Chapter 86

Chapter 84: A Great Find

As the saying goes, 'three parts of the painting, seven parts of the mounting.' Good mounting can enhance the beauty of a painting. However, the mounting and materials used on this painting were so poor that it turned what should have been a masterpiece into a piece of junk that no one wanted. It was thrown into a corner of the Black Tiger Gang's storage room, slowly decaying. But fortunately, it met Liu Dong.

"Since that's the case, Brother Wang, can you transfer it to me?" Liu Dong held the painting casually, his expression calm as he asked.

"Oh, Brother Liu likes it?" Wang Haitao's heart stirred, and he asked with a smile.

"Yes, Brother Wang should know that I used to make a living by doing carvings in the antique market. Influenced by the environment, I naturally developed some interest in antiques. However, the antique market is too deep, and without sufficient experience and extensive knowledge, it's easy to make mistakes. So, I've always wanted to collect a few items to play with, but I've never dared to make a move. This crane painting, although unsigned, is still quite well-drawn, and it looks like an old painting. So, I want to buy it as my first collection item!" Liu Dong said half-truthfully.

Liu Dong's eyes were very calm, and even someone as experienced as Wang Haitao couldn't detect any abnormality on his face.

"Since Brother Liu wants to collect, why didn't you like the rose-red enamel bottle earlier, but instead chose this unsigned old painting? Aren't you afraid of buying a fake?"

Facing Wang Haitao's probing, Liu Dong smiled faintly, "Compared to porcelain, I prefer old paintings. Moreover, this enamel porcelain is just a late Qing dynasty official kiln, with not much collection value. On the contrary, this old painting can still give me the fun of treasure hunting!"

After hearing his words, Wang Haitao's scrutinizing gaze swept over Liu Dong's face again. To be honest, after Liu Dong's bold gambling with Han Lei in the casino, earning thirty million in less than an afternoon, Wang Haitao knew that the ordinary-looking young man standing in front of him was not as simple as he appeared. So, he didn't really believe that Liu Dong's reasons for buying the painting were as simple as he said.

"Could this old painting be a masterpiece by a famous painter in history?" Wang Haitao thought.

However, when he first received the painting, he had invited many calligraphy and painting appraisers, including a researcher from the Palace Museum whom he had paid a lot of money to hire. Although they all acknowledged that the painting was of high quality, they couldn't determine its author or the specific time it was created. The lack of a signature also greatly reduced its value.

At the time, someone had offered 50,000 yuan to buy it, but he had refused, still harboring hopes. Later, as more and more people gave it a definitive appraisal, Wang Haitao finally gave up. Moreover, 50,000 yuan, while a large sum to others in the 1990s, was insignificant to Wang Haitao, who controlled the Black Tiger Gang. So, he didn't consider selling the painting and didn't bother to give it a better mounting, just throwing it here. If it weren't for Liu Dong bringing it out again today, he would have almost forgotten he had this painting.

"Alright, since Brother Liu likes it, I'll give you the painting!" Compared to this old painting, which he didn't value much, getting closer to Liu Dong was more in line with his current goals.

"Thank you, Brother Wang. As the saying goes, no reward without merit. Moreover, in the casino, you already gave me 100,000 yuan in chips, which I haven't returned. If I take this painting for free, it would be greedy. So, please name your price!" Liu Dong shook his head and said.

If the painting really wasn't worth much, Liu Dong would have accepted it. But now, he understood the value of the painting in his hands. Calling it a masterpiece of Chinese ancient paintings, both ancient and modern, was not an exaggeration, and its value could not be measured in money. In this situation, Liu Dong naturally wanted to pay for it to avoid any disputes later when the painting's true value was revealed.

Seeing the determined expression on Liu Dong's face, Wang Haitao knew he was resolute and didn't try to persuade him further. To be honest, as the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, the largest gang in Quancheng, Wang Haitao had made significant contributions to its success. His ability to read people was also exceptional, and he knew how to handle interpersonal relationships. So, he knew how to deal with someone like Liu Dong, who appeared calm but was resolute and decisive inside.

"This painting has been with me for several years. A gambler used it to pay off a 20,000 yuan gambling debt. If Brother Liu wants it, just give me 20,000 yuan!"

"Alright, 20,000 it is. I won't be polite, Brother Wang!" Liu Dong knew the price was low, but at this point, being polite would be inappropriate, possibly making Wang Haitao unhappy and even losing the painting.

"Ha ha, Brother Liu is indeed straightforward, a true man of Shandong!"

Hearing this, Liu Dong smiled and continued, "But I don't have that much cash on me, I need to transfer the money."

"No rush, Brother Liu, you can look at the other antiques first. There are many good things among them!" Wang Haitao smiled.

"Let's skip it. Collecting is a long-term endeavor. Buying this painting today is enough! But if you have any good items in your casino in the future, please let me know!"

After getting the old painting, Liu Dong realized that the casino was actually a place where antiques and artworks were concentrated. The chances of finding rare items here were much higher than in antique markets and pawnshops. Generally, what gamblers used to pay off debts were family heirlooms, and more than 50% of these heirlooms were genuine, some even worth millions. Moreover, the prices were much lower than at auctions, making it a good place to find treasures. Liu Dong, who was determined to enter the antique market but had few items in his collection, naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity.

"Of course, of course, if I find any good items, I'll let you know first!" Hearing Liu Dong's words, Wang Haitao, who was already thinking about how to further improve their relationship, readily agreed.

After leading Liu Dong out of the storage room and completing the transfer, Wang Haitao personally escorted him to the entrance of Tian Shang Ren Jian.

"To be honest, Brother Liu, you're now a millionaire. Shouldn't you consider changing your mode of transportation?" Looking at the two stacks of books tied with ropes on the back of the old Jinlu bicycle, which could be called an antique, Wang Haitao couldn't help but suggest.

"Ha ha, of course, I just haven't had the time yet." Seeing the somewhat strange looks from the Black Tiger Gang members, Liu Dong rubbed his nose awkwardly and laughed.

"Alright, I won't say more. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to me. As long as I can help, I, Wang Haitao, will not hesitate!" Wang Haitao said with great enthusiasm.

Hearing this, Liu Dong looked at him gratefully. Regardless of Wang Haitao's true intentions, his words were touching.

"Brother, this is the information we gathered about Liu Dong from the police station!" Just as Liu Dong's figure was about to disappear, the Black Tiger Gang's strategist, Hong Changshan, handed over a stack of about ten pages of information.

Wang Haitao took it, flipped through it briefly, and then casually threw it back.

Seeing the surprised look on Hong Changshan's face, Wang Haitao smiled faintly, said nothing, and turned to walk into the door of Tian Shang Ren Jian. Seeing this, the Black Tiger Gang members gathered at the entrance dispersed.

For Wang Haitao, Liu Dong's three years of information, while important, had already lost its significance. The information had become outdated when Liu Dong won thirty million from Han Lei in the casino. Moreover, Wang Haitao had basically given up on the idea of recruiting Liu Dong into the Black Tiger Gang and instead decided to fully befriend him, hoping to become friends. Therefore, the information that Hong Changshan had worked hard to obtain was no longer needed.