Chapter 147
Chapter 147
“This—”
“Is this Master Yunfeng’s new work?”
“Are you kidding? Isn’t this the ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’ painting?”
“Exactly, that’s Master Yunfeng’s early masterpiece. How can it be a new work?”
The crowd erupted in uproar, expressing their dissatisfaction. Clearly, they had been told it was a new piece, yet what was presented was an old work. Such deception infuriated them.
Of all present, Old Xu was the most bewildered.
Hadn’t he collected the original ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’? How could it appear here?
Had it been stolen again? Or was the one at home a fake?
His heart grew uneasy.
Despite the mounting complaints from the customers, the host remained calm, smiling as he said,
“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain patient. This painting is indeed ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water,’ undeniably Master Yunfeng’s early masterpiece. But at the same time, it is also Master Yunfeng’s new work.”
This left everyone utterly perplexed.
What could he mean? An early masterpiece that is now a new work?
Replacing the old with the new?
Master Yunfeng pulling such a stunt?
“What do you mean?” someone stood up, demanding an explanation.
The host stepped aside, pointing to the painting behind him.
“Have none of you noticed the difference between this ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’ and the previous one?”
Furrowing their brows, the crowd stared intently at the painting.
Suddenly, someone exclaimed excitedly, “I see it! There’s no notch on the mountain peak in this one!”
Instantly, understanding dawned on everyone.
Indeed, the mountain’s summit lacked the familiar notch; it was a sharp peak reaching into the clouds.
Master Yunfeng had been famous for years, and his original masterpiece had circulated widely online, so everyone present was well acquainted with its appearance.
Some devoted fans could even describe every detail blindfolded.
Seeing that someone had noticed, the host continued,
“Exactly as the gentleman said, this painting’s peak lacks the notch. In fact, this is how ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’ was originally meant to look. The year Master Yunfeng painted it, a mischievous bird left a mark on the canvas, creating that notch. This current piece is a revised version of the original painting.”
“Ah, that makes sense!”
The crowd suddenly saw the truth.
“That’s why there was a notch on the peak. Some people overanalyzed it, claiming it symbolized obstruction or something.”
“Master Yunfeng is so conscientious, creating this new version just to appease us fans.”
Excited, the crowd rose to their feet, eagerly asking the host for the starting price.
The atmosphere surged to a fever pitch.
Yet, sitting at the back, Wen Zhengtian wore a grimace of bitterness, almost nauseous.
He had analyzed the painting thoroughly that very night, only to realize he had overthought it.
Overthinking would be one thing, but he had also smelled it, kissed it, even licked it.
If it had just been ink, that might be tolerable, but it was bird droppings!
At the thought, Wen Zhengtian nearly vomited up his leftover meal.