508: Zhang Fengmao's commission

The two families laughed and chatted, and the meal, which started at 6:30, didn't end until just past 8:00.

On such a happy day, Ye Su didn't dwell on the fact that he had to drive home later and shouldn't drink.

Together with Ye Jianguo, Ye Xin, and Zhang Fengmao, he finished two bottles of red wine.

As for the table full of food, even with Ye Su's current appetite, it was impossible to finish it all.

After dinner, Wu Lianfang and Zhang Xuantong accompanied Ye Jianguo and the others in conversation, while Zhang Fengmao called Ye Su into the study alone. He took out several wooden boxes and opened them in front of Ye Su:

"Didn't you just say that you're doing some antique business over in Yangcheng? You can help me evaluate these items and see how they are."

"Sure, I'll take a look. If I miss anything, Godfather, please don't blame me."

"If you miss something, you miss it. Why would I blame you?"

After a modest remark, Ye Su picked up the first item from the box: a white porcelain bell-shaped vase with four sets of red swirl-patterned floral designs, resembling a traditional handbell.

While pretending to admire it, Ye Su secretly summoned the system and used the [Item Appraisal] function on the bell-shaped vase in his hand.

[Item Name: Blue and White and Underglaze Red Floral Sawtooth Pattern Bell-shaped Vase]

[Year: Late Qing Dynasty · Kangxi Period]

[...]

After the appraisal results appeared, Ye Su read them out mechanically:

"This is a Blue and White and Underglaze Red Floral Sawtooth Pattern Bell-shaped Vase, named for its resemblance to a traditional handbell."

"Look at the texture of this body; it's white and flawless, delicate and firm, with excellent translucency. It's a typical Kangxi imperial kiln [glutinous rice body]."

"The white glaze on top is as lustrous as jade, with a slight pinkish tint, which is also typical [glutinous rice white]."

"The belly is painted with four sets of swirl-shaped floral patterns in underglaze red; some say these are ancient bronze mirror patterns."

After appraising it like an antique expert, Ye Su drew a conclusion:

"In my opinion, this is a fine imperial kiln bell-shaped vase from the late Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, made in the style of the Ming Dynasty. The price at auctions in recent years has basically hovered around three million."

"Hmm."

After listening to Ye Su's long explanation, Zhang Fengmao clapped his hands in approval:

"Not bad. To be able to see the year and price of this bell-shaped vase so quickly at your age is not easy."

"Haha." Ye Su put down the bell-shaped vase and scratched his head modestly: "I just rely on this little skill to make a living."

Zhang Fengmao pointed to the other two boxes: "Take a look at these two items as well, and give me some professional advice."

"Sure."

Ye Su repeated the process, using the [Item Appraisal] function to identify the information for the two items before speaking to Zhang Fengmao:

"This three-legged censer with scrolling lotus patterns is a typical copper-bodied cloisonné piece. Looking at the complexity and exquisite craftsmanship, it should be an imperial item from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. The auction price is around three million."

"This bronze vessel with phoenix bird patterns has excellent shape and decoration. Judging by the year, it's from the Western Zhou Dynasty, a fine example of bronze ritual vessels from that time. The transaction price is also around 3 million."

"Hmm."

After listening to Ye Su's professional opinion, Zhang Fengmao nodded first, then fell into deep thought:

"They're all around three million..."

After a few seconds of thought, Zhang Fengmao looked up at Ye Su: "Why don't you give me some reference advice? Which of these items would be suitable for giving as a gift?"

Hearing Zhang Fengmao's implication, it seemed these three items were intended for favors. Ye Su followed the appraisal results and said:

"The bell-shaped vase is unique to the Kangxi imperial kiln. There are probably only about a hundred of them that have been passed down intact, making it a hot collection item in the market."

"The average transaction price at auctions in recent years has a high premium, about 200%. Last year, a bell-shaped vase even sold for a sky-high price of six million, despite an appraisal of two million."

"There's nothing much to say about the three-legged censer with scrolling lotus patterns. They were fired during both the Ming and Qing dynasties, so there are relatively more of them in existence. However, high-quality pieces are scarce, the market performance is steady, and the premium is relatively stable."

"As for the bronze vessel with phoenix bird patterns, the bronze market has heated up rapidly in the last ten years, but it is still a niche collection field overall. There are far fewer participants than in the porcelain market, so price volatility is definitely greater."

Not knowing how important the gift Zhang Fengmao wanted to give was, Ye Su didn't give a direct suggestion, but instead told Zhang Fengmao the market popularity and collection investment value of the three items, letting him make his own decision.

"Okay." After hearing Ye Su's words, Zhang Fengmao nodded thoughtfully: "Then I have an idea."

He asked Ye Su to go back to the living room first to chat with Wu Lianfang and the others.

But after locking the three boxes, Zhang Fengmao seemed to suddenly think of something and called out to Ye Su, who had already walked to the study door:

"Wait."

Hearing this, Ye Su stopped his hand, which was about to open the door, and turned back to ask:

"Godfather, is there anything else?"

"You do antique business in Yangcheng and know many friends. I want to ask, do you have any way to help me find one or a few winning double color ball or scratch-off lottery ticket items with a prize amount of around three million?"

"Lottery tickets?"

Hearing Zhang Fengmao's words, Ye Su immediately thought of the scratch-off lottery ticket lying in his system space that had won 150,000, and the lottery ticket that would draw 10 second-place prizes tonight.

If the prize money could be substantial after the draw tonight, the two lottery tickets combined would be just enough to meet Zhang Fengmao's requirements.

"Yes." After nodding, Zhang Fengmao said nonchalantly: "I'm just asking casually. If it's hard to find, forget it."

Not knowing how much money that lottery ticket would win, Ye Su didn't agree immediately, but asked:

"I'll try to get my friends to look for it in the next two days. I just don't know if you're in a hurry?"

"Just this week. If you haven't found it by Sunday, forget it."

"Okay."

After agreeing, Ye Su didn't ask about anything else and left the study first to go to the living room and drink tea with Wu Lianfang and the others.

It wasn't until 9:30 PM that the five people, including Ye Jianguo, declined Zhang Fengmao's request for them to stay overnight and stood up to say goodbye to his family.

"Come over for dinner next time, you can bring a change of clothes and stay overnight after eating."

"Okay, next time."

"You drank alcohol tonight. I'll send two drivers to drive another car and take you back."

"No need. Let ASu call a designated driver, and let Ye Xin and A'Ruo take a taxi."

Zhang Fengmao smiled and said: "You know how much the car ASu drives costs. Some designated drivers here are afraid of accidents and won't be willing to take such orders. It's better if I let my drivers take you back."

Ye Jianguo was in a dilemma when he heard this: "That's true..."

Just then, A'Ruo stepped forward: "I have a driver's license too. I only had a couple of drinks tonight, so I shouldn't test positive for alcohol. Let me drive."

Hearing this, ASu didn't dare to hesitate at all and immediately agreed: "Then I'll trouble Godfather to arrange two drivers to take us back."

Just kidding.

If he let A'Ruo drive home, Ye Su was afraid he would pee in the car later.