CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 254: THE MALE PROTAGONIST WITH X-RAY VISION

"Lady Tong, look at this vase. It’s definitely a genuine piece from the Kangxi period. Here is the appraisal certificate from Master Chen. We would never deceive you," said the owner of the antique shop to Tong Li.

Tong Li felt dubious as she examined the vase. She was not versed in this area and was only buying the antique vase to please a shareholder in the company. She didn’t mind the high price, but she was afraid of offending someone by inadvertently purchasing a counterfeit.

The vase was pretty indeed, and it even came with a certificate from the expert, so it should be genuine, right? Tong Li reached for her card to make the purchase.

Ling Batian, who had been observing for a while, timely interrupted her, "Miss, this vase is fake."

Ling Batian had recently discovered that his X-ray vision could not only see the jade within a raw stone but could also distinguish the authenticity of antiques. If it was a real antique, the item would be surrounded by a special aura; the older the piece, the richer the aura.

The vase Lady Tong wanted to buy did have a faint aura at the bottom, but there was none on the body of the vase. Obviously, this was a half-real half-fake antique, and someone had deliberately separated the body and the base to create two semi-products and sell them as genuine.

Seeing that Lady Tong was a beautiful and kind-hearted woman, Ling Batian couldn’t bear to see her deceived, so he spoke up to warn her.

Seeing that Lady Tong stopped her card transaction, the antique shop owner was furious, "This young man, you can eat food freely, but you mustn’t talk nonsense. I have the appraisal certificate here; what makes you say this vase is fake?"

Ling Batian, seeing the puzzled look on the beautiful woman’s face, earnestly explained for her: "Miss Tong, look at the connection between the body and the bottom of this vase. Isn’t it too perfect? Actually, according to the craftsmanship of that time, the body and the bottom were made separately. A genuine piece wouldn’t have such a smooth connection, and the patterns on the body are too vivid. The glaze color is also from a period after the founding of the People’s Republic. Miss Tong, although I’m not a professional appraiser, I still know a bit about this area. If you truly want an authentic piece, you should be more cautious."

After listening, Tong Li also felt that what Ling Batian said made sense. Although she initially thought the vase seemed flawless, she now gradually felt it was somewhat fake and decided against it. Better to err on the side of caution; if it turned out to be a counterfeit, it might offend people.

"So, what would you suggest, young sir?" Tong Li asked with a smile.

Ling Batian was stunned by her smile. Today, Tong Li wore a well-fitted cheongsam. Although she was almost forty, she maintained herself very well, and her charisma was the enchantingly feminine type with gracefully curved eyebrows and captivating red lips.

Ling Batian had never encountered such a woman before; even though she was over a decade his senior, his heart was stirred at first sight.

"I’m not sure what kind of antique you’re looking for, Miss Tong. A vase, calligraphy, or a jade pendant? If you don’t mind, I could offer some suggestions." Ling Batian flashed a confident and handsome smile, his electrifying gaze fixed unwaveringly on Tong Li.

Faced with such insinuations from a young and handsome man, Tong Li felt amused yet somewhat proud. She hadn’t expected to still receive such admiration at her age from a younger man.

"Anything as long as it’s an old object," Tong Li replied, though slightly flustered, she sipped her tea, her head dipping slightly. She felt he was too young, beyond her reach; the kid looked only a few years older than her daughter!

However, Ling Batian ignored Tong Li’s rejection. He picked a copper mirror he had just spotted and sat down on the chair closest to her, "Miss Tong, if you trust my judgment, this mirror is quite nice."

The owner of the antique store was slightly shocked when Ling Batian casually selected one of the few genuine pieces in his store. Could this young man truly understand these items?

Seeing the copper mirror, rusty and spotted, Tong Li was suspicious. However, seeing the sincere demeanor of the handsome young man, she felt obligated not to disappoint his effort and started bargaining with the owner.

"How much for this?"

"Four hundred thousand." Seeing their interest, the antique shop owner doubled the price on the spot.

"Who are you kidding, Boss? Even though this copper mirror is from the Ming Dynasty, its pattern on the back is all mottled. How is it worth four hundred thousand?" Ling Batian sneered.

The owner was taken aback by his accurate mention of the period and asked, "Then how much do you say?"

"Two hundred thousand, any more and we won’t take it."

The owner gasped, realizing he was dealing with an expert today and didn’t continue to haggle, instead he smiled ingratiatingly: "Today, this old man fails to recognize a greater person, you are impressive, young man!"

At this moment, Tong Li also discerned some tricks from the owner’s words and actions, realizing that the unremarkable copper mirror was indeed genuine, and she began to see Ling Batian in a new light, admiring him greatly.

After settling the bill, Tong Li eagerly invited Ling Batian to have dinner together. Since Ling Batian already had his thoughts about Tong Li, how could he refuse?

"Hello?" Just as he was about to drive, Tong Li smiled apologetically at Ling Batian and answered the phone, "Nanny Zhang, what’s wrong?"

Something seemed to have been said on the other end, Tong Li’s eyebrows slowly furrowing: "Mengmeng drove away the tutor again? Okay, I’ll come back now."

After hanging up the phone, Tong Li sighed to Ling Batian: "My daughter is throwing a tantrum again, eating out won’t work, if you don’t mind, may I invite you to my house for dinner, would Mr. Ling do me the honor?"

"Sister Li, just call me Batian, no need for such formal terms, I’d be more than pleased to have dinner at your home!" Ling Batian spoke affectionately.

"Batian? That is a good name!" Tong Li looked at Ling Batian again, head tilted, still feeling a bit disappointed, he was nice in every aspect, just a bit too young.

Ling Batian didn’t expect that Tong Li lived in the same villa area as him, what a coincidence!

"Mengmeng, we have a guest, come down for dinner." After greeting Ling Batian at the door, Tong Li went to call her daughter.

Being a single mother, her daughter was thirteen years old, in the throes of her rebellious phase. Sometimes she found it really frustrating, yet couldn’t bear to scold her only daughter. She had hired several home tutors, but all had been driven away by her, what to do about her daughter’s education?

"Who is here?" Tong Mengmeng didn’t like visitors at home, especially men who always harbored vile thoughts towards her mother, she would never agree.

But today, as Tong Mengmeng frowned walking down the stairs, she didn’t see any of those ill-intentioned strange uncles, but a handsome big brother instead.

He is really so handsome and so tall! And he is smiling at me too!

Tong Mengmeng was thirteen, just starting middle school and beginning to experience adolescent emotions. She liked to read novels, and since she wasn’t tall herself, she dreamed of a male protagonist who was both tall and handsome. However, the boys in her school were either too short or too ugly, and very immature, nothing like what she dreamed of. But the big brother sitting on her living room sofa today was different, he was exactly like the Prince Charming of her dreams!