Gene Unlocking: I Evolve Every Day

Chapter 114: Chapter 106: Astronomical Reward

Outside, in the yard.

Everyone was originally chatting idly.

Suddenly someone said, ”Divine Doctor Lu is coming out.”

Immediately, everyone hurriedly looked over.

”Divine Doctor Lu, have you rested well?”

”How are you feeling?”

A group of people eagerly inquired.

Just now, everyone had heard Peng Erping say that Divine Doctor Lu possessed the power to bring the dead back to life.

To put it bluntly, no matter how wealthy or powerful someone is, if they fall terminally ill, there’s really nothing they can do.

Now that such a ”Medical God” is standing right in front of them, who doesn’t want to seize the chance to establish a connection?

After all, truly building a connection might very well mean an extra life!

Lu Li looked at everyone, ”I’m fine, thanks for your concern.”

”I’m relieved that you’re okay.” Liu Xiuming said as he looked at everyone, ”Since there’s no major issue, you all go ahead with your own matters, I and my second brother will accompany Divine Doctor Lu.”

Liu Xiuliang had the same attitude, nodding: ”Everyone go ahead.”

”Alright, we’ll be going then.”

”Goodbye, Divine Doctor Lu.”

The group did not dare oppose Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang’s words, and dispersed one by one.

Dr. Henqi and Peng Erping were also taken away by Liu Peinan.

Lu Li knew that Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang must have something to say to him, otherwise they wouldn’t have sent everyone away.

He guessed it was related to a reward, feeling secretly pleased.

Liu Xiuming smiled and said, ”I heard from President Peng that Mr. Lu quite likes antiques?”

Lu Li didn’t understand why the other party suddenly asked such a question.

He casually replied, ”It’s alright.”

Liu Xiuming immediately said, ”My younger brother also happens to like collecting antiques, but his discernment isn’t very good. Could you please come over to help take a look and assess them?”

Liu Xiuliang followed up, ”Yes, I’m afraid of pulling out a fake when discussing antiques with others, wouldn’t that be laughed at? Divine Doctor Lu, since you’re knowledgeable about antiques, could you please help us assess?”

It didn’t seem like a reward was coming.

Lu Li was left in a fog.

He thought for a moment and didn’t refuse, ”Alright, let’s go take a look.”

”Great, great.” Liu Xiuliang led the way in front, ”Please follow me.”

The three of them made their way to the study in the inner courtyard.

...

They pushed the door open and entered the study.

As soon as they went in, Lu Li saw that the room was filled with works by famous artists, including calligraphy and paintings, with many ceramics placed on the desk and around the furniture.

For example, right across the door was a painting, ”Lingquan Dao Feng Tu,” which seemed to be by the renowned artist Fan Zeng.

Of course, Lu Li didn’t pay much attention to these, not knowing who Fan Zeng was, just thinking that the painting looked quite artistic.

Additionally, he saw some other calligraphy and paintings.

Such as Qi Baishi’s ”Steady Sit” and Xu Beihong’s ”Bamboo and Quail Seeking Food.”

Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang were constantly observing where Lu Li’s gaze fell.

Liu Xiuliang blinked and asked, ”Divine Doctor Lu, do you think those items look like fakes?”

Lu Li activated his x-ray vision, ”Let me have a look, please wait a moment.”

”Sure, no rush, take your time.” Liu Xiuliang said with a beaming smile, ”Whichever one you want to see, I’ll take it down for you.”

Lu Li waved his hand and said, ”No need, I can just stand and look.”

Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang exchanged a glance, both appearing a bit puzzled.

Soon, Lu Li had looked over all the paintings and ceramics.

In the end, he was surprised to find that nearly all the paintings and ceramics in the room were genuine, and even the huanghuali wood desk seemed to be several hundred years old.

Why say nearly all are real?

Because Lu Li found that the painting by Fan Zeng hanging in the center seemed quite recent, perhaps only two or three decades old.

Well, he didn’t know this painting was created by Fan Zeng in 1991, and thought it was a fake.

A room full of authentic works, and only the painting in the middle has some issues?

