**"Real or fake?!"**
**"This can't be real!"**
**"How could Professor Tang be wrong?!"**
**"If it's genuine, it's a miracle!"**
The crowd of antique enthusiasts erupted in excitement, pressing forward to catch a glimpse of this priceless treasure.
Lin Yu didn't stop them. He simply positioned himself where he could protect the calligraphy at all times, standing guard.
The newly revealed inner layer of the scroll, though yellowed and rough, was remarkably well-preserved. The brushstrokes were vigorous yet graceful, restrained yet fluid—living up to the legendary description of *"floating like clouds, agile like startled dragons."*
Jiang Jingren's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he leaned in, his voice hoarse with disbelief. **"Am I... am I dreaming?!"**
Even Jiang Yan, who knew nothing about calligraphy, found herself mesmerized by the elegant characters.
**"I could die without regrets now... without regrets!"**
Tears streamed down Tang Zongyun's face, his excitement and awe utterly genuine. For any calligraphy lover, witnessing a genuine Wang Xizhi masterpiece in person was the ultimate dream.
Even if its authenticity still needed verification, the craftsmanship alone was enough to fool the most discerning eye.
With no surviving originals from Wang Xizhi, if this were proven real, it would be a discovery that shook the heavens and earth—and everyone present would be part of history.
Lin Yu had promised to *"broaden their horizons,"* but this was beyond anything they could have imagined.
Amid the fervor, only one person stood with a face ashen as if he'd swallowed a fly—the shop owner who had just lost the bet.
At this moment, he wished he were dead. Compared to this priceless treasure, the 500,000-yuan wager was nothing. Just a few years ago, a Tang Dynasty *copy* of Wang Xizhi's work had sold for hundreds of millions. If this were genuine, its value was unimaginable.
His eyes burned with fury and envy as he glared at Lin Yu. If not for this brat, the scroll would still be his.
With so many witnesses, there was no way to take it back now.
**"Shopkeeper, the truth is clear. Will you return the 500,000 yuan now?"** Lin Yu asked with a smile.
The shop owner flushed crimson, speechless. Lin Yu was backing him into a corner—returning the money meant handing over this priceless treasure for free.
**"Forget it, Jiarong. Let's not push it. Consider the 500,000 a red envelope for the shopkeeper,"** Jiang Jingren said hurriedly, clutching the scroll protectively.
He was already counting his blessings—500,000 for such a treasure was a steal. The sooner they left, the better.
**"Old brother, I have a request,"** Tang Zongyun said quickly, stopping him.
**"Go ahead,"** Jiang Jingren said, instinctively tightening his grip on the scroll.
**"This piece is a once-in-a-lifetime find. It would be my honor if you'd allow me and a few fellow collectors to admire it further."**
Tang Zongyun bowed slightly, his tone earnest.
**"Of course, of course!"** Jiang Jingren was overjoyed at the idea of hosting Tang Zongyun and his circle.
**"Thank you! I'll bring some friends to visit shortly,"** Tang Zongyun said gratefully.
As they left the shop, the crowd lingered, many asking for Jiang Jingren's contact. For the first time in his life, he felt like a celebrity in the antique world.
Only the shop owner watched them go, his gaze icy. Once the crowd dispersed, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
**"Third Brother, I need a favor. If this succeeds, we'll live in luxury for the rest of our lives."**
**"What's the plan?"** a low voice replied, already sensing a windfall.
After listening to the shop owner's instructions, the voice turned grim. **"Understood. No survivors if necessary."**
---
As Jiang Yan drove, she kept glancing at Lin Yu, hesitating.
**"Just ask,"** Lin Yu said lazily, reclining in his seat.
**"How did you know about the hidden layer?"**
**"A guess."** He grinned.
**"Whatever."** She rolled her eyes.
**"What if I said I recognized it with my expertise? Would you believe me?"** He leaned closer, his breath warm against her cheek.
To her surprise, Jiang Yan felt her face grow warm.
*Was she blushing?*
How could she blush in front of this good-for-nothing? Yet somehow, she realized, she didn't dislike him as much as before.
**"No,"** she snapped, masking her fluster with coldness.
Lin Yu chuckled and turned to the window. **"I just paid attention. Plus luck. The scroll felt unusually thick, so I guessed there might be a hidden layer. Didn't expect to be right."**
Suddenly, Jiang Yan slammed the brakes. Tires screeched as Lin Yu lurched forward.
Behind them, Jiang Jingren—still lost in admiration of the scroll—slammed into Lin Yu's seat.
**"Yan'er, what was that?!"** he groaned, rubbing his head.
**"That car cut us off!"** she said, shaken.
Lin Yu's expression darkened as he saw the SUV blocking their path. **"Reverse. Now."**
When Jiang Yan froze, he shifted into reverse himself. **"Go!"**
She hit the gas, but a van suddenly swerved behind them, sealing their escape.
Sandwiched between the two vehicles on the narrow road, they were trapped.
Eight men spilled out, armed with metal pipes and machetes. A scar-faced leader smashed their hood with a pipe and pointed inside.
**"Get out!"**
Jiang Yan and her father paled. As a civil servant and a sheltered woman, neither had faced such violence before.
**"Don't panic. I'm here,"** Lin Yu said calmly. **"Dad, give me the scroll. They're here for it."**
**"No! They'll have to kill me first!"** Jiang Jingren clutched it like his life depended on it.
**"Dad, just hand it over! We can call the police later!"** Jiang Yan pleaded. The men's greed made them unpredictable—and dangerous.
**"Trust me. I'll keep it safe,"** Lin Yu said firmly.
Reluctantly, Jiang Jingren surrendered the scroll.
As they stepped out, the thugs' eyes lit up at Jiang Yan, lingering on her figure.
**"Hey there, beautiful,"** Scarface leered, revealing yellowed teeth.
Jiang Yan shrank behind Lin Yu. For the first time, he didn't seem so useless compared to these brutes.
**"You want this?"** Lin Yu held up the scroll.
Scarface's expression hardened. **"Hand it over, and you walk away."**
**"Just like that? I paid good money for it."**
**"You want *money* from me?"** Scarface sneered. **"I've got bodies on my record. Don't test me."**
He wasn't bluffing. A longtime gangster, he'd killed before and run a nightclub under his police captain brother's protection.
If his brother said this scroll was priceless, it was. Today, he'd get it—no matter the cost.
**"Jiarong, just give it to him!"** Jiang Yan gripped Lin Yu's arm, her voice urgent.
**"Fine. Take the scroll—but let my father and wife leave first,"** Lin Yu said.
**"What? You're staying?"** Jiang Yan stared at him.
**"I'll negotiate. Maybe they'll change their mind."** He smiled.
Scarface agreed. The scroll mattered more than the woman—for now.
As the SUV moved aside, Jiang Yan grabbed Lin Yu's wrist. **"Are you insane? Come with us!"**
Her concern surprised him. Did she value his life over the treasure?
Then he remembered—she was a doctor. To her, any life was priceless.
The realization stung. Gently prying her hand loose, he met her eyes. **"Believe in me."**
The same words, the same unwavering gaze he'd given when saving the little girl at the hospital.
For some reason, it felt like those eyes belonged to someone else entirely.