"This Hu Xiaobei really looks young!"
"Thatâs what I mean!"
"Probably just an ordinary person who doesnât know anything!"
After scrutinizing Hu Xiaobei for a while, the people standing with Zhou Dachuan began whispering quickly.
Heâs green around the edges, canât handle things well!
They understood this, so they particularly looked down on the especially young-looking Hu Xiaobei.
In their eyes, compared to Zhou Dachuan, let alone themselves, he was severely lacking.
Hu Xiaobei heard all their mockery, but he didnât care and didnât plan to explain.
A minute later, Hu Xiaobei appeared calmly in front of Zhou Dachuan.
Glancing at Zhou Dachuanâs mocking face, Hu Xiaobei spoke coolly in a voice only Zhou Dachuan could hear.
"Youâre playing with fire, do you know that?"
Upon hearing Hu Xiaobeiâs chilling address, Zhou Dachuan scoffed, "Iâm playing with fire? I think youâre the one playing with fire! Now, if you kneel down and apologize to me, I might forgive you. If you donât, youâre definitely doomed today."
Detecting the icy threat in his voice, Hu Xiaobei smiled instead of getting angry, "Someone will meet their end, but it definitely wonât be me!"
"Since youâre still being defiant, Iâll watch how you meet your end!"
With that said, he quickly clapped his hands, "Now, Expert Hu is here, everyone clap and welcome him to authenticate for us."
Hearing the sarcasm in Zhou Dachuanâs words, everyone on his side quickly began clapping.
Many even started whistling...
Seeing these people cooperating with him, Zhou Dachuan smiled and soon looked at the utterly composed Hu Xiaobei, saying, "Master Hu, you may begin now."
Hu Xiaobei nodded indifferently and headed straight to the three artifacts.
From afar, Hu Xiaobei had already used his special vision to inspect them.
While examining the wooden box and porcelain dish, Hu Xiaobei didnât notice anything unusual. However, a certain oddity caught his eye when observing the painting.
It was because of this observation that Hu Xiaobei had remained so calm before.
Now, after approaching it, Hu Xiaobei scrutinized it once more.
This time, Hu Xiaobei was utterly certain of his suspicion...
This painting indeed had issues...
Seeing Hu Xiaobei staring intently, Zhou Dachuan sneered and commented, "Master Hu really is impressive, doesnât even need to touch it, just a glance and he can determine its authenticity!"
At such mocking comments, Hu Xiaobei glanced at him.
Soon, Hu Xiaobei looked at the paintingâs owner...
Seeing the owner watching him nervously, Hu Xiaobei smiled lightly and asked calmly, "May I have a closer look at this painting?"
"Of course!"
The owner responded quickly.
Previously, Zhou Dachuan had claimed it was fake...
He was despondent...
Now, hearing Hu Xiaobeiâs request, he agreed immediately without hesitation.
Because he hoped Hu Xiaobei might offer a different judgment.
Although he knew the likelihood was slim, there was still some possibility.
After his agreement, Hu Xiaobei picked it up, weighed it lightly, then quickly unrolled it.
Seeing Hu Xiaobei being so serious, Zhou Dachuan wore a mocking smile...
He believed Hu Xiaobei was just putting on a show there.
Because in reality, he was just an amateur who understood nothing...
Hu Xiaobei was aware of his thoughts, but paid them no mind!
Once unrolled with care, Hu Xiaobei smiled calmly...
Seeing Hu Xiaobei smile, Zhou Dachuanâs eye twitched.
"Could it be that heâs really seen something?"
With that thought, he quickly glanced again at the scroll Hu Xiaobei held.
Soon, he withdrew his gaze...
He knew it was impossible for Hu Xiaobei to discover anything because it was a simple fake.
"Surely just making a show!"
Thinking this way, he loudly said to Hu Xiaobei, "Master Hu, youâve seemingly discovered something, since thatâs the case, share it with us!"
"Exactly!"
"Do share!"
"If you canât, stop wasting our time!"
"Indeed!"
The people standing with Zhou Dachuan noticed there was tension between Zhou Dachuan and Hu Xiaobei...
Thus, they naturally mocked Hu Xiaobei wildly...
Ignoring them, Hu Xiaobei turned to the paintingâs owner, "In the past, many people used canvas treatments to better preserve their paintings, right?"
"Right, thatâs something many particularly enjoy doing!"
Upon hearing this reply, Hu Xiaobei chuckled softly, "This painting has been treated."
Hearing Hu Xiaobeiâs words, everyone looked at the painting...
Zhou Dachuan glanced at it too, soon jeering, "Master Hu, are you treating us like idiots or blind people? The canvas marks are so obvious, we all see them. Can you say something less evident?"
At Zhou Dachuanâs words, Hu Xiaobei didnât respond but gently placed it on the table.
After setting it down, Hu Xiaobei looked at Manager Tai, "Manager Tai, do you have a relatively sharp utility knife here?"
"Utility knife? Yes!"
Not knowing why Hu Xiaobei needed this, but he quickly had a subordinate fetch one.
Then he quickly handed it to Hu Xiaobei.
"Whatâs this guy planning!"
As Hu Xiaobei accepted the knife, Zhou Dachuan furrowed his brow...
Thinking but failing to figure it out, he sarcastically asked Hu Xiaobei, "Hu Xiaobei, whatâs your intention? Are you planning to slit your wrists right here?"
Giving Zhou Dachuan a cold look filled with mockery, Hu Xiaobei retorted icily, "Just watch carefully and youâll know! Honestly, if one of us has to slit their wrists, it definitely wonât be me!"
Hearing Hu Xiaobeiâs brimming rebuttal, Zhou Dachuan exasperatedly clenched his fist, "Youâre full of yourself! Fine, Iâll just wait and see what you can do!"
"Youâll find out shortly!"
Responding thus, Hu Xiaobei swiftly raised the extremely sharp utility knife in his hand...
A second later, the knife pierced through the top of the painting...
"Idiot, so youâre actively ruining someoneâs property, you..."
Seeing Hu Xiaobei frantically tear through the painting, Zhou Dachuan ridiculed hysterically, but before finishing, he suddenly froze as if struck by lightning, eyes wide in shock...
Soon, he roared madly, "This is impossible, itâs impossible, absolutely impossible!"