After Reborn, I Became the Bigshots' Beloved

Chapter 167: Chapter 167 Someone Steps Forward to Claim It’s a Fake

Tonight, the banquet hall was filled with wealthy people, and more often than not, those with wealth would dabble in the circle of antiques and curios.

Even for those completely clueless about antiques, the name Shen Dai was universally acknowledged.

Shen Dai, the most outstanding—or rather, the most famous—master sculptor of the Tang Dynasty, if not in the entire history of China.

His status in the world of sculpture was akin to that of Gu Kaizhi and Wu Daozi in painting, or Wang Xizhi in calligraphy.

As learned in middle school history, Shen Dai had three pieces he was most satisfied with and cherished throughout his life, namely the White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase, White Jade Orchid Blossom Cup, and White Jade Orchid Blossom Brush Washer.

All three were exquisitely crafted masterpieces. Regrettably, before the foundation of New China, these three treasures had been lost overseas amid warfare.

Among the three jade carvings, only the brush washer had surfaced at an international auction in recent years, fetching a price over a hundred million. The whereabouts of the other two remained a mystery.

And now, one of these two, the White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase, was displayed right before their eyes.

The crowd couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration—

"My God, that’s really Shen Dai’s White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase! Where on earth did Miss Fu get it?!"

"This is a world-unique treasure passed down through generations. Just now Miss Fu didn’t even mention the price, but to acquire this piece, it must’ve cost no less than a hundred million, right?"

"For such an item, money isn’t really the important part since it’s usually out of reach even for those who can afford it. Miss Fu is indeed well-connected to lay her hands on such access."

"To spare no effort or expense to obtain Shen Dai’s peerless creation, Miss Fu’s filial piety is truly commendable! Old Mr. Fu is lucky to have a granddaughter like you!"

Compliments and accolades filled the air, almost lifting Fu Siya off her feet with pride.

"Not at all, not at all, you flatter me too much."

"Even though I did spend a bit over a hundred million purchasing this item, it’s totally worth it as long as Grandpa likes it."

Fu Siya responded with feigned modesty, finally letting go of that faint lingering fear and concern in her heart.

There was nothing to worry about after all.

How many people could have eyes sharp enough to discern?

Everyone had only seen photos of this item; no one had ever laid eyes on the real thing. How could anyone possibly distinguish it?

However, the moment Lu Sheng laid eyes on the White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase, her brow furrowed.

The piece Fu Siya presented was a fake.

She was actually displaying a counterfeit publicly and intended to gift it to Grandpa Fu as a present?

Seeing Fu Siya humbly accepting compliments from everyone, Lu Sheng couldn’t tell if she was deceived or aware that it was a fake.

But no matter what, Lu Sheng had no intention of disclosing this matter.

Today was Grandpa Fu’s birthday banquet, and Fu Siya was his granddaughter.

Pointing out the White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase was a fake would impeach Grandpa Fu’s dignity.

But Lu Sheng hadn’t expected that someone else among the guests would realize the vase was a replica.

And this person, straightforward as they were, had called it out publicly: "Hold on, something’s off with this item!"

The praises hadn’t even ceased when this unexpected utterance arose from the crowd.

"Miss Fu, could it be that you’ve been deceived? The White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase you’ve presented is not a genuine piece by Shen Dai, it’s fake."

???

Upon hearing this assertion, everyone present was momentarily stunned.

What? Someone claimed that the White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase that Miss Fu had bought back was a fake?

Everyone exchanged confused looks before their gaze collectively shifted to the speaker—

The one who had spoken was a young man in his twenties, around 1.7 meters tall, slim, with an average appearance, and skin roughened by exposure to wind and sun.

Wearing a plain white shirt and casual trousers, his hair was a bit disheveled. He wore thick-rimmed black glasses, looking somewhat introverted and scholarly.

It seemed as though he had blurted out without thinking, not anticipating the consequence of having everyone’s attention on him.

Subconsciously shrinking back, he was evidently unused to and uncomfortable with so many eyes staring at him.

However, when Lu Sheng saw him, she couldn’t help but pause.

She hadn’t expected to encounter someone from her past life at tonight’s banquet.

And considering the young man’s actions just now—

Indeed, if it were him, his recent behavior wouldn’t be surprising at all.

Fu Siya was even more shocked than the others present.

Where did this guy come from? How did he know the White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase was a fake?

She had personally gone abroad to acquire this item, from a master forger renowned in the antiques field, paying an entire million for it.

At that time, the master had assured her with a vow, saying that unless someone had handled or seen the genuine article, it would be impossible to detect a forgery.

And now, this unknown young man had somehow seen at a glance that the item was fake?

And he had done so without even getting a close look??

"Who are you?!"

The young man was a stranger to Fu Siya; she had never seen him before.

Upon further observation of his plainly humble attire, it was obvious that he wasn’t someone of wealth or influence; she wondered who he had followed to get in.

Unable to withhold her anger, she spoke: "What are you ranting about? This White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase cost me a hundred million to acquire overseas. What makes you say it’s a fake?"

The young man realized he had been too hasty and that Miss Fu was getting angry. He quickly tried to explain: "I apologize, Miss Fu. I didn’t mean to offend you."

"It’s just that I could see this item isn’t authentic. I heard you say that you had spent a hundred million to purchase it."

"I thought you might have been swindled out of so much money, so I couldn’t help but speak out in the heat of the moment."

???

Fu Siya’s anger intensified upon hearing this.

What kind of an idiot was interfering with her business?

Even if she had been scammed out of a hundred million, it was none of his business—why was he being so nosy!

Fu Siya wished she could call security to kick him out immediately, but some of the guests had grown curious.

"This young man, how did you discern this item as a fake?"

"This White Jade Orchid Blossom Vase visually appears identical to the circulated photographs, doesn’t it?"

Fu Siya had feared that someone would ask, and her worst-case scenario had come to pass.

Yet, before she could intervene or drive him away, the young man had already begun to soberly explain.

"It looks exactly like the circulating photos because the forger of this replica has perfected its ’form’ almost to a tee."

"However, what makes Shen Dai’s works renowned and his three greenish-white jade carvings world-famous is their ’spirit’."