"I see," Wu Tian nodded, then chuckled, "It seems you're quite the charmer, Hui Lan. Even attending a meeting leads to people pursuing you."
Yang Hui Lan's pretty face flushed slightly. She playfully chided, "What nonsense are you spouting? I don't want to be pursued by someone like that!"
"Besides, don't you already know what's in my heart?"
"We haven't seen each other for so long. After the event ends, you must spend some time with me."
Wu Tian's expression stiffened.
He recalled their passionate moments in bed.
Yang Hui Lan's unsatisfied look, even now, made him feel a bit apprehensive.
Just as Wu Tian was feeling awkward, suddenly, a person walked onto the stage, which had been empty moments before. Then, a voice emerged from the speakers.
Listening to the person on stage, Wu Tian realized that the middle-aged man was the president of the Appraisal Association.
His appearance signaled that the appraisal event had officially begun.
Everyone immediately quieted down, listening to the president's address on stage.
The speech was quite simple, mostly consisting of platitudes. Few people were truly listening, but they still applauded and cheered enthusiastically.
When the speech was nearing its end, the president smiled and said, "I believe everyone has had a chance to view all the exhibits in the hall."
"If you're feeling bored, why don't we play a game!"
"I have prepared several antiques here, some genuine and some fake. Many of the fakes are so skillfully made they're indistinguishable from the real thing."
"Everyone here is an antique appraisal enthusiast, and many are even experts. So, is there anyone brave enough to step up and try our appraisal game?"
The president didn't explain too clearly, but everyone understood. It was essentially an invitation for someone to identify genuine from fake items.
However, no one was willing to play such a game. After all, those who could attend were either well-known figures in the appraisal world or business owners like Yang Hui Lan.
Since everyone here valued their reputation, making a mistake could damage it. Therefore, no one wanted to take that risk.
Yang Hui Lan smiled at Wu Tian, "Wu Tian, aren't your appraisal skills very impressive? Why don't you go up and give it a try?"
Wu Tian, of course, wasn't afraid of such an activity.
But he wasn't particularly interested, so he shook his head and smiled, "Perhaps not. I don't have much of a reputation. Who would even recognize me if I went up?"
Seeing Wu Tian's response, Yang Hui Lan didn't press the matter.
Scanning the audience and finding no one willing to volunteer, the president asked again, "What's wrong? Doesn't anyone want to play?"
"I know what everyone is worried about, but think about it the other way: if you perform exceptionally well in this game, it could be a great opportunity for advancement. Is there truly no one who wants to try?"
People exchanged glances but remained silent.
At this moment, someone suddenly raised their hand and said loudly, "How about I give it a try!"
Everyone looked at the person in surprise, then exclaimed in astonishment, "It's Mr. Chen!"
This so-called Mr. Chen was naturally Chen Ou.
As a Level 5 appraiser of the Appraisal Association, he was quite well-known in the local appraisal circles.
The president was pleased with Chen Ou's volunteering, especially since Chen Ou was affiliated with the Appraisal Association.
If Chen Ou could perform outstandingly, it would be a positive outcome for their association.
So, he smiled and said on the spot, "Ah, it's Chen Ou. Since you want to play this game, please come up!"
Chen Ou walked onto the stage and waved to everyone. Instantly, applause erupted from the audience.
This applause signified recognition for Chen Ou. He felt very proud, his vanity greatly satisfied, making his expression particularly smug.
He scanned the audience, finally finding Yang Hui Lan, and even winked at her.
However, to be honest, when a handsome man or a beautiful woman winks, it's considered flirtatious.
But when a middle-aged man with a receding hairline like Chen Ou made such a gesture, it only left Yang Hui Lan feeling disgusted.
Yang Hui Lan rolled her eyes, thinking he was truly an idiot.
Wu Tian naturally noticed this gesture and couldn't help but smile, saying, "It looks like he's about to make his move."
"Make his move?" Yang Hui Lan asked, confused. "What move?"
Wu Tian chuckled, "It's obvious. The reason he's on stage is definitely to show off his skills in front of you and make you fall for him!"
Yang Hui Lan felt another wave of disgust, her expression turning somewhat unpleasant. "Wu Tian, please don't say things like that to disgust me, okay?"
"Fall for him? I'd rather jump off a building!"
Wu Tian laughed heartily, then turned his gaze back to the stage, curious to see the caliber of this so-called Level 5 appraiser.
Under the president's arrangement, a committee member brought out a porcelain bowl. The president then introduced, "Ladies and gentlemen, this bowl was used by Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty. Its market value is eight million!"
"Now, let's invite the Level 5 appraiser, Chen Ou, to authenticate whether this bowl is genuine or a fake!"
Chen Ou took the bowl and examined it carefully. Then, he declared, "It feels smooth to the touch, and the patterns are clear. This is fake."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Someone asked, "But Mr. Chen, you just said it feels smooth and the patterns are clear. How can it be fake then?"
Chen Ou smiled and said, "You don't understand. If it were a genuine antique, no matter how well-preserved, it wouldn't feel smooth to the touch."
"After all, this is an item from hundreds of years ago. Even if it's been kept very well, the texture wouldn't be that pleasant."
"As for the clear patterns, that's even easier to explain. A bowl in such good condition should be worth over twelve million, not eight million."
"In other words, if this bowl is only worth eight million, then its patterns must have some flaws."
"Therefore, I can confidently say this bowl is a fake. The forger must have realized that a fake wouldn't sell for twelve million, so they priced it at eight million."
"Ultimately, it's just exploiting people's desire for a bargain."
"President, am I correct?"
As soon as Chen Ou finished speaking, the president of the association immediately began to clap his hands with a smile.
His face was filled with admiration as he said, "Truly worthy of being a Level 5 appraiser! That's right, this bowl is indeed a fake, and it's a sample we recovered from a forgery case."
"Everything Chen Ou just said is accurate. Let's give him a round of applause!"
The venue immediately erupted with applause and cheers for Chen Ou.