Everyone was stunned.
Elder Wang’s words confirmed one undeniable fact: the painting Lin Hai had brought out was indeed a genuine Tang Bohu masterpiece.
“Since Elder Wang is interested, I’ll offer it at a friendly price—10 million. Consider it a token of gratitude for your help in authenticating it,” Lin Hai said.
“What?! Lin Hai, have you lost your mind? You’re asking for 10 million for this piece of junk? Are you out of your mind?” Wang Ting exclaimed, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
“Shut up!” Zhao Lei glared at her. Damn it, how had he never noticed how ignorant this woman was? She was utterly embarrassing.
“Am I wrong? This is just a piece of junk…” Wang Ting tried to argue, but when she saw the looks of disdain from the crowd, she quickly lost her nerve.
“Ah,” Elder Wang sighed. “Young man, the size of this painting is similar to Tang Bohu’s Jiangting Tan Gu Tu, but this Night with a Hundred Beauties has never been seen before, and its technique is far more complex. Its value should be at least double that of Jiangting Tan Gu Tu. The latter sold for 11.5 million, yet you’re only asking for 10 million for this one. That’s an enormous favor you’re doing me.”
Wait, what? Lin Hai’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Damn it, I’ve been scammed!
Lin Hai had done his research online. He knew that Night with a Hundred Beauties was similar in size to Jiangting Tan Gu Tu, so he assumed their prices would be comparable. But who would’ve thought the difference would be more than double? This was a disaster.
Lin Hai was filled with regret, but what was said couldn’t be taken back. He had no choice but to swallow his pride.
“Elder Wang, you flatter me. A mere 10 million to earn your goodwill—it seems I’m the one benefiting,” Lin Hai said, flattering the old man.
“Haha, you’re quite an interesting young man,” Elder Wang replied, clearly pleased.
“By the way, give me your bank account number.”
Lin Hai quickly provided his account details.
Elder Wang made a call, and soon after, Lin Hai received a text message confirming a deposit of 10 million.
“Holy crap, I’m rich!” Lin Hai was ecstatic.
“Hmph! Damn it, he’s just lucky,” Hu Wei muttered, turning to leave.
“Wait a minute!” Lin Hai stopped him, a teasing smile on his face. “What’s the matter, Young Master Hu? Can’t handle losing and running away again?”
“Who’s running away? I can handle losing.”
“Oh, in that case, it’s time to pay up,” Lin Hai said, starting to browse through Wangu Antiques.
Hu Wei grew increasingly nervous as Lin Hai walked around. Damn it, please don’t pick anything too expensive.
“This one!” When Lin Hai pulled out an ancient painting from an inconspicuous corner, Hu Wei breathed a sigh of relief.
Country bumpkins will always be country bumpkins. He doesn’t even know how to pick something valuable.
From the painting’s placement, Hu Wei estimated it couldn’t be worth much.
“Young friend, your taste seems quite unique,” Elder Wang remarked, puzzled by Lin Hai’s choice.
“Boss Du, how much for this painting?” Hu Wei asked quickly, afraid Lin Hai might change his mind.
“It’s an ancient painting from the early Qing dynasty. The artist is unknown, and the technique is rather crude. How about 100,000, Young Master Hu?” Boss Du said, looking down on Lin Hai for choosing such a piece.
“Deal, 100,000 it is!” Hu Wei paid immediately, as if he had just scored a great bargain.
“Young Master Hu, thanks,” Lin Hai said, taking the painting and giving Hu Wei a taunting look.
“Now, there’s still one more bet to settle.”
Hu Wei, Zhao Lei, and Wang Ting’s faces instantly turned pale.
“Lin Hai, don’t push it!” Wang Ting screeched.
“Push it? How so? A bet’s a bet,” Lin Hai shrugged.
“You…” Hu Wei glared at Lin Hai.
“What’s the matter, Young Master Hu? Are you going to back out like last time?”
“Damn it, I’ll back out if I want to. What are you going to do about it?”
Having already lost face, Hu Wei decided to go all-in on his shamelessness.
