Rich Family Reunion? But I’m Already a Billionaire! – CH32

Chapter 32: Passing Off the Fake as Real

Lu Jingyao led Xu Youyou to where the crowd had gathered.

Cyril noticed them immediately. A flicker of something dark passed through her eyes before she put on an innocent smile. “Lu, you’re interested in this Peach Vase too? Looks like you have the same taste as my father.”

Lu Jingyao gave a casual nod.

Cyril wasn’t bothered by his deliberate avoidance. She continued smiling brightly. “If you’re willing to marry me, my father might just gift this vase to his son-in-law.”

Lu Jingyao glanced at Xu Youyou.

Xu Youyou hadn’t expected this “couple act” to continue, but she could only sigh and play along. “If your father can afford it, do you think I can’t?”

Cyril gave Xu Youyou a once-over. “Miss Xu, this seems to be your first time abroad. Your visa record is very clean.”

Xu Youyou instantly realized the power of Cyril’s family—they had even looked into her travel history! And since her record was clean, Cyril likely assumed she was poor.

Lu Jingyao suddenly placed a hand on Xu Youyou’s shoulder. “Miss Cyril, you might not be aware, but China has many ancient families who prefer not to travel abroad. That doesn’t mean they lack influence.”

Cyril seemed to consider his words and dropped her mocking tone. A hint of wariness appeared in her eyes.

Xu Youyou watched Cyril’s expression shift and found it odd. She whispered to Lu Jingyao, “What kind of impressive background did you just give me?”

Lu Jingyao replied casually, “When traveling, you define your own identity.”

Xu Youyou realized that this cold-faced CEO was unexpectedly quick-witted.

“The young lady of an ancient family shouldn’t waste time bickering—focus on the artifact,” Lu Jingyao reminded.

Accepting her new persona, Xu Youyou straightened her posture, exuding a more aristocratic air.

The so-called Peach Vase was officially named the Yongzheng Famille-Rose Longevity Olive Vase. Its shape resembled an olive, with a very pale pink base color. The design featured a peach tree with eight peaches, accompanied by bats, symbolizing longevity and blessings.

With just one look, Xu Youyou was captivated by the vase.

She took her time examining it—nearly half an hour. Using a professional camera provided by Lu Jingyao, she took multiple detailed photos. Finally satisfied, she turned to him and gave a slight nod.

Once Lu Jingyao confirmed the vase’s authenticity, he entered the auction.

Xu Youyou had nothing to do, so she wandered around the private museum. Most collectors focused on the museum’s centerpiece, but there were many other artifacts displayed.

[Treasure-Hunting Mission Activated: Please proceed to the designated location. (Due to the incomplete previous mission, rewards for this one are temporarily on hold.)]

Xu Youyou carefully reread the system message and confirmed that it said “temporarily on hold” rather than canceled. Relieved, she followed the system’s guidance to a corner of the museum.

There, she found an artifact placed out in the open—without even a glass case for protection.

Of course, the reason was obvious: this artifact was too large for anyone to simply walk away with it.

It was a stone sculpture—only a head, depicting an ancient official wearing a coronet.

This artifact seemed so obscure that there were no staff members nearby. Xu Youyou had to search for someone before finally finding a museum employee and expressing her interest in purchasing the sculpture.

“You’re sure you want to buy it?” The staff member asked multiple times.

Xu Youyou nodded firmly three times. She wasn’t blind—she could see the way the employee looked at her like she was a fool.

“This artifact isn’t up for auction; it’s priced directly,” the staff member said.

The price tag read $10,000.

According to the description, this was an antique over 200 years old.

But both the seller and buyer seemed to know that the description was nothing more than decorative writing.

An hour later, Lu Jingyao emerged from the auction hall, accompanied by an older, silver-haired Caucasian man in a suit.

“Mr. Lu, please come with me to collect your prize,” the man said with a smile.

Lu Jingyao nodded, then glanced at Xu Youyou. She immediately ran over to follow him.

“Can your car also carry my purchase?” Xu Youyou asked.

Lu Jingyao nodded.

“Mr. Lu, generous Chinese buyers like you are rare. You can inspect the item once and take it immediately,” the old man said pleasantly.

Lu Jingyao looked at the Famille-Rose Peach Vase, now securely packed in a shock-proof case. He didn’t take it right away.

Xu Youyou sensed her moment of usefulness. She put on a pair of white gloves—who knew where she had pulled them from—and carefully examined the vase.

The old man chuckled. “Mr. Lu, rest assured. Our family has been in the antique business for over a hundred years. Our reputation is internationally renowned.”

He seemed very proud of his family’s legacy.

But in the next moment, Xu Youyou spoke.

“It’s fake.”

Lu Jingyao’s gaze sharpened like a blade as he looked at the old man. “I need an explanation.”

The old man remained calm. “Mr. Lu, perhaps your appraiser made a mistake? Besides, in the antiques business, it’s always a matter of skill. Since you joined the auction, it’s too late to back out now.”

Xu Youyou turned on her camera. “This vase is not the same one displayed earlier. The base is indeed from the Yongzheng period, an authentic antique. But the body was crafted by an expert—it’s an almost perfect imitation. The differences are subtle, but I captured them all.”

She zoomed in on the photos, ensuring everyone present could see the minute discrepancies. Without these prior images, they would have been forced to accept the deception.

Lu Jingyao’s tone was cold. “Mr. Denar, it seems your family’s century-old reputation is no better than a rag used for polishing shoes.”

Denar’s pale face turned red and green in anger, but he quickly realized who was behind the swap.

“Mr. Lu, I would never joke with my family’s legacy. I don’t know what misunderstanding occurred, but since it’s clear the item is not the same, I will issue a full refund,” Denar said through gritted teeth.

Lu Jingyao wasn’t so easily appeased. “A refund? That’s it?”

Denar’s eyes burned with frustration, but the evidence was undeniable. With so many witnesses, he had no choice. “I will also compensate you 20% of the auction price, per our contract, for the failed transaction.”

Lu Jingyao sighed. “I genuinely wanted this piece. Unfortunately, Mr. Denar, you’re more interested in protecting the thief who swapped it.”

Denar fell silent.

The other buyers, originally there to witness a high-profile transaction, now turned into an angry mob.

“Denar, I bought a painting from you! I want it re-examined—who knows if it was switched?”

“I bought a porcelain bowl from you two years ago, and something always felt off about it. You must have swapped mine too!”

Chaos erupted in the museum.

Translator’s Note:

Hi Red Panda Reader~

Thank you for your continuous support for this novel so far~ Currently, I’m in a little dilemma whether to continue publishing this novel or not.. I have been reading ahead and there is a lot of loopholes and racism in the novel that makes me fell a little bit uncomfortable…

Please leave me a comment to let me know if you want me to continue to publish this novel or not.

Thanks again for your continuous support and hope you have a great time reading~~