Fang Mingsheng managed a wry smile, the sound tinged with resignation. "Elder Qian, I truly envy you."

Wang Guan, listening from the side, was immediately taken aback. It wasn't just the surprise that Fang Mingsheng could afford to hire the esteemed Gao Dequan with an annual salary in the tens of millions; it was the sheer audacity of Fang Mingsheng knowing the close relationship between Elder Qian and Gao Dequan, yet daring to poach his associate right to his face.

From this display, it appeared Fang Mingsheng's background was far more formidable than anyone had initially suspected.

Meanwhile, Elder Qian chuckled good-naturedly. "That is Ade's own decision. I have never sought to restrain him."

"That's precisely why I envy you," Fang Mingsheng sighed.

Gao Dequan smiled smoothly. "Mr. Fang, stop beating around the bush. Please reveal the answer. I am also extremely curious to know the provenance of this exquisitely crafted Zisha teapot. To replicate a Man Sheng pot with such conviction certainly points to a master artisan."

"Haha, Brother Gao, you guessed correctly."

Fang Mingsheng gave an ostentatious thumbs-up, a trace of triumph in his eyes. "This teapot, I expended considerable effort persuading a collector in Taiwan to part with it. The lines of this pot are simple, its workmanship meticulous, the carving precise and the inscription masterful—it is a gem among gems, truly a rare treasure."

Wang Guan listened for a long time, feeling a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Fang Mingsheng was still keeping his cards close to his chest, having delivered a lengthy preamble while utterly omitting the most crucial detail.

Suddenly, Elder Qian spoke, his voice clear. "If my eyes do not deceive me, this must be a work by the titan of teapot artistry, Gu Jingzhou."

"Uh..."

Fang Mingsheng froze, then instantly deflated, showing genuine frustration. "Elder Qian, why did you just say it?"

"Indeed!"

Gao Dequan exclaimed in delighted surprise. "It’s truly Elder Gu’s pot?"

"Could that possibly be false?"

Seeing the turn of events, Fang Mingsheng rallied, his pride clearly piqued. "This pot was made in the 1930s when Elder Gu was commissioned by the Lang Shi Art Salon in Shanghai to create pieces in imitation of ancient styles. Subsequently, the pot traveled to Taiwan, where a collector treasured it for decades as a masterpiece by Chen Mansheng."

"Later, when Elder Gu visited Taiwan for an arts exchange conference, those collectors brought the pot for his appraisal, only then learning the truth. It turned out to be one of Elder Gu's own creations."

Fang Mingsheng laughed. "By that time, Elder Gu was already a celebrated name, the most renowned Zisha master of the modern era. That collector cherished this piece beyond measure, and it took every bit of maneuvering on my part to finally secure it."

"Gu Jingzhou, the most famous Zisha master of the modern age, arguably the most accomplished ceramic artist of his generation. His reputation rivals that of Shi Dabin from the Ming Dynasty. He is considered the culmination of Zisha artistry, ushering in an era that moved beyond the prevailing style of overly ornate and fussy detail, earning him the title of Grandmaster, the Titan of Teapot Craft."

At this point, Yu Feibai leaned in and quietly briefed Wang Guan. "After Gu Jingzhou achieved fame, he produced very few pots in his lifetime. Sometimes he would only produce one batch over several years, and every single piece had to meet the highest standards; anything unsatisfactory would be destroyed. Consequently, his pots command astronomical prices. As far back as the 1980s, one sold at a Hong Kong auction for the staggering sum of 650,000. Now? It’s unthinkable—each piece easily surpasses a million yuan, some even reaching four or five million."

"This imitation of a fine Man Sheng pot is over half a century old now; it can certainly be considered an antique. The manual craftsmanship is exquisite, the lines flowing and harmonious, displaying a profound elegance. I wonder what its true value might be."

Yu Feibai calculated in his mind, for he generally preferred to measure the worth of an object by its price tag.

