novelraw Chapter 479: It’s Me Seducing You (9)
Chapter 479: It’s Me Seducing You (9)
As soon as Qiao Mo spoke, a flurry of comments erupted around her."Fake? Is this painting fake?"
"I don’t know... I’m not very knowledgeable... Perhaps we should ask Miss Chen."
Many eyes were drawn to Qiao Mo and Chen Shiqing. Chen Shiqing seemingly hadn’t anticipated Qiao Mo speaking in such a manner and was momentarily stunned, her gaze returning to the painting for a detailed inspection.
Qiao Mo curled her lips, looking at her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
Chen Shiqing furrowed her brows slightly and looked at the painting again.
Her friend sneered, "Qiao Mo, I wonder how a know-nothing illegitimate daughter like you dares to show off in front of everyone, as if you know more than anyone else?"
"Exactly... Shi Qing was born into a prestigious family and received the highest quality education, how could a nouveau riche like you compare? Surely Shi Qing’s discernment is better than yours?"
The two sang praises in unison and managed to elevate Chen Shiqing into an exalted position.
Qiao Mo ignored the two and focused her gaze on Chen Shiqing, asking again, "What does Miss Chen think?"
Chen Shiqing felt a bit uncertain inwardly; she wasn’t quite sure whether the painting was genuine or not, yet she had already spoken. If she contradicted herself now, it would certainly be a source of ridicule.
Moreover, she didn’t believe Qiao Mo had such discernment. Some woman who knows nothing simply opens her mouth to assert that this painting is fake; she might just be trying to deceive her.
She must not fall for her trick.
Upon considering this, Chen Shiqing felt more assured, offering a faint smile and saying, "I still believe this painting is genuine. I’m curious about how Miss Qiao concluded it to be fake."
When Chen Shiqing spoke, the surrounding crowd began to murmur again.
"Miss Chen says it’s genuine... Then it should be genuine, right..."
"Indeed, I heard Miss Chen earned dual master’s degrees abroad."
One of Chen Shiqing’s friends raised her chin and coldly sneered at Qiao Mo, "Qiao Mo, Shi Qing asked you a question, have you lost your voice?"
Qiao Mo glanced at her indifferently, "Who knew Miss Chen prefers to bring an amplifier when she goes out."
The woman’s expression turned sour and was about to speak when Chen Shiqing restrained her.
"I suppose she just couldn’t tolerate some senseless talk tarnishing the reputation of a famous painting; Miss Qiao should understand."
"Ha... senseless talk? Tarnishing a famous painting... Seems you’re quite certain this painting is genuine?" Qiao Mo chuckled lightly.
"Naturally."
"Alright, if this painting is indeed fake, I expect Miss Chen to apologize to me for what she has said." Qiao Mo spoke again.
"Fine." Chen Shiqing replied once more, still not believing Qiao Mo possessed such discernment.
Qiao Mo turned her head, her gaze resting on the painting, and spoke slowly, "Firstly, observe the few remaining blank spots on the painting: the color of the paper is noticeably white. If the painting were genuine, over the course of several centuries, the paper would naturally yellow; it would not exhibit this type of coloration."
As soon as she finished speaking, numerous eyes zeroed in on the painting, closely examining the areas Qiao Mo mentioned.
Certainly, Chen Shiqing did likewise, and upon closer inspection realized it was indeed as Qiao Mo described, her expression turned markedly unpleasant.
"Secondly, the hem of the woman’s skirt in the painting is an intensely vivid deep green, the color remarkably vibrant. Upon close inspection of the paper’s texture, it’s evident the coloring is excessively uniform, with the pigment permeating each thread of texture almost identically. If my estimation is correct, this effect is only achievable through mechanical reproduction."