Unveiling the Painting (Part 1)

Although Young Zhou only tinkered with ancient jade, his father's connections gave him some understanding of the prices of calligraphy and paintings. To think that Uncle Wu, who had a very good relationship with his family, would offer forty thousand yuan! It really showed his character.

Not only was Uncle Wu furious, but Chu Chen was also very angry at the price he quoted. He had initially felt a bit guilty about finding a bargain at this time, but now he didn't care at all.

Upon hearing such a price, Uncle Wu wanted to turn and leave. However, considering he was the son of an old friend and that Young Zhou's personality was just like that, he patiently explained:

"Young Zhou, the items are indeed genuine. But as you know, the fame of these three artists isn't very high. Among the three works, only the last one, Zhang Jian's 'Stone Bamboo Painting,' is the most valuable. Even then, fifteen thousand is already very high in the market. I don't need to say more about the other two. At most, I can offer ten thousand for them. That makes a total of twenty-five thousand. What do you say?"

However, Uncle Wu's earnest words clearly had no effect on Young Zhou. He said with a pained expression:

"Uncle Wu, you know my family's situation. We're barely making ends meet. How about this? I'll compromise too. Give me thirty-three thousand. You're already offering twenty-five thousand, so another eight thousand isn't much, right?"

Hearing this, Uncle Wu was extremely disappointed. The price he was offering was already high in the market. If it weren't for his old friend, he wouldn't have offered such a high price. And yet, Young Zhou wanted more, treating him like a complete fool.

Seeing this, Uncle Wu had nothing more to say and turned to leave. "Forget it, Xiao Chen, let's go back. There's nothing worth staying here for."

Young Zhou hadn't expected Uncle Wu to be so decisive and was stunned. As for Chu Chen, if he hadn't made that discovery earlier, he definitely wouldn't have stayed to endure such a cold reception. So, after walking a few steps with Uncle Wu, he turned back and said expressionlessly:

"Mr. Zhou, I'm also an old customer of your father's. He's always taken good care of me. For these three works, I can offer a maximum of thirty thousand. If you want to sell, we can trade immediately. If you still want to ask for a higher price, then we have nothing more to say."

Although Young Zhou was still a bit unwilling, he thought that he wouldn't be able to get such a price if he sold to anyone else. Thus, he had no choice but to nod in agreement. It had to be said that Young Zhou's way of thinking and acting was likely inherited from Old Zhou, what people often called "ripping off acquaintances."

The difference was that Old Zhou still had the concept of friendship in his heart, while Young Zhou had already become heartless.

"Mr. Zhou, please, we still need to sign a sales agreement, so you don't accuse us of stealing or robbing later."

By the end of his sentence, Chu Chen even threw in a jab. The man's actions truly disgusted him. However, such words clearly had no effect on Young Zhou; he still completed the transaction with a grin.

Uncle Wu was probably genuinely angered. Even when Chu Chen said he would buy the three works, he didn't stay. After Chu Chen finished the transaction and walked out of Old Zhou's house, Uncle Wu angrily said to him at the door:

"Xiao Chen, why are you wasting money on this? People like that shouldn't get their way. Even if you bought it at a high price, would he be grateful to you?"

Seeing this, Chu Chen quickly comforted him, "Uncle Wu, please calm down. Like you said, why get angry at someone like that? Besides, in your heart, do you really think I'd be so foolish as to let someone like that succeed?"

"Could there be another secret within the painting?" Uncle Wu asked, frowning thoughtfully upon hearing his words.

Chu Chen smiled mysteriously. "It's not clear here. Let's go back first, and I'll tell you then."

"Alright, when we get back, if you can't explain it, don't blame me for being rude."

The two returned to Uncle Wu's house in a hurry. Aunt Wu saw them carrying six scrolls (three of which were the goods they had brought earlier) and asked curiously:

"Oh, are you two trying to change careers? Why are you carrying so many calligraphy and painting works back?"

Chu Chen jokingly replied, "Didn't we succeed in our bid for the Olympics? In response to the nation's call and to contribute to our spiritual civilization, I'm preparing to dabble in calligraphy and painting art, and provide some spiritual food for the masses."

"Oh, our Xiao Chen has such high ideals, thinking of solving problems for the country." Aunt Wu said with a smile, giving him a thumbs-up.

Uncle Wu took a sip of tea and chuckled, "Wife, don't listen to his nonsense. Look at him, does he seem like someone with such noble thoughts?"

"Old Wu, you're just jealous. Look how handsome our Xiao Chen is, with a good temper and filial piety. Why wouldn't he have noble thoughts? I say, it's hard to find someone as good as Xiao Chen. It's a shame Xiao Ke is still abroad. Otherwise, I'd have her pursue you."