Lu Li thought he might have seen wrong, so he stared at ”Lingquan Dao Feng Tu” for a while longer.

Ultimately, he was almost certain that the painting was too recent; there was a high chance it wasn’t authentic.

Lu Li was about to say it out loud, but reconsidered. Since the whole room is filled with authentic works, could it be that his lack of knowledge about paintings might mean this one is authentic too?

Liu Xiuliang asked, ”Divine Doctor Lu, how is it?”

Lu Li stared at ”Lingquan Dao Feng Tu” for a moment longer, then pretended to nod, ”All very good, they all look authentic.”

Liu Xiuming had long noticed that Lu Li was constantly staring at ”Lingquan Dao Feng Tu.”

He nonchalantly gave a look to Liu Xiuliang.

Liu Xiuliang understood and immediately said with a smile, ”If you say so, I’m assured. Divine Doctor Lu, today you came over for my father’s treatment, and I even nagged you to help assess the items, I really feel guilty. So, since we’re here, let me present you with a painting as a token of gratitude for your assistance in assessing.”

Lu Li understood this time.

He guessed the other party had heard from Peng Erping that he was in the antique business, assuming he was interested in antiques, hence offering this reward.

Indeed, looking at the paintings here, they all seemed authentic, and some might be very expensive. For a reward, it was not unacceptable.

It would just involve an extra process of reselling.

Lu Li did not refuse, ”Alright, thank you, Mr. Liu.”

Liu Xiuliang grinned, ”It’s nothing, it’s nothing. I’ll randomly pick a painting for you?”

Lu Li didn’t think much, since the paintings here all looked valuable, ”Okay.”

Then...

Hmm, Liu Xiuliang took down ”Lingquan Dao Feng Tu.”

Lu Li: ”...”

Among dozens of genuine works you chose the one with issues?

He even began to suspect whether the other party knew it was a fake and deliberately gave it to him.

But on second thought, it was unlikely. He had just treated the old man, and the other party wouldn’t be that unpleasant.

Could this artwork have hidden secrets?

Lu Li remained calm and planned to go online to search for information later.

After Liu Xiuliang took down the artwork, he carefully put the framed piece into a wooden box.

Finally, he handed it to Lu Li himself without mentioning the price.

Liu Xiuming seized the opportunity to say, ”It’s not very convenient to carry the wooden box. Let’s accompany Divine Doctor Lu to the car.”

Lu Li was becoming more puzzled: it’s fine to put it back in the car, so why do they need to accompany me?

However, he couldn’t refuse the other party’s enthusiastic offer, so he said, ”Alright, thank you for accompanying me.”

”No problem.”

”Just a good chance to walk around a bit.”

Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang responded.

...

The three of them arrived at the parking lot outside.

Lu Li just put the wooden box containing the artwork in the car.

Suddenly, Liu Xiuming pointed to another villa not far away and said, ”Divine Doctor Lu, shall we go take a look?”

Lu Li originally wanted to ask what there was to see, but he quickly understood. This trick was the same as before; they were likely giving a reward.

Are they giving me a villa?

Lu Li wasn’t certain, but inside he was quite hopeful, ”Okay, let’s go take a look.”

The three chatted casually as they went to a nearby Chinese-style courtyard villa.

Liu Xiuming took out the keys to open the door, ”Earlier, Divine Doctor Lu, you mentioned that my dad still needs four or five more treatments?”

Lu Li replied, ”About that.”

Liu Xiuming opened the main door, ”I don’t know where you live, but all this back and forth is a bit inconvenient. This villa happens to be vacant at the moment. Why don’t you stay here, Divine Doctor Lu?”

Are they really gifting me a villa?

Lu Li didn’t expect them to be so generous, actually wanting to give him such an expensive villa.

He had heard from Peng Erping that this was a culturally significant Chinese courtyard villa with only eighteen units in total, each one costing sixty to seventy million yuan.

Knowing the price of the villa made Lu Li’s heartbeat quicken, and he still found it a bit hard to believe.

