Chapter 354: Bait and Switch
Chapter 354: Bait and Switch Zhao Xi lowered his curtain hat and was about to speak when his mouth froze open in shock as he looked at Meng Yunzheng. "How did you know she is...?" Meng Yunzheng glanced at him with a sideways glance. "Isn't it hard to guess?" No, it's not hard, right? Meng Yunzheng poured a glass of water for Shu Yu and gestured for her to sit before asking, "How did Miss Lu end up here? And how did she recognize Zhao Xi?" "There's a long story behind it, but let's put it aside for now. I have something important to discuss." Shu Yu didn't want to dwell on old memories and small talk, so she went straight to the point. She had a serious expression on her face, and Meng Yunzheng couldn't help but sit up straighter. Zhao Xi had initially wanted to complain about Shu Yu's forceful collision, but her words immediately captured his attention. Sitting on the side, Zhao Xi massaged his shoulder and foot, listening intently to Shu Yu. Shu Yu began, "You're aware of the painting that was stolen just now, right?" Meng Yunzheng and Zhao Xi exchanged glances. "Yes, we know." It was the painting Meng Yunzheng had painted. Shu Yu continued, "Then you should also know that Lord Xiang is looking for my uncle. He believes my uncle took a painting that serves as evidence of his guilt, right?" Zhao Xi hadn't fully grasped the situation yet, but Meng Yunzheng immediately understood. "Are you saying that the painting that was stolen just now is the one Lord Xiang was looking for? The one that contains evidence against the former county magistrate?" Shu Yu nodded, and Zhao Xi's eyes widened. Could it be this much of a coincidence? Shu Yu explained, "I just met my uncle. Contrary to what Lord Xiang suspects, he didn't collude with the former county magistrate to hide the evidence. We couldn't find him because he has been trapped in the black market all this time. He did take the painting with him initially, but it ended up in the black market by a twist of fate. And then, the black market greedily took it away." Zhao Xi was at a loss for words, and Meng Yunzheng seemed deep in thought. After a moment, he said, "Putting everything else aside, our priority now is to retrieve that painting." "Yes, but unfortunately, when I deliberately caused a commotion outside that private room, no one came out. We don't know the identity of the person who took the painting. It's a bit challenging," Shu Yu replied. Zhao Xi twitched at the corner of his mouth. So, you bumped into me so forcefully for this? Meng Yunzheng nodded. "Indeed, it's a difficult situation." He furrowed his brow, contemplating for a while before suggesting, "How about we try the bait and switch method?" "Bait and switch? How do we do that?" Shu Yu asked. Meng Yunzheng picked up a curtain hat nearby and put it on, saying to her, "Just wait a moment." Then he went out, and Shu Yu could hear him speaking with the assistants outside. After a short while, Meng Yunzheng returned with a box in his hands. Shu Yu looked at the box curiously, and she saw Meng Yunzheng remove the curtain hat and take out the contents of the box one by one. Zhao Xi and Shu Yu, in perfect synchronization, tidied up the table and laid out the scroll. Shu Yu stared blankly for a while before finally reacting and asking, "Are you planning to paint a similar painting on the spot to replace it?" "Mhm." Shu Yu frowned. "I know you're skilled in painting, and it would be fine under normal circumstances. But this is the black market, and it's easy to detect authenticity. Moreover, the painting you just created is significantly different from the one a year ago. It's not easy to pull off a bait and switch." Besides, unless he had seen that painting or had a quick glance at it on the second floor, it would be impossible to recreate it identically, right? Huh? Wait a minute. Shu Yu suddenly looked at him suspiciously. With Meng Yunzheng's cautious nature, it's unlikely he would do something that she found unbelievable. Unless...
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