“I will have this matter investigated thoroughly,” Third Master Lei said, his gaze sweeping past Xia Qingtian before settling on Grandfather Fang. “Should the Lei family ever find the ‘Thousand Buddha Discussion,’ we will notify you immediately, Grandfather Fang, and sell it to you at cost.”
Hearing Third Master Lei’s words, Grandfather Fang’s eyes lit up.
This meant the Lei family was willing to help him find the ‘Thousand Buddha Discussion’! That was truly wonderful!
With the Lei family’s standing and connections in the antique world, their assistance was far more powerful than his own Fang family’s capabilities!
Not to mention, they would sell it at cost.
“Does this proposed resolution satisfy you, Grandfather Fang?” Third Master Lei’s question was met with Grandfather Fang’s continuous nodding.
“Then I will trouble you, Third Master Lei,” Grandfather Fang clasped his hands. “This matter ends here today.”
Grandfather Fang, having navigated the world for so many years, understood Third Master Lei’s intentions.
The Lei family’s decades of credibility could not be ruined here. Their willingness to make such a concession was naturally to silence Grandfather Fang.
Moreover, the imitation painting had already been destroyed.
Grandfather Fang had also received a promise from the Lei family to help him find the painting.
With the matter concluded, Grandfather Fang was not at a loss.
After resolving the issue with Grandfather Fang, Third Master Lei finally turned his attention to Xia Qingtian. “May I ask your name…”
Xia Qingtian felt that Third Master Lei, despite his handsome appearance, always looked at her with a sinister gaze that made her scalp tingle.
If possible, she really didn’t want Third Master Lei to know who she was.
Perhaps… she should just make up a name? But… Grandfather Fang was still here, and Uncle Shao, who accompanied them, also knew her identity.
Making up a name wouldn't be wise.
While Xia Qingtian hesitated, someone stepped forward and provided her information to Third Master Lei, also bringing over the exhibits Xia Qingtian had bid on.
“Since these items have found favor with Miss Xia, I shall take it upon myself to gift all of them to Miss Xia,” Third Master Lei said, looking at Xia Qingtian.
“Thank you.” On one hand, Xia Qingtian was relieved she hadn't invented a name. On the other hand, she couldn't help but marvel at the other party's immense wealth.
Items worth ten million yuan were just given away?
If she had known this earlier, she might have been bolder.
However, Xia Qingtian also understood that the Lei family was essentially buying peace and preserving their reputation.
If she were to haughtily refuse, the Lei family would become worried that Xia Qingtian might gossip, and more trouble would follow.
Xia Qingtian didn't like to create trouble for herself, especially in this unfamiliar city.
Seeing that Xia Qingtian was a sensible person, Third Master Lei nodded. He then instructed his men to escort Grandfather Fang and Xia Qingtian safely out of the villa, promising to deliver the auctioned items safely to the Xia residence.
The service was indeed top-notch.
Standing outside, Gu Yaoyang listened to the events unfolding inside with his arms crossed. The guards outside the room looked puzzled.
Given Mr. Gu’s relationship with their Third Master, wouldn’t it be better to go inside and listen?
Hearing that Third Master Lei was having Xia Qingtian and Grandfather Fang escorted out, Gu Yaoyang retreated a couple of steps, hiding in the shadows.
Only after Xia Qingtian and the others had descended the stairs did he shove his hands into his pockets and walk into the private room.
By this time, Third Master Lei’s expression was no longer the same as before.
His shoulders drooped, and his eyes were filled with exhaustion.
Hearing footsteps, Third Master Lei immediately straightened his back and put on a stern face.
After confirming it was Gu Yaoyang, Third Master Lei’s expression relaxed again, and he said peevishly, “Came to gloat?”
“I warned you,” Gu Yaoyang’s voice remained distant and cold.
Third Master Lei had no response to this statement.
Gu Yaoyang had indeed warned him that there were mixed elements within the Lei family now, and that items they acquired should be verified multiple times.
