**"Is this real?!"**

  **"It can't be!"**

  **"Professor Tang's expertise couldn't be wrong!"**

  **"If it's genuine, then it's a miracle!"**

  The crowd of antique enthusiasts erupted in excitement, swarming forward to catch a glimpse of this priceless treasure.

  Lin Yu didn’t stop them. He simply positioned himself where he could protect the calligraphy if needed.

  The newly revealed scroll, though yellowed and rough in texture, was remarkably well-preserved. The strokes were elegant yet powerful, fluid yet restrained—every line embodied the saying: *"Floating like drifting clouds, agile like startled dragons."*

  Jiang Jingren’s eyes widened as he leaned in, his voice hoarse with disbelief. *"Am I... dreaming?"*

  Even Jiang Yan, who knew little about calligraphy, found herself mesmerized by the artistry of the script.

  *"I could die without regrets now... without regrets!"* Tang Zongyun’s eyes welled with tears, his genuine emotion moving everyone present.

  For any calligraphy lover, witnessing a genuine Wang Xizhi masterpiece in person was the ultimate dream. Even if this turned out to be a replica, its craftsmanship was flawless enough to pass as the real thing.

  Since authentic Wang Xizhi works were considered lost to history, if this scroll was verified as genuine, it would be a discovery of earth-shattering significance—and everyone here would be part of that historic moment.

  Lin Yu had promised to *"open their eyes,"* but this was beyond anything they could have imagined.

  Amid the fervor, only one person stood frozen, his face ashen—the shop owner who had just bet against Lin Yu. He looked like he’d swallowed a fly.

  At this moment, he wanted to die. Compared to this treasure, the 500,000 yuan wager was nothing. Just a few years prior, a Tang Dynasty replica of Wang Xizhi’s work had sold for hundreds of millions. If this was the real deal, its value was unimaginable.

  His eyes burned with fury and envy as he glared at Lin Yu. If not for this man, the scroll would still be his.

  With so many witnesses, there was no way to take it back now.

  *"Shopkeeper, the bet is settled. Will you refund the 500,000 yuan?"* Lin Yu smiled.

  The shop owner’s face flushed crimson. Lin Yu was cornering him. Returning the money meant handing over this priceless treasure for free.

  *"Forget it, Jiarong. Let’s not push it. Consider the 500,000 a red envelope for the shopkeeper."* Jiang Jingren, now snapping out of his daze, hastily intervened.

  He had just acquired an invaluable artifact—why risk it? He carefully tucked the scroll into his coat and motioned for Lin Yu and Jiang Yan to leave.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  *"Old brother, I have a favor to ask."* Tang Zongyun hurriedly stopped him.

  *"Go ahead."* Jiang Jingren instinctively tightened his grip on the scroll.

  *"This piece is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. If you’d allow me and a few fellow collectors to visit and admire it further, I’d be eternally grateful."*

  Tang Zongyun bowed slightly, his tone earnest.

  *"Of course! Of course!"* Flattered by the request, Jiang Jingren nodded eagerly.

  *"Thank you. I’ll bring some friends to visit soon."* Tang Zongyun beamed.

  As they left the shop, the crowd lingered, begging for Jiang Jingren’s contact information. For the first time in his life, he felt like a celebrity.

  Only the shop owner watched them go, his gaze icy. Once the crowd dispersed, he pulled out his phone.

  *"Third Brother, I need a favor. If this succeeds, we’ll never want for riches again."*

  *"What’s the plan?"* A low, eager voice replied.

  After listening, the voice darkened. *"Understood. No survivors if necessary."*

  ---

  Jiang Yan kept stealing glances at Lin Yu as she drove, hesitating to speak.

  *"Just ask,"* Lin Yu said lazily, reclining in his seat.

  *"How did you know about the hidden layer?"*

  *"A guess."* He grinned.

  *"Fine. Keep your secrets."* She rolled her eyes.

  *"What if I said I recognized its true value with my expertise? Would you believe me?"* He leaned closer, his breath warm against her cheek.

  To her surprise, Jiang Yan felt her face heat up.

  *Was she... blushing?*

  How could she blush in front of this good-for-nothing?

  Yet somehow, without realizing it, her disdain for him had faded.

  *"No,"* she snapped, masking her fluster.

  Lin Yu chuckled and turned to the window. *"I just noticed the scroll seemed unusually thick. Took a chance, and it paid off."*

  Suddenly, Jiang Yan slammed the brakes.

  *"Ah—!"* Jiang Jingren, still cradling the scroll in the backseat, lurched forward, banging his head.

  *"Yan’er, what was that?!"*

  *"That car cut us off!"* she gasped.

  Lin Yu’s expression darkened as a black SUV blocked their path. *"Reverse. Now."*

  Before she could react, he shifted gears. *"Go!"*

  Jiang Yan hit the gas, but a van suddenly swerved behind them, sealing their escape.

  They were trapped.

  Eight men spilled out, armed with metal pipes and machetes. A scar-faced leader smashed their hood with a pipe and barked, *"Get out!"*

  Jiang Yan and her father paled. As a civil servant and a sheltered doctor, neither had faced such brutality.

  *"Don’t panic. I’ll handle this."* Lin Yu remained calm. *"Dad, give me the scroll. They’re here for it."*

  *"No! I’d rather die than hand it over!"* Jiang Jingren clutched it like his life depended on it.

  *"Dad, just give it to them! We can call the police later!"* Jiang Yan pleaded.

  *"Trust me. I’ll protect it."* Lin Yu’s voice was firm.

  Reluctantly, Jiang Jingren surrendered the scroll.

  As Lin Yu stepped out, Jiang Yan and her father followed.

  The thugs’ eyes lit up at the sight of Jiang Yan. Scar Face licked his lips. *"Well, hello there."*

  She shrank behind Lin Yu. For the first time, he didn’t seem so useless.

  *"You want this?"* Lin Yu held up the scroll.

  Scar Face’s grin vanished. *"Hand it over, and you walk away."*

  *"Not so fast. I paid a fortune for this."*

  *"You bargaining with me?"* Scar Face sneered. *"I’ve killed before. Don’t test me."*

  *"Jiarong, just give it to him!"* Jiang Yan’s grip tightened.

  *"Fine. Take the scroll. But let my father and wife leave first."*

  *"What? You’re staying?"* Jiang Yan stared at him.

  *"I’ll negotiate. Maybe they’ll change their minds."* He smiled.

  Scar Face weighed his options. As much as he wanted the woman, the scroll was priority. *"Deal. But if you renege, you’re dead."*

  With a wave, his men cleared the SUV.

  *"Are you insane?!"* Jiang Yan grabbed Lin Yu’s wrist. *"Give it to them and come home with us!"*

  For a moment, Lin Yu found her concern almost endearing. Did she truly value his life over this treasure?

  Then it hit him.

  *Of course. She’s a doctor. Any life would matter to her.*

  The realization stung. Gently prying her hand free, he met her eyes. *"Trust me."*

  The words—and the certainty in his gaze—struck her. It was the same look he’d had when saving that little girl at the hospital.

  Yet somehow, it felt different.

  Like it belonged to someone else entirely.