Chapter 21: He used the authentic masterpiece as kindling—doesn't that prove it was a fake?

Jiang Rushan grew even angrier at these words. "Bah! You good-for-nothing, how dare you curse me!"

Lu Fan shook his head, choosing not to engage in a verbal altercation. "I won't wear this suit, then." With that, he turned and walked away.

Jiang Rushan was riddled with illness without even realizing it. Had he shown even a modicum of respect toward his former brother-in-law, Lu Fan might have offered a helping hand. Since he chose to be so discourteous, he would inevitably have to pay the price for his rudeness and recklessness.

Lu Fan went looking for his grandmother, only to be spotted by Jiang Ruxue.

Seeing that he was still dressed the same way, Jiang Ruxue’s expression darkened instantly. "Weren't you supposed to go change your clothes? Why are you still dressed like this?"

"Something came up, I—" Before Lu Fan could explain, a burst of exclamations erupted from outside.

"It’s the legendary Yue opera star, Zhou Yanmei! I thought she had long since retired from the stage?"

"Well, the Shen family has enough influence to make it happen. You all heard about Elder Qin being critically ill a while ago, right? I heard that as soon as Young Master Shen returned from abroad, he brought in top-tier experts. Within a few days, Elder Qin was mostly recovered—they say he can even walk on his own now! Shen Qianye saved Elder Qin; the Shen family is set to soar!"

"You don't know the half of it. Before Qianye went abroad, he and our Ruxue were a couple. His return now is specifically to rekindle that flame."

"But hasn't Ruxue already married?"

"That’s nothing. That brat Lu Fan was just a placeholder to ward off bad luck for the Jiang family. Now that the Jiangs are thriving, if they marry into the Shen family, with the backing of the Qin family, do you think there will be any place left for that good-for-nothing? I heard he’s already submitted the divorce papers; once the cooling-off period is over, he’ll be out on his ear."

"True. Young Master Shen can summon the greatest opera stars with a mere flick of his fingers, while that good-for-nothing just leeches off the family. No wonder Ruxue hasn't liked him for five years. If I were him, I would have left long ago instead of having the audacity to stay in the Jiang house."

The gossip reached Lu Fan’s ears, and Jiang Ruxue naturally heard it too. She couldn't understand why the credit for saving Elder Qin—which was clearly Lu Fan’s doing—had been attributed to Shen Qianye. But things had reached this point, and she was helpless to change it; she couldn't very well go around explaining it to everyone. Besides, the Shen family and the Jiang family had both suffered enough embarrassment that day; she didn't want to make things worse.

She glanced at Lu Fan beside her. Upon hearing such harsh descriptions, he showed no reaction or flicker of emotion. This brought her a sense of relief.

While everyone’s attention was on the stage, Jiang Ruxue looked at Lu Fan, who was empty-handed. "Didn't I give you the card? Didn't you prepare a gift for Grandmother?"

"Don't worry, I have."

As they spoke, the Jiang family members escorted the old matriarch out. Usually, it was the grandfather who called the shots, and the grandmother held little status, though he gave her a veneer of respect in public.

The grandmother’s gaze landed on Lu Fan, and a smile appeared on her kindly face. She knew that for the past few years, Lu Fan hadn't been able to attend such occasions, and she had always been dissatisfied with how heartlessly the family treated him. Even the news of Lu Fan and Jiang Ruxue’s divorce had only reached her after the fact.

"Little Fan, you came today, too," she said, looking at him with a smile. The warmth in her eyes was like a gentle spring breeze.

The indifference on Lu Fan’s face vanished, replaced by a genuine smile. "Yes, Grandmother. It’s your birthday, so I came to offer my well-wishes."

"Grandmother knows you’re a good child."

Before the old woman could finish, Shen Qianye approached, draped in a high-end designer suit. His confident demeanor showed no trace of the pathetic state he was in just days ago, when he had been kicked, vomiting blood, and begging Lu Fan for mercy on his knees.

"Grandmother, please sit and enjoy the show. I specifically invited your favorite Yue opera teacher to perform for you."

Compared to his fawning attitude, the grandmother’s response was lukewarm. She saw clearly that he had fled abroad the moment the Jiang family needed him most, only to return to marry Jiang Ruxue now that they were back on their feet. Such a fair-weather friend was hardly worth trusting, yet the Jiang family was obsessed with marrying into a family of equal status, and Shen Qianye had become their prime candidate. Jiang Ruxue was still blinded by the filter of their past romance.

As the play began, Shen Qianye cast a vicious glare at Lu Fan before shoving him aside to stand next to Jiang Ruxue.

"Xue'er, you look even more beautiful than you did two days ago."

Jiang Ruxue was wearing a form-fitting silver gown today, revealing her elegant swan-like neck and shoulders. Her features were superior to any current actress. Compared to the girl she was back then, she now possessed a mature, feminine charm. Especially with her naturally cold and aloof aura, she was like a flower on a high cliff, inciting a great desire for conquest in men.

"Thank you." Jiang Ruxue felt no stir in her heart at his praise. On the eve of his return, she had been excited, but that feeling had gradually faded. She couldn't explain it; it was as if her feelings for Shen Qianye had slowly been erased over the past five years.

Lu Fan watched the pair under the crystal chandelier. It was time for him to leave; this stage was never meant for him. Now that Jiang Ruxue was with the man she loved, her wishes were fulfilled, and everything between them could be settled.

He took a few steps back, intending to hand his small box to a servant and slip away quietly.

Unexpectedly, Shen Qianye noticed him immediately. "Where are you going?"

Jiang Ruxue turned and saw Lu Fan leaving, her brow furrowing slightly as she walked toward him in her heels. "It’s Grandmother’s birthday banquet. If you aren't staying to offer your respects, where do you plan to go?"

Shen Qianye wore a malicious grin. "Lu Fan, you were a son-in-law of the Jiang family for five years, after all. For Grandmother’s birthday, what gift did you prepare?"

Jiang Ruxue felt a wave of disgust at Shen Qianye’s behavior. Wasn't he deliberately trying to embarrass Lu Fan? Today, slapping Lu Fan in the face was the same as slapping the Jiang family. She took the initiative to change the subject. "Qianye, what about you? You must have prepared a grand gift for Grandmother, right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't dare be negligent on Grandmother’s birthday."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and a bodyguard stepped forward holding a wooden box. The guests, who had been watching the opera, turned their attention to the scroll he revealed. As it was slowly unfurled, a magnificent painting of "Immortal Deer Celebrating Longevity" appeared on the yellowed paper. From the distant mountains to the pine needles and the deer's fur, every detail was vivid and lifelike.

Someone recognized it. "It’s a genuine work by Master Wang Changling!"

"Good heavens! If that is a masterpiece by him, this painting would start at a bid of at least a hundred million. Young Master Shen is truly generous."

Lu Fan, having spent years on the mountain and recently working as a househusband, had no real concept of money. Whether a hundred million was a lot or a little didn't interest him. He simply glanced at the painting that had everyone so awestruck. He didn't understand—it was clearly a fake, so why was everyone praising it so highly? Furthermore, his master’s cave was full of such trinkets; as a child, he hadn't known any better and had often used them to start fires.

He was so certain it was a fake because the original had been burned in a fire when he was five years old. When the old man had discovered him, only the tail of the deer remained. Since the original was destroyed, how could this be anything but a fake?