Upon hearing this, Qin Yan stood up and walked over.
Qin Qiqi had spoken ill of her uncle many times. As he approached, she felt an overwhelming pressure and guiltily hid behind Mu Ci, trying her best to minimize her presence.
Meng Qingyan’s eyes flickered slightly as she looked at the man, her gaze carrying an indescribable tenderness.
She repeated what Mu Ci had just said and deliberately asked, “Ah Yan, what do you think this painting is worth?”
Qin Yan had no knowledge of traditional Chinese painting, but two hundred thousand…
That was less than the price of a single outfit, which was indeed too low.
He turned his gaze to the person beside him. “Do you think this painting can be bought for two hundred thousand?”
Mu Ci nodded. “Yes.”
Qin Yan’s thin lips curled into a doting smile. “I also think it’s worth two hundred thousand.”
“…”
Meng Qingyan sneered.
One after another, they were taking her side, blindly supporting her, weren’t they?
Fine, let them support her. The higher they lift her, the harder she’ll fall.
She took out her phone. “Since everyone has their own opinions, let’s check how much Teacher Wu Guannan’s paintings are worth.”
While Meng Qingyan lowered her head to search for the price, Mu Ci spoke up at the right moment:
“Of course, Teacher Wu Guannan’s authentic works are worth more than this, but this one is a counterfeit.”
After she spoke, the surroundings fell into silence for a while.
Only the chirping of cicadas in the grass continued incessantly.
Old Master Qin widened his eyes in disbelief, pausing for a moment before saying:
“Girl, you can’t just talk nonsense like this. The skill to distinguish authenticity isn’t something just anyone possesses.”
The old master was right.
If Mu Ci were asked to identify paintings by other famous artists, she might not have full confidence.
But if she couldn’t recognize her own teacher’s work, wouldn’t the old man chase her down and beat her?
Mu Ci smiled gently. “I’m very certain that this painting is a counterfeit.”
Meng Qingyan couldn’t bear this humiliation. She suspected that Mu Ci was deliberately opposing her, and her expression turned cold.
“Miss Mu, no one will laugh at you for not understanding, but talking nonsense is just pointless.”
Mu Ci also knew that mere words wouldn’t convince anyone. She was about to turn around to get her phone and call the old man on video—wouldn’t that settle it once he confirmed it himself?
But then she thought it might not be appropriate.
She didn’t need to prove anything, nor was it necessary to bring this relationship into the open.
She turned and asked the servant beside her, “Could you bring me a magnifying glass?”
Meng Qingyan wanted to laugh.
Instead of admitting it, she was putting on a show of identifying the painting.
Did she even know how?
A moment later, the magnifying glass was brought over.
Mu Ci lowered her head to examine the painting and said softly, “Teacher Wu Guannan’s technique may seem casual, but from point to line, it’s free and forms its own unique style. This painting, while perfectly replicating the lines, resembles the form but not the spirit. It’s superficial, lacking the soul and divine touch of the brushstrokes, appearing hollow and devoid of vitality.”
Meng Qingyan’s heart skipped a beat at these words.
Could she actually know what she was talking about?
Mu Ci held the magnifying glass over a corner of a lotus leaf. “Also, in the details, the edges of the lotus in the authentic work have subtle ink smudges, a result of Teacher Wu’s heavy brushstrokes. The copyist was careful but light-handed, naturally overlooking this detail.”
Old Master Qin leaned in to look. Mu Ci moved the magnifying glass to the seal and stepped aside slightly so the old master could see more clearly.
“The seal is also wrong. Teacher Wu’s seal was custom-made for him by Teacher Liu Cheng fifteen years ago. It’s been used for many years, showing signs of age and wear, and couldn’t possibly be this clean and sharp.”
After her words, the surroundings fell into an eerie silence once again.
Qin Yuanhe took the magnifying glass and pressed it almost against the painting.
The more I examined it closely, the more I felt the little girl was right!
Many minor details, when scrutinized, revealed something off.
Holy crap!!
Qin Qiqi felt like applauding in admiration.
Although she hadn’t understood a word, she just thought Little Ci was amazing!
Meng Qingyan’s expression turned ugly, and as Old Master Qin put down the magnifying glass and cast a hesitant glance her way, her face grew even darker.
Her hands at her sides unconsciously clenched, nails digging deep into her palms.
Impossible. How could the masterpiece she had painstakingly purchased be a fake?
Mu Ci was only in her twenties—how could she possibly authenticate a master’s painting?
