At dawn, Jiang Lin received the first file sent by Zhao Hong.
It was a list of auction items.
Luca sat at the door, his jacket resting on his knees, a short blade at his side.
Jiang Lin clicked on the image.
It was a dim oil painting.
In the painting, a woman was sitting by the window.
She wore a grey dress, turned to the side with her head bowed, holding an unopened book in her hands.
That was it.
An oil painting sold as an Academic imitation.
Later, after joint authentication by experts, it was identified as a private study from the later years of the French Neoclassical master, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
It was privately collected for 14 million euros.
Pale gold text emerged.
【Hidden investment target locked】
【Lot number: 37】
【Name: "the lady in the grey dress by the window"】
【Catalog classification: 19th-century French Academic imitation】
【True identity: Private study from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's later years】
【Current market valuation: 8,000 — 12,000 EUR】
【Future true valuation: Over 10 million EUR】
【Investment rating: A】
【Risk warning: Gallery owners have noticed the abnormality of this lot, the bidding cap may increase】
Zhao Hong sent another message.
【Boss Jiang, this thing is really valuable.】
Jiang Lin replied.
【Keep investigating.】
【What else to investigate?】
【That gallery owner—name, background, whether he will be there tomorrow, and his budget. Get it to me before 2:00 AM.】
【This will cost money again.】
Jiang Lin transferred 5,000 EUR.
【On it.】
Luca sat at the door, watching Jiang Lin.
"Do you trust that man?"
"I trust money."
"He might sell the information to someone else."
"That's why I only gave him part of the answer."
At 1:30 AM, Isabella called.
It was very quiet on her end, like she was in a study.
"Not asleep yet?"
"No."
"Did you get the list?"
"I did."
"Did you find that painting?"
"Found it."
"I had Martin check tomorrow's auction; it's small-scale with no decent works. Are you sure you want to gamble with over 200,000 EUR?"
"I'm sure."
"That money came from my mother's brooch."
"I know."
"You only have one chance."
"Isabella, if this is done, your brooch will be redeemed within three days."
"And if it fails?"
"I'll pledge myself to Montlais Winery."
"I'll send Martin to Paris tomorrow."
"No need."
"You need someone who understands French high society."
"Drouot's small auction house doesn't count as high society."
"After you buy it, you need to turn it into something recognized by high society."
A painting's value relies on experts, restorers, provenance records, museum connections, and media confirmation.
He didn't have those connections, but Isabella did.
"What time does Martin arrive?"
"10:00 AM."
"Have him come directly to the hotel."
The call ended.
10:00 AM.
Martin appeared at the hotel on time.
He brought a dark suit, a dark blue tie, and a pair of simple cufflinks.
There was also a bidding paddle for Drouot.
Jiang Lin changed into the suit.
It was a perfect fit.
In the cheap hotel mirror, the young man in the old trench coat from last night had vanished.
In his place was a young, calm, sharp Asian buyer.
12:30 PM.
The three arrived at Drouot.
Martin took Jiang Lin into the preview room.
Lot 37 hung in the corner.
"the lady in the grey dress by the window".
French Academic, 19th century, artist unknown.
Valuation: 8,000 — 12,000 EUR.
A middle-aged man with round-rimmed glasses stood not far away, holding a catalog and talking in a low voice with an auction assistant.
There was a photo of him in the data Zhao Hong had sent at dawn.
Bernard Leclerc.
A gallery owner from the Left Bank in Paris.
He had a good eye, limited funds, and often bid on behalf of several old collectors.
His budget for this auction was probably around 80,000 EUR.
But Jiang Lin didn't fully trust that figure.
When a gallery owner truly sees an opportunity, the budget will change on the spot.
Bernard also saw Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin walked toward several landscape paintings nearby.
He pretended to flip through the catalog casually, occasionally asking Martin a few questions.
Martin cooperated well.
"This landscape painting is more suitable for the winery's reception room."
"That silverware could be placed in the dining room."
"Lot 37? The subject is too dark; the lady probably wouldn't like it."
1:40 PM, the auction hall opened for admission.
The venue was small.
Dozens of chairs, the auction podium in the front, and several phone bidders standing at the back.
Jiang Lin sat in the middle-back row.
Martin sat to his left.
Luca stood against the wall in the last row.
Bernard sat on the right side of the front row.
The auction began.
The pace of the earlier lots was very fast.
A 19th-century silver pot sold for 3,200 EUR.
A set of porcelain plates sold for 5,000 EUR.
