Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Chapter 148: Three Years in Prison, Astronomical Compensation! (Subscribe Please)_2 (1/2)
Chapter 176: Chapter 148: Three Years in Prison, Astronomical Compensation! (Subscribe Please)_2
Hu Shu laughed heartily, following Lin Chuan’s lead, “Indeed, from the decoration and style, we can rule out the early period.”
Lin Chuan took another look at the jade vase.
The light from the glass cabinet shone upon the Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase, revealing a gentle and pure luster without any flaws. However, it differed in subtle ways from the patina and play of light and shadow Lin Chuan expected to see on an object several hundred years old.
It really was a fake!
Lin Chuan cursed inwardly.
Whether it was fake before it was repatriated or became a fake afterward was unknown.
If it was the latter, the gall of those who dared to replace such a national treasure!
“Mr. Lin?”
Seeing Lin Chuan absorbed in thought, Hu Shu called out to him.
Lin Chuan snapped back to reality and smiled, “Judging from the patina of the thin-walled jade vase, it should be a work from the mid-Qing period.”
Hu Shu’s eyes lit up immediately, and he took another look at the ‘thin-walled jade vase’ in the glass cabinet, showing a very satisfied smile, “Thank you, Mr. Lin, for clearing up my confusion. I have urgent matters to attend to now, so I’ll take my leave. Should you encounter any difficulty, or should you need anything, feel free to visit me at the ‘Ancient Moon’ gallery anytime. I’ll be waiting for your esteemed visit.”
“Thank you.”
Lin Chuan nodded and responded with a polite smile.
He was not familiar with Hu Shu, and therefore, did not reveal that the thin-walled jade vase was a fake.
Blurting out such a thing would immediately make it to the top of the trending searches.
The implications would be far-reaching.
Suddenly!
The lights in the venue went out abruptly, causing an instant stir among the visitors.
“Ah—”
But before the crowd had a chance to react, several screams caught the attention of the nearby security staff.
At that moment, beside Lin Chuan, Youyou, for some unknown reason, suddenly lost her balance. Her upper body lurched forward precariously as she fell.
“Lin Chuan!”
In her moment of panic, she instinctively cried out for Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan’s heart tightened. He spun around and quickly took two steps to brace Youyou.
He was fast!
But just as he was about to catch Youyou, preparing to stabilize himself with his waist, he slipped. With their bodies leaning too far forward, already in a state of weightlessness—
Bang!
The two of them fell heavily to the ground.
At the same time, a pillar-style glass cabinet toppled over.
Inside was that piece of cultural artifact—the Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase.
The next second, the lights in the venue flickered back on.
From the time the lights went out to when they came back on, it only took three or four seconds, not enough for many to understand what had happened.
At this time, the nearby security staff split into two groups.
One protected the cultural artifacts, while the other encircled Lin Chuan and Youyou.
Not just around Lin Chuan, but accidents also occurred in the areas of several other artifacts, with many people similarly surrounded.
At this moment.
Youyou, looking at the pillar-style glass cabinet and cultural artifact that had fallen to the floor, turned deathly pale, her lips trembling slightly and her voice shaking, “Lin Chuan, I’ve caused a great disaster.”
Lin Chuan gently patted Youyou’s back to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I can handle it.”
At the same time, he looked around at the security staff and glanced at the fake thin-walled jade vase, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
The delicate vase, thin as cicada wings, had its body cracked open by the impact, and the lid scattered apart.
“How did you fall just now?” Lin Chuan asked, having quickly regained his composure.
With her lips pursed and eyes slightly red, Youyou responded, “I think I tripped over something and that’s why I fell. Did you get hurt?”
When they fell, Lin Chuan had rolled over to cushion the ground, and Youyou had landed entirely on top of him, so she was also worried that Lin Chuan might have been injured because of her.
“I’m fine.”
Lin Chuan straightened his shirt and gave Youyou a reassuring look.