Reborn As Super Heiress

Huo Sining was puzzled, but she didn’t reveal any unnecessary emotions on her face. She still smiled as she looked at the elderly man before her, ”Mr. Zhu, what are you saying? It’s my honor that you’ve found the time to visit my humble shop. How could it be considered troubling you?”

Although Huo Sining didn’t know the man before her, being able to recognize Zhang Xu’s calligraphy at a glance was enough to prove that this man was erudite and knowledgeable. For such a learned scholar, Huo Sining admired and respected him from the bottom of her heart, and naturally, she wouldn’t show any slight contempt.

Huo Sining’s words indeed left Zhu Qingming with a good impression. He thought to himself that this young lady, despite her age, spoke quite eloquently, which was quite comforting to hear.

”Mr. Zhu, Mister Liu, Boss Kong, please come inside.”

Huo Sining smiled as she intended to lead the three inside. Over there, Liu Pengcheng paused his steps upon hearing Huo Sining and looked at her with some surprise, ”Boss Huo, do you know me?”

Huo Sining didn’t hide it and nodded openly, admitting, ”I do. I’ve had the chance to meet your teacher and Mister Liu once before.”

Liu Pengcheng assumed that Huo Sining had seen him accompany Su Zhongqing at some event, so he nodded slightly, unconcerned, and followed Zhu Qingming into the Jubao Pavilion.

On the other side, when Li Quan saw Huo Sining bringing a few people in, he was stunned and was about to inquire. Then he saw the person supporting the old man, the con man surnamed Kong from yesterday, and his expression turned slightly grim as he realized what these people were here for.

Seeing Li Quan looking as if he was facing a formidable enemy, Huo Sining could hardly help but feel amused as she invited the three to sit down and asked Jiang Xiaoqin to serve tea and entertain the guests.

Li Quan also came over, intending to speak, but was frozen upon seeing the appearance of the old man opposite him.

He tugged at Huo Sining’s sleeve and whispered in her ear, ”Miss Huo, that old man, isn’t he Zhu Qingming?”

Huo Sining was taken aback, ”Yes, how do you know this person is called Zhu Qingming?”

Li Quan received Huo Sining’s affirmative answer and, seeing her confusion, was suddenly at a loss, ”You know his name is Zhu Qingming, yet you don’t know who he is?”

Huo Sining shook her head, ”He just looked familiar, but who is he?”

Li Quan was somewhat amused. He thought Miss Huo was all-knowing and omnipotent, yet there was someone she didn’t recognize.

”This Zhu Qingming is a giant in the art world and a fellow of the National Academy of Painting. The key is he didn’t even graduate elementary school. His calligraphy and painting are achievements he explored and created on his own. So, he’s called a legend in the Huaxia art world, almost as famous as the national painting master Su Zhongqing.” Li Quan whispered in explanation.

Huo Sining was suddenly shocked, ”A self-taught master? That impressive?”

Li Quan nodded, ”Not just that. He is also an expert in authenticating ancient calligraphy and paintings. Didn’t you participate in the Imperial Capital TV Station’s ’Folk Treasure Hunt’ appraisal show? He was on it too, but a year before you. He was primarily responsible for appraising calligraphy and paintings. It’s said that nothing was ever misjudged by him!”

Hearing this from Li Quan, Huo Sining suddenly remembered that she had seen Zhu Qingming’s photo on a ’Folk Treasure Hunt’ promotional poster for the Imperial Capital TV Station. No wonder she found the old man familiar but couldn’t recall where she’d seen him before.

After they entered and sat down, Jiang Xiaoqin had just served the tea when the con man Boss Kong couldn’t help but start speaking:

”Boss Huo, I specifically brought Professor Zhu and Mister Liu over today to help appraise that piece by Shen Zhou. If both experts say there’s nothing wrong with the painting, we’ll proceed with the transaction on the spot. If they say there’s an issue, then we’ll stick to the previous agreement. How does that sound?”

Seeing that the con man was impatient, Huo Sining was neither angry nor annoyed. She just smiled and nodded, ”Then please, seniors, we’d appreciate your guidance. Li Quan, go bring the painting out.”

Because the con man had set the Shen Zhou painting yesterday, Huo Sining had instructed Li Quan to put it away in a brocade box. If it continued to hang on the wall, someone else might spot it, which would cause trouble, as the painting wasn’t on display at the moment.

Li Quan retrieved the brocade box from the safe in the inner hall. After coming out, he opened the scroll in front of everyone.

The con man, seeing a white missing spot on the top of the scroll, showed joy in his eyes.

The fake Shen Zhou painting had a small indentation on the top of the scroll, a feature that Liang Ruicheng had told him about. Liang Ruicheng had seen this fake in Tang Jinchuan’s possession, so he knew well what obvious issues the painting had. Liang Ruicheng was worried the con man might mistake it, so he had specifically pointed out this feature to him.

Therefore, when the con man saw the indented missing spot, he knew it was the same fake Shen Zhou painting, the Bamboo Mountain Evening Rain Painting, he’d seen yesterday. Now, his only concern was gone.

He had been worried that the Jubao Pavilion might replace it with an authentic piece and trap him. Now, even this slightest possibility was eliminated, and he relaxed completely, a smug smile spread across his face, and his expression became fearlessly confident.

He secretly laughed to himself, thinking, this young girl is truly too green. With the guarantee letter, as long as Zhu Qingming and Liu Pengcheng both deem the painting you provided a fake, once Mr. Liang’s group arrives to watch the commotion, even if you don’t admit it, it’ll be pointless. Just wait to close your doors!

Recalling the promise Liang Ruicheng made yesterday of a ten thousand yuan reward, the con man’s eyes warmed, as if he could already see a stack of thick Chairman Mao notes beckoning him.

At this time, Li Quan had already unfolded the painting by Shen Zhou. Zhu Qingming and Liu Pengcheng both promptly stood up from the sofa, directly approaching the painting for a closer look.

However, after just a few close glances, Zhu Qingming’s expression changed instantly.

Liu Pengcheng also paused, appearing uncertain as he gave it another look. After seeing clearly the painting’s issues, he couldn’t help but look up, exchanging a glance with Zhu Qingming.

”Boss Huo, is this the painting you claimed to be Shen Qinan’s authentic ’Bamboo Mountain Evening Rain Painting’?”

Zhu Qingming turned to look at Huo Sining, who stood nearby, his gaze seemingly piercing, even as Liu Pengcheng watched her with a complex expression.