Two landscape paintings were hammered down at 11,000 and 14,000 respectively.
Jiang Lin didn't raise his paddle once.
Bernard turned to look at him twice during the process.
Every time, Jiang Lin was looking at other lots.
Lot 36 was hammered down.
The auctioneer turned to the next page.
"Lot 37, 'the lady in the grey dress by the window', 19th-century French Academic, artist unknown, oil on canvas."
"Valuation: 8,000 to 12,000 EUR."
"Starting bid: 6,000 EUR."
The painting was pushed onto the display stand.
The light fell on the dim canvas.
The reaction in the room was very tepid.
The auctioneer scanned the room.
"6,000 EUR, any bids?"
A buyer in the back row raised their paddle.
"6,000."
"6,000 EUR, thank you. 7,000?"
Bernard raised his paddle.
"7,000."
Jiang Lin didn't move.
The buyer in the back followed up to 8,000.
Bernard raised his paddle.
"10,000."
The buyer in the back hesitated and gave up.
The auctioneer said:
"10,000 EUR, the gentleman in the front row bids 10,000 EUR. Any higher?"
Jiang Lin still didn't move.
Martin glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
Jiang Lin looked down at the catalog, as if he hadn't heard.
The auctioneer raised the hammer.
"10,000 EUR once."
"10,000 EUR twice."
Just before the third call, Jiang Lin raised his paddle.
"12,000."
Several gazes in the room looked over.
Bernard also turned back.
Jiang Lin lowered his paddle, his expression calm.
It was as if he had suddenly decided the painting wasn't expensive and it wouldn't be bad to buy it back to decorate a wall.
Bernard stared at him for a second, then raised his paddle.
"15,000."
Jiang Lin paused for a moment.
Then he raised his paddle.
"18,000."
The auctioneer perked up.
"18,000, the gentleman at 119 bids 18,000."
Bernard didn't raise his paddle immediately.
Jiang Lin asked Martin in a low voice.
"If this painting is hung in the study, will it be too dark?"
Martin played along.
"The lady might find it too gloomy."
Jiang Lin seemed to be hesitating.
Bernard heard this, a flicker of judgment flashed in his eyes, and he raised his paddle.
"20,000."
Jiang Lin followed.
"22,000."
Bernard: "25,000."
Jiang Lin: "28,000."
Bernard: "30,000."
People in the room started watching the spectacle.
An anonymous imitation with a valuation of 12,000 being bid up to 30,000 was already abnormal.
The smile on the auctioneer's face became increasingly obvious.
"30,000 EUR, the gentleman in the front row bids 30,000 EUR, any higher?"
Jiang Lin didn't raise his paddle immediately.
He leaned back in his chair, seemingly weighing the decision.
Martin said in a low voice.
"Mr. Jiang, it's still early."
Jiang Lin said softly.
"He is testing me."
Bernard realized something was wrong at this moment.
A young man with an old butler and a bodyguard, who hadn't bought anything previously, suddenly made a move on Lot 37.
This was definitely not a purchase for ordinary decoration.
"30,000 EUR once."
Jiang Lin raised his paddle.
"40,000."
A slight commotion broke out in the room.
Jumping directly by 10,000.
This wasn't the playstyle of someone buying paintings casually.
The auctioneer became even more spirited..
"Gentleman at 119, 40,000 EUR, any higher?"
Bernard raised his paddle.
"50,000."
Jiang Lin followed.
"60,000."
Bernard: "70,000."
Jiang Lin: "80,000."
The price exceeded the budget for Bernard that Zhao Hong had found.
Bernard's expression was already looking bad.
Martin said in a low voice.
"He's about at his limit."
Jiang Lin didn't answer.
The real bidding had only just begun.
Bernard took out his phone and spoke a few words in a low voice to the person on the other end.
Phone bidding.
There was someone behind him.
Jiang Lin's eyes darkened slightly.
Sure enough, Bernard raised his paddle again.
"100,000."
The room became completely lively.
The auctioneer raised his voice.
"100,000 EUR! The gentleman in the front row bids 100,000 EUR, any higher for Lot 37?"
100,000 EUR was already nearly ten times the valuation.
People started flipping through their catalogs, unable to see what the fuss was about.
Jiang Lin remained calm and raised his paddle.
"120,000."
Bernard followed immediately.
"140,000."
Jiang Lin: "160,000."
Bernard turned back.
He spoke a few words to the phone, and after getting a reply, he raised his paddle.