She looked at Mu Ci with an indignant air. “A painting isn’t fake just because you say it is. Authentication isn’t something you can bluff your way through with a few jargon terms.”
Mu Ci smiled faintly. “If you think what I said is false, you can seek a professional appraisal to determine its authenticity.”
“How about Teacher Deng Dingwu? He’s a top-tier appraisal expert in the country. I can ask a friend; I should be able to help you get in touch with him.”
She was familiar with Old Man Deng too.
“…”
Without absolute confidence, she would never have spoken so boldly.
Old Master Qin furrowed his brows and offered a way out. “Yanyan, you must have spent a lot on this painting, right? Hurry and find someone to appraise it, then take the appraisal report to the seller. Don’t let those counterfeiters get away with it!”
He waved his hand. “Consider the birthday meal as already shared with me. Go on, hurry and get your money back!”
“…”
For collectors like Old Master Qin, counterfeits were the most detestable. Without certainty of its authenticity, Meng Qingyan didn’t dare gift it either.
She gritted her teeth, swallowing her anger as she stepped forward, silently rolled up the painting, and bowed her head slightly to Old Master Qin.
“Uncle, I’ll take my leave now.”
Qin Yan watched everything unfold, feeling deeply impressed.
He hadn’t expected his little girl to be so remarkable.
He curled his lips and raised his hand to ruffle her hair, but she tilted her head to avoid it.
Qin Yan’s hand hung awkwardly in the air, a flicker of confusion passing through his eyes.
Just a moment ago, everything was fine—why had she suddenly changed?
Mu Ci walked past him expressionlessly, approaching the painting table, and flashed a smile at Old Master Qin.
“Father, I’ve actually studied a bit of traditional Chinese painting. If you don’t mind, I’d like to paint something as your birthday gift.”
Qin Yuanhe was so delighted he couldn’t stop smiling, repeating “good” several times.
Having experienced two shocking events in half a day, Qin Qiqi’s mental resilience had skyrocketed.
She had seen the previous scene clearly and silently gave her best friend a thumbs-up.
Incredible, absolutely incredible.
No wonder she was her divine sister—she didn’t give her uncle any face at all.
The key was that her uncle had no recourse. Qin Qiqi watched as her uncle slowly retracted his fingers, his expression darkening, but in the end, he said nothing.
Mu Ci focused on her painting.
She knew Qin Yan was sitting not far away, his gaze fixed on her with a sinister intensity, but she didn’t want to acknowledge him.
She didn’t even spare him a glance from the corner of her eye.
Due to time constraints, Mu Ci painted orchids and bamboo, which were easier to complete in one go.
Half orchids, half bamboo.
The orchids were elegant and ethereal, their deep purple petals seeming to sway in the breeze.
The bamboo was graceful and unrestrained, exuding a strong sense of noble character.
The contrast between dense and light, near and far, created a striking visual effect, showcasing extraordinary brushwork.
“Excellent!”
Old Master Qin’s delight was evident. He hadn’t expected Mu Ci, despite her youth, to possess such skill in painting.
“Girl, your ability doesn’t seem like you’ve only studied ‘a bit’ of traditional Chinese painting.”
Mu Ci set down her brush and smiled gently. “My major is oil painting, but I took up traditional Chinese painting as a hobby. Occasionally, I incorporate some elements of traditional Chinese painting into my oil works. You’re too kind.”
“Excessive modesty becomes false modesty. In my opinion, your skill could outshine most of the traditional Chinese painting circle.”
Hearing her best friend being praised, Qin Qiqi became excited and chimed in enthusiastically, “Yes, yes, Auntie is truly hiding her talents.”
From the time Mu Ci started painting until she finished, half an hour had passed.
During that half hour, Qin Yan went from confusion to anger, then gazed at the young woman’s bright and captivating profile.
For some reason, his anger inexplicably faded away.
Now, hearing Old Master Qin’s words, a sense of pleasure rose in his heart. A smile touched the corners of his lips as he walked over and reached out to wrap his arm around her waist.
Mu Ci finally deigned to glance at him, but just before that clearly appeasing hand could touch her waist, she expressionlessly took two steps forward, standing beside the old master, and continued discussing the painting.
Her intention to avoid him was obvious.
Qin Yan’s empty hand was filled with awkwardness.
He slowly withdrew his hand and laughed.
A laugh of frustration.
Here we go again, right?
So it’s true—women shouldn’t be spoiled. The more you spoil them, the bolder they become.
That saying couldn’t be more accurate.