"I don't want anything else, just this calligraphy will do." Lin Yu smiled as he walked over and picked up a yellowed, aged calligraphy piece.

  "Alright, no problem! With this piece included, the deal is settled—no take-backs!" The shop owner said eagerly. With so many witnesses, once Lin Yu agreed, there’d be no way for him to back out.

  "Deal!" Lin Yu replied cheerfully.

  "Nonsense! You useless fool, this piece of junk isn’t even worth ten thousand!" Jiang Jingren exploded in rage, grabbing a teacup and hurling it at Lin Yu.

  Lin Yu sidestepped, and the cup shattered on the ground.

  "Sort out your family matters yourselves! Don’t worry about the cup—just get out!" The shop owner hastily packed the fake painting and the calligraphy, along with the receipt, and shoved them into Lin Yu’s hands.

  "He Jiarong, you’ve gone too far! Who gave you the right to decide for my dad?" Jiang Yan was furious. This good-for-nothing still couldn’t shake off his arrogant attitude. There might have been a chance to recover the money, but now, thanks to him, it was hopeless.

  Jiang Yan wasn’t upset about the money—she was worried her father might collapse from anger.

  "Young man, might I take a look at that calligraphy?"

  At that moment, a sharp-eyed middle-aged man stepped out from the crowd, eyeing the piece in Lin Yu’s hands with curiosity.

  "P-Professor Tang?" Jiang Jingren, who had been on the verge of passing out from rage, suddenly perked up, his eyes lighting up as if he’d just spotted his idol.

  The man, Tang Zongyun, was a well-known figure in Qinghai’s antique circles. By profession, he was an archaeology professor at Qinghai University, but his passion was collecting antiques. He had been invited multiple times as an appraiser on Qinghai TV’s treasure appraisal shows. Rumor had it he owned at least twenty pieces worth over a million each.

  Jiang Jingren had long admired him and had always wanted an introduction, but someone of his level in the antique world was far beneath Tang’s notice.

  In fact, the crowd had already stirred when Tang arrived earlier, but Jiang Jingren had been too busy arguing to notice.

  "Hello." Tang Zongyun nodded politely at Jiang Jingren. "May I see that piece?"

  "Of course, of course!" Jiang Jingren nodded eagerly. Seeing Lin Yu frozen, he kicked him lightly. "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and give it to Professor Tang!"

  Lin Yu handed over the calligraphy.

  "Ah, it *is* Wang Xizhi’s *Ming Qie Tie*," Tang Zongyun murmured after examining it closely.

  "Right, but it’s just a crude imitation, hardly worth anything," the shop owner chimed in smugly. Now that the deal was done, he had nothing to fear.

  "Indeed, the imitation is rough. But even so, crude copies of *Ming Qie Tie* are rare. It’s still worth around ten thousand. Young man, would you be willing to part with it?" Tang Zongyun asked with a smile.

  "This piece of junk is worth ten grand?" The shop owner’s eyelids twitched, his heart aching. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have thrown it in for free.

  "Young man, if you’re willing, I’ll offer thirty thousand. Consider it compensation for your loss," Tang said.

  He’d seen the fake painting Jiang Jingren bought. Even with this calligraphy, the loss was substantial. He figured he might as well do them a favor and help soften the blow.

  "Sorry, I don’t want to sell," Lin Yu declined politely.

  "Then how about fifty thousand? Young man, this price far exceeds its market value. No appraisal institution would value it over ten thousand. I’m only offering this much because I have a deep personal fondness for Wang Xizhi’s work," Tang said earnestly.

  "Professor Tang is an expert, kid. You’d better take the deal."

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Yeah, if he says it’s worth ten grand, that’s all you’ll get anywhere."

  "Sell it now. After losing so much, consider it damage control."

  "Fifty thousand is already generous—even with the painting, it’s not worth that much."

  The onlookers urged Lin Yu to seize the opportunity. In the antique world, everyone made mistakes—the key was knowing how to cut losses.

  "Professor Tang, I’m sorry, but I really can’t sell this," Lin Yu said apologetically.

  "*You* can’t sell it? Who paid for it? You don’t get to decide!" Jiang Jingren snapped, kicking Lin Yu again.

  He turned to Tang Zongyun with an ingratiating smile. "Professor Tang, if you like it, please take it as a gift. Let’s consider it a token of friendship."

  Jiang Jingren’s earlier fury had vanished, replaced by a hint of glee. Even if he’d lost five hundred thousand, befriending a celebrity like Tang Zongyun was worth it.

  "I couldn’t possibly. Since you paid a hefty sum, friendship is one thing, but payment is another," Tang insisted.

  "No, this piece *can’t* be sold!" Lin Yu snatched the calligraphy back, his tone firm.

  "You—you insolent—!" Jiang Jingren pointed at Lin Yu, trembling with rage.

  "He Jiarong, what are you doing?!" Jiang Yan glared at him. Her father had finally calmed down—why did he have to be so difficult? It was just a lousy piece of calligraphy. What did it matter if he gave it away?

