"I will have this matter investigated thoroughly," Third Master Lei said, his gaze sweeping past Xia Qingtian before settling on Grandpa Fang. "Should the Lei family find the 'Thousand Buddha Discussion' in the future, we will notify you immediately and sell it to you at acquisition price."
Hearing Third Master Lei's words, Grandpa Fang's eyes lit up.
This meant the Lei family was willing to help him find the 'Thousand Buddha Discussion'! That was wonderful news!
With the Lei family's status and connections in the antique world, their strength far surpassed that of his own Fang family!
Not to mention selling it at acquisition price.
"Does this proposed solution satisfy you, Grandfather Fang?" Third Master Lei asked, receiving a series of nods from Grandpa Fang.
"Then I must trouble you, Third Master Lei," Grandpa Fang said, cupping his fists. "Today's matter ends here."
Having navigated the world for so long, Grandpa Fang understood Third Master Lei's intentions.
The Lei family's reputation, built over years, could not be tarnished here. Their willingness to make such a concession was naturally to silence Grandpa Fang.
Furthermore, the replica painting had already been destroyed.
Grandpa Fang had also received a promise from the Lei family to help him find the painting.
With the matter concluded, Grandpa Fang was not at a loss.
After resolving things with Grandfather Fang, Third Master Lei formally turned his attention to Xia Qingtian. "May I ask your name..."
Xia Qingtian felt that while Third Master Lei was handsome, his gaze towards her was always unsettling, making her scalp tingle.
If possible, she did not want Third Master Lei to know who she was.
Perhaps... she could just make up a name? But... Grandpa Fang was still present, and Uncle Shao, who accompanied them, also knew her identity.
Making up a name would be unwise.
While Xia Qingtian hesitated, someone stepped forward and provided her information to Third Master Lei, also bringing over the exhibits Xia Qingtian had bid on.
"Since these items have caught Miss Xia's eye, I will take it upon myself to gift them all to Miss Xia," Third Master Lei said, looking at Xia Qingtian.
"Thank you." Xia Qingtian was relieved she hadn't fabricated a name, while also marveling at the other party's immense wealth.
Items worth ten million were simply given away?
If she had known, perhaps she could have been a little bolder then.
However, Xia Qingtian understood that the Lei family was paying for peace and to protect their reputation.
If she were to feign aloofness and refuse, the Lei family would only worry about her speaking out, and more complications would arise.
Xia Qingtian did not want to create trouble for herself, especially in this unfamiliar city.
Seeing that Xia Qingtian was a sensible person, Third Master Lei nodded and had someone escort Grandpa Fang and Xia Qingtian safely out of the villa, promising to deliver the auctioned items to the Xia family.
This service was indeed top-notch.
Standing outside, Gu Yaoyang listened to the sounds within, arms crossed. The person guarding outside the room looked confused.
Given Mr. Gu's relationship with their Third Master, wouldn't it be better to go in and listen directly?
Upon hearing that Third Master Lei was having Xia Qingtian and Grandpa Fang escorted out, Gu Yaoyang took two steps back, hiding in the shadows.
Only after Xia Qingtian and the others had gone downstairs did he put his hands in his pockets and walk into the room.
At this moment, Third Master Lei's expression was no longer the same as before.
His shoulders drooped, his eyes filled with exhaustion.
Hearing footsteps, Third Master Lei immediately straightened his back and put on a stern face.
Upon confirming the arrival was Gu Yaoyang, Third Master Lei's face fell again, and he said irritably, "Here to watch the show?"
"I warned you," Gu Yaoyang's voice remained distant and indifferent.
Third Master Lei had no retort to that.
Gu Yaoyang had indeed warned him that there were infiltrators within the Lei family, and that items brought back should be verified multiple times.
But he never imagined this painting would be a forgery by Zhang Yunhe. After all, both the brushwork and pigments were genuine; only the clever use of the name associated with the painting was truly difficult to guard against.
Sighing deeply, Third Master Lei finally asked, "Tell me, what do you need?"
"Xia Qingtian is mine. Tell your people not to meddle too much," Gu Yaoyang's tone remained unchanged.
"Yours?" Third Master Lei murmured, a hint of a teasing smile in his eyes. "I never thought I'd hear you say something like that."
Gu Yaoyang ignored Third Master Lei's jest and instead said, "You should thank her today."
"Should I?" Third Master Lei retorted.
"Think carefully. If Grandfather Fang had emptied his coffers to buy that painting today, and discovered the issue with it afterward, could he have endured it?
Gu Xuan Zhai's reputation and position in the collector's circle are not inferior to the Lei family, but what if you add Grandpa Fang's life to that?
The reputation of the Lei family, built over generations, would be utterly ruined. At that time... could you truly bear it?"
Gu Yaoyang's words were spoken lightly, yet each syllable made Third Master Lei's expression grow increasingly grim.
Especially the last question, which sent a chill down Third Master Lei's spine.
It was almost enough to drown him.
"Remember to thank her." After saying this, Gu Yaoyang turned and left.
He knew Third Master Lei was not dull-witted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to single-handedly lift the Lei family again and turn the tide after its trust crisis.
However, it had come at a significant cost.
The Lei family already had rotten elements. If they weren't removed promptly, even if the Lei family avoided this crisis, another would surely follow.
In this circle, reputation was more important than life.
Gu Yaoyang's words were precise.
But a monumental wave of shock surged through Third Master Lei's mind. He slapped the table and called for someone to enter. "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!"
...
The auction had long since ended, and most of the guests had departed.
Uncle Shao was pacing nervously by the entrance, seemingly worried about Xia Qingtian and Grandpa Fang's safety.
Seeing Xia Qingtian and Grandpa Fang emerge, Uncle Shao finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went to meet them. "How was it?"
"All is well," Grandpa Fang waved his hand, interrupting Uncle Shao's further questions, and said, "No need to mention this again. Let's go."
Uncle Shao opened his mouth, then slowly closed it, nodding afterwards.
"Grandpa Fang, Uncle Shao, can you please not tell my father about today's events?" Xia Qingtian changed the subject. "This is the first time my dad let me attend an auction like this, and I don't want him to overthink it."
"Rest assured," Grandpa Fang would naturally not disclose today's events, and Uncle Shao only had a partial understanding of the whole affair, so he could only nod along.
Seeing this, Xia Qingtian also felt relieved and smiled.
The three of them took Uncle Shao's car to the city and first sent Xia Qingtian back to the hotel.
After getting out of the car, Xia Qingtian placed her hand on the car door and bid farewell to the two elders.
"Xia family girl, regarding today's events, consider this old man owing you a favor." Grandpa Fang looked at Xia Qingtian, his expression noticeably less rigid and stern than when they first met, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"Alright, Grandpa Fang. Rest early." Xia Qingtian did not pry for favors, only offering a slight smile before closing the car door.
As she turned to walk towards the hotel, Xia Qingtian vaguely felt a strange gaze fixed upon her from behind.
When she looked back, she only saw a hurried stream of pedestrians, with no strange individuals in sight.
With suspicion, Xia Qingtian continued forward, but upon entering, she heard a sarcastic remark.
"I wondered why you dared to be so brazen. Turns out you have a sugar daddy backing you?" Wen Shengsheng, wearing sunglasses, blocked Xia Qingtian's path and said with a cold sneer.