C64 I will Play with You

Sun Jianguo confidently pulled out his bank card and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying, "We've got a deal, boss."

The shopkeeper, unable to hide his delight, eagerly accepted the card. "Great, I'll have someone wrap up the porcelain vase for you. It'll be packaged perfectly, I assure you."

"Thanks, boss," Sun Jianguo replied, his face beaming with appreciation, convinced he had snagged a bargain with the vase.

The shopkeeper was secretly thrilled, thinking to himself how this fool was thanking him even after being duped.

At that moment, Lin Xuan chimed in, "Boss, could you also wrap up this bronze pot?"

The shopkeeper gave Lin Xuan a dismissive look and snorted, "Just take it. Does it really need to be wrapped?"

Sun Jianguo cringed, feeling that Lin Xuan's request was a slight against him. He had already felt embarrassed enough by snagging the battered bronze pot for a steal.

And now, treating it like some prized possession, as if worried others wouldn't notice his penchant for a good deal.

Just then, an apprentice burst in and announced, "Boss, President Matumoto Yuan is here to collect the 'Yan Zhenqing's Stele' he reserved!"

Upon hearing Matumoto Yuan's name, the shopkeeper's spirits soared. "Really? Please escort Mr. Matsumoto to the VIP room for some tea. I'll be right there after I finish processing this payment!"

The shopkeeper, anxious not to lose Sun Jianguo's business, was eager to close the transaction.

With the "ding" of the card reader, the shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief.

Handing back the bank card with a grin, he informed Sun Jianguo, "All set. You've got 102 yuan left on it."

Both men were all smiles, the shopkeeper in smug satisfaction, and Sun Jianguo in sheer joy.

For Sun Jianguo, the blue and white porcelain vase had become the crowning jewel of his fledgling antique collection.

Afterwards, the shopkeeper hurried off to attend to Matumoto Yuan.

Clutching the boxed vase, Sun Jianguo turned to Lin Xuan with a grin, "Mr. Lin, I owe you one for this. Please, keep the bronze pot."

Lin Xuan replied, "The bronze pot is yours. It's part of your purchase."

"Tsk tsk, why would I want this piece of junk? It's embarrassing enough for you, but I'm mortified just holding it."

Sun Jianguo left with a look of utter disdain.

Lin Xuan had only followed him into the corridor when a surprised shout came from the VIP room.

"Mr. Lin! Is that you?"

Matumoto Yuan's eyes sparkled with recognition, his energy surging as if a fan had just spotted their idol. He set his teacup down and stood up, calling out.

Lin Xuan glanced inside, recognized Matumoto Yuan, and smiled. "What a coincidence."

"Indeed, quite the coincidence..."

Matumoto Yuan was cut off mid-sentence when he caught sight of the copper pot in Lin Xuan's hand, and he inhaled sharply.

"This is..."

Unaware of the connection between Matumoto Yuan and Lin Xuan, the boss interjected, "Mr. Matsumoto, let's focus on our business, shall we?"

Matumoto Yuan dismissed him with a wave of his hand and quickly approached Lin Xuan.

"Mr. Lin, may I have a look at that bronze pot you're holding?"

"Of course." Lin Xuan handed over the pot.

Matumoto Yuan examined it closely and exclaimed, "Indeed, it's a Han Dynasty Bronze Pot!"

His hands shook as he held the pot, reluctant to let go. "Mr. Lin, where did you acquire this bronze pot?"

At his words, Sun Jianguo shuddered.

The boss, now frantic, rushed over. "Mr. Matsumoto, what did you say this pot was?!"

Matumoto Yuan, too absorbed to bother with him, kept his gaze fixed on Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan pointed to the boss and said, "It came from his shop."

"Oh?"

Matumoto Yuan turned to the boss, surprised, then asked, "How much did you pay for this?"

"I didn't spend a dime. The boss was quite generous; he gave it to me," Lin Xuan replied with a grin.

"What?! Given away? A bronze pot worth at least several hundred thousand yuan, just given away?!"

Matumoto Yuan was astounded, unable to fathom how the shop owner could part with such a valuable Han Dynasty bronze pot so freely.

"Mr. Matsumoto, could this old pot really be worth hundreds of thousands?" The shop owner's eyelid twitched as he felt a pang in his heart.

Matsumoto Yuan clarified, "This type of bronze pot is not something just anyone can recognize, especially since its surface oxidation actually confirms its ancient origins."

"Moreover, its intricate and unusual design, along with the precise and lifelike patterns, are indicative of casting techniques unique to the Han Dynasty!"

"As such, a valuation in the hundreds of thousands is merely the starting point. To a knowledgeable collector who appreciates its worth, it could fetch even more."

At this revelation, the shop owner nearly choked, a surge of blood rising to his throat. Matsumoto Yuan, as a seasoned appraiser, was undoubtedly correct.

The owner had thought he'd struck it rich, having encountered a naive buyer eager for a bargain. Instead, he realized he was the fool.

Such a loss! He could almost feel his heart bleeding.

Quickly backpedaling, the owner blurted out, "I'm not parting with it. This bronze pot is mine!"

Lin Xuan offered a serene smile, countering, "The card's already been charged. We agreed on the deal—no take-backs, as you said yourself."

The owner's complexion turned a sickly green, as if he'd swallowed a mouthful of flies.

Regret gnawed at him. His shop was filled with counterfeits, yet the battered pot he'd acquired from an old farmer was a genuine Han Dynasty artifact.

The hunter had become the hunted.

Seething with anger and envy, his eyes reddened with the intensity of his emotions.

But the deal was done, the money exchanged. There was no retracting his word in front of witnesses.

Lin Xuan accepted the bronze pot from Matsumoto Yuan, his smile unwavering as he addressed the shop owner, "Please, carry on. I won't keep you any longer."

The words left the owner speechless, his face flushed with embarrassment. The young man was cornering him. He couldn't just hand over a pot worth millions.

Yet with Matsumoto Yuan present, and apparently acquainted with Lin Xuan, the owner hesitated to make a scene.

He could only stand by helplessly as Lin Xuan walked away with the bronze pot.

As Matumoto Yuan escorted Lin Xuan to the door, the boss's gaze turned icy. He whipped out his phone and punched in a number. "Hey, boss, I need a favor. Get someone over here, pronto. We've got a big deal slipping through our fingers!"

The person on the other end inquired, "What kind of big deal?"

"Damn, I dropped the ball. Watched a Han Dynasty bronze pot walk right out the door without costing a dime!"

"What? No way we're letting that slide! Hold tight, I'm on my way with backup! How the hell did he get away with it? I'll make sure he coughs it up!"

"Alright, I'll be waiting for you, boss!" The boss ended the call.

...

Driving back, Sun Jianguo couldn't contain his excitement as he spoke to Lin Xuan, "Mr. Lin, you're incredible! I can't believe you snagged a Han Dynasty bronze pot for nothing! I owe you big time!"

"Why are you thanking me?" Lin Xuan responded, "Didn't you say you didn't want it?"