Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Appraisal Event Slap in the Face (9) Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Appraisal Event Slap in the Face (9) “Mr. Deng.”

Deng Hui recognized him as the person who had attended the event today with Qin Jingchen and Jiang Zhe.

The visitor was indeed Qin He.

“Hello.”

“Mr. Deng, this is a gift from our Mr. Qin for you. Please accept it with our compliments.”

Deng Hui accepted it with both hands; he understood that since Qin Jingchen and Jiang Zhe had accepted his “Tiger Picture”, they wouldn’t take it without offering something in return.

But when he opened the gift, Deng Hui was a bit astounded.

Inside was a pair of Longquan kiln celadon-glazed double-eared vases!

This was one of the projects he was currently studying, but due to scarce materials, he had been able to study them only one or two at a time in museums.

The pair he now held in his hands was far too valuable!

Before he could refuse the gift, Qin He had already politely taken his leave.

Deng Hui’s hands trembled as he carried the gift back to his workshop, and then there was another knock at the door.

Upon opening the door, there stood a burly man who said, “Mr. Deng, I was sent by Jiang Zhe to deliver something. This is the gift she wants to give you. Please sign for it.”

It turned out this man was only responsible for delivering the item.

After signing for the delivery, Deng Hui closed the door and opened the box, which contained a set of four yellow-glazed, green-dragon-patterned fruit and flower bowls.

The value of the two deliveries combined had already exceeded that of his one-quarter share of the “Tiger Picture”.

Deng Hui knew that they were afraid of giving the gifts in person, and instead sent them after leaving.

He just wondered if the young couple knew what each had sent to the other?

Indeed, Deng Hui had long noticed that the two shared an extraordinary relationship; they were quite a good match for each other.

…

Back at Qin Jingchen’s apartment, Qin He had already brought the third layer of the “Tiger Picture” from Jiang Zhe’s residence.

All four layers were now gathered.

“Do we need to prepare anything else?” Qin He asked.

“Cherries, strawberries, tea, coffee, durian pastry,” Qin Jingchen replied.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Jingchen added, “Chocolate.”

Chocolate was the quickest way to replenish energy.

Jiang Zhe chose to work at his place because his study was especially large, and the desk in the study was spacious enough to suit the task.

She opened her backpack, took out several tools, and got straight to work.

Qin He brought in the prepared food; Qin Jingchen received it, set it aside, and sat in a non-intrusive spot next to her to keep her company through the night.

Combining the painting into one from four pieces was more difficult than separating them.

Both aligning and adhering were delicate tasks requiring patience.

Moreover, they tolerated no errors.

The night outside the window deepened.

Yet Jiang Zhe felt not a hint of sleepiness; the more challenging the task, the more it seemed to arouse her state of concentration.

She was unusually excited, and her hands worked faster and faster.

Despite the abundance of food and drink prepared around her, Jiang Zhe did not stop even once.

Qin Jingchen did not disturb her, simply sitting in silence next to her.

Finally, Jiang Zhe put down her tools and lifted the painting.

What was originally in four parts had now become a complete and intact single piece.

Under the light, the complete painting was more appreciable for its exquisite historical craftsmanship, every detail brought to life with precise coloration.

“Alright,” Jiang Zhe flexed his wrist.

“Have something to eat, time to rest,” Qin Jingchen pointed at his watch. It was already four in the morning.

When Jiang Zhe was too exhausted, she couldn’t eat anything at all.

She shook her head, “I’ll just sleep directly.”

“Half a cup of milk, okay?” Qin Jingchen coaxed with a slightly hoarse voice.

In the midst of speaking, he had already taken out the warm milk.

The refrigerator in the study always kept milk and coffee warm.

Jiang Zhe frowned slightly but still accepted it, took a few sips, and walked to the next room.

Qin Jingchen chuckled, and, drinking from the spot where she had left off, finished the rest of the half cup.

…

At night, Deng Hui was waiting in the studio for Qin Jingchen and Jiang Zhe to come over.

Honestly, when he received a call from Jiang Zhe, he was quite surprised.

He thought dealing with the painting would take at least several months.

Unexpectedly, in the afternoon, Jiang Zhe called him to say she would bring the painting over in the evening.

He washed and changed his clothes, waiting calmly for Jiang Zhe’s arrival.

After Jiang Zhe had slept and woken up, her complexion had recovered quite well. She put on her school uniform and got into the car.

Ding Xuexue and Ding Yuehua also came to visit Deng Hui.

The incident from the previous day, Ding Xuexue didn’t dare tell Jiang Cheng; she only told her mother.

Ding Yuehua was too upset to see her daughter suffer such humiliation.

But after careful consideration, offending Jiang Zhe was not a big deal, but upsetting Deng Hui was something she could not afford, given his reputation in the Antique World and his long-standing role as Ding Xuexue’s mentor. There had been a misunderstanding the previous night, and naturally, they needed to clarify things.

However, Deng Hui hadn’t answered Ding Xuexue’s calls, so Ding Yuehua took the initiative to bring her daughter over.

“That child falling down really had nothing to do with you, but now Professor Deng has formed a prejudice against you. We can only apologize sincerely and, at the same time, see whether Jiang Zhe can really restore that painting. If not, I’ll ask a master restorer for you another day. Professor Deng knows him and will surely be very pleased.”

“She definitely can’t do it. Very few people can restore ancient paintings, and even Professor Deng only knows a little. Jiang Zhe was just trying to show off at that time,”

Ding Xuexue didn’t believe it.

“Alright, let’s go and see first,” said Ding Yuehua.

Ding Yuehua and her daughter went upstairs together.

Upon hearing someone arrive, Deng Hui immediately opened the door.

Seeing it was the mother and daughter, his expression softened considerably.

“Professor Deng, I’ve brought Xuexue to visit you,” Ding Yuehua presented the gift with both hands.

“Come in, no need for gifts,” Deng Hui had many years of friendship with them and did not utterly reject them.

Ding Xuexue walked over with a sense of grievance, “I’m sorry, Professor Deng. I really didn’t mean to scare that child yesterday. I truly intended to warn him kindly.”

Regarding the events of the previous day, Deng Hui realized that Ding Xuexue’s role in his memory was very small.

Now that she was sincerely admitting her mistake, he wondered if he had been too harsh on her because of his favorable opinion of Jiang Zhe?

Ding Yuehua tried to smooth things over, “Professor Deng, as you know, Xuexue, aside from being a bit youthful and exuberant, really has no ill intentions.”

“Forget it, don’t act impulsively in the future. Think more about the consequences. As for appraisals, they are also a form of cultivation, and one must not be too eager for quick success,” Deng Hui advised.

Ding Xuexue nodded, “I understand, Professor Deng.”

Ding Yuehua quietly asked, “Professor Deng, I heard you sent the four-in-one painting for restoration?”

“Yes.”

“It’s said that Jiang Zhe is doing the restoration. I’m not doubting her abilities, it’s just that she is still too young. Such an important job, isn’t it hard for her to manage? I know a friend who specializes in restoring antiques. How about I introduce him to you?”