Chapter 238: Chapter 238

Lin Fan, in a rush, didn’t even wrap the gift; he just brought it along.

If he had more time, he would at least buy a gift box to dress it up, making it look more like a present.

Now Lin Fan pulled the jade bracelet straight out of his pants pocket, and everyone saw what his gift was.

A rather rough jade bracelet, looking just like the kind of cheap craftwork you could buy for a few yuan by the roadside.

This made those present look on with disdain.

"Come on sir, you’re really giving this away?"

"He looks poor and shabby; what he’s wearing is probably cheaper than that jade bracelet!"

"I’m dying of laughter!"

"How did this pauper even get in here!"

"All gifting jade bracelets, but there’s a world of difference! The jade bracelet given by Mr. and Mrs. He — now that’s a bracelet!"

Everyone laughed uproariously.

These words were meant to provoke, and if Mr. and Mrs. He had high emotional intelligence, they would seize the opportunity to be humble, both defusing the situation and gaining some goodwill.

But hearing these remarks, Mr. and Mrs. He grew exceedingly proud and arrogant, as they inherently despised someone like Lin Fan.

"Our bracelet is top quality nephrite imported from Myanmar, crafted by Yun City’s finest jade artisan, Master Tan. Comparing his with ours is simply insulting!"

"Indeed, how could he even compare?"

In their speech, Mr. and Mrs. He conveyed total disdain for Lin Fan.

The Liu family member responsible for collecting gifts sneered at Lin Fan’s gift as well, muttering, "Might as well not have given anything!"

The atmosphere became a bit awkward.

Liu Bing’er noticed the situation and smiled, "Thank you, Brother Lin!"

Without saying much more, she accepted the jade bracelet and handed it to the responsible member, "Put it away!"

Liu Bing’er spoke up, so the responsible member dared not refuse and took it.

Liu Bing’er apologized, "Sorry, Brother Lin."

She truly didn’t care what gift Lin Fan gave, but she didn’t want Lin Fan to be ridiculed.

Lin Fan chuckled indifferently, "No worries, they’re just short-sighted."

He casually spoke to Liu Bing’er, but Mr. and Mrs. He overheard and were instantly displeased.

"What did you say, we have poor taste? Hearing that from you is just ridiculous."

"Our jade bracelet cost thirty million, may I ask how much yours cost?"

Mr. and Mrs. He sneered.

Lin Fan replied honestly, "Not much, found it for 100 yuan on Antique Street."

The laughter shook the heavens!

"Hahaha, I’m dying here, 100 yuan, and he still has the nerve to speak!"

"Giving away a cheap piece and saying it’s poor taste to give top-quality jade; surely he’s an idiot!"

"Who is this pauper anyway, how is he qualified to be a guest with us?"

"He’s dragging down the whole tone of the birthday banquet!"

Everyone mocked incessantly.

Seeing everyone speak , Mr. and Mrs. He grew even more conceited, casting lofty looks at Lin Fan, their sense of superiority overflowing.

Liu Bing’er couldn’t bear to watch anymore; she wouldn’t tolerate anyone humiliating Brother Lin this way!

Besides, what they said was wrong; Brother Lin wasn’t as they described.

As for the gift Lin Fan gave, if it truly was a cheap item, it wasn’t Lin Fan’s fault; she relayed her grandfather’s words not to send expensive gifts. Surely, these people wouldn’t blame her grandfather?

However, before Liu Bing’er could speak, an elderly gentleman entered from outside—a man nearing sixty, dressed in a Tang suit, hands behind his back, exuding an aura of a master.

The elder’s eyes fell upon the jade bracelet in the Liu family’s hands, paused momentarily, then showed surprise.

That Liu family member, hearing everyone’s words, looked down on Lin Fan in their heart; this jade bracelet was nothing but worthless trash.

The Liu family member was just about to casually toss the jade bracelet aside.

The master-like elder quickly stopped them.

The Liu family member’s hand froze.

Seeing this elder, many present were caught by surprise.

"What? Isn’t he the renowned Zhang Baishi of the antique world?"

"Indeed! The most famous master in today’s antique world, rumored to have an innate sharp eye, able to appraise treasures with 100% accuracy!"

"In the antique world, Master Zhang is truly an authority among authorities—his presence is truly a mark of great esteem!"

Discussions broke out among the crowd.

The elder walked briskly closer, snatched the jade bracelet from the Liu family’s hands, examined it closely, and displayed a look of delighted excitement.

"Where did this jade bracelet come from?" the elder asked joyfully.

The Liu family member looked bewildered.

Lin Fan smiled, "I picked it up for 100 yuan on Antique Street, it looked nice, so I bought it."

The elder paused, then laughed heartily, "100 yuan, remarkable! Young man, do you know what this jade bracelet is?"

Lin Fan said, "I’d love to hear more."

The elder seemed quite impressive, and he might gain some insight, although Lin Fan, using his top-notch insight, knew the jade bracelet wasn’t ordinary. He wasn’t sure of its specifics.

Zhang Baishi said, "This jade bracelet comes from the Western Han Dynasty. Don’t be misled by its rough work; it’s because it’s a half-finished piece. Legend has it as part of Zhaojun’s dowry, top-quality nephrite jade from Huaxia, one of the four great jades of ancient times, once called Kunshan Jade. This jade bracelet is the jewel of all jewels, extremely rare."

Upon hearing this, the place went silent, astounding everyone.

If someone else uttered these words, surely some would question.

But coming from Zhang Baishi, the most reputable figure in today’s antiques, no one dared to question his words, nor were they qualified!

Oh my, this jade bracelet, really that precious?

Wasn’t it like slapping everyone’s faces!

A moment ago, they openly mocked!

Lin Fan smiled, "Master, hearing me get this for 100 yuan, you claim it remarkable, surely this nephrite jade bracelet must be worth quite a fortune."

Zhang Baishi said, "Treasure is priceless. If auctioned at current market prices, it would start at at least 1 billion."

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Oh my, this shoddy jade bracelet starts at 1 billion?

This certainly is a sky-high jade bracelet!

If the one saying this wasn’t Zhang Baishi, most people probably wouldn’t believe it, but Zhang Baishi is the authority—if he says so, it must be true!

Zhang Baishi laughed, "For 100 yuan, you acquired this priceless treasure. Isn’t that remarkable? Young man, your judgment in buying this is quite impressive!"

Master Zhang recognizes his impressive judgment!

Liu Bing’er couldn’t help but feel happy and said, "Brother Lin, the jade bracelet you gave is truly valuable, probably the most precious in the entire venue!"

While this compliment was sincere, it was clearly mocking everyone else.

Those who had mocked Lin Fan earlier blushed with embarrassment, their faces burning as if slapped with several heavy slaps.

The "cheap piece" they scorned turned out to be a priceless jewel, vastly more precious than any gift anyone else had given!

"Brother Lin, this jade bracelet is too valuable to accept, why don’t you take it back?" Liu Bing’er said.