Director Zhou repeatedly praised, "This painting will definitely become a treasure of the museum in the future. Mr. Tang, thank you so much. If you hadn't gone to the Bai family to act as their go-between, I'm afraid Mr. Bai, who cherishes his collection so much, might not have been able to sell this painting so easily."

Old Tang waved his hand: "I know Lao Bai's character too well. Although he is obsessed with collecting antiques, in his heart, the honor of the country always comes first. Huadu Museum is a national museum, representing the face of the country. I knew that Lao Bai would donate it without hesitation. Moreover, he did not take out the 'Clouds, Rain, Mountains and Rivers' painting, but instead took out the more valuable 'Starry Sea' painting, which is enough to show his character."

"Yes, yes, you really know Elder Bai. Don't worry, I promised you before that as long as I can get Ye Bai, I will have someone deliver that bronze cauldron to your home as soon as possible."

Old Tang appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

That Western Zhou bronze ding was a treasure he had been longing for for several years; its research value was simply too high.

In this act of helping to build a bridge, although he gave away a white jade Go set, he received the bronze tripod he wanted, making it a worthwhile deal.

However, there are still some questions he needs to answer.

This mystery had actually been in his mind for a long time.

*

As soon as Bai Qianmo returned to the film set, Old Bai called her right away.

"My dear granddaughter, Old Tang just came to pick up the painting. I asked for 100 million yuan as you suggested, and the Huadu Museum agreed very readily. I left your account number with him, and the money will be credited to your account today. Remember to check it."

"Grandpa, how did you know my account number?"

"Hehe, I called Su Peishan and asked for it in advance. This is what you deserve, you can keep it for investment. But my granddaughter probably doesn't care about this little bit of money."

A painting that takes only three or four hours to complete can easily fetch a price of 100 million.

This earning power is something that probably no one in the entire Bai family network, spanning several generations, could achieve.

Since Elder Bai had already handed over his account to Elder Tang, Bai Qianmo didn't say anything more.

This price is merely a symbolic offer; given the depth of this painting, it would cost far more abroad.

However, the old man was right. This amount of money was indeed a drop in the ocean for her, so she never wanted to make a living by painting.

The profession of painter should be sacred and noble.

Looking back through history, how many painters painted because they wanted to make money?

Few people who are driven by money can achieve fame.

Therefore, she deeply understands the principle that scarcity increases value.

Let this painting, "Starry Sea," be my final work.

After hanging up the phone, the old man walked out of the study looking refreshed.

He shook his head and hummed a familiar Beijing opera tune.

"Dad, you seem to be in a very good mood today," Xu Hualan said with a smile as she walked over.

Old Bai stood under the corridor, looking at the few wintersweet trees in the west corner of the courtyard.

"Hua Lan, I was just wondering if the ancestors of the Bai family are secretly protecting their descendants?"

Xu Hualan smiled gently, not immediately understanding the deeper meaning behind Bai Lao's words.

Bai Yitang also walked over out of curiosity.

"Grandpa, did you dream about the Bai family's ancestor last night?"

Upon seeing Bai Yitang, Old Bai gave him a sideways glance.

"If I dream of the Bai family patriarch, I will definitely have him appear in your dream and teach you a good lesson."

Bai Yitang frowned. What had he done wrong this time? Why was the old man so disdainful of him...?

Old Bai didn't offer any further explanation, and hummed a little tune as he headed towards his room.

"Mom, did Grandpa take some gunpowder today?" He really didn't understand what the old man meant.

Xu Hualan immediately understood and smiled knowingly.

"Your grandfather was praising Qianmo, and you had to interrupt at this crucial moment. Without comparison, there's no harm done..."

Bai Yitang: "..."

Who am I? Where am I?

He became cannon fodder for no reason again?

*

Research Institute

Feng Yi, carrying a brown paper bag, pushed open the door to Gu Jueye's office.

The man was busy at his desk, not even lifting his eyelids.

"Did you go see Qianmo's family last night?"

Gu Jinchao Fengyi, who was standing to the side pretending to be a wooden figure, glared at him.

Feng Yi pretended not to see it and sat down opposite Gu Jueye.

Gu Jueye put away the documents on the table and placed the pen in his hand aside.

He glanced sideways at Kuching.

Upon seeing that glance, Kuching lowered his head guiltily.

He secretly resented Feng Shao's big mouth; it was just too unreliable.

"What do you want?"

Feng Yi chuckled and placed the brown paper bag on the table.

“Don’t blame Kuching. I was looking for you yesterday, but you didn’t answer your phone, so I had to call him. He said you were a guest at the Bai family’s house. I thought you were busy meeting your future father-in-law, so I didn’t bother you.”

After saying that, Feng Yi nodded and said, "This is the information you asked me to investigate. It's all here."

Gu Jueye reached out and picked up the brown paper bag, opened it, and pulled out the documents inside.

The document contained a two-inch ID photo of a man in a suit and tie, with handsome features and a spirited demeanor.

Below is some information about this man.

He quickly glanced at the message, and one particular piece of information caught his eye.

"During Li Yushu's second year abroad, he disappeared for three days without explanation?"

"According to people from his school, the school had reported him missing to the police and found him unconscious in a suburb. According to his confession to the police, he was kidnapped while driving late at night. His car, cash, and mobile phone were stolen. He was then injected with an unknown liquid by the kidnappers. When he woke up, it was three days later."

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