Fang Mingsheng seemed to catch the drift and smiled faintly. "I paid six million for this pot. While the price was perhaps a bit high, one cannot put a price on something that truly captures the heart. As long as I love it, the cost is irrelevant."

"Six million isn't excessive," Gao Dequan offered with a smile. "Elder Gu passed away in the 1990s; it's been over a decade now, and the value of his work climbs every year. Moreover, this particular teapot is an exceptional reproduction with significant meaning. In a few more years, reaching six million would be perfectly normal."

"Heh heh, I’m keeping this pot; it’s not for sale. Oh, and remember to keep this quiet, everyone. I still plan to use it to test the discerning eyes of some of the experts," Fang Mingsheng added, his expression becoming slightly mischievous.

"Even if we don't mention it, with your flamboyant nature, it will inevitably become world-famous sooner or later," Gao Dequan countered. "Besides, in this circle, everyone has a few close friends. Even if someone misjudges an item, they rarely hide the mistake."

"Heh heh, that’s true too."

Fang Mingsheng nodded. "In any case, I’ve tested what needed testing; I’m not afraid of people knowing now."

"In this world, there is no one who hasn't bought a fake or made a critical error in appraisal. The key is whether people learn from their lessons or remain confused their entire lives."

At that moment, Elder Qian suddenly issued a subtle warning. "If you were sincerely seeking consultation, that would be understandable. But if you approach it with the intent to test others, you must be cautious. If you incite general resentment, this community will ostracize you."

"Mmm!"

Fang Mingsheng started, instantly grasping the implication. He thumped his chest, exhaled a long breath, and quickly rose to his feet. "Thank you for the guidance, Elder Qian. I nearly strayed onto the wrong path."

Elder Qian nodded lightly, raised his cup, and said with a smile, "Drink tea!"

Fang Mingsheng offered a grateful smile, carefully setting the Zisha teapot aside before returning to his seat to raise his cup and join the others in savoring the tea.

After chatting for a while longer, it approached noon. The sunlight was becoming rather intense, but the shade from the trees kept the air pleasantly warm, casting a comforting heat upon them.

"Boss, lunch is ready," a secretary approached to inform Fang Mingsheng.

However, given Fang Mingsheng's warm insistence, the guests did not refuse, proceeding to the small building's living room.

Perhaps out of consideration for Elder Qian, the lunch was not as lavish as Wang Guan might have expected, lacking any greasy, rich meat dishes. Instead, it was remarkably light: a few plates of stir-fried vegetables with lean meat, and a bowl of clear broth.

Yet, the fresh fragrance and the vibrant green hues of the food were enough to make one’s mouth water. In reality, these dishes had achieved a state of returning to simplicity. They looked modest, but they were exquisitely delicious, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

After lunch, following a brief stroll through the villa's gardens, Elder Qian began to feel tired and retired to his room for an afternoon nap.

Gao Dequan seized the opportunity to bid Fang Mingsheng farewell.

"Brother Gao, why don't you stay over?" Fang Mingsheng pressed warmly.

Gao Dequan laughed. "No need. If I stay too long, I’ll feel too embarrassed to keep winning against you."

"Such confidence?" Fang Mingsheng arched an eyebrow, showing a bold spirit himself. "Very well. Let’s settle the score in three days and see whose luck holds out."

Amidst laughter and banter, the group reached the villa's main gate, where Fang Mingsheng had arranged for a car to take them back.

"Brother Gao, travel safely. See you in a couple of days."

Fang Mingsheng shook hands with everyone as he bid them goodbye—Gao Dequan, Yu Feibai, and even Wang Guan.

"Young people today are truly remarkable," Fang Mingsheng remarked suddenly as he gripped Wang Guan's hand. "Are you interested in coming to work for my company? The annual salary is nearly a million, with a car and housing provided. If you perform well, the compensation package can be significantly increased..."

"Ah!"

Wang Guan was stunned. Not only him, but Gao Dequan and Yu Feibai standing beside him wore equally bewildered expressions.

................. Three chapters finished. Please save, recommend, and give your full support.