Chapter 1415: Chapter 1415: That Old Bastard Fu
Just as Chu Biyao planned to drag Ye Fan to stay with the crew a little longer, Mengyao called.
Mengyao didn’t specify what the matter was, but it was clear that something important required Ye Fan to make a decision. Consequently, Ye Fan bid farewell to Biyao and went to meet Mengyao.
Arriving at the villa, Mengyao said lightly, "A collector reached out to me, claiming there’s a big matter involving national treasures. They earnestly requested our involvement, and arranged to contact me. As agreed, they will visit us at eight tonight."
"National treasures? Somebody wants us involved? Who exactly is this ’somebody’?" Ye Fan asked.
"I don’t know the specifics, but in terms of collection, there are always inconvenient aspects to handle. Perhaps someone has noticed our financial power and strong capabilities, which is why they want us to intervene," Mengyao said. "I still need you to decide on this. I’m worried someone might be deliberately drawing us into a trap, possibly with some undisclosed intentions."
From the looks of it, this unknown party might actually be involved in a trap, but it’s not certain.
"Let’s wait until we meet the people involved," Ye Fan didn’t think much of it. Without understanding the situation, it was impossible to make a judgment.
At the airport, Qi Haomin and his daughter Qi Sixue disembarked from the plane and headed straight to Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao.
The collector who contacted Chu Mengyao was actually Qi Haomin, who brought his daughter here to explain the situation.
Upon arriving at the villa, Qi Haomin met with Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao.
However, it was clear that Qi Haomin and his daughter looked worried, evidently facing some trouble.
Qi Sixue was quiet and reserved, hardly speaking, but her lively eyes were particularly ethereal.
"Mr. Ye, President Chu, I’ve heard a bit about your reputations. I’m here especially requesting a meeting, hoping you will lend a hand," Qi Haomin respectfully pleaded. "This time, I hope the two of you can offer your assistance."
He truly acknowledged Ye Fan’s status and was well aware of the vast financial resources Chu Mengyao commanded.
Both in terms of financial power and capabilities, he desperately needed their assistance.
"What exactly is the matter? Could you please clarify? You haven’t said anything yet and already mentioned assistance. If it weren’t for your sincere and emotional tone over the phone, we wouldn’t have agreed to meet," Chu Mengyao looked at Qi Haomin and Qi Sixue calmly, saying, "Let’s begin with introductions. We know nothing about you, like who you are."
"It was my mistake. There were a lot of inconveniences over the phone, so I didn’t go into details. I requested a face-to-face meeting but forgot to introduce myself. My apologies," Qi Haomin nodded apologetically and then said, "I’m Qi Haomin, a figure in the collection world, and this is my younger daughter, Qi Sixue."
"Hello to both of you," Chu Mengyao said. "Could you explain your purpose for coming?"
"Sixue, you explain," Qi Haomin turned to his daughter.
"Right!" Qi Sixue nodded and began to explain, "My father collected a painting and recently discovered there’s a secret hidden within. It’s related to a treasure, all from the wartime era. A wealthy merchant from Japan leveraged his authority to extort and seize the treasures. Some were even stolen from graves. When Japan surrendered, the treasures couldn’t be transported out in time, so the merchant secretly hid them. He made a map of the treasure’s location, divided into three parts, each hidden in an ancient painting. After the merchant was assassinated, the three ancient paintings were scattered, and no one knew their whereabouts. Based on the notes and diaries left by this Japanese merchant, someone from Japan found traces and spent a considerable cost obtaining two of the paintings from two different places. Coincidentally, the third painting was collected by my father."
"Someone from Japan has already approached my father, wanting to buy that painting. My father didn’t agree and has faced considerable threats and warnings. Secrets spread easily, and the mystery of the three paintings has caused quite a stir without anyone knowing who’s spreading these rumors purposefully."
"Unable to withstand the pressure, my father deposited the painting at an underground auction house as a temporary way to avoid the crisis."
"The auction house is reliable and won’t play tricks. However, as the secrets of the painting leaked, various forces emerged, mostly seeking those treasures."
"Currently, the painting has become the focus of attention, a hot potato."
Qi Sixue recounted the origins of the painting and why it caused such a ruckus.
Those treasures are national heritage, and no matter where they are, they can’t be allowed to fall into the hands of uncivilized thieves.
Moreover, Japan has already acquired two paintings; the most crucial one is this third one. If the three paintings come together, they will reveal a massive treasure, which cannot fall into Japanese hands.
Therefore, protecting the third painting has become paramount.
"Why did you think of approaching us?" Ye Fan asked curiously.
"I’ve long heard of your illustrious names, though never had the chance to meet. This time, an elderly gentleman actively contacted us, advising us to seek your assistance. That gentleman said you’d be interested," Qi Haomin explained.
"This elderly gentleman you mentioned, what’s his name?" Ye Fan said with a smile.
"His surname is Fu, but I don’t know anything else," Qi Haomin said seriously. Speaking of this, he was puzzled, unsure why such a person would instruct him to seek help from Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao. Unable to understand, he could only do as the elderly gentleman instructed. Besides, he’d heard of Ye Fan’s unmatched prestige and naturally hoped for a chance to meet Mr. Ye and President Chu.
With only the surname Fu to go by and the secrets of the painting spreading rapidly, it seemed someone deliberately disseminated this information. It’s certainly not from the Japanese side, leaving only one possibility — a big figure from an organization is paying attention to this matter. If it’s not Fu Lao, it would be surprising.
The purpose of Fu Lao isn’t just to prevent others from obtaining the painting; there’s another underlying reason: to follow the clues, acquire the other two paintings, and then find the treasure.
"The person who contacted me on the phone was that old fellow named Fu," Chu Mengyao, like Ye Fan, also guessed at the person behind it.
"Indeed," Qi Haomin said.
Right as the four were in conversation, speak of Cao Cao and he appears.
Fu Lao arrived for a visit.
"That old fellow named Fu has come," Ye Fan said.
"Is this the old fellow named Fu? He’s actually an important person within the organization." Qi Haomin was astonished.
"Daring to show disrespect to an important figure like this, both Mr. Ye and President Chu are..." Qi Sixue found herself speechless.
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