“Young Master Hu, that’s not very honorable,” Ye Ziyu suddenly interjected.
“Young Master Ye, I…” Hu Wei’s face turned even uglier than before.
Ye Ziyu didn’t even look at him, standing there calmly as if he hadn’t said anything. But those who knew Ye Ziyu understood that his words were a command, not to be disobeyed.
And Hu Wei happened to be one of those who knew Ye Ziyu.
So, Hu Wei was on the verge of tears.
“Damn it, a real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. Lin Hai, I’ll make you pay back with interest one day!”
“Fine, I’ll honor the bet!” Hu Wei gritted his teeth.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!” He barked fiercely at Lin Hai three times.
“Whoa, it’s a mad dog!” Lin Hai jumped back, patting his chest and pretending to be scared, which drew laughter from the crowd.
Hu Wei’s face turned green with anger. With no one else to vent on, he turned to Zhao Lei and Wang Ting.
“What the hell are you standing around for? I’ve already barked like a dog. Hurry up and do it!”
Zhao Lei and Wang Ting glared at Lin Hai reluctantly.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
“Ha ha, not bad. You’ve improved since last time. Keep it up,” Lin Hai said, giving Zhao Lei and Wang Ting a thumbs-up.
“Next time? Next time my ass!” Zhao Lei and Wang Ting swore they would never get involved in Hu Wei and Lin Hai’s bets again.
The three of them slunk away in disgrace.
Elder Wang exchanged contact information with Lin Hai, chatted for a while, and then left Wangu Antiques with Ye Ziyu.
“Let’s go too,” Lin Hai said, walking out of the antique street with Liu Xinyue.
“Lin Hai, was that painting you sold really a genuine Tang Bohu?” Liu Xinyue still couldn’t believe it.
“Of course it was. Otherwise, who would pay 10 million for it?”
“Where did you get it from?”
“It’s a family heirloom,” Lin Hai lied.
Mentioning family heirlooms reminded Lin Hai that he was now wealthy. It was time to let his parents live a better life.
Back at school, Lin Hai practiced vocal exercises with Liu Xinyue for a while before returning to his dorm.
“Hmm, a message?” Lin Hai’s phone buzzed as soon as he opened WeChat.
Jade Rabbit: Great Immortal, are you there?
Lin Hai: I’m here.
Jade Rabbit: I asked Golden Flower Medicine Boy about your situation. He said the Soul-Returning Pill can cure it.
Lin Hai: I have the Soul-Returning Pill, but the person I need to treat is a mortal. They can’t take the pill.
Jade Rabbit: Huh? A mortal? But immortals and mortals have been separated for ages.
Lin Hai’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered that in the group chat, the Seventh Fairy had mentioned that immortals and mortals had been separated for three thousand years.
But how was it that he could be in the same group chat as these immortals?
Lin Hai was puzzled, and a strange premonition crept over him. This matter seemed far more complicated than he had thought.
Lin Hai: Don’t ask questions you’re not supposed to know.
Jade Rabbit: Ah, understood.
Wait!
Lin Hai suddenly remembered that the Foundation Establishment Pill he had taken was supposedly crafted by that Golden Flower Medicine Boy. Did that mean Golden Flower Medicine Boy could create pills that mortals could consume?
The thought energized him.
Lin Hai: Ask Golden Flower Medicine Boy if he can make a Soul-Returning Pill that mortals can take.
Jade Rabbit: Alright.
A moment later.
Jade Rabbit: Great Immortal, Golden Flower Medicine Boy asked for your WeChat ID. He wants to add you as a friend.
Ding!
As soon as Jade Rabbit finished speaking, a friend request from Golden Flower Medicine Boy popped up.
Accept!
Golden Flower Medicine Boy: Hello, Great Immortal. You need a Soul-Returning Pill for mortals?
Lin Hai: Yes, can you make it?
Golden Flower Medicine Boy: I can.
Lin Hai was thrilled.
Golden Flower Medicine Boy: But there’s a condition!
Lin Hai took a deep breath.
Lin Hai: Go on!