Gu Chen walked out of the residential complex and quickly hailed a taxi, then rushed to Treasure Gathering Studio, his heart burning with anxiety.
Today was a day of vital importance to him. In his previous life, he had been framed and caught in bed with someone that very day. On the same day, his father had also been swindled out of nearly thirty million, and his business had been left struggling at every turn. Without the Zhou Family's support, and with a son who had broken his leg to care for, his father had been unable to make a comeback. The Zhou Family had then naturally broken off the engagement, and everything had been settled.
And the masterminds behind it all, Treasure Gathering Studio and Xu Zhongwen, could hardly escape blame!
He checked his watch. It was still early, not even half past eight. He prayed silently that he would make it in time to stop the disaster.
As he rode in the car, the scenery outside the window sped past like a film in reverse. Gu Chen's gaze, however, was as cold as frost, like a wild wolf lurking in the darkness, ready to pick a victim and devour them at any moment.
Treasure Gathering Studio was one of the most renowned antique shops in Zhou City, and its owner, Zhao Junchuan, was a legendary figure himself. Though he had not been born into a distinguished family, he had built Treasure Gathering Studio into a gold-lettered name in the antiques world through his own efforts.
Today, Treasure Gathering Studio was holding a private appraisal event that had drawn many local businessmen and antique enthusiasts. Because Treasure Gathering Studio was in the heart of the commercial district, the taxi could not drive in, so Gu Chen got out and continued on foot.
He had not gone far when he saw three people come out of Treasure Gathering Studio and head toward the garage. One of them was carrying a rolled-up painting, with an elderly man and a young woman following behind him. The Rolls-Royce Phantom ahead of them was particularly eye-catching.
The elderly man had an extraordinary bearing; one look was enough to tell he was someone long accustomed to a high position. However, when the sturdy man opened the car door, he accidentally dropped the painting he was holding.
"Wang Fu, how could you be so careless!" the young woman scolded.
Gu Chen glanced at the painting, and a cold smile curved his lips. It was Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains by Huang Gongwang, a famous painter of the Yuan dynasty, but it was clearly a forgery.
"What are you laughing at?" The young woman glared at Gu Chen in displeasure, sizing him up.
Gu Chen ignored her and turned to leave. From the way she was dressed, he could tell she came from a noble background and probably had never suffered any grievances out in the world. His dismissive attitude displeased her, and when she saw him paying her no attention, she flew into a rage. "Stop! I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?!"
Gu Chen had not wanted to pay her any attention, but her attitude really rubbed him the wrong way. He said coolly, "I wasn't even looking at you. It's just a fake painting, yet you're so nervous about it. How ridiculous."
At that, the young woman's hackles rose at once. "What makes you say it's fake?"
Gu Chen smiled arrogantly and continued on his way. As a former Immortal Venerable, his eye was exceptionally sharp; there was no way this painting could escape his discerning gaze.
The elderly man, however, stopped the young woman and looked at Gu Chen. "Young friend, you seem to know something about calligraphy and painting. Could you offer us a few pointers?"
The young woman sneered when she heard this. "Grandpa, why are you asking this little brat? He's definitely talking nonsense."
Gu Chen stopped and said, "The original was created during the Yuan dynasty. It was burned in the early Qing dynasty and split in two. Not only is your painting from the wrong period, sir, but even the imitation is unprofessional. In the Yuan dynasty, the inscription was placed at the top. I caught a glimpse of this painting just now, and it's at the bottom. It's a real four-unlike."
The elderly man's brows knitted tightly. He examined the scroll closely, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Gu Chen looked at the young woman again. "Learn some manners from your grandfather. With an attitude like yours, I wouldn't have wanted to give you any pointers at all. Don't go getting swindled and acting like you've found a treasure. How funny."
The young woman was furious, but Gu Chen had already turned and left.
A few minutes later, Gu Chen stood at the entrance to Treasure Gathering Studio, looking up at the building, which resembled a courtyard house. Treasure Gathering Studio truly deserved its reputation as the face of Zhou City's antiques trade. Red lanterns hung high, stone lions guarded the entrance, and the main gate was edged in black and gold, giving it an imposing air.
Gu Chen, however, had no fondness for the place. He was about to enter when the security guard at the door stopped him.
"Please show me your invitation," the guard said.
Gu Chen sneered inwardly. In his previous life, Zhao Junchuan and Xu Zhongwen had joined forces to swindle his father, leaving him with a deep hatred for this place. He flung the guard's hand aside and barged in.
"Stop him!" The guard turned pale with shock and hurriedly called for his colleagues.
Gu Chen had barely entered the courtyard when five or six people surrounded him.
"I'm looking for someone," Gu Chen said with a shrug.
The security captain sized him up. "Looks to me like you're here to cause trouble. You don't have an invitation, so get out!"
With that, the captain reached out to grab Gu Chen. But Gu Chen gave a jolt of his shoulder, and a powerful force struck the captain, sending him stumbling backward.
Gu Chen stood with his hands behind his back. "I don't want to hurt anyone, but if you keep stopping me, don't blame me for getting rough."
The guards looked at one another. They could tell Gu Chen probably knew some martial arts, and just as they were about to rush him together, a voice suddenly rang out.