"Uncle Li, congratulations! You're going to make a fortune this time," Wu Tian said with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Uncle Li's expression changed faster than a flipping book.
Before, he had been asking Wu Tian to appraise treasures, but now, he glanced at Wu Tian dismissively and said coldly, "Who are you? Why are you trying to get close to me? Do I know you?"
Tang Qi was stunned by his words. Her face turned ugly as she said, "Uncle Li, what are you talking about?"
"The treasure in your hand was found by Wu Tian for you."
"If you don't thank Wu Tian, that's one thing, but how can you say such a thing?"
Uncle Li pouted and said, "Don't be ridiculous. I spotted this thing myself, so how could it be him who spotted it?"
"In fact, I wanted to buy it earlier. How could it be his turn to point fingers?"
"You!" Uncle Li's words angered Tang Qi greatly.
Faced with such a situation, Wu Tian, however, simply smiled faintly.
Tang Qi hadn't expected Uncle Li's demeanor to change so quickly; it was practically a case of crossing the river and demolishing the bridge.
At this moment, she even felt like retracting her promise to Uncle Li.
But just as she was about to speak, in the dim environment, Wu Tian gently touched the back of her hand.
She looked at Wu Tian in confusion, and saw Wu Tian shake his head slightly, signaling her not to make a sound.
Although Tang Qi didn't understand Wu Tian's intentions, since Wu Tian didn't object, she naturally stopped speaking.
As Uncle Li took the painting by Wu Daozi into his possession, the auction finally entered its final stages.
The last item was brought onto the stage.
It was a bronze toad, about the size of a basketball, and exquisitely crafted.
The toad held a black pearl in its mouth.
The auctioneer introduced, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last treasure of our day."
"This toad is the work of our country's renowned craftsman, Li Qifei."
"Look at the craftsmanship, it's simply divine!"
"The starting bid for this treasure is two hundred thousand, with each bid increasing by ten thousand. You may now place your bids!"
After the auctioneer's voice fell, the atmosphere in the venue seemed unenthusiastic, with only a few bids being placed.
After all, this toad was not an antique. Although it was made by a famous craftsman, its potential for appreciation was limited.
However, while others showed little interest, Wu Tian's gaze was glued to the toad as if it were superglue.
No, to be precise, it was stuck to the pearl.
He possessed x-ray vision, and no treasure could escape his sight.
But strangely, although he could clearly sense that the pearl was extraordinary, he couldn't discern what it was.
The feeling in his heart grew stronger, as if the pearl was emitting a powerful attraction towards him.
He suddenly whispered to Tang Qi, "Tang Qi, please bid for me. I want that toad."
"You want it?" Tang Qi frowned and said, "No way. I have better ones than that kind of handicraft at home. I can just give you one!"
Wu Tian shook his head and said, "No, I only want that one."
"But if I bid now, others will surely follow my bid, so it's better for you to bid."
Tang Qi thought about it. Wu Tian's appraisal skills were evident to all. Anything he wanted was definitely not an ordinary treasure.
So she nodded and said, "Alright then, I'll bid for you."
Subsequently, Tang Qi raised the bid for Wu Tian.
As Wu Tian had expected, Tang Qi's bid did not stir up the atmosphere in the venue.
If he had bid himself, considering the painting by Wang Xizhi, most people in the venue would have competed with him.
Soon, Tang Qi secured the toad for four hundred and fifty thousand.
With this, the auction concluded entirely.
Uncle Li wrote an IOU to Tang Qi and took a video as proof, then happily went to collect his treasure.
Wu Tian and Tang Qi settled their payments first.
Tang Qi said unhappily, "Wu Tian, I really regret it. I shouldn't have lent him the money."
"Look at his face, it's so despicable!"
Facing Tang Qi's displeasure, Wu Tian simply smiled and said, "Don't be so angry. Trust me, you won't regret it soon."
Tang Qi was confused by Wu Tian's attitude. She was about to ask.
But at this moment, she saw Uncle Li walking out with the painting, his face beaming with joy.
Upon seeing Uncle Li, Tang Qi's anger flared up.
She frowned, and with her high heels, she strode angrily to Uncle Li and said, "Uncle Li, didn't you even think about properly thanking Wu Tian?"
"Isn't your behavior completely out of line?"
Hearing this, Uncle Li immediately put on his dismissive expression again.
He said coldly, "Out of line? What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"As I said, I got this treasure myself. What does it have to do with him? Why should I thank him?"
"Ms. Tang, although you are my boss, you still have to be reasonable, don't you?"
Tang Qi was so angry that her head felt dizzy.
She said angrily, "I never thought you would be this kind of person!"
"It seems I need to inform my family to find a new driver!"
Facing Tang Qi's fury, Uncle Li remained dismissive.
He sneered, "What, are you threatening me?"
"I'm sorry, but I've decided to resign. Starting today, I don't want to drive for you anymore."
Tang Qi was stunned by Uncle Li's words and said, "What do you mean?"
Uncle Li's attitude towards Tang Qi turned playful.
He laughed heartily and said, "What do I mean? You little kid, you don't even understand this? I don't know how you manage the company."
"I'm already a millionaire now, why should I keep working for you?"
"Once I pay you back, you'll be nothing to me. I have no reason to fear you!"
Uncle Li's completely changed attitude made Tang Qi tremble.
She gritted her teeth and said, "You're a scoundrel. People like you will get their comeuppance sooner or later!"
Uncle Li raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Comeuppance? Haha, you still believe in that?"
"Since you want me to face my comeuppance, then fine, let it happen now! Haha!"
Tang Qi couldn't help but want to curse him out, but at this moment, Wu Tian's voice, filled with laughter, slowly sounded:
"Since you want your comeuppance so badly, I'll grant your wish."
Wu Tian looked at the painting in Uncle Li's arms and said, "The painting in your hand isn't worth that much after all."
"In my estimation, you've probably lost at least two million."