The Fortunate Demoniac Little Village Doctor
Chapter 437 - 437 412 Imitation

437: Chapter 412: Imitation 437: Chapter 412: Imitation “Liu Hun!

I’m telling you!

I must win!

I must get the Chicken Heart Red Jade!

It’s mine!

It’s all mine!

I must have it!” Ding Shan seemed possessed as he spoke to Liu Hun, his expression as if he wanted to devour someone.

“Store Manager Ding, come to your senses,” Liu Hun reminded him, “I won this round.

You can’t take the Chicken Heart Red Jade, and you’ll also lose your emerald!”

“Three bets in the ‘Gambling Three Passes’, and you’ve only won one and tied one!

Don’t be too arrogant!

I’ve said that the stone is mine, and it will be mine!” Ding Shan clenched his fist.

Now his mind was completely occupied by the Chicken Heart Red Jade, incapable of considering anything else.

Liu Hun ignored him and directly asked Mo Lao San, “Mo Lao San, what are we betting on for this final round?”

If not for being pinched by Shi Qing’er, Mo Lao San’s state would probably not be any different from Ding Shan’s.

He meekly said to Liu Hun, “The last of the ‘Gambling Three Passes’, we’re betting on ‘imitation’!”

“‘Imitation’?” Liu Hun asked, somewhat confused.

“Yes!

Imitation as in copying.

That is, one side provides a piece of calligraphy or a painting, and the other side has to imitate it.

If the imitation is convincing enough to deceive an expert’s eyes, then that’s considered a win!” Mo Lao San explained to Liu Hun.

At this moment, Ding Shan also spoke to the surrounding crowd, “Everyone!

In this round of the stone bet, my Biyun Pavilion has miscalculated and lost.”

“What’s the next round betting on?” Someone in the crowd began to ask noisily.

“Next up, we’re betting on ‘imitation’!

My Biyun Pavilion will produce a painting!

They will produce a painting, and we’ll see who can imitate it most like the original, who can best create a convincing fake within the allotted time.

Whoever does wins!” Ding Shan announced loudly to the surrounding crowd.

“Hey!

Now this is a real test of observation skills and craft ability!

To be able to produce an imitation and determine which one is the copied one!

It’s not simple!”

“This is truly testing the shopkeeper’s vision and discernment.

Without these skills, even if you pour lots of money into a shop, it won’t last!”

“How long will it take to paint one of these?

It isn’t going to be until tomorrow, is it?”

“…”

Ding Shan made a respectful gesture to the crowd and then said, “Dear neighbors and friends, my Biyun Pavilion will reveal its painting first!” After speaking, Ding Shan gave Ji Yun a look, and Ji Yun brought out a painting and placed it on the table.

Ji Yun carefully and slowly unrolled the scroll…

a complete painting by Tang Yin titled “Autumn Wind and Silk Fan” was presented to everyone.

Ji Yun slowly said to those around, “Tang Bohu often painted beauties and historical stories, inheriting the tradition of the Tang Dynasty, with delicate lines, bright and elegant colors, graceful figures, and accurate shapes; he also excelled in expressive figure painting, with simple yet comprehensive strokes, carrying much charm.”

Ding Shan approached Liu Hun and asked, “Mr.

Liu, it’s your turn to present the challenge!”

Mo Lao San promptly came forward, also holding a scroll, had a long table brought over and slowly spread the painting out on it…

Yuan Huang Gongwang’s “Dan Cliff Jade Tree Painting” unfurled in all its splendor!

“Huang Gongwang is a Yuan Dynasty master whose landscape paintings follow the path of Dong Yuan and Ju Ran, creating his style from theirs; he started the method of light ink and red landscape, with a style that’s bold, simple, bright, and quick!

Please take a good look, both of you!” Mo Lao San said to Ji Yun and Ding Shan.

“I’ve lived on this old street for a lifetime, but only today have I truly opened my eyes!

I’ve seen such rare treasures!

But…what’s this method of comparison all about?”

“You’re not familiar with this, I guess?

This round of ‘imitation’ involves each side taking the other’s painting to copy.

Each will mark their painting with a small secret sign, and after the imitation is done, it’s brought out for identification.

If the original is correctly recognized, it counts as a win!

So even if the imitation is very convincing, the secret sign prevents any mix-up!”

“Brilliant!

Truly brilliant!

Let’s just wait and watch!

But it’s almost noon, and I’m getting hungry!”

“…”

After exchanging their respective masterpieces, Mo Lao San and Ji Yun didn’t waste any time and hurried back to their shops to start the imitation.

At this time, Liu Hun gave Zhong Xiao a meaningful glance, and Zhong Xiao left understandingly.

Suddenly, a rich aroma wafted out from Qingqing Zijin, followed by a myriad of pots, pans, and ladles being set up.

Liu Hun then stood up and, with a bow to those around, proclaimed, “Today happens to mark a most auspicious opening day for my Qingqing Zijin!

Everyone here is a long-time neighbor from Old Street, and I hope for your support in the days to come!

Today, Qingqing Zijin has specially invited famous chefs from Sichuan, Guangdong, Shandong, and Huaiyang, representing the four major culinary traditions, to cook for you all, and host a banquet!

Please enjoy to your heart’s content!”

“This Liu surname really knows how to spend big!

Having so many chefs to set up a banquet like this, I wonder how much it’s going to cost!”

“Are you kidding me?

With the Chicken Heart Red Jade, even a three-day and three-night banquet would be possible!