  "No worries, Professor Tang. If he won’t sell, I will." The shop owner rushed over, eager to please. "I’ve got two more Wang Xizhi imitations, far better than that one. Care to take a look?"

  Hearing Tang offer fifty thousand had made his heart bleed, but since the piece was already Lin Yu’s, there was nothing he could do.

  "Oh? Do you have another *Ming Qie Tie*?" Tang asked curiously.

  "No *Ming Qie Tie*, but I’ve got *Lin Chuan Tie*, and it’s an excellent imitation," the shop owner said excitedly, already counting his future profits. If a crude *Ming Qie Tie* imitation could fetch fifty thousand, a well-known *Lin Chuan Tie* imitation might go for ten times that.

  "Ah, no need. I already have a *Lin Chuan Tie* imitation at home," Tang said regretfully.

  The shop owner’s excitement deflated like a punctured balloon.

  "Young man, let me ask one last time—are you *sure* you won’t sell?" Tang pressed, unwilling to give up.

  "I’m truly sorry, but no," Lin Yu said.

  Tang sighed and turned to leave.

  "You useless waste! When did *my* money become yours to decide over?!" Jiang Jingren panicked as Tang walked away and lunged for the calligraphy in Lin Yu’s hands.

  Lin Yu nimbly dodged. Seeing how desperate his father-in-law was to curry favor with Tang, he called out, "Professor Tang, wait! While I can’t sell this to you, I *can* let you—and everyone here—see something extraordinary."

  "What arrogance!"

  The crowd bristled at Lin Yu’s words. It was just a shabby imitation—what could possibly be "extraordinary" about it? Even if they hadn’t seen much, Professor Tang had appraised thousands of treasures. What could *he* possibly be shown?

  But Lin Yu wasn’t being arrogant. What he was about to reveal might be something none of them would ever see again in their lifetimes.

  When he first entered the shop, he’d been drawn to the vibrant emerald glow emanating from this piece. He knew it had to be a priceless treasure—which was why he’d tricked the shop owner into giving it to him.

  "Oh? Do explain," Tang said, pausing at the door. Even he was slightly irked by Lin Yu’s audacity.

  "The reason I won’t sell it is because this piece holds a hidden secret—its true value is beyond imagination," Lin Yu said.

  "What do you mean? It’s just an ordinary imitation. What ‘hidden secret’ could it possibly have?" Tang’s tone was restrained, but his skepticism was clear. He thought the younger generation these days loved showboating.

  The crowd murmured in agreement. Just because he’d lucked into an old piece didn’t mean it was a treasure.

  "Nonsense! That piece sat in my shop for a year. If it were special, *I* would’ve noticed!" the shop owner scoffed.

  "You don’t believe me?" Lin Yu arched an eyebrow.

  "Of course not! You’re just a rookie in the antique world—don’t act like you’re better than us veterans," the shop owner sneered, rallying the crowd to his side.

  "Exactly, young man. If all of us agree it’s just an imitation, are you saying we *all* missed something?"

  "Even if *we* missed it, how could an expert like Professor Tang be wrong?"

  "What’s with young people these days? Always putting on airs!"

  "Overestimating yourself. Pathetic!"

  Spurred on by the shop owner, the crowd grew increasingly hostile.

  "Since you don’t believe me, how about a wager?" Lin Yu challenged.

  "Bring it on! What are the terms?" The shop owner was defiant.

  "Simple. If this piece *does* hold a hidden treasure, you refund my father’s five hundred thousand. If I’m wrong, I’ll pay *you* five hundred thousand. Deal?"

  "Deal! You said it yourself—everyone here is my witness!" The shop owner grinned, already counting Lin Yu’s money. To him, the guy was a complete idiot.

  "He Jiarong!"

  Jiang Yan stamped her foot in frustration, but Lin Yu pretended not to hear.

  "Let him make a fool of himself. I won’t pay a cent for this. Yan’er, forget work tomorrow—go file for divorce. This idiot has clearly lost his mind," Jiang Jingren muttered, too exhausted to stay angry.

  "Could I have a glass of water?" Lin Yu laid the calligraphy flat on the table.

  Once the water arrived, Lin Yu took a sip, then sprayed it evenly across the surface. After repeating this a few times, the paper was thoroughly damp.

  Then, using tweezers, he gently lifted a corner of the top layer. To everyone’s shock, the surface peeled away, revealing another layer of calligraphy beneath—one far more refined and powerful, unmistakably the work of a master.

  Gasps erupted from the crowd. None of them had ever seen anything like it—a piece of calligraphy hiding *another* piece inside.

  "*Ming Qie Tie*?! Wang Xizhi’s—Wang Xizhi’s *authentic* work?! Impossible! How could this be?!"

  Tang Zongyun’s face paled. He rushed forward, examining it closely, his hands trembling so violently he didn’t dare touch it. Unbeknownst to him, tears had welled up in his eyes.