Showing Promise

Lin Mo returned home, pushed open the door, and saw his mother busy in the kitchen, his father sitting in the living room watching TV, and his sister studying in her room.

"Mom, Dad, I'm back," Lin Mo said.

His mother poked her head out of the kitchen, and when she saw Lin Mo, a smile spread across her face. "Xiao Mo is back. Dinner will be ready soon."

Lin Mo nodded and walked into his room. He pulled the stack of cash from his pocket and counted it—one hundred and ten thousand five hundred in total. He decided to take out fifty thousand first to give to his parents to improve their lives, and keep the rest as capital to continue picking up bargains at the antique market.

At dinner, Lin Mo placed fifty thousand yuan on the table.

"Mom, Dad, here's fifty thousand. Use it to make life better," Lin Mo said.

His parents and younger sister were all stunned. His mother asked in surprise, "Xiao Mo, where did you get this money?"

Lin Mo smiled. "I found a bargain at the antique market today and made some money."

His father furrowed his brow. "A bargain? Xiao Mo, you mustn't do anything illegal."

Lin Mo shook his head. "Dad, don't worry. It's all above board. I got lucky and found a few genuine pieces, which I sold to an antique shop."

His mother was still a bit worried, but seeing the determined look in Lin Mo's eyes, she said nothing more.

His younger sister, Lin Xiaoxue, looked at her brother with admiration. "Brother, you're amazing!"

Lin Mo patted his sister on the head and smiled. "Xiaoxue, study hard. I'll put you through college later."

The family had dinner together in a warm atmosphere. Looking at his parents and sister, Lin Mo felt a surge of motivation. He vowed to make sure his family lived a good life!

The next day, Lin Mo arrived early at the antique market. He decided to keep hunting for bargains to accumulate more capital.

He went to the same old bookstall as yesterday and found the stall owner was still there. When the stall owner saw Lin Mo, he smiled and greeted him. "Young man, back again? You had good luck yesterday, finding a treasure."

Lin Mo smiled. "Boss, anything good today?"

The stall owner shook his head. "Nothing special today. Just take a look around."

Lin Mo scanned the items on the stall with his right eye. He found that most were fakes, with only a few emitting a faint glow. He picked out several valuable items and bought them for a few hundred yuan.

Just as Lin Mo was about to leave, Liu San's voice rang out again. "Yo, Lin Mo, business is good today, huh?"

Lin Mo turned around and saw Liu San standing not far away, a malicious grin on his face. Behind Liu San were two lackeys, and they clearly meant trouble.

Lin Mo's heart sank, but he remained calm. "Brother Liu, is something the matter?"

Liu San walked up to Lin Mo and sneered. "Lin Mo, I heard you got rich yesterday? Sold something for over a hundred thousand at Jubaozhai?"

Lin Mo was startled—news traveled that fast? But he didn't show it and said flatly, "Just lucky."

Liu San squinted. "Lucky? Lin Mo, I advise you to know your place. In this market, nobody gets rich without my permission!"

Lin Mo felt a surge of anger, but he knew this wasn't the time to clash with Liu San. He took a deep breath and said, "Brother Liu, I've already paid my protection fees. What more do you want?"

Liu San smirked coldly. "Protection fees? That's just the basics. Lin Mo, I'll give you two choices: first, split half of what you made yesterday with me; second, forget about doing business in this market ever again!"

Lin Mo clenched his fists, his heart filled with rage. But he knew that if he confronted Liu San now, it could bring bigger trouble.

Just then, an aged voice rang out. "Liu San, what are you doing?"

Lin Mo and Liu San both turned around. The silver-haired, white-bearded Elder Zhang was standing not far away, his eyes piercing as he stared at Liu San.

When Liu San saw Elder Zhang, his expression changed, and he immediately put on a fawning smile. "Elder Zhang, it's nothing. I was just chatting with Lin Mo."

Elder Zhang snorted coldly. "Chatting? Liu San, I'm warning you—don't bully newcomers in this market. Otherwise, don't blame me for being unpleasant!"

Liu San's face stiffened, but he nodded and bowed. "Yes, yes, Elder Zhang is right. I'm leaving now, right away."

With that, Liu San scurried off with his two lackeys.

Lin Mo looked at Elder Zhang, his heart full of gratitude. "Elder Zhang, thank you."

Elder Zhang waved his hand. "No need to thank me. Young man, you have a good eye. Are you interested in learning antique appraisal?"

Lin Mo's heart stirred—this was exactly what he wanted! With Elder Zhang's guidance, his appraisal skills would surely reach new heights!

