Fang Han's words were like a strong wind, instantly dispelling the fog that filled Lin Chen's heart.
At this moment, he suddenly understood why the probability he calculated for that painting was so strange.
Obviously "Sleeping Venus" is indeed an authentic work by the great painter Giorgione, but why is its value far lower than another work also painted by Giorgione and with the same subject matter?
There is only one answer, the painting may have been damaged!
In order to confirm this answer, Lin Chen immediately calculated: the probability that "Sleeping Venus" has been damaged is...
100%!
But at this moment, Su Ningyu said: "You are wrong, Fang Zai. Even if an oil painting is damaged, as long as it is repaired by experts, its value will not be greatly affected."
"In fact, Western oil paintings have been aging since their birth. The chemical pigments in oil paintings will gradually evaporate over time. In order to protect these oil paintings, the West later developed professional oil painting restoration technology. These restoration experts are superb.
Even if the canvas is damaged, they can still restore the oil painting to its original state, so what you said is not correct."
Su Ningyu had studied oil painting abroad, so her words were naturally more credible than Fang Han's.
However, Fang Han still said stubbornly: "Sister Su, you are wrong. Oil painting restoration is not a panacea. If it cannot be repaired, the painting will be worthless."
Su Ningyu thought for a while, nodded and said, "You are right."
She turned her head and asked Lin Chen: "Why did you suddenly think of asking this?"
Lin Chen frowned.
Originally, Lin Chen thought he had solved the mystery, but unexpectedly, the conversation between the two of them made Lin Chen even more confused.
Su Ningyu is right, a little damage will not have a big impact on the value of the oil painting.
Giorgione was the most famous oil painting master in the 16th century. Even a draft of his work would be priceless, so even if it is slightly damaged, it will not affect the value of this "Sleeping Venus".
But in fact, Lin Chen calculated that the probability of this painting being worth more than 100 million yuan was 0%, which was less than half of what others originally estimated.
And just now, Lin Chen also calculated that the probability of the value of this "Sleeping Venus" devaluing due to damage to the oil painting is 100%!
What kind of damage could cause such a huge hit to the value of this painting?
There is one more thing that cannot be explained.
They had seen "Sleeping Venus" with their own eyes before, but at that time, the painting was obviously still in good condition from the outside, and did not look like it had been damaged at all.
What's more, if there is really a problem, why can't the experts who came to identify it not see it?
Thinking of this, Lin Chen asked: "Ningyu, what damage is there to the oil painting that cannot be seen with the naked eye?"
"Can't you see it with the naked eye?" Su Ningyu thought for a while and apologized: "I'm sorry, I can't think of..."
Can’t think of anything?
Is it because Su Ningyu doesn’t have enough knowledge, or is there simply nothing in this world?
Lin Chen was about to ask, but at this moment, the auction officially started.
An Eagle Country Auctioneer stood on the auction stage and after a brief speech, the auction began immediately.
The real auction was completely different from what Lin Chen had seen in movies or novels before.
The guy who presided over the auction spoke very quickly, as if he was in a hurry. After briefly introducing the items, he quoted the reserve price and the lowest bid and started the auction immediately.
An item can be photographed in no more than three minutes.
There are hundreds of lots in this auction. If the auction is as slow as in movies and TV shows, the auction may not end until the evening.
Soon, Lin Chen saw that an item that Su Ningyu originally wanted to win was on the market.
However, at this time, Su Ningyu had already made up her mind and wanted to put all her funds on the "Sleeping Venus", so she had no intention of bidding.
Seeing this, Lin Chen quickly reminded: "Ningyu, buy this lot."
Su Ningyu gave him a strange look and explained: "Lin Chen, grandpa asked me to focus my funds on "Sleeping Venus", and I can give up the rest..."
"Don't give up, buy them. What you should give up is the "Sleeping Venus"!"
