"Alright, shopkeeper Xiao has a point. Even a high-quality replica has collectible value. I'll take the vase and the painting for three hundred thousand."
Lin Feng sneered inwardly and took out his bank card, signaling for the payment.
Xiao Jibo was surprised that Lin Feng was so easy to talk to and eagerly told Xiao Lili to process the card.
Wang Bing watched, feeling a surge of indignation.
"Brother Lin, I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?"
"This painting plus this blue and white porcelain vase, the total shouldn't exceed one hundred and fifty thousand. He's clearly swindled you out of fifteen thousand. Believe me, please?"
Wang Bing pleaded with a hint of desperation, truly not wanting Lin Feng to fall prey to the Xiao father and daughter.
"Lin Feng, perhaps you should reconsider. I also feel it's a bit expensive."
Chen Xuerou had remained silent, but seeing Wang Bing's anxious expression, she also worried that Lin Feng was being deceived.
"I have my own plans. Have we finished the payment? Is it final sale?"
Lin Feng asked with a calm smile.
"Sir, it's a final sale. The money has been received. Here is your blue and white porcelain vase, and here is the painting I'm giving you. Please take them."
Xiao Jibo presented them with both hands.
"Not bad, this blue and white porcelain is really good!"
Lin Feng took the vase, felt its weight in his hand, and then smashed it onto the ground with a crack.
This scene startled Xiao Jibo and the others.
"Sir, what are you...?"
Xiao Jibo started to sweat, thinking Lin Feng was about to lose his temper.
"Don't be nervous. This vase is too poor quality, I don't like it. What I care about is this painting; it's an authentic masterpiece!"
Lin Feng caressed the scroll, completely enamored.
"Ah? This is a high-quality replica, not an authentic masterpiece!"
Xiao Jibo was bewildered, confused by Lin Feng's actions.
"Brother-in-law, I don't quite understand either. You smashed the porcelain vase, yet you say the painting is authentic?"
Shen Nan was also perplexed.
"Little Bing, open the painting and let them feast their eyes."
Lin Feng handed the scroll to Wang Bing.
Although Wang Bing didn't understand, he skillfully and carefully unrolled the painting onto the table.
"Shopkeeper Xiao, how about this, let's make a bet."
"If this painting is an authentic masterpiece by Tang Bohu, you forfeit this shop to me."
"If this painting is a fake, I'll give you five million."
Lin Feng proposed with a smile.
Xiao Jibo froze and chuckled dryly, "Sir, you jest too much. How could I dare to gamble with you? Even if you lost, I wouldn't dare accept your money."
"It's alright, let's just have some fun. I'm not short of money. I just feel this painting resembles an authentic masterpiece and I want to try my luck."
"Shen Nan, write Shopkeeper Xiao a five-million check. If I lose, the check is his, and you are not to bother him afterwards. We're just having a good time."
Lin Feng gestured.
"Very well, since sir has such refined taste, then I, Xiao, shall indulge you this once."
Xiao Jibo relaxed his vigilance, even thinking Lin Feng was a sucker.
This painting was clearly a fake, and betting on it was simply giving away money.
Wang Bing wanted to stop Lin Feng, but was interrupted.
"Come on, since it's a bet, we must sign and seal it. Winner takes all, so Shopkeeper Xiao doesn't have to feel uneasy even if he wins."
Lin Feng picked up the pen and paper and wrote an agreement.
Seeing this, Xiao Jibo was inwardly overjoyed.
"Sir is truly thoughtful. I, Xiao, am impressed. Even if I truly lose, I will accept my defeat willingly."
Xiao Jibo could barely contain his laughter.
Lin Feng was clearly foolish and rich!
Soon, the agreement was written.
Lin Feng asked, "Have you all heard of painting within a painting?"
"I know. Painting within a painting is when ancient people specifically added a protective layer to preserve the painting's quality. This protective layer also appears as a painting."
Wang Bing replied, then frowned, "Brother Lin, are you suggesting this painting is a painting within a painting?"
"Impossible. I've inspected it thoroughly. It's not a painting within a painting."
Xiao Jibo shook his head with certainty. Having dealt in antiques for half his life, how could he not know about paintings within paintings?
"Shopkeeper Xiao, you can't always walk by the river without getting your shoes wet!"
"Little Bing, use a knife to cut open this middle section."
Lin Feng pointed to the center of the scroll and roughly circled a section with his hand.
Wang Bing nodded and, following Lin Feng's instructions, carefully cut with a utility knife.
As the blade made the first cut, Wang Bing's body trembled, because there was indeed a hidden layer within the painting.
Xiao Jibo also noticed, his expression darkening, and he hurried over.
As the knife completely opened the middle section, the contents of the painting gradually surfaced.
"My heavens, this is truly a painting within a painting!"
"I, I actually misjudged it!"
Xiao Jibo slapped his forehead, letting out a cry and nearly collapsing on the spot.
Wang Bing was also shocked. He was shocked that this painting within a painting was actually a mother-child painting within a painting.
The so-called mother-child painting within a painting meant that the two paintings were of different sizes, and most people would find it difficult to detect the mystery through the edges of the scroll.
"Brother Lin, it seems this is truly an authentic masterpiece by Tang Bohu!"
Wang Bing's hands began to tremble. He carefully took out the smaller painting from the hidden layer, his heart about to leap out of his throat.
Xiao Lili, supporting Xiao Jibo, also came closer.
Xiao Jibo took out a magnifying glass, feeling as if he was about to have a heart attack.
"Shopkeeper Xiao, please examine it."
Lin Feng smiled serenely. He had already seen through the information of this painting; he was just waiting for Xiao Jibo to fall into his trap.
Xiao Jibo swallowed hard, picked up the magnifying glass, examined it closely, and then collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
Xiao Lili was terrified. Xiao Jibo's face was ashen, pale as a sheet of paper.
"Lili, this, this is an authentic masterpiece by Tang Bohu. Roughly estimated, its value is over a hundred million. I, I've lost immensely!"
Xiao Jibo stammered, even spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Quickly, put the painting away safely and don't let that old man dirty my painting!"
Lin Feng urged quickly.
Wang Bing was delighted and hurried to comply. Seeing the deathly pale expressions of Xiao Jibo and Xiao Lili, he felt an indescribable satisfaction.
Shen Nan and Chen Xuerou were immersed in shock. They were astonished by Lin Feng's eyesight and his strategy.
"Dad, what are we going to do? The painting is gone, and the shop is gone. How will we live from now on?"
Xiao Lili cried in distress. One moment she was a pampered young lady, and now she was a stray dog. Who could withstand such a drastic change?
"Little Bing, since you've worked in this shop for three years, I'll entrust this shop to you to manage for me."
Lin Feng said opportunely.
Wang Bing was moved to tears. He knelt before Lin Feng with a thud, "Brother Lin, thank you for valuing me so highly. Thank you for giving me a chance to start anew. I thank you!"
"Alright, don't lose your fighting spirit because of a vile woman. You'll live better without her!"
Lin Feng was speaking indirectly, but his target was clear.
He then handed the painting, worth over a hundred million, to the stunned Chen Xuerou.
"This painting will be a birthday gift for Uncle Chen."
Lin Feng's words not only surprised Chen Xuerou, but also left Xiao Jibo and Xiao Lili dumbfounded.
A painting worth over a hundred million was simply given away. Just who had they offended?