"180,000."
The auctioneer's voice carried excitement.
"180,000 EUR!"
"Lot 37, 180,000 EUR!"
"Gentleman at 119?"
All eyes in the room fell on Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin didn't raise his paddle immediately, he looked down at the catalog.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Bernard breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The auctioneer raised the hammer.
"180,000 EUR once."
Jiang Lin looked up.
"190,000."
Bernard's expression sank.
The auctioneer spoke immediately.
"190,000 euros! Mr. 119 bids 190,000 euros!"
Bernard gritted his teeth and raised his paddle.
"200,000."
The auctioneer looked at Jiang Lin.
"Mr. 119?"
Bernard stared at him, his fingers gripping the paddle tightly.
Jiang Lin suddenly turned his head and said something to Martin.
"Forget it, the Lady probably won't like this kind of painting."
Martin was stunned for a moment.
Bernard heard it too and let out a long sigh of relief.
The auctioneer raised the gavel.
"200,000 euros, once."
Jiang Lin didn't move.
"200,000 euros, twice."
The corners of Bernard's mouth just began to lift.
Jiang Lin raised his paddle.
"210,000."
Bernard's smile froze on his face.
The auctioneer shouted almost immediately:
"210,000 euros! Mr. 119 bids 210,000 euros!"
Bernard turned his head sharply.
Jiang Lin put down his paddle.
Bernard held his phone and whispered a string of French.
The other end of the line fell silent too.
The auctioneer looked at him.
"Sir in the front row, 220,000?"
Bernard's hand went halfway up, then stopped.
Finally, he put it down.
The auctioneer turned to the whole room.
"210,000 euros, once."
No one bid.
"210,000 euros, twice."
"210,000 euros, three times."
The gavel fell.
"Sold."
The gavel fell at 210,000 euros.
Including commission, it was about 250,000.
The gavel fell.
Pale golden text appeared.
【A-grade investment target successfully auctioned】
【Hammer price: 210,000 euros】
【Estimated expenditure including commission: approx. 252,000 euros】
【Current risk: tight funds】
【Potential return: extremely high】
【Unlocked follow-up task: complete preliminary appraisal】
【Task rewards: art circle entry ticket, hidden character clues, cash flow compensation reward】
The auction continued.
Bernard stood up and left the venue.
A few minutes later, he stopped Jiang Lin in the hallway.
"Sir."
Jiang Lin stopped his steps.
"Congratulations on buying a very interesting painting."
"Thank you."
"My name is Bernard, and I run a gallery. I am willing to pay 300,000 euros for the painting in your hand."
"300,000?"
"Including the commission, it's only about 250,000, so making a 50,000 euro profit on the resale is quite good."
Jiang Lin did not answer immediately.
Bernard continued.
"This painting is in poor condition, the restoration costs are high, and the appraisal is troublesome. 300,000 is a very decent price."
"Do you think I'm short of 50,000 euros?"
"Young man, the art market is complex. Some money is not easy to earn."
"So you want to earn it for me?"
"I'm just giving you a piece of advice."
"Then I'll give you a piece of advice too: next time you want to intercept someone else's item, prepare a sufficient budget."
Jiang Lin took Martin and Luca and left the hallway.
After signing the documents, Jiang Lin swiped away almost all of his funds.
Martin glanced at the receipt.
"The Lady will ask."
"Let her ask."
"How do you plan to answer?"
"Tell her the brooch has turned into a painting."
"This answer may not satisfy the Lady."
"That's why we are going to find someone who can satisfy her now."
"Who?"
"A restorer."
4:00 PM, an old studio in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.
The owner of the studio is named Auguste.
He is over seventy and has done oil painting restoration for several small museums.
He has a peculiar temper and charges very high fees.
He is semi-retired in his later years.
During the Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres original painting controversy, he was the first to discover the problem in the lower layer of the canvas.
The studio is on the third floor of an old building.
The stairs are narrow, and the air smells of turpentine and old wood.
When Auguste opened the door, his face was full of impatience.
"I said, I'm not taking any more today—"
Jiang Lin had already opened the painting box.
"the lady in the grey dress by the window" lay quietly inside.
Auguste's gaze fell on the painting.
His originally cloudy eyes lit up bit by bit.
He put on his glasses and leaned over.
He looked at it for ten minutes.
"Where did you get this?"
"Drouot, this afternoon."
"How much?"
"210,000 hammer price."
"Madman."
"I need a preliminary appraisal."
"Do you know what you bought?"
