C48 Tear Open the Master Kunlun's Authentic Work!

"The Sun family is prepared to offer three hundred million for this original piece by Master Kunlun!" Old Master Sun declared abruptly. The announcement caught Vice-chairman Liu, Zhang Yongnian, and all the other guests off guard. Moments before, they were contemplating how to take advantage of the situation, and now they were ready to shell out a hefty sum for Master Kunlun's authentic work? The audacity was astounding.

"Old Master Sun, don't you think that's a bit underhanded?" someone challenged. "You refuse a gift when it's freely offered, and now you're here to outbid us?"

Zhang Yongnian's expression soured, his eyes betraying his irritation. He was set on acquiring the painting, regardless of Vice-chairman Liu's interest. But Old Master Sun's entry into the bidding war could thwart his plans. It was a well-known fact that the Sun family's wealth outstripped his own.

"In the world of business, it's the highest offer that prevails," Old Master Sun stated, his weathered face betraying no emotion, as if the act of outbidding was a trivial matter to him.

"Dad, three hundred million..." Sun Xiangnan interjected with a furrowed brow. "Aren't we just handing money over to the Ann family?"

Lin Chen had just insulted Sun Xue and his son Sun Qiang. If they paid up now, how would the Sun family ever recover their standing?

"Compared to the gains in your strength, this amount is inconsequential," Old Master Sun dismissed with a wave of his hand. Initially, he had assumed the painting Lin Chen presented was a fake, which had incited his rage. But now, recognizing it as a genuine Master Kunlun, he wouldn't let the opportunity slip by. If it meant his son could advance further, the three hundred million was a mere trifle for the Sun family.

"You're Lin Chen, aren't you?" Old Master Sun continued, turning to face him with a lofty gaze. "If you sell this original work of Master Kunlun to the Sun family, I'll overlook today's incident."

His tone suggested that not holding a grudge was a favor to Lin Chen and Ann Lan—an act of benevolence on his part.

"This guy really has no shame as he gets older."

"Ugh!"

Upon seeing Old Master Sun's insistence on purchasing the calligraphy, Zhang Yongnian couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath.

"Zhang, if you've got time to curse," Vice-chairman Liu said with a glance at Lin Chen, "you might want to think about which side to take later on."

Recalling the incident at the antique market the day before, where Lee Chen, a scion of a prominent capital family, had crossed Lin Chen only to end up face-down on the ground, it was clear to Vice-chairman Liu that the Sun family stood no chance. Lin Chen would never sell his work to them, he was certain of it.

"Take a side?" Zhang Yongnian was baffled by Vice-chairman Liu's cryptic advice.

He sensed that Liu's talk of taking sides had something to do with Lin Chen and the Sun family, but without having bought the painting, what side was there to take?

"Zhang, trust me, you won't regret it," Vice-chairman Liu said, his gaze heavy with implication before falling silent, his arms crossed as he watched the unfolding drama with interest.

"Honey, do you think I should sell this painting to the Sun family?" Lin Chen turned and whispered to Ann Lan.

Ann Lan was taken aback, not expecting Lin Chen to seek her opinion at such a pivotal moment. But she quickly understood; Lin Chen's nature was to refuse the Sun family, yet he was concerned about her feelings, hence the question.

"You're my husband. Whatever decision you make, our child and I will stand by you," Ann Lan assured Lin Chen earnestly.

She trusted that Lin Chen would always protect her and their child.

With that in mind, what was there to fret about?

"Smack!"

"That's my wife for you, here's a kiss as your reward."

Lin Chen stole a quick kiss from Ann Lan when she least expected it.

Ann Lan might have a reputation for being aloof, but now, kissed by Lin Chen in front of everyone, her cheeks blushed a deep crimson.

"Old man, this painting is not for sale!"

After stealing a kiss from Ann Lan, Lin Chen licked his lips and turned to face Old Master Sun with a cool detachment. "Do you understand the consequences of rejecting the Sun family?" Old Master Sun couldn't help but issue a chilling threat when Lin Chen's refusal came without a moment's hesitation. Sun Xiangnan's expression turned icy at once.

Witnessing the shameless audacity of the grandfather-grandson duo, Lin Chen couldn't be bothered with further words. He grabbed the calligraphy, and right before everyone's eyes, he ripped it to shreds.

There was a collective gasp from the crowd. The guests, Vice-chairman Liu, and Zhang Yongnian alike, all inhaled sharply at the sight. Lin Chen had just destroyed a genuine piece by Master Kunlun, valued at two to three hundred million yuan, simply because he refused to sell it to the Sun family.

"Damn, this guy's either insane or the ultimate spendthrift!" someone exclaimed.

"You could've sold it to me instead of the Sun family," Zhang Yongnian lamented as he watched the fragments fall, cursing under his breath.

"It's just a painting, Zhang. Seems like you're not so steady after all," Vice-chairman Liu teased.

Lacking steadiness? "Liu, how about you try tossing away a couple hundred million yuan just like that?" Zhang Yongnian shot back without missing a beat.

Vice-chairman Liu fell silent.

Old Master Sun and the Suns watched as Lin Chen preferred to destroy the masterpiece rather than sell it to them, a blatant insult to their family. "Ann Lan, you've truly chosen an excellent husband," Old Master Sun said, his face clouded with displeasure.

He stepped back, with Sun Xiangnan following close behind. It was clear that Old Master Sun was ready to settle both old and new scores with Lin Chen and Ann Lan.

"My wife's judgment is far superior to anyone in the Sun family," Lin Chen said, casting a scornful look at Old Master Sun. The Suns were ready to tally up their grievances, and Lin Chen was equally prepared. The public humiliation his wife and children had endured at the hands of these scoundrels was something he couldn't just let slide.

"Zhang, this is what I meant by choosing sides."

Amidst the crowd, Vice-chairman Liu watched as Lin Chen was on the verge of a confrontation with the Sun family.

He spoke to Zhang Yongnian with a hint of detachment, then made his way into the center of the action.

"Vice-chairman Liu, what are you implying?"

Old Master Sun's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and irritation upon noticing Vice-chairman Liu's approach.

It was bad enough that Lin Chen had turned his birthday celebration upside down, but now Vice-chairman Liu wanted to get involved too?

Did he really think the Sun family was so weak that just anyone could take a shot at them?

"Master Sun, my apologies. Lin and I go way back."

"I simply can't stand by and watch a one-sided fight."

Vice-chairman Liu responded to Old Master Sun with a composed demeanor.

The other guests at the event were visibly stunned.

Was Vice-chairman Liu really prepared to oppose the Sun family for an unknown individual?

Had the world gone mad, or had Vice-chairman Liu lost his senses?

"Vice-chairman Liu, considering the Liu family's capabilities, opposing the Sun family is an extremely unwise move!"

Sun Xiangnan issued a cold threat.

"Wisdom is not for you, a Sun family junior, to assess!"

Vice-chairman Liu shot a chilling glance at Sun Xiangnan, his eyes glinting with frost.

To others, Sun Xiangnan might have been formidable, but to him, the man was insignificant!

From within the crowd, Zhang Yongnian observed Vice-chairman Liu's unwavering stance.

Though he didn't understand the reasons, their longstanding friendship assured him that Vice-chairman Liu was neither a madman nor a fool.

After a brief pause, he too stepped forward.

Addressing Sun Xiangnan and Old Master Sun with a firm voice, he declared, "Is the Liu family alone not sufficient? Then count in the Zhang family as well!"