Next was Huang Zhongyi. Having dabbled in antiques for two years, he was much like the previous two. After a flurry of nonsense, Uncle Feng told him to return to his seat. "Next."
Following him was Chen Dongcheng, who had three years of experience with antiques. Two minutes later, he gently placed the sapphire down and began his appraisal. "You are all deceived by what the naked eye beholds. Those involved are bewildered, while observers see clearly. On the surface, this is a sapphire. In reality, it is blue achieved by a master craftsman using light technology to overlay cyan and magenta. The hundreds of intricate artificial processes involved lead me to conclude it is a masterpiece. Its value should be around eight million Hua Xia currency."
"Hmm, please return to your seat. I will make my own judgment. Next."
Then came Bo Yijian. He claimed to have half a year of experience in antiques. However, when it was his turn, whether it was because his eloquence wasn't as good as the previous ones, or because he was truly half-baked, remained to be seen.
He picked up the sapphire and examined it carefully for two minutes, only to say, "This thing is too valuable. I think it's priceless!"
Uncle Feng's face stiffened, and then he frowned, shaking his head as he said, "Next."
After him came a string of dabblers, or those who spouted endless nonsense. Uncle Feng shook his head repeatedly, but still told them to return to their seats, stating he would make his own judgment in the end.
The main event arrived. Yi Dong stepped forward. He did not touch the sapphire but observed it silently for two minutes. The crowd, too, fell silent.
Yi Dong then looked up at Uncle Feng, his eyes holding a hint of depth, making him seem somewhat pretentious.
Uncle Feng extended a hand in a "please" gesture. "State your opinion."
"What? He didn't even touch the gem? How can he know its origin?"
"Are you sure he has five years of antique experience? Don't end up making a fool of yourself." Several people whispered amongst themselves.
Yi Dong straightened his bow tie and cleared his throat. "The origin of this sapphire should be Switzerland. Both the craftsmanship and the material are something only the world-renowned Swiss could perfect. Its value is far beyond anything comparable domestically. I estimate its worth to be around six hundred million Euros."
"Whoa… Wow!~……… Is it true?"
The scene erupted in an uproar.
Everyone's attention focused on Yi Dong. Qingkong Yuezhang, seated below, gently shook his head and let out a disappointed "sigh."
Uncle Feng's expression remained calm. "Please return to your seat. I will make my own judgment. Next."
More dabblers followed, either pretending to know things they didn't, acting profound, or simply coming to make a spectacle.
The last one. Qingkong Yuezhang and everyone else pinned their hopes on him.
He was the genius of the antique world, known as the Jade-Faced Little White Cat, Qi Donglai, possessing ten years of cultural relic experience and a decade-long senior appraiser's certificate. Furthermore, he was the only son of Tianyu Group, with a distinguished family background and status.
Qi Donglai walked forward slowly, his entrance stylish, even deliberately slowing his movements, making it feel like a cinematic scene.
Uncle Feng was quite pleased, muttering inwardly, "It's him."
Like Yi Dong, Qi Donglai did not touch the sapphire. He didn't even look at it, or perhaps he had seen enough during the appraisals of the previous twenty individuals.
Uncle Feng was about to speak, but Qi Donglai waved his hand. Then, holding the sapphire between his thumb and forefinger, he lifted it. "The true origin of this sapphire is the hand of Professor Madebang from Colombia. Its uniform and vivid hue is the result of Professor Madebang's team meticulously crafting it through three hundred and sixty processes. Its characteristic is retro. What everyone assumes is, ha, in fact, it is a modern piece. No need to estimate, its value is above nine hundred million US dollars!"
"Whoa… Whoa… Wow!~………!"
The crowd gasped, casting admiring glances at Qi Donglai with firm conviction!