Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Chapter 154 Oh no, the real target is Lin Chuan! (Please subscribe) (2/2)
Now, the two were in the same boat.
No, Lin Chuan was the rope, while she clung to the rope like a grasshopper, after all, she was “clinging onto a powerful thigh.”
After expressing his thanks, Lin Chuan took a light sip of his tea.
Zhao Gang looked at Lin Chuan with a cheerful smile, “Lin, Old Li and I have been discussing for quite some time. The ‘artifact restoration’ method you proposed before is indeed very useful.”
“Was there a new discovery?”
Lin Chuan set down his teacup and asked with a smile.
“It’s not so much a new discovery, but quite a few experts who were involved in the appraisal before the ‘Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase’ was returned have also recommended some master restorers. Some people recommended you as well,” Zhao Gang said with a smile.
For example, the chief expert from the Modu Museum, Gao Qinglin, and Old Bai’s mentor, Cheng Qing, recommended quite a few people.
“Are these people on the watchlist?” Lin Chuan asked with a smile.
Zhao Gang’s eyebrows raised with a smile, “Of course, I was just discussing with Old Li who would be more suitable for the restoration. I didn’t expect you to call and volunteer yourself. Lin, do you have any plans?”
Inside the conference room.
Lin Chuan nodded and said, “Indeed, I do have some ideas.”
“Please, Lin, do tell,” Zhao Gang said, looking directly at Lin Chuan with a smile.
Li Zeguang turned to look at Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan’s gaze fell on the two directors. With a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth and a slightly slower pace, he said, “Directors, I volunteered to restore the artifact for two reasons. One is that I can serve as excellent ‘bait,’ and the other is that we can maintain more control.”
Hearing this, the two directors exchanged glances.
Lin Chuan was an outsider. Although he did not yet have a reputation in the Modu antiques circle, a part of it knew of his exceptional skills. If he were to restore the artifact, the Antique Forgery Gang that planned this event would soon take notice of him and either threaten or entice him.
As for the issue of control.
Lin Chuan thought that by personally interacting with those suspected of being part of the forgery gang, he could more quickly identify suspects and not miss any details.
Even if the forgery gang did not act, he could also change strategies and proactively release some ‘suspected antique forgery’ news to lure the snake out of its hole.
This was his confidence.
It was also his determination to ‘sacrifice’ this Antique Forgery Gang to clear his own name.
“I think it’s feasible,” Li Zeguang mused for a moment before speaking.
Zhao Gang nodded as well, “This way, anyone who comes looking for Lin can be directly targeted.”
A smile appeared on Lin Chuan’s face.
…
The night deepened.
The moon was high in the sky, casting its bright light upon a manor in the outskirts of Modu where the green was lush and the trees verdant, the tranquility bespeaking a touch of elegance.
A man dressed in Tang attire, about the same age as Old Zhang, hurried along the cobblestone path and entered the ‘Ancient Moon’ private museum, making his way familiarly to the third-floor reception room.
This person was the chief expert of the Modu Museum, Gao Qinglin.
“Mr. Hu.”
Gao Qinglin entered the reception room and took a seat at the tea table.
Opposite him was the owner of the private museum, Hu Shu.
“Have some tea first.”
Hu Shu poured a cup of Da Hong Pao tea and placed it in front of Gao Qinglin.
“Mr. Hu, I’ll skip the tea for now. How could you help that kid?” Gao Qinglin asked with a trace of resentment on his face.
Hu Shu looked up, his normally refined eyes sharp with an edge, “Do you have a problem with it?”
Gao Qinglin met Hu Shu’s gaze, and his demeanor instantly softened, “Mr. Hu, you know I have a dispute with that kid. Now that he’s fallen, you still recommended him for artifact restoration and even plan to compensate him. I don’t quite understand it.”
“You’re still hung up over that trifle?”
Hu Shu asked with a slight smile on his face.
“But he publicly affronted me…” Gao Qinglin’s face darkened as he spoke more gravely.
As the museum’s chief expert with absolute authority in the antiques circle, Lin Chuan had, in front of everyone, exposed a Taotie pattern wine vessel he had identified as genuine as a counterfeit.
This was undoubtedly a ‘desecration’ of his authority.
“I didn’t elevate you to the position of chief expert for you to come and question me,” Hu Shu said lightly, sipping his tea.
Gao Qinglin’s expression stiffened, and he immediately fell silent.
“Drink your tea,” Hu Shu gestured toward the tea table.
Gao Qinglin took a deep breath, picked up the tea cup, and drank it in one gulp.
Hu Shu refilled the cup for Gao Qinglin and said calmly, “I have my own plans.”
“Mr. Hu, not to mention the little friction between him and me, just consider the matter of him restoring the artifact. His own talent for antique forgery is top-notch. If he sees through…” Gao Qinglin paused, not continuing.
“Sees through what?”
Hu Shu asked with no hint of taboo, smiling.
“He has a reader who forged a bronze ware using methods described in his book, which even I, among others, missed. He has a terrifying insight when it comes to antique forgery,” despite his reluctance, Gao Qinglin couldn’t help but praise Lin Chuan.
“I know, I’ve been slowly savoring his book as well.”
Hu Shu’s expression revealed a faint smile, then he suddenly sighed, “That Mr. Lin in his book reminds me of days long past.”
Gao Qinglin looked surprised.
Seeing Hu Shu’s unabashed admiration, he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Hu, are you considering recruiting Lin Chuan?”
A glint flickered in Hu Shu’s eyes as he smiled and said, “Otherwise, why do you think ‘the person who accidentally damaged the jade vase’ would be him?”