"Elder Zhang, I'd love to learn!" Lin Mo said.

Elder Zhang nodded. "Good. Come find me at the Appraisal Association tomorrow morning, and I'll teach you some basics."

Lin Mo nodded excitedly. "Thank you, Elder Zhang!"

Elder Zhang turned and left, leaving Lin Mo standing there alone, his heart full of anticipation.

Just then, Liu San came back, but this time he was alone. He walked up to Lin Mo and said in a low voice, "Lin Mo, you think having Elder Zhang backing you up means you're safe? Let me tell you, in this market, I call the shots! Just you wait!"

With that, Liu San turned and left.

Lin Mo watched Liu San's retreating figure and sneered inwardly. He knew Liu San wouldn't let things go, but he was no longer afraid. With his Golden Eye, he had the power to change everything!

Over the next few days, Lin Mo hunted for bargains at the antique market while learning appraisal knowledge from Elder Zhang. His appraisal skills improved by leaps and bounds, soon surpassing most of his peers.

A week later, Lin Mo had earned a small reputation at the antique market. Many had heard that a young man was picking up bargains and making a good profit.

One day, while Lin Mo was organizing items at his stall, he suddenly heard a commotion.

"Everyone, come look! Liu San is selling fakes!"

"Really? Liu San's been around for ages. How could he sell fakes?"

"It's true! Someone bought a jade pendant from Liu San, had it appraised, and found out it was fake!"

Lin Mo's heart stirred. He looked up and saw a crowd gathered around Liu San's stall. A middle-aged man was holding a jade pendant, angrily confronting Liu San.

"Liu San, the jade pendant you sold me is fake! Give me my money back!" the man shouted.

Liu San's face turned ugly, but he still argued, "Nonsense! How could my stuff be fake? Your eye isn't good enough, and you bought the wrong thing—how is that my fault?"

The middle-aged man sneered. "Fine, let's find an expert to appraise it!"

Just then, Elder Zhang's voice rang out. "Let me take a look."

The crowd parted automatically. Elder Zhang walked up to Liu San's stall, picked up the jade pendant, examined it carefully, and then said, "This is a modern imitation, crudely made, worth no more than a hundred yuan."

Liu San's face went pale, but he refused to accept it. "Elder Zhang, please take another look. I paid a lot to acquire this..."

Elder Zhang snorted coldly. "Liu San, you know very well what you've done. In this market, integrity is paramount. If you keep this up, who will ever buy from you again?"

The people around began to murmur, and Liu San's face grew increasingly grim.

Just then, Lin Mo stepped forward and said loudly, "Everyone, I can confirm that Liu San has been selling fakes all along!"

Everyone turned to look at Lin Mo. Liu San's eyes widened with fury.

Lin Mo continued, "I've seen many fakes at Liu San's stall before. He specifically targets newcomers, selling them counterfeit goods as genuine!"

Liu San was beside himself with rage. "Lin Mo, you're lying! What proof do you have?"

Lin Mo sneered. "Proof? Fine, I'll give you proof!"

He walked over to Liu San's stall, quickly scanned it with his right eye, then picked up several items and announced loudly, "This jade pendant is a modern imitation, worth no more than fifty yuan; this porcelain bowl is a modern craft piece, worth no more than thirty yuan; this copper coin is a forgery, worth no more than ten yuan!"

Lin Mo rattled off over a dozen fake items, explaining each one with authority. The surrounding crowd nodded, clearly believing Lin Mo's words.

Liu San's face turned ashen. He never expected Lin Mo's eye to be so sharp! He had always thought Lin Mo was just a novice, but...

"Liu San, do you have anything to say?" Elder Zhang asked coldly.

Liu San opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

The crowd began to denounce Liu San, with some even demanding refunds. Seeing the situation turn against him, Liu San hastily packed up his things and fled the antique market.

Lin Mo watched Liu San's retreating figure, a wave of satisfaction washing over him. He knew Liu San would never dare show his face in the antique market again.

Elder Zhang walked over to Lin Mo and patted him on the shoulder. "Well done. Lin Mo, your eye has already surpassed many seasoned veterans. Keep it up, and you're sure to make a name for yourself in the appraisal world!"

Lin Mo nodded excitedly. "Thank you, Elder Zhang!"

From that day on, Lin Mo's reputation in the antique market grew even more. Many knew that a young man was exposing counterfeit goods and calling out dishonest vendors.

Lin Mo's career was beginning to take off.