in2ebook Chapter 154: Cloudy and foggy
Chapter 154: Cloudy and foggy
Ruan Tang finally finished writing the apology letter, took a photo and posted it online.
He stood up and stretched when he received a video call from the security guard.
"Mr. Ruan, there are two strangers at the door. They said they are here to give you a painting."
Ruan Tang's eyes suddenly lit up, "Yes, let them in."
The painting I took last night has finally arrived.
The elevator went up, the door opened, and two auction house staff members wearing black suits and carrying work badges walked out.
One of them was holding a mahogany painting tube that looked quite heavy in his arms.
"Mr. Ruan, this is the painting you took last night. Can you check if there is anything wrong with it?"
Ruan Tang asked them to put the painting tube on the table, and then went forward to open it.
Ruan Tang carefully took out the ancient painting and examined it carefully.
"Okay, no problem."
He said to the staff.
At the same time, he became more certain of his guess.
After signing the receipt, Ruan Tang asked his aunt to take them downstairs.
He took the phone on the table and sent a message to the previous racing group.
"Does anyone know an ancient painting restorer?"
As soon as he sent the message, someone replied.
"You can ask Song Xi. Her grandfather likes to collect ancient paintings. He must know an expert in this field."
After this person posted the message, he also tagged Song Xi for him.
Song Xi quickly said, "I'll ask grandpa, Brother Ruan, wait for me."
Ruan Tang: “Thank you!”
At this time, Si Kang also popped up, "Ah? Brother Ruan, was the painting damaged last night? Was it because of improper transportation by the auction house? Do you want me to help you find their person in charge?"
"No, there's nothing wrong with the painting, but I want to confirm something."
When Si Kang heard this, he immediately became interested. He was very curious last night. Since Brother Ruan said that the painting had no spirituality, why did he spend 400,000 to take a picture of it?
Is it really just for charity?
While they were chatting, Song Xi appeared again.
"Brother Ruan, my grandfather said he has a friend who is an ancient painting restorer. If you need him, I can introduce him to you."
"Okay, let's chat privately."
Ruan Tang privately found Song Xi and asked her to ask her grandfather's friend if he was free today. He wanted to ask the other party for a favor.
After getting a positive answer, I made an appointment with the other party to meet.
Half an hour later, at the entrance of Drum Tower Park.
Song Xi saw the little tail following Ruan Tang, and her eyes became round: "Why are you here too?"
Si Kang raised the painting tube in his hand and said, "This thing is so heavy, do I have to help Brother Ruan hold it?"
In fact, he was just too curious.
Since the ancient painting is not damaged, why does Brother Ruan need to find a restorer?
His intuition told him that things were not simple.
Then he came up to me happily.
Song Xi curled her lips, "Flatterer."
She looked at Ruan Tang, "Brother Ruan, Master Bai is in the teahouse across the street. I'll take you there."
"Please excuse me this time."
"Oh, Brother Ruan, you are too polite. If you get the job done, just treat me to a meal."
"it is good."
The three of them walked towards the teahouse while talking.
In the private room on the second floor of the teahouse, Song Xi knocked on the door.
A deep voice came from inside the door.
"Please come in."
Pushing the door open, I saw an old man in a Zhongshan suit, holding a teapot in one hand, pouring tea into three blue and white porcelain cups on the table.
"You've come just in time. The tea has just been made."
The three of them entered and bowed slightly to the old man, "Hello, Master Bai."
Master Bai was very easy-going. "Don't be shy. Come and sit down."
The three of them followed suit and walked to the table and sat down.
"Come, how about trying this tea?"
The three of them looked at the tea in front of them. Ruan Tang first raised the teacup and put it to his nose to sniff it gently. "The fragrance of the tea is elegant and as quiet as orchid."
After saying that, he took a sip.
"It tastes refreshing and is indeed a good tea."
Si Kang put down the painting tube, picked up the teacup and took a sip, his brows immediately furrowed.
Song Xi, who also took a sip, had the same expression as him.
Why did they only taste bitter?
There was a glint of something strange in Master Bai's eyes. "Young man, do you know how to taste tea?"
Ruan Tang said modestly: "I can't say I know it, but there are elders in my family who also like to taste tea, so I learned a little from them. I am just showing off my skills in front of an expert."
Master Bai laughed and stroked his beard.
"What do you want from me?"
"It's like this. I bought an ancient painting at an auction last night. The auction house identified it as from the Ming Dynasty, but the owner insisted it was from the Tang Dynasty."
Hearing this, Master Bai didn't care. He picked up the teacup and blew on it. "I guess the previous owner was also deceived. Those antique dealers don't tell the truth."
"That's not the case. The painting was passed down from his ancestors. It should be the work of one of his ancestors."
Master Bai paused while sipping his tea, then looked up at Ruan Tang, "What do you mean?"
"I've seen that painting. Judging from the yellowing of the paper, it is indeed from the past three or four hundred years, but..." Ruan Tang paused and looked at the old man in front of him, "The thickness of the paper is thicker than other paintings."
Master Bai frowned slightly, "Did you bring the painting?"
"I brought it. I brought it."
This time it was Sikang who answered. As he spoke, he leaned over and picked up the painting tube that was leaning against the table leg and put it on the table.
Although I didn't understand what Brother Ruan and Master Bai were saying, I felt that they seemed very powerful.
"Wait, don't open it yet, come with me to the studio."
Master Bai’s studio is not far away, just in a small courtyard in Gulou Park.
The quaint house has bluestone paved roads and green bamboo and orchids, and is very elegantly decorated.
After leading the three people into the house, Master Bai asked Si Kang to put the painting tube on the table.
He personally opened the painting tube, carefully took out the ancient painting, and spread it on the table.
Taking out gloves from the drawer, he first pinched the ancient painting with his hands to feel its thickness.
It is indeed as the young man said, the thickness of this painting is slightly thicker than ordinary paintings.
He took out the magnifying glass on the table, turned on the desk lamp, and looked around carefully, but found nothing special.
He stood up straight, staring at Ruan Tang with deep eyes, "What do you want to do with this painting?"
Ruan Tang curled his lips slightly, "Master Bai should have guessed it!"
As an ancient book restorer, Master Bai could not have failed to guess what I could guess.
Sure enough, Master Bai did not deny it, but just frowned, "Think about it carefully. If you make a mistake, this painting will be ruined."
Although the painting skills are indeed average, it is an ancient painting from the Ming Dynasty after all, and it would be a pity to destroy it.
"I've thought about it. Thank you, Master Bai."
The riddle they were talking about left Si Kang and Song Xi completely confused.
Si Kang couldn't help but ask, "Brother Ruan, I don't understand what you and Master Bai are talking about."
As he said this, he looked towards Song Xi, trying to find an ally.
"Do you understand?"
Song Xi shrugged.
Si Kang felt relieved, at least he wasn't the only fool.
Ruan Tang smiled faintly, "You will know in a moment."
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Master Bai did not try to dissuade him. He was also very curious about whether his guess was right or wrong.