You went on a blind date and presented an A-level wanted criminal as a meeting gift?

Chu Yunfei, after all, was a man who had spent many years in the dangerous and dangerous world of Beijing. Although he was furious inside, he managed to regain his composure in a very short time.

He released his grip, letting the blood-stained shards of glass fall onto the expensive carpet, and the bodyguard behind him immediately handed him a clean white handkerchief.

Chu Yunfei slowly wiped his hands, and even gave Lin Chen a smile, but the smile looked sinister and cold.

"Consultant Lin really loves to joke around."

He casually tossed the handkerchief to his bodyguard and picked up a glass of wine again.

"It is my honor to have two beautiful ladies, Ms. Ye and Ms. Su, attending together, and it is also a testament to your skill, Consultant Lin."

He abruptly changed the subject, raising his voice so that everyone in the banquet hall could hear him clearly.

"However, simply being popular with women doesn't count as real ability."

"A man's success in this world depends on his vision and inner strength!"

After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands.

The music in the banquet hall stopped, and the lights focused on the small, temporary stage in the center.

Several staff members carefully pushed in a display case covered with a thick red velvet cloth.

The atmosphere at the scene was instantly hyped up, and everyone craned their necks in curiosity.

Chu Yunfei stepped onto the stage, his face regaining its former confidence and arrogance.

He reveled in the spotlight, as if the humiliation he had just suffered at the hands of Lin Chen had never happened.

"Distinguished guests, friends!"

His voice carried throughout the venue through the microphone.

"I've invited everyone here today not only to strengthen our bonds, but also to witness the return of a national treasure!"

He suddenly ripped off the red cloth!

Under the lights, a gilded Bodhisattva statue about half a meter tall stands quietly inside a bulletproof glass enclosure.

The Bodhisattva statue is dignified and solemn, with flowing robes and a gilded body. Although it has been thousands of years, it still shines with golden light, exuding a profound historical atmosphere and a solemn Buddhist nature.

Whether in terms of shape, craftsmanship, or the naturalness of the patina, it is an absolute masterpiece.

Many knowledgeable businessmen present immediately exclaimed in amazement.

"My God, could this... could this be the legendary Tang Dynasty gilded Buddha statue?"

"Look at the facial features, the clothing details—it's definitely in the style of the Tang Dynasty! It's so well preserved; it's practically a miracle!"

Chu Yunfei listened with satisfaction to the gasps of amazement around him. He raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Indeed! This is the very national treasure that my Chu family recently purchased from the descendants of a fallen European nobleman at a huge cost—a gilded standing Guanyin statue from the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty!"

He paused, then held up five fingers and spoke in a very impactful tone.

"The final price was 500 million RMB!"

"hiss--"

A collective gasp filled the room.

Five hundred million!

Buy a Buddha statue!

Is this the foundation and scale of Beijing's top wealthy families?

Amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd, Chu Yunfei's eyes precisely locked onto Lin Chen below the stage.

His face was filled with undisguised provocation and contempt as he spoke loudly.

"I've heard that Lin, the consultant in Jiangcheng, is not only a brilliant detective, but also omniscient and omnipotent, knowledgeable in everything from astronomy to geography."

"How about we invite Advisor Lin to come up on stage and let us all appraise this priceless national treasure?"

His voice was full of traps.

"Of course, the antique business is very complex, and not just anyone can understand it."

"It's okay if Consultant Lin doesn't understand."

Chu Yunfei's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"As long as you kneel down in front of everyone, kowtow to me, and loudly admit that you are a country bumpkin who has never seen the world, this matter will be over."

Once those words were spoken, everyone understood.

This is an open conspiracy, a blatant humiliation!

Chu Yunfei is going to use his expertise, built on money and resources, to regain the face he just lost!

The powerful and influential people around who were attached to the Chu family immediately began to make a fuss.

"Yes, Consultant Lin, why don't you go up and take a look? Let us see what you're made of!"

"This is such a rare opportunity given by Young Master Chu, surely you're not afraid?"

"Heh, a consultant who makes a living in a small town, how could he have ever seen a treasure of this caliber? He probably can't even tell the difference between real and fake!"

Laughter and mockery came from all directions.

Su Qingge and Ye Qingcheng's expressions both darkened.

Although they had almost blind trust in Lin Chen, antique appraisal is, after all, an extremely professional field that requires years of experience.

No matter how capable Lin Chen is, he can't possibly know everything, right?

Ye Qingcheng quietly tugged at Lin Chen's sleeve and whispered.

"Don't fall for his tricks, let's go."

Su Qingge also gestured to him with her eyes that there was no need to argue over such a matter.

However, Lin Chen acted as if he hadn't heard.

His expression remained unchanged, still lazy and nonchalant, as if the surrounding mockery was nothing more than the buzzing of flies.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire audience, he calmly adjusted his cuffs and then stepped onto the stage.

His two major skills, [Divine Appraisal] and [Divine Microscopic Carving/Forgery], were automatically activated the moment he saw the Bodhisattva statue.

On that seemingly flawless Buddha statue, he saw microscopic traces left by modern laser cutting that ordinary people could not detect at all; he saw an unnatural oxide layer artificially aged with chemical agents; and he saw an extremely tiny structural gap inside the base of the Buddha statue that could only be detected by nanoscale probes.

A cold and mocking smile slowly curved the corners of Lin Chen's mouth.

He didn't rush to speak, but ignored the astonished looks of Chu Yunfei and the others, and walked straight to the long table where the tableware was set.

He picked up a gleaming silver knife used for cutting steak.