Chương 34: First Item: Painting
Leo, observed the painting for one minute then they had to do back to their seat.
Leo turned to Jack, his voice low. "Jack, what do you think we should do with this thing?"
Jack frowned slightly, his mind racing as he weighed the situation. "Uncle Leo, do you want to take a shot at it?" he asked.
Leo didn't hesitate for a second, nodding firmly. "Right!" He glanced back at the painting with an intense gaze, then leaned in closer to Jack, lowering his voice to a whisper, "From my observation, that Ruby Dynasty landscape painting is 80% authentic.."
Jack's brow furrowed further. "Why do you say that?"
Leo's expression brightened as he dove into his explanation, his confidence growing with each word. "You see, I've spent a lot of time studying the paper from the Ruby Dynasty. The paper used back then was unique—it was made from sandalwood bark and straw. This specific combination was a trademark of the Ruby Dynasty's papermaking technology. The texture, the composition—it's unmistakable. And, based on what I've seen, this paper isn't artificially aged. It's genuine, I'm sure of it."
Leo's voice was full of conviction, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. He continued explaining the intricate details of the paper, how certain wear and discoloration patterns matched what would be expected from centuries of aging, and how the pigments seemed consistent with those used in the Ruby Dynasty era.
Jack, on the other hand, didn't respond immediately. Instead, he quietly activated his Celestial Eye, peering deeper into the painting beyond what ordinary eyes could see. His suspicions were confirmed. The painting itself was a forgery, but not entirely a worthless one. While the paper indeed came from the Ruby Dynasty, the artwork on it was modern, expertly mimicking the style of that era. The artist had clearly gone to great lengths to deceive, but with the Celestial Eye, Jack could see through it.
The painting was, in essence, half-real and half-fake. The value, based on its components, would probably fall around 160,000 to 170,000, far below what Leo was imagining.
After a long moment of silence, Leo looked back at Jack, eyebrows raised, eager for an opinion. "Jack, I want to bid on it," he said, his voice quieter now, almost as if seeking Jack's validation. "What do you think?"
Jack hesitated, thinking through his response carefully. He couldn't outright reveal the painting's flaws—Leo wouldn't understand how he knew. Instead, he had to steer the conversation subtly. "Uncle Leo, I don't think it's a good idea. If it's within the range of a few hundred thousand, maybe it's worth the gamble. But if the price goes any higher… I'd say it's not worth it."
Leo's face fell slightly, but he didn't seem entirely convinced. "Hmm…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe you're right, but I don't know, Jack. I'm getting a strong feeling about this one. I'd say there's an 80% chance it's the real deal. And that's a chance I'm willing to take."
As the bidding started, the excitement in the room grew. The beautiful woman on stage, still smiling that polished, professional smile, began calling out the bids.
"Guest No. 19 in Area C offers 270,000!" Her voice echoed across the venue, and eyes flicked toward the screen to follow the numbers.
"Room 11, Area B, offers 400,000!" she announced, her voice smooth and practiced.
"No. 36, Area A, offers 410,000."
The bids came quickly at first, with excitement palpable in the room. But as the price climbed, fewer hands went up, and the fervor began to wane. Jack watched the numbers rise, his heart sinking with every increase, knowing full well that the painting wasn't worth what the others thought.
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