"Ten million!" Lin Ke's expression shifted, "That's quite a price!"
"The Peacock Lingling Painting is definitely worth that much!"
Jiang Meili said earnestly, "Xiao Ke, you have to help me this time!"
"Sister Jiang, don't you have enough money?" Lin Ke asked with a hint of confusion.
"I've earned a lot in Longdu, but my savings are only eight million. I'm afraid it won't be enough to secure the Peacock Linglong Painting!"
Jiang Meili looked at Lin Ke earnestly. He had a good understanding of calligraphy and paintings. This Peacock Lingling Painting was being auctioned by the exhibition organizers, so it was undoubtedly genuine. If he could obtain it, it would surely appreciate in value in the future.
"Don't worry, Sister Jiang, I'll cover the remaining two million!" Lin Ke smiled, "Consider it my thanks to you, Sister Jiang! Without you, Qingyun Group might not have been able to cooperate with Zhao's Group!"
"That won't do. You're my good friend! A loan is a loan, how can it not be repaid!"
Jiang Meili stated directly, "When I have money in the future, I will definitely return the two million along with the interest!"
Lin Ke didn't say much. He didn't really care whether it was repaid or not. He was already quite happy to be able to visit the art exhibition.
"Ten million once!"
"Ten million twice!"
"Ten million three times!"
"Sold!"
As the auctioneer spoke, Jiang Meili's anxious heart finally settled, and his eyes filled with joy. If this deal went through, he could potentially make a considerable profit.
After the transaction was completed, Jiang Meili finally obtained the Peacock Linglong Painting. Upon careful examination, he was even more certain that this painting was an original.
"Sister Jiang, does this painting really have potential for appreciation?"
Lin Ke asked in surprise, "If it doesn't have appreciation potential, wouldn't it be a huge loss!"
"I know a lot about the Peacock Linglong Painting. As long as it's collected, its value will definitely double in the future!"
Jiang Meili said earnestly, "Thank you, Xiao Ke. If it weren't for you today, I might not have been able to get the Peacock Linglong Painting."
"It's just a small matter, Sister Jiang doesn't need to worry about it." Lin Ke smiled.
As they were talking, Lu Fan also arrived at the auction venue. Looking at the Peacock Linglong Painting in Jiang Meili's hand, he couldn't help but feel some interest, "How much did you buy it for? It looks quite good!"
"It cost 10 million!" Lin Ke said, "This is the Peacock Linglong Painting, it's extremely valuable, and I believe it will have good prospects in the future!"
"Peacock Linglong Painting?" Lu Fan was slightly surprised, "Can I take a look!"
"What, do you also know about the Peacock Linglong Painting!" Jiang Meili was somewhat interested. He was still in a good mood, having obtained this painting was a great fortune.
"I have some experience with antiques. I can tell if it's genuine or fake at a glance?"
Lu Fan said directly, "Moreover, the Peacock Linglong Painting is quite famous. I've had the good fortune to see a copy of it. If I can see the original today, it would be a great pleasure."
"It's thanks to Lin Ke that I was able to get the Peacock Linglong Painting." Jiang Meili smiled, "If you want to see it, I won't be stingy!"
As he spoke, Jiang Meili unfolded the Peacock Linglong Painting. A peacock was lifelike, as if it were flapping its wings, appearing very vivid.
"No wonder it has such value!" Lin Ke exclaimed, "This painting is truly stunning!"
"Naturally. To be called the Peacock Linglong Painting, it is no ordinary item." Jiang Meili said earnestly, "It has been passed down for many years and crafted with great skill."
"This painting is not genuine!" Lu Fan said, "I have seen the real Peacock Linglong Painting before, and I am absolutely sure!"
"Fake?" Lin Ke was shocked, "This art exhibition is organized by someone with a reputation. How could they auction fake items here!"
However, facing Lu Fan's words, Jiang Meili showed no agitation, but instead smiled, "Mr. Lu is joking. You only have a superficial understanding of antiques and paintings. However, there are genuine appraisers in the art exhibition, and they would not make a mistake in their appraisal. Moreover, how could items auctioned at an art exhibition be ordinary goods!"
"I'm serious!" Lu Fan was helpless, almost speechless.
"Sister Jiang, Xiao Fan's judgment is always accurate. There should be no mistake." Lin Ke quickly said, "Why don't we ask an appraiser to verify it again!"
"I don't think it's necessary. I trust the owner of the art exhibition!" Jiang Meili said seriously, "After all, the person behind this art exhibition is related to the City Lord's Mansion! It can be said that the art exhibition is hosted by the City Lord's Mansion, and they would not engage in deception in this regard."
"I'm afraid even they don't know that the Peacock Linglong Painting is fake!" Lu Fan said directly, "I've said what I needed to say. If Sister Jiang doesn't believe me, then consider it as if I never said anything!"
Jiang Meili's expression was uncertain. This was a treasure he had spent his life's effort to buy. If it was truly fake, his life would be ruined.
"Sister Jiang, let's go find an appraiser to verify it!" Lin Ke urged, "Xiao Fan has a good understanding of antiques. If he says it's fake, there must be a reason."
Jiang Meili reluctantly went inside the auction house. After some negotiation, she was able to present the painting to the appraiser.
The appraiser looked at the painting and couldn't help but frown, "This Peacock Linglong Painting is exquisitely done, but it is not genuine! Are you sure you bought it from the auction?"
"Not genuine?" Jiang Meili's face turned grim, "I spent 10 million yuan at your auction to buy this, and the auction house guaranteed that it was genuine!"
"The auction house never makes mistakes with items it sells."
The appraiser smiled, "Did you perhaps tamper with it?"
"What do you mean by that?" Lin Ke frowned, "We only got the Peacock Linglong Painting a few minutes ago, how could we tamper with it? The items auctioned at this exhibition are inherently fake, and now you're blaming us!"
"This is an auction organized by the City Lord's Mansion, how could it be fake!" the appraiser said coldly, "Don't talk nonsense! It won't be good if you anger the City Lord's Mansion."
"I spent 10 million yuan at the exhibition to buy a fake painting. Do you owe me an explanation for this!" Jiang Meili suppressed her anger.
Although she had been in Longdu for some years, she was only a junior supervisor and dared not oppose the City Lord's Mansion. Now that things had come to this point, she could only try her best to recover her losses.
"Madam, the Peacock Linglong Painting we auctioned can never be fake!"
The sales manager stated directly, "If you are trying to create a scene and extort the auction house, the City Lord's Mansion will decide the matter!"
"According to you, we just have to accept our loss?" Lu Fan glanced at the sales manager.
"If there is an error with the item, you would have noticed it when you received it!" the sales manager said directly, "It's not as if you contacted us after such a long time since it was handed over to you. After all, 'swapping a狸猫 for a prince' is not uncommon at auctions. The appraiser's judgment would never yield two different results!"