Car-hailing Driver: Rewards from Complaints

Chapter 342 - 184: Yang Chen Is Truly Amazing, Both Scholarly and Martial

Yang Chen also smiled politely and said, "Hello, Elder Lin. What can I do for you?"

Lin Zhengtian replied with a cheerful laugh, "The painting that Shuying and Anxiang brought back last time was very impressive. I feel that there are probably no more than five artists who can paint at this level right now. It’s rare to see someone as young as you, and I’m truly amazed and impressed. I sent someone to find you, but the platform didn’t want to disclose your information. Today, I finally got to meet you here, and I’m very happy. If you don’t mind, could you join me at my table?"

The guests nearby were greatly shocked. Lin Zhengtian actually invited a ride-share driver to sit at his table; things were becoming increasingly impossible to understand.

Who exactly is Lin Zhengtian?

The head of the Hai City Lin Family, which has been in the antique and cultural relics business since the late Qing Dynasty, and has produced several famous calligraphers and painters.

Lin Zhengtian himself is exceptionally skilled in both calligraphy and painting and is highly esteemed in the circle.

However, in recent years, due to increasingly strict laws, the antique industry has become challenging to manage, and the Lin Family has gradually declined somewhat.

But there’s a saying: a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. After thriving for over a century, their profound heritage ensures they can continue to be prominent for another two or three generations.

In Hai City’s antiques and calligraphy and painting sectors, there is an unwritten rule: no matter how prominent you are, you can bypass the Lin Family, but if you want to market anything precious, you need Lin Zhengtian’s seal of approval; otherwise, it won’t fetch a high price due to a lack of legitimacy.

Lin Zhengtian knows that this is his only advantage, so he uses this advantage to negotiate among the various bigwigs in the circle.

This time, Xue Yinong intends to market Yang Chen’s four paintings, and using this auction to gain prestige is just the first step. The next step requires Lin Zhengtian to provide assurance so that these four paintings are genuinely valuable.

As mentioned before, this industry is dominated by some experts.

If an expert claims your piece is a forgery, even if it’s a genuine article, it will be considered a forgery.

If an expert claims your piece is genuine, even if it’s a forgery, it will be treated as genuine.

Unless you don’t put it on sale, it must be endorsed by them.

There was once an appraisal show where an expert claimed someone’s genuine piece was a forgery, and items worth billions were smashed on the spot.

Later, someone brought their grandfather’s genuine piece for appraisal, and the expert said unless it was endorsed by them, it was considered a forgery.

Because of these messy unspoken rules, people in the antique and calligraphy and painting circles hold Lin Zhengtian in high regard.

Many want to curry favor with him and even try to establish connections with the Lin Family through marriage, but none have succeeded.

Thus, it is understandable that everyone is shocked and puzzled when Lin Zhengtian actively invites Yang Chen to sit at his table.

However, Yang Chen smiled and replied, "Thank you for the invitation, Elder Lin. I’ll pass today. I need to chat with my girlfriend, and it wouldn’t be convenient with too many people around. Please, Elder Lin, bear with me. We’ll chat separately next time we have a chance."

Lin Zhengtian’s expression noticeably twitched, wondering if he had heard wrong.

If anyone else received his invitation, they’d definitely be thrilled and agree immediately.

Yang Chen actually refused!

Could it be that, as a ride-share driver, he doesn’t quite grasp Lin Zhengtian’s status in the circle?

Yes!

That must be it.

That’s what Lin Zhengtian thought.

Being a prominent figure, facing rejection when he took the initiative meant he couldn’t bring himself to ask a second time.

Lin Zhengtian could only smile awkwardly and nod, saying, "Alright, we won’t disturb you, sir. We’ll chat one-on-one when we get the chance. I’ll take my leave now, feel free."

Yang Chen: "You’re too kind, Elder Lin. Please carry on."

Lin Zhengtian nodded and turned to leave.

Although Lin Zhengtian seemed unperturbed on the surface, he was very frustrated inside.

"Sigh... Talented people are always so conceited. However, young people should learn to be polite; being ignorant of social etiquette will lead to losses sooner or later!" Lin Zhengtian thought to himself.

The guests nearby were also whispering among themselves.

"Who is this guy? How can he be so audacious as to refuse Elder Lin’s invitation?"

"Didn’t Elder Lin mention he’s a ride-share driver? As a ride-share driver, you can’t expect him to be very astute, can you?"

"True, perhaps he doesn’t even know Elder Lin’s status. It’s just a shame the Lin Family Sisters want to add him as a friend."

"I think they’re far from foolish; he’s so handsome. I’d want to add him as a friend, too."

"Come on! What good is being handsome? He’s just a ride-share driver; if you marry him, he won’t even be able to afford an LV bag. Does being handsome help?"

"It’s not about lasting forever; it’s about owning the past. Sleeping with him is enough; why marry him? Since you’re eventually going to be with a man, why not find a handsome and strong man to enjoy some happiness from?"

"Jeez..."

...

Soon, the auction began.

Today’s theme is "Cultural Heritage, Moving Forward."

Therefore, the items up for auction are primarily calligraphy and paintings.

Soon, Yang Chen’s four paintings appeared.

"Wow, these are the four paintings I came for."

"Who is Mr. Jinghu, who could create such amazing works?"

"Suddenly a Mr. Jinghu appears; he must be an alternate identity for some esteemed painter."

"I think so too; these four high-quality paintings suddenly appear out of nowhere; certainly a renowned painter’s alternate identity."

"The style is very similar to Layman Qingfeng, but I don’t think it’s his work; he wouldn’t need an alternate identity or wouldn’t dare use one."