Capítulo 1664: Chapter 1865: Double Standards
Boss Wang stood to the side holding the porcelain bowl shards. Although he was too embarrassed to express it, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Hao Jian made it clear that he, too, was eager to know the answer.
Why was it that a forged porcelain bowl had not shown any flaw to three industry insiders, but was easily spotted as a fake by Hao Jian, a young amateur with no credentials? This was sothing he simply couldn’t understand.
Boss Chen also had the sa thought, but since Director Wang asked first, he stood quietly aside waiting for the answer.
Hao Jian smiled, a bit unsure how to answer this question. Should he claim he has sharp eyesight that could see through it at a glance? Or say his tactile sense is so excellent that he can imdiately discern authenticity upon touching sothing? These all seed sowhat implausible and deceitful.
Thus, a smile appeared on his face, and since they wanted him to talk, he decided to say it aloud for them to hear.
He took a small sip of his drink, then put down the cup, and lightly said, “The forgery technique of this porcelain bowl is extrely high; I don’t know what thod was used. However, if observed carefully, flaws can still be found. After all, as long as there’s a flaw, it can be pinpointed. What’s lacking is just an eye keen enough to find it and patience to observe carefully.”
As Hao Jian spoke, his gaze subtly drifted toward Boss Wang, hinting sowhat that his words were directed at him. Boss Wang’s expression turned a bit grim upon hearing this, but he couldn’t find any words to retort against Hao Jian. The key point was that his view of Hao Jian completely changed after this incident; he suddenly felt a slight fear toward Hao Jian, though he didn’t know why.
After saying these words, Hao Jian fell silent, quietly sipping his drink. For so reason, having drunk a little, he now increasingly felt like drinking more. Although the wine here wasn’t of the best quality, it was better than nothing.
His words were particularly subtle, neither offending Director Wang, outlining the situation, yet vague, not revealing how he exactly identified the bowl as a fake, but offering an inclusive explanation that was hard to refute.
This was the brilliance of Hao Jian’s speech.
Upon hearing this, Director Wang remained silent, Boss Chen’s expression was also grave, but without exception, their gazes focused on Hao Jian, growing intensely interested in him.
Such a young man, yet so composed and seasoned in both speech and action, unlike soone of his age. Yet he appeared so restrained, never fully revealing himself, invoking trendous curiosity but also an inscrutable mystique, making them keen to know more but increasingly unable to discern him.
Now perhaps the one feeling the greatest emotional turmoil was Boss Wang. From initially wanting to probe Hao Jian, he had evolved into dismissively regarding him, but now a complete reversal occurred, leaving him struggling to accept it. Though he felt pained over the broken porcelain bowl, it was less important now compared to how to nd his relationship with Hao Jian.
He had already realized that Hao Jian couldn’t be an ordinary young man. Even they, seasoned veterans of the Antique World, observed intently yet found no flaws, but Hao Jian easily uncovered it as a forgery. Thus, now believing in Hao Jian’s prowess, combined with Director Wang’s previous remarks, he suddenly accepted Hao Jian’s capability.
Now holding the shards of the broken porcelain bowl, he pondered how to make ands for his previous mistake and restore a good rapport with Hao Jian, ensuring no awkward gap remained between them.
Recognizing that Hao Jian is a rare talent, he knew that souring the relationship would result in a significant loss, unlike any loss from a porcelain bowl.
Seeing Director Wang’s discerning eye made him think, that the old fox is still the old fox, possessing uncanny insight to discover talent like Hao Jian. Given this, everyone has a share; there’s no monopolizing this enormous cake.
Musing, the old hand remains experienced in dealing with people and affairs, possessing the thick-skinned nature and firm competence lacking in younger people.
A smile suddenly appeared on his face as he looked at Hao Jian, as if they were on good terms, then he walked over to Hao Jian and said, “Little Brother Hao, I misunderstood you, sorry. You are truly a representative among the talented youth, impressing us seasoned folks with just one display. It fully confirms the saying, ‘New talents arise in every generation’, it’s your world now while we’re all getting old.”
Hearing this, Boss Chen, standing behind Boss Wang, clearly displayed a gaze of disdain.
“You old fox, what were you saying before? Now, with matters turning another way, you’ve realized Hao Jian’s prowess and potential and shalessly changed your stance. This indeed requires reaching a certain pinnacle of shalessness.”
anwhile, Boss Chen began developing a subtle hostility toward Boss Wang. They both navigated the industry, considered partners of sorts, yet businessn prioritize profit over sentint, with little emotion in the equation, only interest. No eternal friends, only current interests, such is the business realm.
Understanding this well, even though Boss Wang is currently a business partner, they each have ulterior motives for their interests. Now, having discovered Hao Jian, a young man with great potential and capability, they are considering how to build a good relationship with him for their benefit, aiming to harness the value he might create.
Seeing Boss Wang take the iniative in fostering relations with Hao Jian, he quickly realized and approached Hao Jian with a smile, saying, “Little Brother Hao, your reputation precedes you. It seems Director Wang wasn’t wrong; you’re a genius, destined to make a mark in the Antique World.”
Director Wang saw Boss Wang and Boss Chen suddenly excessively praising Hao Jian, and as an old hand himself, he understood their intentions. After all, he dared to introduce Hao Jian to them with enough confidence, believing Hao Jian wouldn’t suddenly switch to their sides.
Furthermore, their flattery was clearly directed at Hao Jian’s youthful psyche, appealing to his fondness for praise. But he had absolute confidence in Hao Jian, knowing Hao Jian’s nature; remarkably calm, possessing attributes uncharacteristic of his age.
So how could a few flattering words on their own establish a good bond with Hao Jian?
Inwardly, Director Wang ford a new perspective on Boss Wang and Boss Chen, recognizing they underestimated Hao Jian, attempting to draw him in with such low intelligence tactics, which was rather…
Upon thinking this, Director Wang silently sighed. Indeed, how realistic people are; how they treated Hao Jian before, and now how they treat him, all were clearly witnessed by him.
anwhile, looking at Hao Jian, his eyes filled with admiration as this young man was clearly surpassing his expectations, surely bound for great things.
Hao Jian, witnessing the sudden praises from Boss Wang and Boss Chen, understood their intentions. These “old folks” indeed had their thick skin trained to exhibit such variability instantaneously; no one without so mastery could possibly decipher what they truly contemplated at every mont.
He then smiled and said, “Oh, it was just good luck.”
With this sentence, Hao Jian once again distanced the matter of his seeing through the fake bowl from his ability, attributing it to luck, which left them nothing further to say.
Both Boss Chen and Boss Wang were savvy enough to understand the aning behind Hao Jian’s words—he did not wish to revisit that matter.
Realizing this, they figured out Hao Jian’s intent, and in their aim to ingratiate themselves with him, naturally aligned with his sentints.
At this point, Boss Chen smiled and suggested, “Let’s not just stand here talking, let’s sit down, eat and drink as we chat.”
Boss Wang concurred, “Yes, yes, let’s sit down and talk.”
After these words, Boss Chen and Boss Wang first took their seats, followed by Director Wang, then finally, Hao Jian. Upon sitting, the dynamics greatly shifted, where previously Hao Jian was spurned by all, Boss Zhu had even expressed scorn. But now, as they sat, Boss Chen and Boss Wang treated Hao Jian with courtesy, with attempts to ingratiate themselves.
Hao Jian smiled slightly without speaking, but everyone understood implicitly that so things need not be said.
Director Wang’s face also showed a smile, feeling proud that the person he introduced gained widespread regard, which maintained his own prestige.
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