After a moment, Shi Feng put down the magnifying glass and asked in confusion, "Brother Qi, how did you confirm there was a hidden compartment in this box? I couldn't see any traces."

Before Qi Yun could respond, an elderly voice sounded from behind him.

"If your mediocre skills could figure it out, then what would we old folks be needed for?"

Qi Yun and Shi Feng turned simultaneously and saw an elderly man with greying hair and a thin frame enter the shop with steady steps.

He was dressed in a very neat Zhongshan suit, holding an old leather briefcase in his hand, with an old-fashioned round-framed pair of glasses on his face, resembling an old scholar.

Shi Feng hurriedly stood up to greet him, with a smile on his face: "Old Chen, you finally came, please have a seat." Saying this, he quickly brought a chair for the guest to sit down.

Old Chen nodded slightly in acknowledgment and, after sitting down slowly, his gaze fell on the rosewood jewelry box on the table.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip of hot tea, then reached out with both hands to gently lift the jewelry box, starting to examine it carefully.

Qi Yun then noticed the opponent's somewhat withered hands, the bones were narrow, yet the fingers were exceptionally long, quite peculiar.

"This box is indeed an item from the late Qing dynasty, with superior material and exquisite craftsmanship," Old Chen said slowly while observing, "It should have been made by the Bai Family's lineage."

Bai Family?

Qi Yun was startled, not quite understanding the old gentleman's meaning.

Shi Feng noticed his confusion and explained with a smile: "Brother, you might not know, but in our circle, the Bai Family is quite famous.

Their family has been crafting antiques for generations, especially in making delicate jewelry boxes and mechanical boxes, their craftsmanship is first-rate.

Just take this box for example, in the North, nobody could find the hidden compartment inside except Old Chen."

Qi Yun thoughtfully nodded, realizing this jewelry box came with quite a noteworthy background.

Old Chen didn't say any more, he took a deep breath, and suddenly moved his hands.

He flipped the jewelry box up and down in his hands, his long fingers repeatedly touching every detail of the box, as if conversing with the ancient artifact.

He carefully observed every grain, examining details from different angles.

Minutes later, his fingers stopped at a shell-lacquer flower and bird pattern on the box lid, frowning slightly, his eyes sharp.

Immediately, he gently pressed the center of that pattern with his finger, then lightly slid along the contour of the bird's wing.

With a "click", a thin seam slowly appeared at the edge of the box lid, followed by a small partition popping out, revealing a highly cleverly hidden compartment.

Inside the compartment, a verdant Jadeite Ring lay quietly on a soft velvet pad.

The Jadeite Ring was transparent in texture and vibrant in color, exuding a warm and captivating glow under the sunlight, clearly a rare treasure.

Qi Yun and Shi Feng stared wide-eyed with astonishment at this sudden change.

"Old Chen, your skill is truly magical!" Shi Feng couldn't help but exclaim, his face full of admiration.

Old Chen took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the sweat from his forehead, pushed the box toward the two of them, without casting another glance at the Jadeite Ring.

"Kid, I'm interested in this box, do you plan on selling it?"

Qi Yun was slightly stunned, looked at Old Chen, and replied with a smile: "If you like it, feel free to take it."

Old Chen put down his teacup and gave Qi Yun a look: "Would not take it for free from you, fifty thousand, how about it?"

At this moment, Shi Feng, who was beside, moved his gaze away from the Jadeite Ring and secretly winked at Qi Yun, signaling him to agree quickly.

Qi Yun was originally quite satisfied with this price, and since Old Chen had an extraordinary demeanor, forming good relations would be beneficial, so he agreed.

"Since Old Chen said it, I won't decline graciously."

Old Chen nodded slightly: "Chubby lad, help me give the money to this young man." Saying this, he packed the rosewood jewelry box into his bag and got up to bid farewell.

Once Shi Feng sent him off and returned to the shop, Qi Yun curiously inquired: "Who is this Old Chen?"

"A senior of mine, has a lot of influence in Northern antique circles." Shi Feng only briefly revealed a little and did not elaborate.

Qi Yun nodded and did not ask further: "How much was his fee for this visit? I'll transfer it to you."

Upon hearing this, Shi Feng laughed heartily and patted Qi Yun's arm: "Bro, no charge.

To be honest, Old Chen came because he's interested in your box, for someone else wanting his action, not without a six-figure amount."

Listening to this, Qi Yun secretly smacked his tongue, seems like he's a true big shot here.

Then Shi Feng sat back down, picked up the magnifying glass to examine the Jadeite Ring carefully. After a long while, he finally gave a quote: "Brother, I'll give you fifty thousand for this ring, how about it?"

Qi Yun gave him a knowing smile, turned around and called to his daughter: "Let's go, Nuannuan, time to go home." Saying this, he prepared to put the Jadeite Ring into his pocket.

Seeing this, Shi Feng hurriedly grabbed Qi Yun, anxious: "Old Qi, what are you doing, I'm sincerely wanting to buy it, the price is negotiable, don't rush to leave."

Qi Yun glanced at this shrewd dealer, but didn't really leave, sat back down and drank tea by himself.

The system priced this Jadeite Ring at at least a hundred thousand, this dealer directly halved it, today he's being quite greedy.

Additionally, items like this Jadeite and jade stones tend to have entirely different prices at gemstone markets and antique shops.

In gemstone markets, people only focus on the intrinsic value of the items.

While in antique shops, most merchants would concoct some provenance, adding historical value, thereby raising prices.

Thus, if Shi Feng buys this ring, the selling price would be at least double.

"Alright, I'll add another ten thousand, sixty thousand, how about it?"

Qi Yun put down the teacup, raised his hand and patted his arm: "This Jadeite Ring is worth at least a hundred thousand, for the help you've provided today, I'll cut one thousand myself, ninety thousand for you."

With this said, Qi Yun crossed his arms in front of his chest, leaned back on the chair, the meaning clear.

Shi Feng pretended to struggle a bit but eventually agreed to the price, and both parties signed an agreement.

Jadeite Ring plus the rosewood jewelry box, Qi Yun earned a total of 140,000 this time.

After the transaction was completed, he didn't linger for long and took a cab straight to the suburban children's welfare home.

Outside the car window, the city's scenery quickly retreated, and gradually, skyscrapers were replaced by low-rise houses and large spans of poplar forests.

Soon, the car stopped at the entrance to the children's welfare home.

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