"I have a theory."
"What?"
"A private study from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's later years."
"There are traces of overpainting on the top and right, the hand lines are strong, the face was ruined by restoration, the frame is still there, and the back label has been torn."
He turned around and switched on the cold light.
"I'm going to do UV observation."
The light shone down.
Auguste's movements became slower and slower.
He cursed in a low voice.
"Those idiots."
Martin couldn't help asking.
"Mr. Auguste?"
"There is a trace of an old signature in the bottom right corner, covered by later varnish and restoration layers. This painting likely has a major issue."
Martin's voice clearly tightened.
"How much is it worth?"
Auguste glanced at him.
"If it's just a good student's work, 210,000 isn't too bad a loss."
He paused.
"If Mr. Jiang guessed right, 10 million euros is just the starting point."
Martin fell silent.
Auguste looked at Jiang Lin.
"How did you know?"
"Intuition."
"I've lived for over seventy years, and I hate it when people explain things with intuition."
"Then consider it my good luck."
"I'll write a preliminary report, but it will still need further provenance investigation. The expert committee's appraisal is very expensive."
"I will prepare it."
"One more thing."
Auguste tapped the back of the frame.
"The provenance might involve an old British noble collection. There is a crest on the remaining label on the back panel, which needs to be magnified for confirmation."
System text suddenly popped up in front of Jiang Lin.
【Hidden character clue unlocked】
【Incomplete old collection label points to: The Earl of Wendell family collection】
【Associated fate target: S-grade】
【Name: Victoria Wendell】
【Identity: British Countess】
【Current predicament: Family castle debt crisis, husband transferring trust assets, old collection artworks being lost at low prices】
【Suggested contact method: Cut in through the provenance investigation of "the lady in the grey dress by the window"】
At this moment, Isabella called again.
Martin glanced at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin answered.
"Are you done with the auction?"
"Yes, it's finished."
"How much did you spend?"
"210,000 hammer price."
"What about including the commission?"
"About 250,000."
Isabella finally spoke.
"Jiang Lin, you spent all the money from my brooch."
"Yes."
"You'd better give me some good enough news."
"Preliminary judgment: it might be a private study from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's later years."
"Are you sure?"
"Auguste is doing a preliminary observation."
"Auguste Lemaître?"
"Yes."
"What does he say?"
Jiang Lin handed the phone to the old man.
"Mrs. Montclair, you've found a madman, but this madman's eye is very sharp."
Another silence.
Auguste continued.
"I tell you on my personal reputation that this painting is worth continuing to burn money on."
The phone was handed back to Jiang Lin.
"Jiang Lin."
"Yes."
"Bring the painting back to Montlais Winery."
"Not for now, it has to stay for preliminary testing."
"Is it safe?"
"I will have Luca stay."
"Are you still coming back to Bordeaux?"
"I'll be back tonight."
"I'll wait for you in the study."
The call ended.
Auguste had already started preparing the testing tools.
Martin stood by, his expression complex.
"Mr. Jiang."
"Hmm?"
"Did the Lady bet right this time?"
"It's just the beginning."
6:00 PM.
Jiang Lin left the studio, and Luca stayed behind to guard the painting.
Martin accompanied Jiang Lin back to the parking spot, and the lights on the streets of Paris had already turned on.
Zhao Hong sent a message.
【Boss Jiang, Bernard is investigating you, and Pierre's people have also arrived in Paris. They seem to know you bought something today. Do you want me to keep an eye on them?】
【Keep an eye on him.】
【What about the price?】
【Get it done, 50,000.】
【Understood.】
Martin looked at him.
"Trouble is here?"
"It's only normal that it's here."
"The news about the painting cannot be leaked."
"Let them misunderstand."
"Misunderstand what?"
Jiang Lin got into the car, watching the lights of Paris rising outside the window.
"Misunderstand that I spent 250,000 to buy a broken painting."
"Will they believe it?"
"People are always willing to believe what they want to see."
Jiang Lin leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest.
Several system progress bars appeared before his eyes.
【Main task: Stop the bank from forced debt collection, progress 60%】
【Investment task: Auction the hidden painting, completed】
【Follow-up task: Complete preliminary appraisal, in progress】
【Hidden fate target: British Countess, clues unlocked】
Jiang Lin opened his eyes.
The lights of Paris reflected on the car window.
In his past life, he couldn't hold his head up in this city.
In this life, with the sound of the 210,000 euro hammer falling, he knocked open a door that belonged to him.