But he never expected this painting to be a forgery by Zhang Yunhe. After all, both the brushwork and the pigments were genuine. Only the clever trick of using a name to inscribe the painting was truly difficult to guard against.
Heaving a deep sigh, Third Master Lei finally asked, “Tell me, what do you want?”
“Xia Qingtian is mine. Tell your people not to overstep,” Gu Yaoyang’s tone was unwavering.
“Yours?” Third Master Lei murmured, a hint of playful amusement entering his eyes. “I never thought I’d hear you say something like that.”
Gu Yaoyang ignored Third Master Lei’s teasing and instead looked at him, saying, “You should thank her today.”
“Should I?” Third Master Lei retorted.
“Think carefully. If Grandfather Fang had spent his entire fortune to buy that painting today, how would he have fared when he discovered the issue with it?
Gu Xuan Zhai’s reputation and standing in the collection world are not inferior to the Lei family’s. But what if you add Grandfather Fang’s life to Gu Xuan Zhai’s?
The Lei family’s reputation over generations would be utterly ruined. At that point… can you truly bear the responsibility?”
Gu Yaoyang’s words were spoken casually, but each syllable made Third Master Lei’s expression grow more grim.
Especially the final question sent a chill down Third Master Lei’s spine, almost engulfing him.
“Remember to thank her.” After saying this, Gu Yaoyang turned and left.
He knew Third Master Lei was not dull-witted. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to single-handedly lift the entire Lei family and turn the tide after they faced a crisis of trust.
However, he had paid a considerable price for it.
The Lei family already had termites within. If they weren’t removed promptly, even if they avoided this crisis, another would surely follow.
In this circle, reputation was more important than life itself.
Gu Yaoyang’s words were to the point.
Yet, they stirred a tempest in Third Master Lei’s heart. He slammed his hand on the table and called for someone to enter. “Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!”
The auction had long since ended, and most of the guests had departed.
Uncle Shao was pacing anxiously by the entrance, seemingly worried about the safety of Xia Qingtian and Grandfather Fang.
Seeing Xia Qingtian and Grandfather Fang emerge, Uncle Shao finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to meet them. “How was it?”
“All is well,” Grandfather Fang waved his hand, cutting off Uncle Shao’s intended barrage of questions. “There’s no need to mention this again. Let’s go.”
Uncle Shao opened his mouth, then slowly closed it before nodding.
“Grandfather Fang, Uncle Shao, could you please not tell my father about today’s events?” Xia Qingtian changed the subject. “This is the first time my dad has let me attend an auction like this. I don’t want him to worry too much.”
“Rest assured,” Grandfather Fang certainly wouldn’t disclose today’s events. Uncle Shao, who only had a partial understanding of everything, could only nod in agreement.
Seeing this, Xia Qingtian felt relieved and a smile appeared on her face.
The three of them took Uncle Shao’s car to the city and first sent Xia Qingtian back to her hotel.
Upon alighting, Xia Qingtian rested her hand on the car door and bid farewell to the two elders.
“Young Miss Xia, for today’s events, consider this old man indebted to you,” Grandfather Fang looked at Xia Qingtian. His expression was clearly less rigid and stiff than when they first met, and there was a hint of admiration in his eyes.
“Alright, Grandfather Fang. Get some rest early.” Xia Qingtian didn’t try to gain favors, merely offering a slight smile before closing the car door.
As she turned to walk towards the hotel, Xia Qingtian vaguely felt a peculiar gaze fixed upon her from behind.
She looked back, but only saw passersby hurrying past, and no one unusual.
Still feeling suspicious, Xia Qingtian continued walking. However, upon entering the building, she heard a sarcastic remark.
“I wondered why you were so audacious. Turns out you have a sugar daddy backing you?” Wen Shengsheng, wearing sunglasses, blocked Xia Qingtian’s path and said mockingly.