16.20 Equals 200 Million（310）

Lesson 16 20 Equals 200 Million

Li Huilan and her husband visited his hometown to see his seriously ill mother, who gave them an antique vase about one meter tall.

The old lady insisted they never sell it but keep it in the family to pass down through generations.

After her mother-in-law passed away, they went back to Anshan, living in a small two-room apartment with their two sons.

Their place was too small to have room for the big vase.

Sometimes, when their sons' friends came over to play, the vase got knocked over but luckily never broke.

Three years later, the city's Cultural Relics Authority opened an antique shop to buy family heirlooms from people.

Since their apartment was too small for the vase and they really needed the money, Huilan took it to the shop to sell.

The shop manager initially offered her 18 yuan for it.

After Huilan hesitated, the manager increased the offer to 20 yuan, and she accepted.

Thirty years later, Huilan regretted selling the vase, remembering her promise to her mother-in-law.

She then saw in a newspaper that the provincial museum had an antique vase valued at 200 million Yuan, similar to one sold in London for the same amount.

She recognized it as the vase she had sold.

Huilan contacted both the city and provincial relics authorities to ask for the vase back or for better compensation.

Although they admitted the vase was the one she sold, they denied her request.

She then talked to a lawyer, who suggested that the 30-year-old sale might be seen as a big misunderstanding, leaving room for possible compensation.

Huilan took the authorities to court.

The court found the case difficult and suggested they reach a friendly settlement.

However, both Huilan and the authorities refused to settle, and no decision has been made yet.