The next day was already the weekend. 1
Jacob dragged Charlie out of the house and they drove to Antique Street early in the morning. 2
The old man looked very refreshed and energetic, and upon stepping out of the car, Jacob waved his hand at
Charlie as he said, "Come! Letshow you how you can pick up a good product!" 1 After that, both of them
started walking down Antique Street. 1
Charlie had to walk quickly to keep up with Jacob. Regardless, he continued to look around him as he walked
along the street. 3
Since it was the weekend, there were a lot more people on Antique Street as compared to usual.
Antique Street was very dense on both sides of the street as there were many vendors who cout to set up
their stalls during the weekend, and so, the whole street was very packed. 2 Many vendors simply placed a
plastic sheet on the ground as they welcomed guests and customers to check out all the various kinds of
antiques and jades placed on the ground. 1
Charlie looked around casually and realized that there were barely any genuine products in the entire
market. In fact, most of the vendors here set up their stalls to trick laymen, tourists, and foreigners. 1
Most of the tourists who bought the antiques did not know the value of the item, and they would often be
grinning as they held the imitation product in their hand, thinking they had gotten a good bargain for
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthemselves. 2
"Over here!" 1
Jacob stopped in front of a simple stall, his face filled with excitement and expectations.
A few tourists were standing around the stall at this time, looking through the variety of antiques. Jacob quickly
joined the crowd because he was afraid that he might lose out on a good deal. 2
Charlie took a good look around the stall. The stall was nothing more than a piece of oiled paper that had been
spread over the ground with several dozen mud-stained antiques placed on it. There were blue and white horses,
scopper coins, copper wine cups, jade bracelets, and yellowed calligraphy paintings. 1
Even though there was a dazzling array of items, Charlie could tell that it was all fake just by glancing at the
items. 1
The owner of the stall was a skinny and dark-skinned man who was dressed in a simple and casual dark blue t-
shirt. His hair was very greasy and disheveled, and yet, he had a straightforward and honest appearance. 4
"Look at this!" Jacob said to Charlie excitedly as he pointed at a colorful bottle that had a big mouth. He then
spoke in a low voice, "This is the wine bottle that will complete my celadon cups! If | buy this wine bottle today, |
can make my celadon cups a set so that the price can be doubled!" 3
Charlie glanced at the wine bottle before picking it up and turning around to face the owner of the stall.
"How much is this?"
The owner of the stall stared at the wine bottle before replying, "Well, my father said that | could only sell that
for at least twenty thousand dollars and not a cent less!"
Jacob almost laughed out loud when he heard the price of the wine bottle. Subsequently, he quickly said to
Charlie, "The owner of the stall does not even know the value of the antiques that he is selling! Let's hurry up
and buy it before anyone else does." 5
After he was done speaking, Jacob hurriedly took smoney out from his pocket.
At this time, Charlie quickly stopped Jacob before he smiled and said, "Dad, this thing is definitely not
worth twenty thousand dollars. We are not buying it." 1
"What?" Jacob was taken aback. "Then... how much do you think it is worth?"
Charlie stretched out his hand before shaking his hand in front of the owner. "This number."
"Five thousand dollars?" The boss asked as he stared at Charlie. 1
Charlie shook his head. "No. Fifty dollars at most." 1
The owner of the stall stared at Charlie as though he was looking at an alien before he suddenly shouted, "Do
you even know the value of antiques? This is an antique that was left behind by my grandfather! | is a rare piece
of treasure that you cannot find anywhere else today. Are you trying to bullyjust because you are from the
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcity?!" 2
Jacob becanxious and tried to stop Charlie from challenging the owner of the stall. "Charlie, don't talk
nonsense. You are interfering with his business." 1
Charlie smiled before raising the wine bottle and turning it around. After that, he wiped the yellow mud stain
from the bottom of the wine bottle with his hand and pointed to the wordings at the base of the wine bottle.
"Dad, take a look at this."
The wordings were very small, and an ordinary person would not have noticed it if Charlie had not pointed it out.
There were a few words written in English at the bottom of the wine bottle.
"Made in China." 2
Jacob was so stunned that he froze in place for a brief moment, at a loss for words.
After a short while, he regained his composure and his face flushed red as he yelled and pointed his
finger at the owner of the stall. 3 "You... you cheater!"
Charlie took the wine bottle and waved it in front of the owner of the stall before saying, "The manufacturer will
not blatantly allow the sale of fake antiques, and that is the reason why they printed this in the fine print. You are
quite clever to cover everything with mud. Will you sell this for thirty dollars now?" 4
"This..."
The owner of the stall was stunned for a moment before the smile on his face disappeared completely.