When the Fatty recognized the "Beauties" painting, everyone first looked at him, and then all eyes focused on me.
Even Yan Yuhe looked at me with confusion, as if wanting to know what the Fatty's words meant.
At this point, it seemed I couldn't hide it anymore.
So, I recounted the story behind the "Beauties" painting.
I spoke to Yan Yuhe, and after she listened, her face was filled with disbelief. The other three elders looked even more skeptical.
"I never expected this painting to appear here. When I aged this painting, I didn't intend to gain any profit from it."
As I spoke, seeing that Qin Zhajin was still somewhat unconvinced, I walked to the "Beauties" painting and said, "It seems you all believe this painting is a replica by Zhang Daqian?"
Yan Yuhe nodded.
I chuckled and said, "All of you here are experts in calligraphy and painting. You should know a characteristic of paintings aged by Zhang Daqian."
"What characteristic?" Yan Yuhe couldn't help but ask.
I replied, "In his era, to age paper, he used the brush-sweeping method. He would wet the paper and repeatedly brush it… Do you see any marks of brushing on this painting?"
At my words, everyone else crowded over.
"I'm not afraid to tell you, when I aged this painting, I used a spray bottle. I presume I don't need to elaborate on this method?" I said. "Since there are no brush-sweeping marks, it cannot be the 'Beauties' painting aged by Zhang Daqian. By using the process of elimination, there are only two possibilities left: either this painting is the authentic work of Tang Yin, or it's a fake…"
Having said that, I scanned the crowd. "Do you think this painting is the authentic work of Tang Yin?"
After Qin Zhajin carefully examined the painting, he stood there as if struck by lightning, unable to utter a word.
Yan Yuhe was no better off; she was also stunned for quite some time.
The Fatty beamed with pride. "Master Xiang, from today onwards, you'll have a new nickname."
I asked in confusion, "What nickname?"
"Zhang Daqian Incarnate."
The Fatty was truly wicked. By giving me such a nickname, he was clearly challenging everyone present.
I raised my eyebrows at him and secretly gave him a thumbs-up. The Fatty understood and responded with a "Naturally" expression.
Seeing that everyone was speechless, I said to Yan Yuhe, "Miss Yan, I've said what I needed to say. If they want to eliminate me, I don't care. This appraisal conference is nothing special anyway."
After speaking, I winked at the Fatty and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Qin Zhajin suddenly called out to me.
He looked at me with a complex expression and after a long moment asked, "May I ask where you studied, young man?"
"My ancestors were in this trade," I replied.
Qin Zhajin's eyes darted to Yan Yuhe, and she leaned in and whispered something to him.
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhajin was visibly taken aback and looked at me with disbelief. "You are Xiang Tian's son?!"
Seeing his expression, I was a bit surprised. Did this old man know my father too?
I nodded.
Qin Zhajin took a deep breath, his gaze extremely complex. "I never expected that the son of Jiangdong's Giant Eye would have grown so much… It's no wonder. There are few who could achieve such a level of aging, besides the Xiang family of Jiangdong."
"You knew my father?" I couldn't help but ask.
He gave a wry smile. "More than just know him, the first time I was fooled in my life was by your father's hand. I never thought that after so many years, I would repeat the same mistake…"
It was quite a coincidence that this Qin Zhajin had such a connection with my father.
"Your esteemed father faded from the antique collecting world back then. Now…"
"My father has passed away," I said.
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhajin was stunned. After a long sigh, he asked no further questions.
Come to think of it, every time someone mentions my father, I feel a bit curious about him.
I know nothing about his affairs outside the family. I asked when I was young.
But my father never told me anything, only reciting the line from Zhou Xitao's "Collected Sayings" ("Zeng Guang Xian Wen"): "A good man doesn't boast of past glories; a plum blossom doesn't flaunt its former embroidery."
When I first met Yan Hongguang, I thought I could learn more about my father from him, but he didn't know much either.
And this Qin Zhajin here, it seems he wasn't close to my father either.
I wonder where all the friends my father made back then have gone?
Why, after so many years, has no one come to see him even after his passing?
Or, perhaps, my father had no friends at all?
Thinking of this, I felt a pang of sadness.
Old Xiang, old Xiang, how did you live your life? You left home to wander for so many years, and it's one thing that you didn't achieve anything, but how could you not even have a single friend?
After Qin Zhajin confirmed that the "Beauties" painting was fake, he gave me a spot in the next round and asked me not to publicize the matter.
For the sake of the Yan family, I couldn't be bothered to pursue it.
I also knew that if this matter got out, the consequences would be unimaginable.
All those who advanced today would have to be re-evaluated. It would not only be a waste of resources but would likely cause the appraisal conference to lose face completely.
From Qin Zhajin's tone, he would personally investigate this matter.
After leaving the gymnasium, the Fatty and I got into Yan Yuhe's Santana. In the car, she kept apologizing to me. "Mr. Xiang, I'm truly sorry about this… I didn't expect things to turn out this way. I'll clarify this matter with my father later. I hope you won't be angry."
I knew she was afraid I would make a fuss about it. It seemed this woman was quite good at considering the bigger picture.
"Miss Yan, don't worry. I won't tell anyone about this. Only a few of us know about what happened today."
I took out a cigarette, tossed one to the Fatty, and lit one myself. "If you truly want to thank me, you'll have to put in more effort regarding the map."
"Mr. Xiang, please rest assured. I've already assigned people to handle this matter. I'll notify you immediately as soon as there's any news," Yan Yuhe replied.
"Then, thank you."
Yan Yuhe wanted to invite the Fatty and me to dinner, but I declined.
After getting out of the car, the Fatty and I stood by the roadside, smoking.
"Master Xiang, there was a free dinner. Why did you refuse?" the Fatty asked.
I said, "We're not short of money to eat, so we don't need to accept her favor."
"That's true."
As we were chatting, I saw a familiar figure appear across the road.
It was the same figure I had seen at the venue, but who had disappeared later.
Now that the figure had reappeared, my curiosity was piqued again.
Where exactly had I seen this figure before?
Why couldn't I remember?
Just as I was racking my brains to recall, a black car stopped in front of that figure.
As she got into the car, she turned around, and when I saw that face, I was stunned!
Sister Ying?!
For a moment, I suspected I was mistaken and rubbed my eyes hard…
It really was Sister Ying!
Just as I was about to rush across the road, a minivan suddenly stopped in front of the Fatty and me.
Before we could react, several burly men jumped out of the van, looking unfriendly.
"You two, please come with us!"