"Hmm, that makes sense." Uncle Wu chuckled and nodded in agreement at the end.

Seeing the two of them like this, Chu Chen almost broke out in a cold sweat and quickly changed the subject. "Uncle Wu, look, what do you think of this painting?"

"Hmm, then take out the painting with the problem and tell me what the secret is inside." Uncle Wu and his wife exchanged knowing smiles at Chu Chen's expression and didn't dwell on the topic. Aunt Wu went to prepare dinner.

Chu Chen took out Zhang Jian's "Stone Bamboo Painting." He opened it and said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with the other two. It's just this painting that I suspect has a hidden secret. Uncle Wu, feel the paper, isn't it a bit thick?"

Uncle Wu frowned and touched the paper. He couldn't really feel it. He then licked it and it seemed a bit thicker, but it was very subtle. So, he frowned and said, "You think this is a painting within a painting? Although the paper feels a bit thick to the touch, the thickness is really not obvious. Unless the person who concealed it was a master. But are you jumping to conclusions based on just this slight thickness of the paper?"

Chu Chen smiled and explained, "Of course not. This is just a slight difference I felt after discovering a clue. Uncle Wu, look at this part where the water is."

Uncle Wu followed his gaze. At first glance, it seemed no different. When he leaned closer, he thought he saw a trace of ink. Then, upon closer inspection, the ink seemed to be seeping through from inside the paper. This discovery immediately made him excited.

If they weren't mistaken, this painting might contain another work hidden inside. And to use such a genuine work by Zhang Jian to conceal it, the hidden work must be even more precious.

Uncle Wu said excitedly, "Alright, Xiao Chen, your eyesight is truly remarkable. You actually noticed such a faint trace of color!"

Seeing Chu Chen about to be modest again, he waved his hand to interrupt. "Alright, don't be modest. The key now is to reveal the painting. But your Uncle Wu really doesn't have the skill. It seems we'll have to trouble Old Liu tomorrow. Old Liu studied under a master restorer from the Beijing school for a long time, and his restoration skills are top-notch."

Hearing this, Chu Chen hesitated and said, "Uncle Wu, we just went to see Old Liu today. If we go again tomorrow, will Old Liu be unhappy?"

Uncle Wu listened and said with a wry smile, "Do you think Old Liu is that narrow-minded? Besides, we're not going just to chat. For something like this, Old Liu would be delighted if you went to him every day."

"I wish I could go to Old Liu's every day, but I don't have such good luck every day like today. How could I encounter something like this every day?" Chu Chen chuckled.

"What's wrong? Why are you two so happy?" Aunt Wu came out of the kitchen and, seeing their happy expressions, became curious.

After listening to Uncle Wu's brief explanation, Aunt Wu said happily, "Xiao Chen is going to make a lot of money again! Whichever woman marries you in the future will surely not worry about food and clothing. Ah, if only my Xiao Ke were here, she'd be so lucky!"

Hearing this, Chu Chen felt a bit awkward again. We're only twenty-one, okay? Are you guys that eager? he thought.

Fortunately, Grandma Wu came out to break the ice. "Alright, stop teasing Xiao Chen. Let's get ready to eat."

**************************

The next day, Chu Chen woke up early and practiced his boxing techniques several times. He felt restless after not practicing for a whole day.

This was the first time he had practiced so thoroughly since his special ability was upgraded. At the same time, he felt that under the influence of his special ability, the progress of his boxing practice was becoming increasingly obvious. He could feel his boxing improving almost every day. At this rate, he might even break through to the Major Heavenly Cycle within a year.

However, Chu Chen wasn't too concerned about this. When he first learned boxing, he did it with the intention of strengthening his body, and that idea hadn't changed.

Moreover, the artistic conception of Tai Chi emphasizes nature. Deliberate effort is the biggest taboo for breakthroughs. Therefore, even with his special ability, he still maintained a natural approach and didn't want to force any changes.

Since he knew Old Liu's habits, Chu Chen didn't wait for Uncle Wu to call and urge him. After finishing his morning routine, just past seven o'clock, he headed to Uncle Wu's house.

On the way, Chu Chen unexpectedly received a call from Zhou Wenping. There was nothing important on the phone, just asking if he had any important plans after tomorrow. If not, he planned to book train tickets to Xijing for the day after tomorrow.

Chu Chen had no urgent matters, so he happily agreed. He also got some news from Zhou Wenping: Li Guodong would not only bring his girlfriend but also her classmates. He heard that his girlfriend's classmates were particularly beautiful, and Zhou Wenping jokingly told him to seize the opportunity.