This shop really knows how to treat people right!

Now, everyone’s mouths are sweetened.”

“Standing around for what?

Everyone’s stomachs are growling; let’s serve the food quickly!”

“…”

“Mr.

Liu, you really are generous!

Not only did you give me those treasures, but you also provided a feast for all the neighbors.

I wonder when Mr.

Liu will be able to earn it back?” Ding Shan asked with a relaxed posture, fanning himself leisurely, looking very confident.

“Don’t we have Ru ware porcelain, top-grade jadeite, and paintings by Tang Yin?

With these, what do I have to fear?” Liu Hun replied without showing any weakness.

“Hahaha…

Mr.

Liu, you really are too arrogant.

Let me tell you the truth, Ji Yun is from a background of manufacturing and selling fake artifacts, and he is much better than tomb raiders.

When the time comes, you’ll have no choice but to hand over the Chicken Heart Red Jade!

My Chicken Heart Red Jade!” Ding Shan had not seen the Chicken Heart Red Jade for just a few minutes and already missed it dearly.

Liu Hun shook his head and said, “Shopkeeper Ding, you should just keep dreaming.

I’m off to eat!” And with that, he left.

Ding Shan watched Liu Hun’s departing figure, his mind incessantly chanting for the Chicken Heart Red Jade, eager to use any means to get it in his hands.

A few hours later, the banquet was nearly set, and everyone on Old Archway Street had their bellies full and round, considerably increasing their affection for Qingqing Zijin.

“Wow!

My tummy is so full and round!

These chefs really make better food than mine!” Shi Qing’er, sucking on her fingers, came beside Liu Hun and said, “Touch my belly; isn’t it round?” And she directly grabbed Liu Hun’s hand to place it on her stomach.

The monkey, with a mouthful of greasy grins, watched and was suddenly twisted by Zhong Xiao, who turned his head away, “Don’t look at what you shouldn’t!

Eat your food!”

“Alright, alright, very round, very round!” Liu Hun replied distractedly, quickly taking his hand away, after all, he was surrounded by a bunch of followers.

He truly couldn’t understand Shi Qing’er’s way of thinking, as if nothing mattered to her as long as she was happy, without any concern about gaining weight or anything.

“Poker-face guy, do you think my belly will be this round when I’m pregnant?” Shi Qing’er asked Liu Hun with a giggle.

Liu Hun almost sprayed out his food, a piece of twice-cooked pork, and quickly nodded, not willing to miss out on the food he finally got to eat that wasn’t Shi Qing’er’s dark cuisine.

“Do you think it’s better to have a baby boy or a baby girl?

What should they be named…” Shi Qing’er leaned on Liu Hun, chattering away, completely lost in her girlish fantasies.

“Boss Liu!

There’s a bit of trouble with Mo Lao San!

You should come quickly to see!” Just then, a follower came over to Liu Hun to report.

Liu Hun’s heart tightened, and he said to Zhong Xiao, “Zhong Xiao, maintain the situation here, don’t let others find out, I’ll check it out!” With that, Liu Hun hurried into the store.

Following a follower, Liu Hun rushed to the back of the shop and entered the workshop.

There, Mo Lao San was completely stunned on the spot—he saw the painting by Tang Bohu safe and intact, the newly made painting was completed, but a glaring flaw was the misaligned seal that was distinctly different, obviously noticeable at a glance.

“Boss Liu, I’m so sorry!

I…” Mo Lao San began, about to kneel before Liu Hun, knowing if they won this round, they would be victorious, but his mistake had brought an irredeemable loss to the situation.

“Mo Lao San!

Stand up!

Don’t be like this!

With me here, everything has a solution!” Liu Hun said, helping Mo Lao San up, then he instructed the follower behind him, “Help Mo Lao San out, have Zhong Xiao prepare a good meal for him first, I’ll come out shortly.”

“Yes!” The follower immediately helped Mo Lao San and escorted him out of the workshop.

Liu Hun looked at the two paintings, and because Mo Lao San had misplaced the seal, it was easy to identify the fake, but he didn’t handle it much, just rolled the paintings up as they were and secured them with the same string, taking them out of the workshop.

With the banquet cleared, the street was clean, and the satisfied people gathered again, eager to see the last round of “Gamble of Three Challenges.” They were curious to know who would end up with the various rare treasures unveiled that day.

“Boss Liu, I heard from Mo Lao San there’s a bit of trouble, is it serious?” Zhong Xiao quietly asked behind Liu Hun.

Liu Hun shook his head and said, “It’s not a big problem.

Take care of Mo Lao San, let him not worry too much; I’ve got this.”

“Alright!” Zhong Xiao nodded and stepped back.

Liu Hun, holding two scrolls in his hands, asked Ding Shan, “Shopkeeper Ding, how shall this appraisal be done?”

Ding Shan replied to Liu Hun, “The original rule was that I would appraise the two paintings in your hands, and you would appraise the two in mine.

But…” Ding Shan said, eying Liu Hun suspiciously, “You’ve marked your painting, and I know the secret signs on mine, so this won’t demonstrate any skill.”

“What do you suggest then, Shopkeeper Ding?” Liu Hun asked Ding Shan.

Ding Shan said, “Our Old Archway Street is no stranger to antiques experts, and there are plenty who are masters in appraising calligraphy and paintings.

Therefore, for fairness, I propose we temporarily select ten shopkeepers from Old Archway Street to do the appraisal.

The one who can deceive the most shopkeepers is considered the winner; what do you think?”