Chapter 12

"Really?!"

"This can't be possible!"

"How could Professor Tang's discerning eye be wrong!"

"If it's genuine, it would be a miracle!"

The crowd of antique enthusiasts gathered around, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as they all leaned in to admire the priceless treasure.

Lin Yu didn't stop them, choosing a position where he could protect the scroll at any moment, and stepped over to stand.

The scroll, though the paper was rough and yellowed, was well-preserved. The calligraphy was powerful, elegant, and graceful, with a natural and harmonious overall appearance, truly deserving the eight characters "floating like clouds, agile like startled dragons."

Jiang Jingren's eyes widened in shock, and he leaned in, his voice hoarse, "Am I... am I dreaming!"

Even Jiang Yan, who knew nothing about calligraphy, was captivated by the graceful characters and focused intently on them.

"Even in death, I would have no regrets, no regrets at all!"

Tang Zongyun was on the verge of tears, his genuine excitement and enthusiasm deeply moving.

Perhaps the greatest dream of any calligraphy enthusiast in the world would be to witness a genuine work by Wang Xizhi like this.

Although whether it was genuine still needed to be verified, even if it was a copy, it had reached the level of being indistinguishable from the original.

Wang Xizhi's genuine works had long been lost to the world. If this were verified as a genuine work, it would be a groundbreaking discovery that would shock the world, and everyone present would be witnesses to history.

Lin Yu had said he would let them broaden their horizons, but this was far more than just broadening their horizons!

The entire antique shop was in a state of high excitement, but one person's face was ashen, looking as if he had swallowed a mouthful of flies. It was the shop owner who had bet with Lin Yu.

At that moment, he felt like dying. Compared to this rare treasure, the fifty thousand yuan bet was insignificant. A few years ago, a Tang dynasty copy of Wang Xizhi's work had sold for hundreds of millions. If this were genuine, its value would be unimaginable.

His eyes were bloodshot with anger and jealousy, and he looked at Lin Yu with hatred. If it weren't for this kid, the scroll would still be his.

Now, with so many witnesses, there was no way he could back out.

"Shop owner, the facts are clear. Can you return the fifty thousand yuan to us?" Lin Yu asked with a smile.

The shop owner's face turned red, and he was speechless. Lin Yu was pushing him to the brink. Returning the fifty thousand yuan would be like handing over a priceless treasure to Lin Yu.

"Forget it, Jiarong. Let's not be unreasonable. Consider the fifty thousand yuan as a red envelope for the shop owner."

Jiang Jingren, who had come to his senses, quickly said. Buying such a precious treasure for fifty thousand yuan was a huge profit, and he was eager to leave, not caring about the money.

As he spoke, he carefully put the scroll away, tucking it into his chest, and called Lin Yu and Jiang Yan to leave.

"Brother, I have a request." Tang Zongyun hurriedly called out.

"Please speak." Jiang Jingren subconsciously tightened his grip on the scroll.

"This scroll is truly rare. To see it in my lifetime is a great blessing. I wonder if you would do me the honor of letting me and a few friends in the antique world come to admire it."

Tang Zongyun bowed slightly, his tone sincere.

"Of course, of course." Jiang Jingren was delighted at the thought of Tang Zongyun visiting his home and nodded repeatedly.

"Thank you, brother. I'll bring a few friends to visit you shortly." Tang Zongyun was full of gratitude.

As they left the antique shop, everyone was reluctant to part, asking Jiang Jingren for his business card. Jiang Jingren's face was full of wrinkles from smiling, never having imagined he would become a celebrity in the antique world.

The shop owner watched them leave, his eyes cold and sinister. After they were gone, he took out his phone and dialed a number, "Hello, Lao San, do me a favor. If this is done, the three of us will enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of our lives."

"Second brother, what do you need? Just say it." A low, excited voice came from the other end. He knew his second brother's capabilities and sensed that they were about to get rich again.

The shop owner briefly explained the situation and added coldly, "If necessary, leave no survivors."

"Understood! I'll set out right away."

Jiang Yan kept glancing at Lin Yu while driving, wanting to say something but hesitating.

"Ask what you want to ask." Lin Yu said casually, leaning back in his seat.

"How did you know there was a hidden layer in the scroll?"

"Guess." Lin Yu smiled at her.

"Whatever." Jiang Yan rolled her eyes.

"Would you believe me if I said I identified it through my expertise?" Lin Yu leaned closer to her.

Feeling Lin Yu's warm breath, Jiang Yan's face turned slightly red.

"Am I blushing?"

Am I blushing? Jiang Yan's heart suddenly raced. How could she be blushing in front of this good-for-nothing?

But she realized that, without knowing when, she had started to dislike him less.

"I don't believe you!" She quickly used a cold tone to hide her inner turmoil.

