person is this?

In his view, the bronze cauldron could never fetch a high price of 380,000 on the market. Therefore, he had actually given Guan Xiangyuan a lot of face by not directly pointing it out.

Seeing Guan Xiangyuan frown without deciding, Wang Fangtong sighed and bluntly stated, “Guan, to be honest, this cauldron is worth at most 250,000. Xu Fan here is quite wealthy, miss this chance and you won’t find another shop.”

Upon hearing this, Guan Xiangyuan couldn’t help but be startled, snapping out of his resentment.

His gaze fell upon the ding, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

Since Wang Fangtong was so sure, he must be correct. Moreover, the other party had no reason to risk his decades-long reputable name over a ding, which would have been very unwise if that were the case.

Once Guan Xiangyuan had thought it through, he felt utterly ashamed, internally scolding himself for harboring so many negative thoughts about the idol from his university days.

“I trust Professor Wang’s words,” Guan Xiangyuan let go of Ah Zi, whom he had been holding, and walked toward Xu Fan, not with the arrogance he had shown earlier but with a touch of respect and anxiety, he said, “Mr. Xu, does the previous offer still stand?”

Wang Fangtong had revealed the ding’s realistic value, and he felt that it would be normal for Xu Fan to try and drive the price down.

But Xu Fan couldn’t be bothered to argue over such a small amount of money, calmly saying, “I know what you’re thinking and I want you to believe me too, I’m not deceiving you. This coin is very ominous, it only brings harm. How about this, considering that you’re a student of Elder Wang, I won’t drive the price down. In fact, I’ll give you an extra 20,000. I’ll buy this bronze ding and this coin for 400,000.”