Chapter 84: I’m Doing This for Your Own Good

Chen Jianguo was about to call his superior.

Standing calmly beside Chen Muxue, Su Zheng, who had also examined the calligraphy and painting, spoke to stop him.

“If you make this call, not only will your reappointment fall through, but you might also offend your superior forever!”

Hearing these words, all three—including Chen Muxue—were stunned, looking at him with astonishment. Chen Jianguo’s face instantly darkened, his anger barely contained. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

“You're Su Zheng, right? It's one thing if you can’t help your uncle at all, but now you're even cursing him to lose his job. It seems Uncle has truly wasted these past two years raising you—a real ingrate!”

Wu Chenghao narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile on his lips as he seized the chance to sow discord.

Chen Muxue’s expression grew cold, and she glared at Wu Chenghao.

“I’m not cursing anyone, but this painting is a forgery,” Su Zheng ignored Wu Chenghao, looking at Chen Jianguo with a serious expression. “At first glance, the script appears to be in the Banqiao style, but it wasn’t written by Zheng Banqiao himself!”

“If I’m not mistaken, this was done by a calligrapher from the Republican era named Bai Jiao. He was an ardent admirer of Zheng Banqiao, also fond of painting orchids. Because of his passion for the Banqiao style, he copied it day and night, so much so that his writing is nearly indistinguishable from Zheng Banqiao’s. However, compared to Zheng Banqiao, Bai Jiao’s calligraphy lacks a certain uninhibited freedom.”

Su Zheng spoke calmly, his face composed and untroubled.

The ancestral legacy in his mind had wandered through countless eras before merging with him, absorbing myriad stories and knowledge from history. Once awakened and inherited in Su Zheng’s mind, all of it became his intellectual wealth.

Clap, clap, clap...

Wu Chenghao was not angered by Su Zheng’s words; instead, he applauded lightly, smiling. “Your ability to feign knowledge is truly impressive. I’m amazed. You dare call my grandfather’s treasured calligraphy a fake? How laughable. You really overestimate yourself.”

Chen Jianguo was so enraged by Su Zheng’s words that he actually laughed, pointing at Su Zheng and shouting angrily:

“Get out! Get back to your room right now, and stop embarrassing me here!”

Seeing Chen Jianguo’s unwavering trust in Wu Chenghao, Su Zheng turned to Wu Chenghao and asked, “Who is your grandfather?”

Wu Chenghao snorted proudly, “My grandfather is Wu Chunjie, a renowned senior calligraphy and painting appraiser in Qingyang City’s antique circle!”

He was puffed up with pride. Anyone familiar with Qingyang’s antique community knew his grandfather. To call his grandfather’s collection a fake was like saying a horse expert couldn’t recognize a thoroughbred.

“Even appraisers make mistakes—they’re human, not machines. Errors happen.”

Su Zheng remained unruffled, speaking in an even tone.

Chen Jianguo’s anger surged at these words, and he glared at Su Zheng. “So you’re saying I should trust you, a useless nobody, instead of Master Wu? What do you know about calligraphy and painting? How many genuine works have you actually seen?”

If Wu Chenghao hadn’t been present, Chen Jianguo might have slapped him then and there.

Chen Muxue frowned slightly, upset by her father’s attitude toward Su Zheng, yet also doubtful of Su Zheng’s claim.

She could understand if Su Zheng, from reading medical books, had picked up some basic medical skills. But for him to speak so confidently about calligraphy and painting—wasn’t that pure folly?

“Su Zheng, why don’t you go back to your room for now? Dad’s upset, and you really shouldn’t speak out of turn. Do you understand?”

There was a note of dissatisfaction in her tone. She didn’t want Su Zheng to say more and further anger her father.

Su Zheng had wanted to explain, but seeing Chen Jianguo’s furious expression, and with Chen Muxue telling him not to speak, he merely smiled calmly and turned to return to his room.

“All right, Uncle, don’t stoop to his level. He’s just an ignorant fool who’ll only get you more worked up,” Wu Chenghao said at the right moment, then glanced at Chen Muxue’s increasingly cold face and shook his head in feigned helplessness.

“Sigh, Muxue really lowers herself being with someone like that. No skills to speak of, yet always meddling—words fail me.”

“Hmph! Who knows what possessed our family’s old man back then. If it were up to me, I’d have had them divorced long ago—”

Chen Jianguo was beside himself, but before he could finish, Chen Muxue interrupted sharply.

“Dad! What are you saying?!”

Her expression grew darker. She could reprimand Su Zheng, but she would never allow outsiders to do so.

It was one thing for her father to scold Su Zheng, but for a first-time guest like Wu Chenghao to insult him—on what grounds?

Su Zheng, inexperienced? If only they knew about his connection with the Li family, especially how respectfully the Lis treated him—they’d be shocked out of their wits!

Chen Muxue fumed inwardly.

Su Zheng had told her not to mention his connection with the Li family to others—he disliked being disturbed and preferred a quiet life.

Chen Muxue had agreed on the spot, and her view of Su Zheng had risen; she felt that this was what a real man should be—capable of great things yet appearing calm and unassuming. How many people could achieve such composure?

“Dad, you should treat Su Zheng with more respect in the future. He is your son-in-law, after all. If you keep berating him, won’t people laugh at you?”

“Uh…”

Chen Jianguo was stunned. He had never expected his daughter to stand up for Su Zheng, even rebuking him in such an angry tone!

Wu Chenghao’s face also turned cold. He hadn’t expected the relationship between Chen Muxue and Su Zheng to be so different from the rumors—clearly, it wasn’t as bad as people said.

But seeing Chen Muxue turn and head into another room, not the same one as Su Zheng, hope rose in his heart again.

“It seems things aren’t as bad as I thought. I still have a chance!”

He silently reassured himself, lowering his head in contemplation.

Chen Jianguo wanted to scold his daughter, but seeing her already retreat to her room, he could only open his mouth in vain, then headed to the balcony to make his call.

“Hello, is this Director Zhang? It’s Old Chen. Are you free now…? Driving? Then could you stop by my place later? I just acquired a piece by Zheng Banqiao and would like to gift it to you... Oh? You’re free now? You’ll come over right away? Excellent, excellent!”

After hanging up, Chen Jianguo’s face was alight with excitement. He returned to the living room, beaming at Wu Chenghao.

“As soon as Director Zhang heard I had a piece by Zheng Banqiao, he turned his car around and is on his way over! You should’ve heard the excitement in his voice!”

His eyes sparkled as he spoke, his whole demeanor animated, as if he could already see himself returning to a management position.

“Then let me congratulate you in advance, Uncle,” Wu Chenghao replied with a calm smile, a trace of pride in his eyes.