Chapter 36
“So if the restoration is done well, that can also serve as a reason for it being problematic?” Gu Shaoyu asked with a frown.
If this person could point out any other issues, he wouldn’t be feeling so speechless.
Cao Xianpeng pretended to examine the piece again for a while, then shook his head and sighed. “I’m just giving you a reminder. If you don’t believe me, then forget it. Just don’t blame me for not warning you when problems arise later.”
His words made it sound as if he had already confirmed that Shen You had switched the item for a fake.
“Miss Shen, what exactly is going on here?” Gu Yue’s eyes carried a hint of questioning. “I hope you can give us a reasonable explanation.”
“Sister!” Gu Shaoyu signaled with his eyes.
After all, he was the one who had asked for her help, and they were friends. Even if he had doubts in his heart, he could ask in a different way. There was no need to be so direct.
Gu Yue ignored Gu Shaoyu and stared straight at Shen You, her gaze full of suspicion. She felt that she was already being polite enough.
Shen You simply looked at Cao Xianpeng calmly and said with amusement, “Have you never seen excavated artifacts displayed in museums? Originally broken into pieces and covered in black soil, yet they can all be restored.”
Cao Xianpeng laughed dismissively. “You’re talking about museums, where the restoration is done by masters. Have you heard of Professor Li Xinglin? He’s been featured in documentaries. Just half a month ago, I had dinner with his prized student.”
How could a young girl like her compare to that?
He sneered sarcastically, “I despise people who engage in fraud the most. There are people who can authenticate items at the antique street nearby. Why don’t I call someone to come take a look?”
“I despise people who fish for fame and reputation the most.” Shen You retorted using the same tone. “Since neither of our contacts would have much credibility, let’s just go to the museum.”
Cao Xianpeng seemed to find this amusing. “You want to go to the museum for authentication? Do you have that kind of influence?”
She really didn’t know her place—
However before he could finish laughing, he saw Shen You turn her phone around. Then Professor Li’s voice came through the voice call.
“Who says that if restoration shows no visible traces, it must be fake? According to his logic, wouldn’t all the artifacts I’ve restored become fakes?”
“Nonsense! Let him try making a fake using the same techniques.”
When it came to professional matters, Professor Li had this stubborn temperament. When he turned to the matter Shen You had asked about, his tone immediately softened.
“You want to come to the museum? Fine, I’ll get the curator for you. The few of us will authenticate it together, and then the other party will have nothing to say. While you’re at it, if you have time, come by the restoration department to look at that crown piece.”
Shen You thanked him and hung up the phone, then looked at the sweating Cao Xianpeng. “Do you have any other questions?”
With a museum expert providing authentication, who would dare say anything else?
Cao Xianpeng couldn’t understand how this was possible. It felt like a dream. The expert he had always wanted to get to know but couldn’t even invite to dinner actually had connections with this antique shop he had never even heard of before.
Looking embarrassed, he began to smooth things over. “Old Li was being too serious. I was just saying it might not be quite right, not that it was definitely fake.”
This type of old fox would never speak definitively, but everyone could see what he meant just now. He had looked down on Shen You’s qualifications and gender.
If someone with status in the circle had come instead, he definitely wouldn’t have spoken that way.
Gu Yue’s expression now also looked somewhat unnatural. This level of expert was usually low-key and modest, but belonged to high circles that ordinary people couldn’t enter. Her family was always the one actively seeking connections in the circle.
Going there today, authenticating the item wouldn’t be a problem, but the embarrassment wouldn’t just be Cao Xianpeng’s. It would be hers too.
“I sent a message to Brother Jiayan earlier. He should arrive soon. Should we let the museum people know?” Gu Shaoyu looked at Shen You inquiringly.
“Alright.” Shen You agreed.
For Gu Shaoyu’s sake, she didn’t want to take things too far. Besides, since Xu Jiayan was coming for such a small matter, she should indeed inform the museum.
Shen You made another call. Professor Li was also relieved to hear that Xu Jiayan was coming. She also told Professor Li that she would come over in the afternoon.
After all, he had helped her save face, so going over to work was the right thing to do.
Before long, Xu Jiayan arrived by car.
“The restoration is truly excellent. No wonder Professor Li always mentions it. It’s a pity you didn’t agree to be a consultant at the museum.” He smiled as he spoke, gently setting down the hairpin, then turned to Gu Yue with a serious expression.
“In my personal opinion, there’s no problem with the item. Restoring it using the same ancient techniques would be quite difficult, but it can guarantee the item’s inherent value. To restore something to this level, besides the restoration team at the museum, this is the only place I know of in Jiang City that can do it.”
The news about Jiang City Museum restoring lost techniques had attracted contact from several museums, including preparations from the capital to send people for exchange and learning.
Gu Yue smiled at Xu Jiayan. “Thank you for coming all this way.”
“No problem.”
“No wonder I misjudged it. So it really was restored using ancient techniques. My knowledge was too limited.” Cao Xianpeng found himself another way out.
The owner of this shop could even get Professor Li to come. Who knew what kind of background she had, or who was backing her. He needed to make amends for what happened earlier.
“It’s almost dinner time. How about I treat everyone to dinner somewhere? It would be even better if Old Li would honor us with his presence.”
Gu Shaoyu glanced at him. “We already agreed earlier that I would treat everyone to dinner after we finished. No one should compete with me for that.”
“Professor Li has been very busy recently. He practically eats his meals in the workshop. Let’s do it another time.” Xu Jiayan blocked Cao Xianpeng’s unspoken words. “Let Shaoyu treat this time.”
“Then it’s settled.” Gu Yue agreed.
Shen You had no objections since she was going out in the afternoon anyway.
The restaurant was chosen at a high-end hotel about ten minutes away from the museum.
“Miss Shen, will you drive yourself there, or ride in Shaoyu’s car?” Gu Yue asked while looking at Gu Shaoyu’s red Ferrari. Most girls liked riding in nice cars. After riding once, they would have to take photos to post on social media.
“Or you could ride in my car?” Xu Jiayan suggested. “We’re both going to the museum after dinner anyway.”
Shen You nodded and locked up the shop. “That works. My car hasn’t finished charging yet.”
And so the group got into their respective cars and headed to the restaurant.
Gu Yue watched Xu Jiayan’s car slowly turn around, then grabbed Gu Shaoyu’s arm and asked, “When did they meet?”
“How would I know? It’s not my place to ask about other people’s business.” Gu Shaoyu opened the car door and got into the driver’s seat.
The dinner went quite well. Cao Xianpeng’s attitude toward Shen You also changed 180 degrees. Gu Shaoyu, with his high emotional intelligence, noticed that Shen You didn’t like this kind of social interaction, so he helped deflect much of it.
Gu Yue sat to Xu Jiayan’s left. Since they were old acquaintances, naturally they had plenty to talk about. Whether intentionally or not, Gu Yue glanced toward Shen You several times.
“The last time we had dinner together was in the capital. How is Grandpa Xu doing lately? I should visit him sometime.”
“Grandfather is doing well.”
Xu Jiayan’s tone was modest and polite. Although he didn’t elaborate, it was obvious he came from a family with deep cultural heritage. Gu Yue’s conversation with him also subtly revealed this fact.