419: Chapter 419 Ancestral Treasure

After Wu Ya left, Shen Yan was the only one left in the office.

He picked up the thick stack of folders on Wu Ya's desk and flipped through them one by one.

All the background information on the well-known local developers was placed there.

However, Shen Yan only glanced at them twice before setting them down, completely uninterested.

He now had better candidates and did not need this information.

He would only consider these backup options if Ning Ke rejected him.

Thinking this, he took out his phone and searched for calligraphy and painting collections with notable collector value.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

"I'll give you one week to package yourselves as capable developers."

As the words fell, the few somewhat bloated and balding men immediately exchanged uneasy glances.

As professional shell companies—a group of deceptive Agents—this task was not difficult for them.

After hesitating for a few seconds, they couldn't suppress their curiosity and asked Chen Wu, "President Chen, what do you want us to pose as developers for?"

Hearing this, Chen Wu gave them a half-smile look.

"What do you think I want you to do?"

What else could it be? It must be to swindle people!

But they couldn't answer that way.

The few men pursed their lips, glancing at each other, yet they couldn't come up with an answer.

Chen Wu was too lazy to waste any more time with them. He raised his chin and asked them directly, "Do you know Shen Yan?"

Shen Yan had recently been the talk of the town online.

How could they not know him?

The group nodded frantically, waiting for Chen Wu to continue.

Seeing that these men knew him, Chen Wu cut straight to the chase and revealed his entire objective.

"I want you to disguise yourselves as developers to approach him, secure a cooperation deal, and then play a few tricks to cause some major trouble on that piece of land."

Although he didn't explicitly state what kind of major trouble he meant, their long-term cooperation had made the men fully aware of what Chen Wu intended to do.

They didn't ask further questions, only lowered their heads and accepted the task.

After all, their job was just to get things done and collect their pay.

After briefly assigning the task, Chen Wu waved his hand and let them leave his office.

Only when their backs completely disappeared did the young secretary ask Chen Wu, "President Chen, what if Shen Yan doesn't choose the gift we meticulously prepared for him?"

Hearing the question, Chen Wu picked up the teacup in front of him and slowly took a sip.

"Don't worry, I won't give him a choice."

...

Shen Yan was unaware of how Chen Wu on the other side was plotting against him.

At this moment, he was on his way with Chen Guangke to purchase calligraphy and antiques.

"Are you sure your friend really has an authentic painting in his possession?"

Hearing Shen Yan's question, Chen Guangke nodded and replied, "Don't worry, I've known this person, a classmate, for over ten years. He wouldn't lie to me."

To be honest, Shen Yan wasn't entirely convinced.

According to Chen Guangke, this classmate came from an average family background.

While not exactly poor, he certainly wasn't considered well-off.

If it was truly an authentic painting as Chen Guangke claimed, why hadn't his classmate sold it sooner?

Chen Guangke knew what Shen Yan was suspecting. He patted Shen Yan's shoulder and said, "Oh, didn't I already tell you? This item was passed down through their family."

"If his family members hadn't all fallen ill, he wouldn't have thought about selling his family heirloom."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Shen Yan pursed his lips and ultimately refrained from voicing any malicious speculation.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A knocking sound echoed.

Shen Yan and Chen Guangke stood waiting outside the door together.

From the dilapidated rental unit, the sound of slippers shuffling on the floor could be heard.

"Slap, slap, slap!"

"Creeeeak..."

The door was opened.

The person who opened the door was a young man with a buzz cut.

The other party was first stunned when he saw them, then flashed them a brilliant smile.

"You're here, quickly, quickly, please come in."

Shen Yan nodded, following the other person inside while introducing himself.

"Hello, I am Old Chen's friend, Shen Yan."

The other person enthusiastically invited them to sit on the sofa inside the room.

"Hello, hello, my name is Wang Xing. Just call me Old Wang."

Shen Yan smiled faintly, subtly observing the furnishings and decoration in the living room.

Although the house looked very rundown from the outside, upon entering, he noticed it was filled with a warm atmosphere.

It was clear that the owner of the house took great care in maintaining it.

After bringing them both a glass of water, Old Wang sat down on a wooden chair next to the table.

He seemed a bit constrained.

"Um... cough! I heard from Old Chen that you want to buy our ancestral calligraphy and painting?"

Shen Yan nodded.

"That's right. I heard you have a genuine work by Mr. Li here?"

Old Wang didn't speak. He turned and walked into a room, emerging with a box resembling a scroll.

"It's this one."

Shen Yan didn't hastily take the box.

He turned to glance at Chen Guangke, then said to Old Wang in an indirect tone, "It's just that I don't have much expertise in this area, so... I might have to ask a professional to come over for authentication."

He was slightly worried that Old Wang might be upset by this.

After all, Old Wang was a companion Chen Guangke had known since childhood.

Bringing in a third party for authentication might damage their friendship.

Just as he was thinking this, Old Wang nodded and said to him, "Sure, no problem. Let that professional come over and authenticate it. It's fine."

Seeing how agreeable the other party was, Shen Yan let out a subtle sigh of relief.

"Shall I have them come over right now?"

Just as Old Wang was about to nod, his phone rang again.

He said apologetically to Shen Yan and Chen Guangke, "Excuse me, I need to take this call nearby."

As soon as he finished speaking,

He walked out onto the balcony to take the call.

Only Shen Yan and Chen Guangke remained in the living room.

Chen Guangke lightly bumped Shen Yan's shoulder and whispered, "You don't need to be so cautious. I already told Old Wang before we came."

Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.

"He won't think you don't trust him?"

Chen Guangke snorted.

"What are you thinking? This is the only way to put both parties at ease."

Shen Yan was taken aback, then instantly understood Chen Guangke's implication.

Even though they were friends who grew up together, friction could easily arise when benefits were involved.

To put it plainly, Old Wang was also afraid that after they bought the painting, they might deny its authenticity and claim it was fake.

That situation would become hopelessly complicated.

The hands of the clock kept moving forward.

Not long after.

Old Wang returned after finishing his call.