chapter 23 He tricked you, but he couldn’t trick me.

For the money-loving mother-in-law Elen Zeng, Stanley Du was really helpless! If Elen Zeng found out that Stanley Du had ten billion in savings, she would definitely go on a spending spree using Stanley Du's bank cards and turn him from a billionaire into a debtor. "I've transferred ten thousand to you. This painting is now mine," Stanley Du said. Stanley Du quickly completed the transfer using WeChat. Seeing the confirmation message of the received funds, Fatty Li was quite satisfied. He had bought this fake 'Five Horses' painting for three hundred yuan from the countryside. Now, with just one transaction, he had made a profit of nine thousand seven hundred yuan. "Are you a fool?" Elen Zeng pointed at Stanley Du and scolded, "I told you not to buy this fake painting, but you insisted on it! Even if you use that ten thousand to buy some pigs, which would have been better than buying this fake painting!" "Mother-in-law, it's my own money, and I can spend it however I want," Stanley Du replied. "You're still being stubborn! It's not that I want to take your money; it's that I don't want you to be conned by Fatty Li!" "He can con you, but he can't con me." "What do you mean by that?" Elen Zeng angrily shouted at Stanley Du, "Are you trying to say that I'm foolish and only you are smart?" "That's not what I mean. Forget it. I'll let you watch a good show. After watching it, you'll understand why I bought this fake painting." Next, Stanley Du borrowed an electric steamer and a large steaming pot from someone. He placed the steaming pot on top of the electric steamer and put the fake 'Five Horses' painting on the large steaming tray. The steam quickly penetrated the painting, causing its edges to curl and split. One sheet of paper turned into three! "This... This is the method of steamed paintings! There's a hidden painting within the painting!" "I saw something similar in "Mystery of Antiques"! I can't believe it's real from a TV drama!' The onlookers were buzzing with excitement. Stanley Du moved the painting away from the steamer and placed it on a table. He carefully peeled off the first layer of paper, revealing another painting underneath. The spectators exclaimed in astonishment. Antique expert Flora Han took out a magnifying glass and examined the second sheet of paper closely. "This... This is a Chengxintang paper from the Northern Song Dynasty, over nine hundred years old. Just this piece of paper alone is worth several million!" One sheet of paper was worth several million! Everyone had eyes fixed on Stanley Du, their eyes filled with envy! This guy had stumbled upon an incredible treasure! Who was his mentor? His expertise in appraising antiques was astonishing! "Oh my goodness!" Flora Han suddenly shouted, "The hidden painting is actually Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone'. There are also Emperor Huizong's Xuanhe Seal and Twin Dragon Round Seal! This is undoubtedly an authentic work!" The facts were clear: someone had sandwiched Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone' between two sheets of rice paper to conceal it. To divert attention, they had copied a 'Five Horses' painting on the top sheet. "Master Han, how much do you think this Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone' is worth?" Fatty Li asked, his voice trembling. He was now regretting everything deeply. Just the rice paper that Mi Fu had used for painting was worth several million. So, Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone' would definitely sell for over ten million! "Mi Fu is as famous as Su Dongpo, and he was also the calligraphy and painting teacher of Emperor Huizong." Flora Han said slowly, "What's even rarer is that the blank space on this 'Inscription on Inkstone' is stamped with Emperor Huizong's Xuanhe Seal and Twin Dragon Round Seal. I estimate this painting is worth at least one hundred million." One hundred million yuan! The fake painting that Stanley Du bought for ten thousand yuan unexpectedly concealed a genuine Mi Fu masterpiece worth over a hundred million yuan! "Daughter, Stanley Du has made a fortune, a hundred million yuan!" Elen Zeng eagerly said to Dinah Yang, greedily and excitedly, "You bring over this one hundred million, give it to Mom, and Mom will help you invest it. I promise not to take a single cent from you!" "Mom, this painting hasn't been liquidated yet. Stanley Du doesn't have a hundred million yuan!" "You're right; Mom was too impatient." Elen Zeng finally calmed down and said, "This painting is worth a hundred million, and regular wealthy individuals can't afford it. The wealthy who can afford this painting will be hard to find." Everyone was envious of Stanley Du, who had stumbled upon an incredible treasure! Especially Fatty Li, whose mindset had become distorted. He had bought the fake 'Five Horses' painting for three hundred yuan from the countryside and kept it in his store for three years without selling it. He even thought that the 'Five Horses' painting was worthless. During these three years, he had failed to notice the hidden compartment within the fake 'Five Horses' painting, concealing a priceless ancient painting worth over a hundred million! He was truly blind to his surroundings. A world-class treasure was right beside him, and he had sold it cheaply. "This 'Inscription on Inkstone' is mine! I won't sell it anymore! I'll immediately refund you the ten thousand yuan!" Fatty Li shouted while rushing toward Stanley Du. He wanted to snatch the 'Inscription on Inkstone' from Stanley Du! How could Stanley Du allow him to snatch it? With a swift move, he tripped Fatty Li, causing him to fall flat on his face! "Fatty Li, have you no shame?" "You deceive people with fake paintings, and even if someone discovers it, you don't refund their money. There's nothing wrong with that because it's an old rule in the antique business." Flora Han rebuked slowly, "But you've already sold the fake 'Five Horses' painting to Mr. Du. Even if Mr. Du obtained a genuine Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone' from the hidden compartment of the fake painting, you cannot retract and try to snatch it back! By doing so, you are ruining your own reputation!" "I don't care about my reputation; I want money!" Fatty Li seemed to have gone insane, muttering to himself, "A priceless thousand-year-old ancient painting, and I sold it for just ten thousand yuan. I am truly blind! I am nothing but a half-baked amateur!" Everyone couldn't help but sigh. The antique business was indeed not something anyone could master. Carefully preserving the genuine Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone,' Stanley Du and his companions had just left Painting and Calligraphy Street when Flora Han stopped them. "Mr. Du, please wait a moment." "Master Han, what can I do for you?" "The genuine Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone' is a highly prized artwork. In a few days, I and some old friends from the antique world will be holding an event. You can bring the Mi Fu's 'Inscription on Inkstone' with you to participate. What do you think?" Flora Han extended a sincere invitation. Stanley Du was considering declining, but Elen Zeng interjected eagerly, "No problem, my son-in-law and I will definitely be there." "Great, let's exchange WeChat contacts. I'll inform you of the event date and location when the time comes." Flora Han added Stanley Du and Elen Zeng on WeChat and left happily. "Mother-in-law, I'm not interested in events in the antique world." "You fool, Flora Han is a celebrity in the antique circle. Among his friends, there are surely many wealthy individuals. We're attending their event to sell your antique painting and cash in sooner." Listening to Elen Zeng, Stanley Du was left speechless. His soon-to-be mother-in-law was truly obsessed with money.