Gu Ming restrained her excitement, ears straining to catch every word from Zhou Tao and the others, her mind racing with possibilities. This was a golden opportunity.
The term "picking up leaks" refers to the act of buying valuable antiques for a very low price, often from sellers who are unaware of the true value of their items. It's a popular term in the antique world, where finding such a "leak" is rare and highly sought after. The term "leak" is used humorously, as it suggests something that is hard to find but a stroke of luck when it happens.
But picking up leaks is exceedingly rare. It requires not only good luck but also a sharp eye and the expertise to recognize value. Those without the right skills often end up being tricked.
Everyone entering the antique trade knows that finding leaks is extremely difficult. Newcomers should be cautious and not get too carried away, as many people end up being taken advantage of.
Zhou Tao, who was boasting excitedly, was one such person who loved to pick up leaks. Compared to others who thought they found treasures but were often duped, Zhou Tao was still somewhat better off. Though he had his wins and losses, overall, he was managing just fine. His hobby allowed him to learn more while also giving him something to brag about.
For Gu Ming, however, things were different. She had a special advantage—her left hand could sense whether an item was genuine or not. As long as she paid attention to this, she wouldn't have to worry about being tricked.
"How could I have been so foolish not to think of this before?" Gu Ming muttered to herself, giving her head a frustrated slap.
With her grandfather, Gu Ning, in the hospital, she had been running around in a daze. On top of that, she had always kept in mind Professor Wang's advice not to jump into picking leaks without being sure, as she could easily be scammed. As a result, she hadn't even thought about using her left hand's abilities to her advantage.
Bai Fangfang, startled by Gu Ming's sudden gesture, looked at her with wide eyes. "Gu Ming, what are you doing?"
"It's nothing," Gu Ming said, shaking her head and grabbing Bai Fangfang's hand. "How much money do you have in your account? Lend me some."
Bai Fangfang was confused. Just a moment ago, Gu Ming had refused to take her money, so why the sudden change of heart?
Though puzzled, Bai Fangfang answered honestly, "I went shopping a few days ago and don't have much left. Only about ten thousand yuan."
"Let me borrow eight thousand," Gu Ming said, her eyes gleaming.
To do well in this, you need to prepare, and the most important thing was having the capital. Gu Ming was short on money at the moment and didn't want to ask Ji Ying for it. If Ji Ying found out she was using the money to pick up leaks, she definitely wouldn't approve.
Gu Ming borrowed eight thousand from Bai Fangfang and another few thousand from a few close friends, eventually scraping together ten thousand.
It wasn't a lot, but with the right moves, it could be enough to find something worthwhile.
As she held the money in her hands, she suddenly remembered the check Du Hao had insisted she take.
Shaking her head, Gu Ming mentally pushed Du Hao and the check from her mind. She clenched her left hand and reminded herself: "Don't overthink it. Once you make a decision, don't regret it. It's better to rely on yourself than on others. You can only count on your own skills."
The next day, she woke up at 3 a.m., heading out to the Panjiayuan Antique Market early in the morning.
The reason for such an early start was that she was going to the "Ghost Market."
The Panjiayuan Antique Market, also known as the Panjiayuan Flea Market, covers around 48,500 square meters, with over 4,000 business vendors and nearly 10,000 people involved in trade. Over 60% of the vendors come from 28 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions. The market, which began in 1992, grew alongside the rise of private antique trading, and today it is a large market for folk culture and antique arts, attracting countless visitors from both domestic and international sources.
The "Ghost Market" refers to the early morning market, typically starting around 4 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, where vendors set up on the ground. Despite the early hour, the parking lots are usually full by the time buyers arrive.
Serious buyers typically appear in the early morning at the Ghost Market, while many of the stalls during the day remain empty, with sellers chatting lazily, not really engaged in business.
The vendors and regulars at the market know this well: Saturdays and Sundays are when the real trading happens, and good finds are far more likely to happen during the Ghost Market.
Entering the market, Gu Ming quickly felt the crowds pressing in. People bustled around, some locals and many foreigners, all with flashlights in hand, their beams crisscrossing the floor, creating a mesmerizing scene.
Sometimes, there were so many people that Gu Ming had to push past onlookers just to see the goods at the stalls.
Though the place was crowded, the noise was surprisingly quiet, with people whispering to one another, as if they feared disturbing something valuable. It gave Gu Ming a sense of unease.
She had never been to the Ghost Market before, only heard about it occasionally, but she knew from her classmates that Zhou Tao was a regular. The previous day, she asked Zhou Tao for some tips on the market. According to Zhou Tao, the vendors at the Ghost Market could be divided into two groups: the old vendors, who often sold replicas and targeted new buyers, and the new vendors, who were outsiders selling more authentic items or items that had been dug up. The latter's stalls were always crowded with people.
Gu Ming, aiming to make some quick money, was more inclined to find the new vendors.
However, these stalls were so packed that it was almost impossible for her small frame to squeeze in.
She tried several times to push through the crowds at the new vendors' stalls, but each time she failed. Frustrated, she gave up and moved to the older vendors, hoping to find some genuine items among their second-hand stock.
The old vendor stalls were also crowded, but compared to the chaos at the new vendors' stalls, it was manageable. At least Gu Ming could breathe a little easier.
She took a deep breath and walked toward the nearest stall. There were a few people looking at items, but Gu Ming didn't waste time joining them. She reached out her left hand to sift through the old items on display.
After scanning a few pieces, she felt no heat emanating from her hand, signaling that none of the items were authentic.
She moved on to another stall, and after inspecting several more, she felt disheartened. None of them were genuine, and her energy was beginning to drain.
She rubbed her aching back and stood up, looking around. The stalls were packed, and she felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of items.
She gritted her teeth, determined not to give up, and plunged back into the sea of stalls.
Picking up leaks was not easy—it required patience.
She crouched next to a stall piled with miscellaneous items. As her left hand continued to touch the goods, she felt nothing unusual.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something: a tarnished incense burner that looked promising. With renewed hope, she reached out to pick it up.
But just as she was about to grab it, another hand swiftly shot out from beside her and snatched the incense burner away.