CHAPTER 512: CHAPTER 512: BEYOND DEFENSE

At five in the afternoon, Jiao Jikai left work early and headed home.

Besides bringing the "Awakening Lion" painting, he also brought along two paintings he had collected over the years.

Once Jiao Jikai had everything ready, he called Chen Bin.

After getting the address of the hotel, he drove straight there.

After arranging the dinner, Chen Bin went to Qi Bocha’s room and invited him to the private dining room downstairs for the meal.

When Jiao Jikai saw Qi Bocha, he stood up with a flattering expression and greeted him.

"Dean Qi, hello, my name is Jiao Jikai. I’m the Deputy Director of the Yanxi Province TV Station. I’ve admired you for a long time. It’s truly an honor to meet you today."

"Hello, Deputy Director Jiao."

Qi Bocha smiled and shook hands with Jiao Jikai. "I heard from Mr. Chen that you have notable expertise in calligraphy and painting. It’s an honor for me to appreciate art with you."

Afterward, the two exchanged quite a few pleasantries.

When Jiao Jikai was about to take out the paintings for Qi Bocha to view, Chen Bin stopped him.

"Deputy Jiao, let’s eat first. We’ll talk about the paintings shortly."

Jiao Jikai also admitted that it might be inappropriate to show the paintings immediately after meeting, so he nodded in agreement.

As the food and wine were served, Jiao Jikai and Qi Bocha chatted happily.

Since Chen Bin had limited knowledge about calligraphy and painting, he refrained from interrupting.

Midway through the meal, Jiao Jikai couldn’t hold back any longer and took out the paintings.

However, he first presented his own paintings since the valuable "Awakening Lion" was naturally saved for last.

After examining them, Qi Bocha stated that both paintings were authentic.

He proceeded to provide evaluations of various aspects.

He even advised Jiao Jikai that both paintings had significant appreciation potential and should not be sold casually unless absolutely necessary.

Hearing this, Jiao Jikai was overjoyed and his admiration for Qi Bocha deepened.

After laying this groundwork, Jiao Jikai finally unveiled the finale: the "Awakening Lion."

Taking the scroll from its brocade box, he carefully unrolled it while speaking.

"This ’Awakening Lion’ by the venerable Yue Kongliang is my lifelong favorite. During its time at my house, entrusted by Mr. Chen, I’ve been so captivated by it that I couldn’t help but admire it daily, even at the expense of food and sleep."

Qi Bocha took a closer look and blurted out:

"This painting is a forgery!"

"What did you say?!"

Chen Bin exclaimed first. "Dean Qi, you must be mistaken. How could this painting possibly be a forgery?"

Jiao Jikai, too, was utterly incredulous.

He couldn’t believe that the painting he had cherished so deeply was a fake!

Without hesitation, Qi Bocha pointed out every detail where the forgery was evident.

In the end, he sighed, "This is a very convincing imitation. If I’m not mistaken, it’s likely the work of a well-known forger from the Imperial Capital."

Chen Bin still appeared unable to accept the truth.

"Dean Qi, are you absolutely certain this painting is a fake?"

Nodding, Qi Bocha replied with firm conviction.

"I can stake my reputation on it; the ’Awakening Lion’ is definitely a forgery!"

"But my friend told me he spent over fifty million to acquire this painting. How could it be fake?"

"That’s unlikely. Someone willing to invest such a hefty amount would certainly consult an expert for authentication. There’s almost no chance of buying a fake."

Hearing this, Chen Bin suddenly seemed to realize something.

He turned toward Jiao Jikai, his gaze filled with fury.

"What’s going on here?"

Jiao Jikai, initially trying to stay out of it, was caught completely off guard by the question.

"What do you mean, what’s going on?"

"I entrusted you with the authentic ’Awakening Lion.’ How did it become a forgery in your hands?"

"What... What are you implying? Are you accusing me of swapping it out?"

Fixing his cold gaze on Jiao Jikai, Chen Bin’s expression darkened.

"Deputy Jiao, I know you love the ’Awakening Lion.’ If you made a foolish mistake, return the authentic painting to me and I’ll forget this ever happened. Otherwise, don’t blame me for taking drastic measures!"

Slumping in his chair, Jiao Jikai wore a look of despair.

Logically, no one in his household understood the value of the painting.

Even if they knew, it would be nearly impossible for them to find such a skilled forger.

If the painting wasn’t switched at home, then there was only one possibility left!

Slamming his fist on the table, Jiao Jikai glared at Chen Bin with fiery eyes.

"You set me up! This painting was a fake from the start, wasn’t it?!"

Chen Bin let out a cold laugh, his gaze growing sharper by the second.

"You claimed this painting was authentic, and now that it’s a fake, you’re accusing me of framing you? How absurd!"

"It’s possible that I misjudged it earlier, isn’t it?"

"Oh, so when you say it’s authentic, it is, and when you say it’s a fake, it’s a fake?"

"I never said the ’Awakening Lion’ was real in the first place."

"Running out of excuses and trying to play tricks now? Not a chance!"

Saying this, Chen Bin pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and slammed it onto the table.

"Take a look at this!"

A sudden tightness gripped Jiao Jikai’s chest as he realized he was trapped.

In a panic, he snatched the paper and stuffed it into his mouth.

Before he could say a word, Chen Bin pulled out another piece of paper and slammed it onto the table.

"Didn’t get enough? Go ahead and eat this one too."

Jiao Jikai picked up the paper, only to discover it was a photocopy.

Spitting out the paper in his mouth, he found that it too wasn’t the original.

As he stood there frozen, Chen Bin finally spoke again.

"To be safe, I kept the original hidden. Deputy Director Jiao, I never thought you could stoop this low!"

Qi Bocha, who had been conversing pleasantly with Jiao Jikai earlier, now found himself increasingly repelled by the latter’s disgraceful actions.

"Deputy Jiao, while this is our first meeting, your passion for art is evident. But a gentleman does not covet what others hold dear. Deceiving Mr. Chen with a fake painting—isn’t that rather shameful?"

"This... I..."

At that moment, Jiao Jikai found himself completely at a loss for words.

Clenching his fists, he fixed his gaze on Chen Bin.

"Tell me—what do you want me to do?"

"Either return the authentic ’Awakening Lion’ or compensate me fifty million."

"Fifty million? You might as well kill me. I could never come up with that kind of money."

Slamming the table, Chen Bin shouted furiously.

"Trying to weasel out of this again? I’ll see you in court tomorrow! Not only will I make you pay every penny, but I’ll also ruin your reputation!"

Though Jiao Jikai had a terrible temper, he had always valued his reputation.

If sued, he felt it would be as good as a death sentence.

Sighing deeply, he replied bitterly.

"It’s not that I won’t pay, but I truly don’t have fifty million."

"Not my problem. If you want the ’Awakening Lion,’ you have to pay. Being broke isn’t an excuse!"

"I really can’t come up with that much money. Please, give me some time."