The Lingren sensed everyone's gaze on him. He merely turned his head slightly, a modest yet enigmatic smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he raised his glass toward the podium in an elegant, unhurried salute.
Aiven nodded solemnly toward the Lingren, his voice brimming with "sincere" gratitude. "More remarkable still, Mr. Lingren purchased this painting not to keep it for himself, but has decided to give it to another equally exceptional investigator—Mr. Yu Xing!"
Another uproar erupted, even louder than before. Everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Yu Xing and the Lingren.
"Mr. Lingren believes that only Mr. Yu Xing's temperament and insight can truly grasp the transcendent meaning within Starry Night." Aiven added at just the right moment, his words full of praise for the two investigators' discerning taste. "Faced with such sincere friendship and such a pure pursuit of art, I simply cannot—and would not want to—refuse."
He faced the crowd and spread his hands in a gesture that was both helpless and full of well wishes. "Therefore, it is with a mixture of regret and relief that I must announce that Starry Night will no longer be exhibited to the public. In this most legendary of ways, it will go directly to its final destination.
"Let us applaud Mr. Lingren for his generosity and devotion to art, and wish Mr. Yu Xing endless inspiration and enlightenment from the painting!"
Scattered applause broke out, gradually growing more enthusiastic.
Though many felt disappointed at not having seen Starry Night for themselves, this dramatic turn of events had undoubtedly added a vivid flourish to tonight's exhibition. It would be a favorite topic of conversation at high-society salons for some time to come.
At the very least, in this town, no one would say "no" to an