"The item is large and usually cannot be moved, so we can only ask Mr. Li to appraise it on-site," Bao Baoli said, shaking her head.
Lu Fang immediately said, "Mr. Li, please rest assured, you will absolutely not be asked to do anything other than appraise the item."
"Otherwise, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
"Mr. Lu, there's no need to say that. Since we are friends, we naturally trust you," Li Yang said with a smile. "Without further ado, if it's convenient, shall we go now?"
"It's very convenient for me," Bao Baoli nodded.
Outside, her personal driver arrived in a Porsche. "Chairwoman."
"Yes, Mr. Li, Mr. Lu, please get in," Bao Baoli nodded slightly and then said to the two of them.
They got into the car and sat in the back, while she sat in the front. She reached out and handed a set of photos to Li Yang, saying, "Mr. Li, this is the Ming Dynasty Nine Dragon Jade Bi that my family lost. My great-grandfather bought it at a great price, and it has been treasured by our Bao family ever since."
"But a few years ago, our house caught fire, and in the ensuing chaos, someone took advantage of the confusion to steal this Nine Dragon Jade Bi, along with some of our Bao family's treasures."
"And now it has appeared in the Qianqiu Private Museum."
"I understand what you mean, Miss Bao," Li Yang nodded and looked at the photos. "I will compare them carefully on-site to see if these two items are consistent."
"Thank you, Mr. Li," Bao Baoli expressed her gratitude. This was exactly what she wanted.
The reason she asked Li Yang to help was that she and Lu Fang had visited the museum the previous night. Lu Fang had noticed something different from the photos, but he wasn't sure if it had been deliberately altered by someone to deceive them.
The car immediately drove onto the street and soon arrived at the entrance of a private museum.
As they walked in, a middle-aged man approached with a group of people. He stared at Bao Baoli, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. With a stern face, he sneered, "Miss Bao, you are truly persistent. I've told you many times that the jade bi was not stolen from your family. You just don't understand, yet you still insist on coming here."
"Director Qi, I apologize, but if possible, I would still like to see the jade bi again," Bao Baoli said, looking at him.
Director Qi sneered coldly, "You've already seen it many times!"
"This is the last time. I hope you will agree," Bao Baoli said. "Otherwise, I will have to report it to the police."
"I don't think Director Qi would want to attract such trouble. Whether the jade bi is real or fake, it will bring you trouble."
"You!" Director Qi's face darkened slightly as he stared at her. "Very well, Miss Bao. You truly are one of the rare strong women in the world. To take over the family business at such a young age and make a name for yourself in the industry is indeed a testament to your capability and methods."
"Then what is your decision, Director Qi?" Bao Baoli asked.
"This is the only time, Miss Bao. If you cannot find any strong evidence to prove that this is the jade bi lost by your Bao family, then please do not come here again," Director Qi said coldly.
Bao Baoli nodded, "I will!"
As an insider in the industry, it was natural to adhere to certain professional courtesies. Resolving such matters within the industry would certainly earn more respect than involving the police.
If possible, Bao Baoli genuinely did not want to file a police report. Moreover, even if she did, it wasn't guaranteed that the lost item would be recovered.
In the end, she would still be mocked by her industry peers.
Director Qi gave a cold laugh. "In that case, you may come in. I must remind you that I have an appointment to go out in an hour, so you can only have forty minutes at most."
"If you cannot discern anything within forty minutes, please leave immediately."
"This," Bao Baoli's expression changed.
Li Yang said, "It's alright, Miss Bao. Forty minutes is more than enough to examine an item."
"Alright, Mr. Li," Bao Baoli looked at him, nodded slightly, and then walked forward.
After a short walk, Director Qi stopped in front of a massive jade bi, approximately four meters high and twelve meters long.
This jade bi was different from the usual ones that could be held in hand for play or displayed on a table for appreciation; it was simply too large.
It could almost be described as a giant jade screen.
Its actual function was indeed that of a screen.
"Hmph, look for yourself," Director Qi grunted and instructed someone to start the timer immediately.
Bao Baoli looked at the jade bi, her eyes filled with deep emotion. "Mr. Li, I'm counting on your help."
"Don't mention it, Miss Bao," Li Yang smiled and glanced at the jade bi. A flood of information immediately appeared before his eyes.
The material of this jade bi was extremely rare, top-grade Hetian jade, making its intrinsic value hundreds of millions. In ancient times, anyone who dared to use dragon motifs on their artifacts was undoubtedly a person of great importance.
The owner of this jade bi was either a member of the royal family or a powerful figure who could influence court affairs and the imperial family, thus daring to use dragon motifs.
Li Yang compared the jade bi on-site with the photos he held, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"Mr. Li, how does it look?" Bao Baoli asked.
Li Yang said, "Compared to the photos, each dragon has one or two more claws."
"Mr. Li has sharp eyes."
Lu Fang immediately said, "When I came here to look last night, I also noticed this."
"Besides that, there is another difference: the auspicious clouds on the jade bi are one more than in the photos."
"Ah?" Lu Fang was surprised. This was something he had not noticed.
Yet, he had spent over two hours here last night and was confident he hadn't missed any differences. How could there be an extra cloud? "Where is the extra cloud?"
"Here," Li Yang pointed to the very top of the upper left corner of the jade bi.
That area was somewhat dim under the light, and most people would indeed not be able to see a cloud.
Furthermore, that auspicious cloud was exceptionally small. Even if placed in the most conspicuous spot, it would not be easy to see clearly.
Lu Fang's eyes widened. After great effort, he finally spotted the cloud, and his expression immediately changed. "There really is an extra auspicious cloud."
"Does this mean this jade bi is not the one stolen from my family?" Bao Baoli's face turned somewhat pale, and she wore a bitter expression. With a sigh, she turned to leave.
Li Yang suddenly said, "No, on the contrary, this jade bi is one hundred percent yours."
"Ah? Mr. Li, what do you mean by that?" Bao Baoli turned to look at him in surprise.
With so many differences, how could it still be her family's item?
Li Yang uttered four words: "The composition is wrong!"