"!" Su Ningyu's eyes suddenly widened, and Fang Han beside her also asked curiously: "Brother Lin! Did you figure something out?!"
Although the mystery of the depreciation of "Sleeping Venus" has not yet been solved, Lin Chen still said: "I have calculated something. There is something wrong with that painting."
"Is there a problem? Didn't you say it is authentic?" Su Ningyu asked in shock.
"It's an authentic work, but that painting is definitely not worth Mr. Su's efforts to collect. I don't know what the specific problem is. In short, if you don't want us to come to Hong Kong Island in vain, just use the money on other auctions."
."Sleeping Venus" we give up."
Lin Chen's suggestion made Su Ningyu hesitate.
When I called Su Wuyi before, the old man gave me a lot of advice. I don’t need anything else, but I must get the painting "Sleeping Venus".
Because Giorgione's other painting "Sleeping Venus" is one of the 100 oil paintings that have moved the world.
Therefore, if the old man wants to give foreigners some eye drops, it is best to get this painting.
But Lin Chen's words made Su Ningyu have to think more carefully.
By now, Su Ningyu had 100% trust in Lin Chen, feeling that he had left everything out, as if he had super powers.
Since he reminded himself, he must have his reasons.
On one side was Grandpa’s instructions, and on the other was Lin Chen’s reminder.
Who should she listen to?
After thinking about it, Su Ningyu finally decided to believe Lin Chen.
"Six million dollars once, six million dollars twice..."
Just at this time, the eagle country guy on the stage was about to end the auction and sell the oil painting that Su Ningyu was interested in to a foreigner.
Su Ningyu immediately raised the sign at this time.
"Eight million!"
The foreigners who had been preparing to celebrate were suddenly startled and looked at Su Ningyu with resentful eyes.
"Eight million dollars once, eight million dollars twice...deal!"
The Yingguolao auctioneer made the final decision and sold the lot to Su Ningyu.
This was just a small business of eight million US dollars, and most of the people present, except for a few people participating in the competition, didn't pay much attention to it.
However, in the distance, Li Tiancheng, who was chatting and laughing with the people around him, turned his head and glanced at Su Ningyu, with some surprise on his face.
Li Tiancheng called a bodyguard and whispered a few words in his ear.
Immediately afterwards, the bodyguard was seen walking towards Lin Chen and the others.
"Miss Su."
The bodyguard whispered: "Our young master asks you, why are you wasting money on this garbage?"
Su Ningyu looked at him coldly: "Tell you, young master, he doesn't have to worry about my affairs!"
The bodyguard ignored him and continued: "Miss Su, our young master also said that he asked you to save some money, otherwise you won't be able to compete with him for a while. He rarely comes to the auction. If no one competes with him for a while, he will
I find it too boring.”
After saying this, Li Tiancheng's bodyguard immediately turned and left.
"Damn! This servant is so arrogant! Sister Su, let's ignore him! Since Brother Lin said there is a problem with that painting, there must be a problem. When the truth comes out, that kid will cry!" Fang Han said.
Su Ningyu nodded.
Lin Chen glanced at Li Tiancheng, and happened to see Li Tiancheng looking at them too.
Li Tiancheng's eyes first fell on Su Ningyu, and when he saw that she was not paying attention to him, he was about to look away, but his eyes met Lin Chen's.
A contemptuous smile appeared on his face, he snorted and turned his head away.
"Ningyu, do you have to prove that you have so much money every time you bid at the auction?" Lin Chen suddenly turned around and asked Su Ningyu.
This question had no beginning or end. Su Ningyu was stunned for a moment, not knowing what Lin Chen meant.
"No, as long as the payment can be made after the auction, it will be fine. However, we need to pay a deposit of five million Hong Kong dollars in advance to participate in the auction. If we cannot get so much money from the auction later, the money will be seized."
"In this case..."
A bad idea suddenly appeared in Lin Chen's mind: "Ningyu, should we cheat Li Tiancheng?"