My Co-renting Lady Boss
Chapter 305 - 0305: The Painting is Fake!

Chapter 305: Chapter 0305: The Painting is Fake!

Zhou Xianren, the eldest son of the Zhou Family, was the first to step forward with his gift, holding an archaic rectangular box in his hands.

As Zhou Xianren slowly opened the gift box, he introduced with a smile, "Father, I spent a year visiting many collectors both domestically and internationally to obtain this authentic Wu Daozi painting!"

"An original work by Wu Daozi, the great master of the Tang Dynasty?"

Zhou Zhen became somewhat excited, "Quick, open it up, let me have a look!"

Upon hearing these words, the guests at the scene also became excited, and all of them moved their bodies forward almost imperceptibly.

Wu Daozi was indeed a famous painter of the Tang Dynasty, revered as the Sage of Painting. Each and every one of his authentic works that survives today is a priceless treasure. If auctioned, they would fetch at least several hundred million each.

Zhou Xianren carefully unfurled the scroll, revealing a vivid and strikingly lifelike landscape painting to Zhou Zhen and the other guests.

"It truly is authentic, so beautiful."

"Yes, this must be Wu Daozi’s ’Autumn Waters Dwelling.’ There are countless forgeries on the market; I never thought I’d see the real thing."

"Now, even forgeries seem to sell for millions or even tens of millions; this authentic piece must be worth an immeasurable fortune!"

"The Zhou Family really does things in a grand way!"

...

After seeing the scroll, the guests on-site caused an uproar.

"Good, good, good. You truly are my good son, I like this birthday gift very much."

The elder Zhou clapped his hands successively, this treasure was as valuable as rare natural substances!

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

A group of guests congratulated him one after another.

Zhou Xianren stood on the spot with a pleased look on his face, enjoying the scene of being the center of attention.

"Tsk, it’s just a fake, what’s there to be proud of."

Just as everyone was stunned by Zhou Xianren’s gesture, a slurred voice suddenly erupted.

In an instant, the entire banquet hall fell silent; everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a young man with a bunch of empty plates in front of him, his mouth full of food as he ate!

The person who had spoken was Tang Ming, but he had merely made an offhand remark and hadn’t expected to attract such attention.

"Heh heh!"

Zhou Dafu laughed awkwardly with an embarrassed smile.

"How can you talk nonsense like that?"

Su Xiaoxi’s face also reddened; surrounded by so many onlookers, she felt embarrassed.

"Is this someone trying to spoil the fun?"

Chen Cang quickly wiped his mouth, ready to run away at any moment.

"Hmph!"

Zhou Xianren hadn’t expected someone to call his gift a fake, and he couldn’t properly lash out, so he just gave a cold snort and made a meaningful glance at Zhou Haotian.

Upon realizing that it was Tang Ming talking nonsense, Zhou Haotian immediately brightened and jumped out shouting, "Who do you think you are to dare say that my dad’s gift is fake? You’re obviously here to cause trouble on purpose. Someone throw him out! Where are the security guards?"

Zhou Haotian had always been wary of Tang Ming. Now that he had the chance, he wanted to have him thrown out; that would leave Zhou Dafu as an easy target like a lamb ready for slaughter.

The Ma Family brothers and the Qin Family brothers laughed at Tang Ming’s misfortune. Tang Ming was making a scene at the Zhou Family’s birthday gala; he was courting death!

"Grandfather Zhou, he’s my boyfriend. Are you really going to kick him out?"

Su Xiaoxi had to stand up and look at Zhou Zhen, asking.

Upon hearing Su Xiaoxi introduce him in that manner, Sun Zhuangjia appeared very displeased.

"So it’s the Su Family’s second daughter!"

Zhou Zhen, who had initially looked somewhat annoyed, started to smile upon seeing Tang Ming and said, "Since you’re Su girl’s boyfriend, it must have been an unintentional mistake. However, you called my son’s gift fake in front of everyone. You need to explain yourself. If you claim it’s fake, point out what’s wrong with it. Otherwise, apologize to my son, and we can let bygones be bygones. If not, my Zhou Family will not welcome you here."

"Apologize quickly, if they dare to give the painting in public, it can’t possibly be fake!"

Su Xiaoxi quickly nudged Tang Ming.

"Ahem!"

Tang Ming swallowed all the food in his mouth, wiped his mouth, and said, "It’s a fake to begin with, why should I apologize?"

"How dare you!"

Zhou Xianren couldn’t sit still anymore, he roared angrily and said coldly, "I’ve had many masters appraise this painting, on what basis do you say it’s fake? If you don’t believe me, there are artists and calligraphers present, let them examine it!"

A few elders with presbyopia glasses walked forward, inspecting with magnifying glasses, and finally unanimously concluded that the painting was genuine.

"Do you all see? These are experts in antiques from Songlan City, and they’ve all confirmed that the painting is genuine. This Tang Ming is just causing trouble."

Zhou Haotian immediately shouted loudly, "Someone, throw this troublemaker out."

"Wait a minute!"

Tang Ming got up, burping, and said:

"These days, the word of so-called experts is as good as a fart, do you really believe them?"

"Young man, don’t you think you’ve gone too far?"

An elder with grizzled hair and wearing a linen robe looked at Tang Ming with dissatisfaction, "I have been researching Chinese painting for more than sixty years and I can assert this painting is the real deal. What proof do you have that it’s fake?"

"Qi Taishan has actually spoken, then it must be true!"

The guests around them nodded in agreement, as Qi Taishan was a renowned Chinese painting expert in Songlan City; many national treasures required his authentication, giving his words considerable weight.

"Exactly! How can you prove it’s fake? If you can’t prove it, kneel and apologize to my dad immediately," Zhou Haotian said excitedly as soon as Qi Taishan spoke.

"And what if I do prove it?"

Tang Ming smiled, asking playfully.

"If you prove it, I’ll kneel and apologize to you right here and now. Do you dare?" Zhou Haotian asked confidently.

"It’s a deal then!"

Tang Ming wiped his hands and walked directly to Zhou Zhen, then looked suspiciously into the elder’s eyes, "Eh, are you unwell?"

"Hiss!"

At these words, everyone inhaled sharply. Who would say someone is unwell during their birthday celebration? This was a deliberate provocation!

"How dare you!"

Zhou Xianren and another person immediately stepped in front of Zhou Zhen, staring angrily at Tang Ming.

"It’s all right, just verify the authenticity of this painting!"

A glint of light flashed in Zhou Zhen’s eyes, and he surprisingly did not blame Tang Ming.

"All right then!"

Tang Ming nodded and turned to Qi Taishan to ask:

"Expert, you said this painting is absolutely genuine, right?"

"Indeed, if it’s fake, I will retire and leave the Jianghu from now on," said Qi Taishan, nodding with utter certainty.

"This is bad!"

Su Xiaoxi sighed, with a national treasure like Qi Taishan setting such terms, showing his absolute confidence, "Tang Ming really knows how to make people worry. Now let’s see how you get out of this one?"

Tang Ming nodded and then turned to Zhou Haotian, "If I prove that this painting is fake, you’ll kneel and apologize to me, correct?"