Summary
Highlights
Su Qiu's manipulative wife, Ruyan Liu, divorces him, humiliates him by making him strip off clothes he bought for her, and leaves him with nothing. Immediately after the divorce is finalized, an 'Antique Paternity Test System' activates, promising Su Qiu the ability to authenticate valuable items with over 60% similarity to real antiques.
Su Qiu, with his newfound system, ventures into an antique market and discovers a snuff bottle with 60% similarity. He purchases it for $40 from a skeptical vendor dubbed the 'King of Trash'. Later, at the Treasure Pavilion, the bottle is authenticated as a Qing Dynasty Palace Special enamel snuff bottle worth 3.2 million dollars, shocking everyone, especially the vendor who sold it to him. Su Qiu earns a significant profit, impressing the owner of the Treasure Pavilion, Mr. Li.
Su Qiu finds a seemingly ordinary lucky cat statue. After a bet with a skeptical antique dealer, he discovers it's made of white jade, valued at seven million dollars. Tian Tian, a kind girl with whom Su Qiu has developed a connection, is a witness to his growing fortune. Su Qiu also helps Tian Tian by paying her overdue rent and showing her kindness, a stark contrast to his ex-wife's cruelty.
Su Qiu encounters Ruyan Liu and her friends at a high-end restaurant. Ruyan and her companions, who are struggling to pay their bill, mock Su Qiu for his supposed poverty. Su Qiu, now wealthy, pays for his and Tian Tian's expensive meal, orders premium items, and instructs the manager to kick out Ruyan and her friends after they pay their modest bill, turning the tables on their earlier ridicule despite Ruyan's disbelief in his financial standing.
Ruyan Liu tries to get Su Qiu fired by contacting his boss, Du Hui. Su Qiu, however, uses his new influence and a lawyer to expose Du Hui's corrupt practices, leading to Du Hui's dismissal. Su Qiu then offers Tian Tian a job to manage his future company, recognizing her genuine kindness and intelligence among superficial people.
Attending a private auction with Mr. Li and Tian Tian, Su Qiu identifies an olive bottle as a fake, despite its appraisal by a respected expert, Mr. Liu. Su Qiu's accurate assessment saves Mr. Liu from a significant loss and embarrassment, earning him immense respect and two million dollars as an appraisal fee.
While furnishing his new apartment, Su Qiu identifies a used cabinet with 100% similarity, implying hidden value. Inside the antique cabinet, he discovers Republican-era yellow croakers (gold bars), a rare and valuable find. He offers them to Tian Tian, reiterating his generous nature and commitment to her well-being.
Su Qiu continues his success in the antique market, purchasing an incense burner for $80. He later learns from Mr. Li that it's a rare Northern Song Dynasty mythical animal incense burner worth 15 million dollars. He arranges for its auction, further increasing his wealth and reputation.
Liu Yao, Ruyan's friend, confronts Su Qiu to avenge Ruyan's humiliation. Su Qiu calmly exposes Liu Yao's fake designer bag and offers Liu Yao's friends $20,000 each to 'discipline' her. They readily agree, leaving Liu Yao beaten and humiliated, unable to stand against Su Qiu's wealth and influence. Meanwhile, Su Qiu plans to register his own company and invites Tian Tian to work with him, promising her responsibility for all business aspects.
Su Qiu buys a vase for $50,000, which he identifies as a Northern Song Dynasty piece worth 80 million dollars. He later sells the vase to Mr. Fan, a respected antique dealer, for 110 million dollars, solidifying his status as a treasure hunter. Fan Tianxiang, Mr. Fan's grandson, humbles himself and asks Su Qiu for help with his family's struggling treasure hunting companies, offering a significant sum and gifts in return.
Su Qiu and Tian Tian encounter Ruyan's brother, Liu Ruyao, at the bank. Liu Ruyao and his girlfriend attempt to impress the bank president, Song Qingya, with their supposed wealth. However, Song Qingya personally greets Su Qiu as a premium VIP client, whose assets exceed 100 million. Liu Ruyao's attempts to belittle Su Qiu backfire, and he is thrown out of the bank. Later, at a dinner hosted by Mr. Fan, Su Qiu is offended by Fan Qiang, Ruyan's new husband, and Ruyan herself. Mr. Fan, desperate for Su Qiu's help, disowns Fan Qiang, leaving Ruyan and Fan Qiang without support.