Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Appraisal Event Slap in the Face (5) Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Appraisal Event Slap in the Face (5) Ding Xuexue felt certain that Jiang Zhe knew the authentic painting in Teacher Deng’s house was appraised by her, so he deliberately contradicted her at this moment, asserting the painting was real, which would imply that the one she had appraised was fake!

What a malicious mindset!

Yet, Qin Jingchen remained unfazed, leaving Ding Xuexue’s ire with nowhere to vent.

“Ten million, I’ll sell!” The down-and-out man was in dire need of money, and Jiang Zhe offered much more than Ding Xuexue did. It was far beyond his expectations. How could he not sell?

“Good, give me the painting,” Jiang Zhe said, reaching out his hand.

Deng Hui also grew a bit anxious, “Jiang Zhe, this painting certainly doesn’t look mediocre, and the person who copied it must have had considerable skill. But after all, it’s just a copy and can’t be compared with the original. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

Thinking of the money she had also contributed, Ding Xuexue joined in persuading him, “Yeah, don’t you want to take more time to authenticate it? You seemed to have not looked at it carefully just now, right?”

As Jiang Zhe toyed with his worry beads, he asked, “I came to this event to buy things with my own money. I can buy whatever I want. I don’t remember asking for your guidance, did I?”

These words were addressed directly to Ding Xuexue alone.

Ding Xuexue blushed from embarrassment.

To Deng Hui, Jiang Zhe said, “Teacher Deng, I will take responsibility for my profits and losses. Thank you for your kindness.”

Seeing she had made up her mind, Deng Hui didn’t say anything more.

“Qin Jingchen, pay up,” Jiang Zhe said, turning her head to Qin Jingchen.

Hearing her speaking so casually to Qin Jingchen, Ding Xuexue looked at him in astonishment.

Qin Jingchen, who had maintained the same posture and expression all along, took out his phone to ask the man for his bank account information.

He showed not the slightest dissatisfaction with Jiang Zhe’s attitude, only visible compliance and… indulgence.

Ding Xuexue could hardly believe the latter word, but it was clearly written in Qin Jingchen’s eyes.

Qin Jingchen paid directly.

Seeing Jiang Zhe insist on doing so, Deng Hui no longer intervened.

Ding Xuexue gritted her teeth and let it go.

Once the down-and-out man confirmed the money had entered his account, he left quickly.

Gritting her teeth, Ding Xuexue said, “Jiang Zhe, don’t regret buying this painting too much.”

As she was speaking, someone else came in.

This time, it was an elderly woman.

She approached Jiang Zhe and asked softly, “Miss, I heard this is the place for appraisals, right?”

“Yes. What have you brought?” Jiang Zhe inquired.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. I have a painting. My son used to love collecting these, and this was his most treasured one. I wouldn’t have brought it out if I weren’t in urgent need of money. I’ve heard it’s called ‘Tiger Picture’ and is a work by the great artist Tang Bohu.”

“Let me see,” Jiang Zhe offered, receiving it with both hands.

Now, Ding Xuexue was truly getting angry. Jiang Zhe had just bought a ‘Tiger Picture’, which meant that this one, in any case, couldn’t possibly be real, right?

And yet, she still wanted to have a look!

If this wasn’t reckless spending, what was?

Does she think she can just squander money because it isn’t hers?

Deng Hui intended to offer some tactful advice, but seeing Jiang Zhe so calm and composed with a resolute demeanor, he decided not to say anything.

After examining for a while, Jiang Zhe said, “Madam, I’ll give you ten million for this painting, how does that sound?”

The old lady was taken aback and clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Zhe to offer so much.

She asked, “Really?”

“Really, where should I transfer the money?” Jiang Zhe asked, looking toward Qin Jingchen, signaling him to make the payment.

The old lady took out her bank card, and Qin Jingchen instructed Qin He to come over, “You accompany her to the bank to make sure the money is checked thoroughly.”

“Got it,” Qin He complied and left.

At this point, Ding Xuexue really couldn’t hold back anymore, and she spoke up, “Jiang Zhe, I don’t know if the money you’re using to buy the painting is your own or grandfather’s, but regardless, grandfather’s money didn’t come from a gust of wind. I have no objections to you spending or using it, but we at least shouldn’t be wasteful, right? Grandfather is getting on in years, do you have the heart to spend all his retirement savings like this?”

She spoke with righteous indignation, thinking all the money Jiang Zhe was spending was given by Jiang Yaowang.

It was just Qin Jingchen coming to help with the payment.

As she was speaking, she suddenly met Jiang Zhe’s seemingly mocking gaze and immediately felt a bit intimidated.

Jiang Zhe spoke slowly with a lazy voice, “Oh, then you might just be getting upset for no reason, I didn’t spend grandfather’s money.”

Ding Xuexue was stunned; she hadn’t expected this.

But how could Jiang Zhe have so much money?

Could it be that Qin Jingchen was the one spending this money for her?

How could that be possible?

Jiang Zhe took care of the purchased scroll, and just then, Song Xingming came over.

“I’ll give you the ‘Tiger Picture’ later. Just transfer twenty million to me,” Jiang Zhe said indifferently.

Song Xingming nodded, “Okay, thanks a lot.”

Ding Xuexue saw that Jiang Zhe had managed a bargain and was still playing coy, actually using such a painting to deceive the son of Director Song.

She couldn’t help but expose the truth on the spot, “Young Master Song, Jiang Zhe has two ‘Tiger Picture’ scrolls, identical ones. How could they possibly be worth twenty million? Besides, the authentic painting is in my teacher’s house; how could these two be real?”

Song Xingming didn’t know her and hearing her say this, he simply replied calmly, “Thanks for the reminder, but this is a matter between me and Jiang Zhe.”

Qin Jingchen gave Song Xingming an extra glance, and feeling like a thorn was in his back, Song Xingming added, “I asked Jiang Zhe to buy it for me, so naturally, whatever she buys is fine.”

Ding Xuexue found his attitude unbelievable.

How could they be this way, each one so trusting of Jiang Zhe?

Seeing Ding Xuexue alone and unsupported, the event staff couldn’t help but say, “I think Ding Xuexue is right, how could there be so many originals in this world? It’s impossible for the same painting to be replicated like this. Must you really throw your money away?”

“Exactly, and besides, doing this would disrupt the market, making it hard for us to carry out such events in the future.”

“Jiang Zhe, I think you should think thrice before acting. It’s not a problem if you’re not short of money, but this could lead to guests who attend our events in the future raising their price threshold for various items, which isn’t good for us.”

What they said made sense.

And unlike Ding Xuexue, they weren’t biased.

Therefore, Qin Jingchen didn’t stop them, but his actions had changed somewhat, no longer as casual as before, instead displaying a slight gesture of protecting Jiang Zhe.

If there was even the slightest possibility that someone could touch or hurt Jiang Zhe, he would be the first to intervene.

Jiang Zhe turned to look at them, about to explain, when Deng Hui’s face suddenly showed a realization.

“Jiang Zhe, could it be… these paintings are the legendary one that used the Bone Stripping and Separation Technique?”

“Yes,” Jiang Zhe nodded, acknowledging.