Chapter 69 - Another Universe!

There’s a saying that goes, “The objects of pity often have their own despicable side!”

In Ye Haochuan’s view, Old Han was just such a person.

However, to be fair, Old Han’s fervor was somewhat justified.

Judging from his attire, though not destitute, he belonged to the struggling lower class.

For his family, in this materially driven society, it was indeed a challenge to arrange a good marriage for a grandson.

Thus, this heirloom antique painting had become their last resort to raise cash for buying a marital home for the grandson.

Although the painting might be a forgery, given its century-long existence, its value was certainly more than a thousand yuan.

So, it wasn’t wrong to say that the antique shop owner had cheated Old Han out of his painting.

Ye Haochuan stepped forward, trying to calm him, “Old Han, relax.

You’ve already sold the painting, and you’ve taken the money.

Regretting it now is useless.

Let me first take a look at the painting.

Whether it’s authentic or a fake, I’ll consider buying it.

When the time comes, I’ll compensate you with some money to ensure that you’re satisfied, how about that?”

“Thank you, thank you…” Old Han looked at Ye Haochuan with a grateful face, gripping his hand tightly, unable to speak for a moment.

Meanwhile, Chen Yushan was taken aback.

She had never expected this bad guy to be so generous.

For a moment, her view of this bad guy became quite complicated.

One moment he was despicably bad, and the next he seemed like a savior.

Ye Haochuan, oh Ye Haochuan, which one is the real you?

Seeing that Ye Haochuan was truly interested in buying, the antique shop owner immediately became enthusiastic, “Unexpected!

Brother, you indeed have a kind heart.

I admire that, truly…”

Obviously, the antique shop owner was quite savvy in business—whether the deal happened or not, he started by lavishing praise, possibly brightening up the customer’s mood and closing the deal in the process.

Of course, given Ye Haochuan’s plain and shabby clothes, the antique shop owner had his doubts about his purchasing power.

However, seeing the red BMW parked not far from the shop, he preferred to believe Ye Haochuan was just putting on airs.

Ye Haochuan chuckled, “Alright, let’s take a look at this painting first.”

“Okay.”

As soon as Ye Haochuan’s gaze fell upon the antique painting on the wall, he activated his Perspective Eyes.

In no time, he saw a faint cyan aura slowly emanating from the painting, with a hint of ancientness woven within it.

Could this painting be the real deal?

Ye Haochuan was taken aback, then he scrutinized it carefully and noticed something peculiar—

The faint cyan aura coming from the painting was concentrated only on a small area of the paper, the rest was blank.

Ye Haochuan immediately realized: there must be more to this painting than meets the eye!

This explained why the antique shop owner had said that many collectors had deemed it a forgery and not a single one wanted to buy it.

At that thought, Ye Haochuan snapped his fingers, “Boss, name your price.

I’ll take it.”

The antique shop owner’s eyes brightened—damn, was this guy making his decision to buy so quickly?

Hadn’t he properly assessed its authenticity?

The surrounding onlookers were also stunned.

Many thought this young man was simply a rash fool.

Wasn’t this reckless?

“The young brother is quite straightforward, not dragging his feet at all, admirable, admirable…”

Ye Haochuan stopped the antique shop owner’s flattery and said, “Alright, alright, Boss, just tell me straight, how much?”

It seems this guy really knows nothing!

What a big idiot!

The antique shop owner was inwardly ecstatic but kept a composed exterior and said, “Young brother, although many people who come to my shop say that this painting is not authentic, what I have to say is that this is merely their tactic to drive down the price.

I’ve been in the antiques business for decades, and I assure you, this is very likely an authentic piece by Gu Kaizhi…”

“Authentic?”

Ye Haochuan looked at the antique shop owner with a mocking glance and said with a chuckle, “Boss, those lines that might fool a three-year-old won’t work on me…

Didn’t you just say it wasn’t authentic?”

The antique shop owner’s face turned red, extremely embarrassed, but he still piled on a smile and said, “Young brother, what do you mean by that?

I, Liang Xiangtian, have been in the antiques trade for many years, and the thing I value most is my reputation.

See this face?

It’s a golden signboard, suitable for all ages, with no deception for young or old.”

Damn it, your sleazy face looks exactly like that of a crook, and you dare to call it a golden signboard?

Fuck, your shameless look is quite in line with my style back in the day!

Ye Haochuan felt so disgusted he wanted to throw up, but he still put on an accommodating smile and said, “So, your surname is Liang, Boss.

Then I shall address you as Boss Liang.”

The antique shop owner kept calling it courtesy, then asked for his name.

After giving his name, Ye Haochuan straightened his expression and said, “Boss Liang, let’s be frank.

In the field of antiques, I may not have deep expertise, but having spent many years with my old master, I’ve picked up a thing or two about appraisal…”

Hearing this, Chen Yushan was somewhat speechless.

When she had brought him to the police station for a statement, she personally interrogated him.

This criminal was all alone; where did this ‘old master’ of his come from?

Wasn’t this blatantly lying?

“…As for this painting of yours, Boss Liang, to be honest, it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that it’s a later imitation, and moreover, from the look of the paper, it clearly shows signs of being baked.

I can assert that it’s an imitation done by a famous artist at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Now you’re telling me about an authentic Gu Kaizhi, isn’t this just a blatant attempt to deceive someone ignorant in the trade?”

Watching Ye Haochuan talk confidently and with a savvy look, Boss Liang felt like he had hit a snag, his face burning hotly.

With an awkward smile, he said, “I really didn’t see that coming.

The young fellow is still so young, yet a connoisseur in this area.

Sigh, my own good-for-nothing kid is around your age and does nothing but loaf around, irresponsible.

If he had half your skill, that would be great.”

To be fair, Boss Liang really had a knack for doing business; with just a few words, he praised Ye Haochuan and deftly neutralized the awkward situation, not a simple feat.

The people around, seeing Boss Liang’s response, started looking at Ye Haochuan with newfound respect.

Especially Chen Yushan, who had never imagined that Ye Haochuan could be so multifaceted; how could he understand this as well?

In the crowd, the most heartbroken person was Old Han.

He had placed his hopes on the ancient painting being authentic but never imagined that the ancestral painting he and his ancestors had guarded so carefully was just an imitation!

An imitation, what does that mean?

It means it’s a fake!

“However, Boss Liang, to speak truthfully, this imitation of Gu Kaizhi’s you have here still has some age to it; by my estimation, it’s over a hundred years old and does hold some value as a collector’s item.

So, why don’t you give me a new price, and if it’s suitable, I’ll take it off your hands…”

“This…” Boss Liang hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “Okay, then.

How about this number?”

With that, Boss Liang stretched out one finger.