Lin Yu laughed, moved his head back, and looked out the window, "I'm just more observant, and a bit lucky. I just felt the scroll was a bit heavier and guessed there might be a hidden layer. I didn't expect to be right."

As he finished speaking, Jiang Yan suddenly hit the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt, causing him to lurch forward.

Jiang Jingren, who was in the back seat, holding the scroll and lost in admiration, hit his head on Lin Yu's seat.

"Ouch, Yan, what are you doing?" Jiang Jingren said, holding his head.

"A car suddenly cut in front of us." Jiang Yan looked panicked.

Lin Yu glanced at the SUV that had cut in front of them, his expression changing, "Quick, reverse."

Seeing Jiang Yan still in shock, Lin Yu quickly shifted the gear to reverse and said firmly, "Reverse!"

Jiang Yan subconsciously hit the gas to reverse, but a minivan suddenly appeared behind them, blocking their escape.

This was a two-lane road, and with the two vehicles blocking them, Jiang Yan's car was trapped in the middle, unable to move.

At least seven or eight people, armed with iron bars and knives, got out of the vehicles. A scar-faced man, who seemed to be the leader, walked over and smashed the front of Jiang Yan's car with an iron bar, then pointed inside and shouted, "Get out!"

Jiang Yan and Jiang Jingren were terrified. They were a government official and a well-behaved girl, and had never seen such a scene.

They couldn't believe that something they had only seen on TV was happening to them, and they were at a loss.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Lin Yu remained calm, "Dad, give me the scroll. They're after it."

"No way, even if they kill me, I won't give it up!" Jiang Jingren clung to the scroll, determined to protect it with his life.

"Dad, it's now or never. Give them the scroll, and we'll report it to the police later. We can still get it back." Jiang Yan urged, realizing that these people were dangerous and might do anything for the scroll.

"It's okay, Dad. Give me the scroll, and I'll ensure it's safe." Lin Yu said firmly.

Persuaded by Jiang Yan, Jiang Jingren hesitated for a moment before reluctantly handing the scroll to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu then got out of the car with the scroll, and Jiang Yan and Jiang Jingren followed.

Seeing Jiang Yan, the scar-faced man and his gang were immediately captivated, their eyes gleaming with excitement and greed as they ogled her perfect figure.

"Hey, beautiful." The scar-faced man grinned, showing his yellow teeth.

Jiang Yan instinctively hid behind Lin Yu, realizing that compared to these thugs, Lin Yu was actually quite decent.

"You want this scroll, right?" Lin Yu said with a smile, taking the scroll out of the brocade box and showing it to the scar-faced man.

The scar-faced man, recognizing the scroll, his expression darkened, and he extended his hand, "Give it to me. We want the scroll, not your lives. Hand it over, and we'll let you go."

"I can't just give it to you. I paid a lot for it." Lin Yu said.

"Damn, are you asking for money? You must be tired of living. Do you know how many lives I have on my hands?" The scar-faced man growled.

He wasn't exaggerating. As a thug for over a decade, he had killed and served time, and was now the owner of a nightclub, known in the area.

Of course, this was all thanks to his brother, who was a police captain. The three of them were brothers, and the shop owner was one of them.

Since his second brother had told him the scroll was worth a fortune, he was determined to get it, even if it meant killing Lin Yu and the others.

"Jiarong, give him the scroll." Jiang Yan, seeing the gang closing in, clutched her hands.

"Let's make a deal. I'll give you the scroll, but you have to let my father and wife leave first." Lin Yu said after a moment's thought.

"What do you mean? You're not coming?" Jiang Yan asked, surprised.

"I'll stay and negotiate with them. Maybe they'll change their mind and not ask for the scroll." Lin Yu said with a smile.

"Fine, I'll let them go, but if you break your word, I'll kill you!" The scar-faced man, though interested in Jiang Yan, knew the scroll was more important, so he agreed to Lin Yu's terms.

He waved his hand, and someone moved the SUV, clearing the way.

"Jiarong, are you crazy?" Jiang Yan said urgently.

"Don't worry, you and Dad go first. I'll be back soon." Lin Yu gave her a bright smile, the first time she had shown concern for him in a long time.

"No, give them the scroll, and come with us." Jiang Yan grabbed his wrist, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

Seeing her furrowed brows, Lin Yu found her somewhat cute. Was his life really more important to her than the priceless treasure?

Oh, right, she's a doctor. Human life is more important to her than anything. She would do this for anyone.

Lin Yu felt a twinge of disappointment, gently removed her hand, and looked at her softly, "Trust me."

Jiang Yan's heart skipped a beat. She remembered Lin Yu saying the same thing to her in the hospital, with the same determined look in his eyes.

A look she couldn't refuse.

For some reason, she always had a strange feeling, as if this look didn't come from Jiarong, but from someone else.