Of course, they hadn’t actually said they were giving it to him yet, just that he could stay here, and he wasn’t about to ask if it was a gift.

He hadn’t even had time to respond.

Liu Xiuliang quickly added, ”Brother, Divine Doctor Lu hasn’t even had a chance to see what the place is like. How can you ask if he’ll stay?”

Liu Xiuming and his brother laughed in harmony, ”Right, right, that’s inconsiderate of me. Divine Doctor Lu, would you like to take a look inside?”

Lu Li replied, ”Sure.”

The three entered the villa.

The scenery was beautiful, with ancient trees, abundant flowers, real tiles, and precious stones filling the yard.

There were also various pavilions and terraces, artfully arranged to decorate the surrounding landscape, giving one the feeling of stepping into the courtyard of an ancient official’s residence.

Clear springs mingled with rocks, winding corridors, sophisticated and elegant, it was very romantic.

Although this Chinese courtyard villa appeared smaller than that of the Liu Family, its construction area was estimated to be over five hundred square meters, making it quite luxurious.

Lu Li instantly took a liking to it.

Following this, he accompanied Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang to take a look at the rooms both inside and outside the courtyard.

While the external environment was very classical, the rooms inside were extremely modern, with all sorts of upscale furnishings, all from major brands.

After completing the tour.

Liu Xiuming inquired, ”Divine Doctor Lu, is it convenient for you to stay here?”

Up until now, they still hadn’t expressed any intention of gifting the villa.

With a mindset of not missing any opportunity, Lu Li naturally couldn’t refuse, ”Convenient, the scenery here is beautiful, it’s nice to stay here occasionally.”

Liu Xiuming placed the key down, ”Alright, should you need anything while staying here, just let me know.”

Lu Li took the key and put it away.

The three returned to the original villa by the same route.

Yet, Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang never mentioned gifting the villa.

It seemed they genuinely intended for Lu Li to temporarily stay in the villa.

Even after Lu Li politely declined their invitation to dine together and left, he was filled with doubt, questioning if he had overthought the situation.

The most baffling thing was that after accepting the artwork, they hadn’t even mentioned the promised ten million reward.

...

In the car.

Lu Li was preparing to drive Peng Erping back to the factory.

Once in the car, Peng Erping immediately noticed the wooden box in the back.

With curiosity, he asked, ”Is that from Liu Shu... Mr. Liu?”

Lu Li started the car and casually replied, ”Yes, it seems to be Fan Zeng’s Spirit Spring’s Primitive Style.”

”Wha... What?” Peng Erping was shocked, ”Mr. Liu gave such a treasure to you?”

Lu Li started the car and drove off, blinking in surprise, ”Is this artwork really that valuable?”

Peng Erping took a deep breath and said, ”Valuable doesn’t begin to cover it; it’s priceless!”

Lu Li initially intended to ask how much it was worth.

Unexpectedly, before he could open his mouth, Peng Erping, somewhat excited, continued on his own, ”Spirit Spring’s Primitive Style is a work from the renowned calligrapher and painter Fan Zeng in 1991. This painting has great artistic value. As early as 2011, the Beijing Goethe Auction Company auctioned it for a staggering price of eighteen million four hundred thousand yuan!”

Wow!

Eighteen million four hundred thousand?

And that was the auction price back in 2011?

Lu Li was truly astonished; he didn’t expect such an expensive piece to be given to him so casually by Liu Mingliang.

The most crucial thing he learned from Peng Erping was that the creation time of this painting indeed falls within the past thirty years, meaning it was an authentic piece.

They gave me a painting worth nearly twenty million, possibly even more?

Lu Li finally understood why Liu Xiuming and Liu Xiuliang hadn’t mentioned the reward—they had embedded it in the artwork.

They publicly promised a reward of ten million, but the artwork’s value likely exceeded twenty million, so not giving cash made perfect sense.

Upon accidentally discovering the real value of this artwork, Lu Li’s heart surged with excitement.

Although the Liu Family hadn’t given him a villa, by selling this artwork, he could earn over twenty million, giving him enough to buy a luxury villa!