Old Thompson waved his hand with a smile, but there was still a hint of pride on his old face. Although David Clark's words were quite flattering, they also showed his reputation and status in the antique circle.

The process of antique appraisal is very complicated, but for jade artifacts, it's a bit simpler. After all, the first step in jade appraisal is to determine whether the jade is genuine. Generally speaking, as long as it's real jade, there are rarely fakes, because the cost of faking real jade is quite high, and most counterfeiters won't bother.

“Oh, this is a jade ruyi.”

David Clark glanced at the jade artifact that Expert Thompson was currently appraising. It was a pair of jade ruyi. Judging from both the patina and the clarity, they were top-quality jade.

“Boss, this is top-grade Qingtian jade. Judging by the patina, it should be from the Tang Dynasty. But what's strange is, why does only one of this pair of jade ruyi have a red thread inside, while the other doesn't?”

Hearing Expert Thompson's words, David Clark also walked over to take a look. Indeed, the two jade ruyi were identical in style and size, but one of them had a faint red thread inside.

“Could it be an impurity?”

David Clark offered his opinion, because many jades are not of a single color, which is due to the distribution of minerals during geological movements. After all, jade is a type of stone.

“That’s the only explanation. Although the distribution of this red line is a bit odd, it doesn’t affect the value of this pair of jade ruyi.”

Instructor Thompson gave the appraisal result, and next came the discussion about the price.

“Boss Clark, let’s be clear first, I’m just making the introduction. You don’t need to consider my feelings when it comes to the price—just follow the industry rules.”

Old Thompson held his teacup, indicating that he wouldn’t get involved in this matter. David Clark nodded, understanding that Old Thompson was worried he might offer a higher price out of respect for him.

“Not long ago, a pair of Ming Dynasty Jiajing period jade ruyi was auctioned at Jiade Auction House for 1.8 million, but that’s the auction price. The usual market transaction price is about 80% of the auction price, which is around 1.4 million. So, our Huabao Building can offer 1 million to buy them. Mr. Bolton, what do you think?”

After thinking for a while, David Clark gave an offer.

Old Thompson’s student was clearly not very familiar with antique trading and looked at Old Thompson for help, but Old Thompson just sipped his tea without any indication, just as he had said before—he was only making the introduction and not participating in the deal.

However, seeing his student hesitate, Old Thompson still sighed inwardly. His student only knew how to do research and was a bit clueless about dealing with people.

Although the antique business is full of hidden depths, with himself present, and since David Clark wanted to show him respect, the price offered wouldn’t be too outrageous.

“Alright, I accept this price.” After hesitating for a moment, this Mr. Bolton finally nodded in agreement.

“Great, the deal is done. Old Thompson, let me treat you to dinner tonight to thank you and Mr. Bolton for supporting Huabao Building’s business!”

David Clark extended the invitation with a smile. Spending a million to acquire this pair of jade ruyi would still make a profit, but not a huge one. In fact, if Old Thompson hadn’t brought people over, he would have offered at most 800,000.

That’s how antique shops are—“three years without business, one deal feeds you for three years” isn’t just an empty saying.

“Alright, I’ll take the opportunity to learn from Boss Clark and get a sense of the current antique market.” Old Thompson also agreed with a smile.

With that, the transaction was complete. Kevin Clark also wore a look of pride and said, “Old man, I didn’t mess things up this time, did I?”

“That’s only because of Old Thompson. If it were someone else, do you think you could have handled it?”

David Clark knew his own son’s character well. Since childhood, he never had the patience to study antiques and spent his days clubbing and drinking.

“Heh, as soon as I saw Old Thompson, I knew the God of Wealth had arrived.” Kevin Clark didn’t care, then curled his lips, “But it’s funny—earlier, some guy came to the shop and actually tried to stop me from buying Mr. Bolton’s pair of jade ruyi, and he was pretty arrogant about it.”

“Oh, was he an employee?”

“No, the sales assistant said he knew your name, but when I asked him, he said he didn’t know you. I said, old man, could he be an illegitimate son you left behind from your wild days?”

Kevin Clark looked at David Clark with suspicion. David Clark couldn’t help but laugh and scolded, “Nonsense.”

“Good, as long as he’s not. I think he said something about Miao… Oh right, a descendant of an old acquaintance from Miaohe Village. I thought you had an old flame in that village or something.”

“All you ever think about is nonsense, what Miaohe…”

David Clark’s words suddenly stopped. He abruptly stood up from his chair, his voice trembling as he hurriedly asked, “Are you sure he said he was a descendant of an old acquaintance from Miaohe Village?”

“I’m sure, and both Old Thompson and this Mr. Bolton heard it too. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Old Thompson.”

David Clark immediately turned his gaze to Old Thompson. Old Thompson showed a look of recollection, and after a few seconds replied, “That young man did indeed say that.”

“Where is he now?”