Chapter 648 Fake

When Cheng Xiyue heard how certain the tone of Lu Huaiyu’s voice was, he was speechless.

“You’re that sure?”

Even a professional could not avoid making the occasional mistake.

However, Lu Huaiyu was extremely certain. Lu Huaiyu raised his brows slightly. “Hmm.”

He had seen every painting of hers countless times until they had almost become imprinted in his heart. How could he be mistaken?

Cheng Xiyue had originally wanted to say a few words to refute him, but when he thought about how this man had indeed put quite a lot of thought into those paintings these past few years. It seemed quite normal for him to say that.

“Alright then. Since it’s fake, then you don’t have to go over there this time.”

Cheng Xiyue was about to hang up the phone after saying that, but Lu Huaiyu said, “I’m going.”

Cheng Xiyue was stunned. “What? Didn’t you just say that the painting is fake? Why do you still want to go?”

Lu Huaiyu’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly.

“It’s because it’s fake that we have to go.”

Early in the morning, many people came to One Gallery.

Today was the first day of this art exhibition, and many people had come because of how well-known it was.

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Sheng Ruxue and Shang Wenwen walked inside together.

Shang Wenwen asked, “Ruxue, for this gallery art exhibition, you should be the youngest artist to have a work displayed here, right?”

Sheng Ruxue thought for a moment and said, “I’m not too sure either. There are more than 30 paintings on display this time, and I don’t really know some of the artists.”

“I guess it must be,” Shang Wenwen said with certainty, “Who doesn’t know that the threshold of an art gallery is extremely high? Many people might not be able to reach this standard even after painting for their entire lives! I’ve seen the catalog before. There are so many important people on it! You’re only nineteen this year, yet your work was selected to be displayed in a gallery together with all these people. How amazing!”

Sheng Ruxue laughed.

“I don’t really care about that. I just feel that this is indeed a rare opportunity.”

As she spoke, she looked on either side of her and took a deep breath.

“There are indeed many seniors whom I admire. Regardless of whether my paintings can be successfully auctioned off, I’m already very happy to be able to display them together with their paintings.”

Shang Wenwen clicked her tongue.

“Why are you so unconfident in yourself? Being selected is already enough to prove your excellence! By the way, what did Teacher w.a.n.g Yan say?”

Sheng Ruxue blushed slightly.

“Teacher w.a.n.g Yan is quite happy.”

Shang Wenwen suddenly said, “Hey, isn’t that Teacher w.a.n.g Yan? Aren’t the people beside him also teachers from the Art School?”

Sheng Ruxue looked in the direction she was pointing and indeed saw a group of people coming from the other corridor.

Other than w.a.n.g Yan and a few other teachers, there were a few people whom she was not too familiar with.

Sheng Ruxue nodded.

“Right? The one in the middle wearing an embroidered suit seems to be the director of One Gallery.”

Shang Wenwen understood.

“I remember now. One Gallery has always cooperated with the National Art a.s.sociation, right? And our academy as well.”

They were all in the same circle, so of course they knew each other.

Apart from teaching at the Xijing Art School, w.a.n.g Yan and the others mostly held positions at the National Art a.s.sociation.

They seemed to have been invited here today.

“Ruxue, would you like to go and say h.e.l.lo?” Shang Wenwen asked.

Sheng Ruxue thought for a moment, but still shook her head.

“Forget it. Master and the others are busy with business right now. It’s not suitable for us to go over.”

“That’s true.”

The two of them walked forward and saw a middle-aged woman dressed in a mature and elegant manner standing in front of a painting. “Whose painting is that? Is someone interested in bidding for it so soon?”

Shang Wenwen was a little curious and took two steps forward quickly.

However, when she saw the name of the artist next to the painting, her expression froze.

“Who is it?”

Sheng Ruxue asked as she followed.

Then, she saw the name too.

“Seventeenth Night”

— Tree’s Shadow.

Both of them fell silent.

No wonder…

Among the artists today, Tree’s Shadow was definitely the best.

It was no wonder that someone wanted to buy it so quickly.

At the same time, they also heard the gallery staff mention the price– four million.

And that was only the starting bid.

Just then, another old man in his fifties walked over. He also wanted to buy the painting.

When there were many interested buyers for a painting, of course, it would be the highest bidder who would get it.

Sheng Ruxue looked to the side.

Her painting was hanging fairly nearby. Occasionally, people stopped to look at it, but so far, no one had asked for the price.

In fact, it was not only her.

The other paintings on display in the gallery were also inferior to the “Seventeenth Night” by Tree’s Shadow.

The middle-aged lady and the old man had already started to raise their respective bids. It was obvious that they were each determined to get this painting

The bids quickly rose and soon exceeded 4.5 million.

Many people noticed the situation here and looked over.

If it could be successfully sold, this would be the first painting sold in this exhibition.

Judging by this trend, it would definitely be sold at a high price. It would be a really good start for the exhibition.

The staff’s face seemed to be almost overflowing with joy and excitement.

The higher the price, the higher the commission of their gallery. He would also be able to get a bonus, so of course he was happy.

Finally, the old man’s bid reached 4.8 million.

This was already a very shocking amount.

The middle-aged woman looked a little hesitant, but in the end, she chose to give up.

“Forget it.”

The old man smiled, looking at the painting with a very satisfied expression. on his face.

The staff member smiled earnestly. “Mr. Zhou, congratulations.” The old man asked, “The contract will be signed upstairs, right?”

“Yes, this way please–“

“Hold on.”

Before the staff member could finish speaking, a clear and melodious female voice was heard.

Everyone turned to look. Shang Wenwen frowned and whispered, “Ning Li? Why is she here too?”

Sheng Ruxue shook her head.

Ning Li went straight to the painting and stopped in front of it.

She glanced at it and then looked at the old man.

“Don’t buy this painting.”

The old man looked confused. “Why?”

Ning Li said calmly, “Because this painting… is fake.”

Everyone was shocked!

The staff member’s expression immediately changed. He stepped forward and said sternly, “Miss, please watch your words!”

To openly say that a painting was fake at an art exhibition, was this not deliberately looking for trouble?!