Chapter 185: Chapter 152: Luring the Snake out of Its Hole, Did I End Up Luring Myself? (Please Subscribe)_3

Not long after.

Ring, ring, ring—

Youyou’s phone rang again.

Caller ID: Chief Editor Zhang Yixing.

“It’s the chief editor’s call,” Youyou, just having finished eating noodles, said to Lin Chuan as she picked up the phone, and then answered.

“Youyou, are you available to talk right now?”

On the other end, Chief Editor Zhang Yixing’s voice came through.

Youyou glanced at Lin Chuan beside her, then around her, before replying, “Yes, I’m available. Is there something you need?”

Zhang Yixing chuckled and replied, “I mainly wanted to ask about your current situation, how much money you will have to compensate, and whether you’ll face prosecution and possibly prison time.”

“How much money to compensate…”

Youyou hesitated for a moment, then said, “The police haven’t made any determinations yet, so I don’t know.”

Because related information needed to remain confidential, Youyou did not disclose the specifics to Chief Editor Zhang Yixing.

She and Lin Chuan, in the eyes of outsiders, were still in a ‘released on bail pending trial’ state.

“I see.”

Zhang Yixing paused for a moment, then asked, “Youyou, is Lin Chuan with you?”

“Yes, what about it?” Youyou asked.

“I need to speak with him; it might relate to the development of your subsequent case,” Zhang Yixing’s voice turned heavy as he spoke.

“Relate to the development of our subsequent case?”

Youyou’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes, “Chief Editor, please talk to Lin Chuan directly.”

“Okay.”

Zhang Yixing responded.

Immediately after,

Youyou handed the phone to Lin Chuan, who said, “Chief Editor Zhang.”

“Brother Lin, I didn’t sleep well last night after this incident happened, worrying about you both,” Zhang Yixing said with a somber tone.

Lin Chuan chuckled and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Chief Editor Zhang.”

“Don’t mention it. If you really end up going in, Sailing Novel would lose a fierce general!” Zhang Yixing let out a light sigh, his voice tinged with regret,

It was apparent that he was genuinely concerned for Lin Chuan and Youyou.

Lin Chuan smiled and then said, “There’s always a way out; there must be a solution.”

“Brother Lin, your optimism gives me some relief,” Zhang Yixing chuckled as well, then continued, “Brother Lin, it’s like this, I’ve been consulting people in the antiques circle from last night till now, thinking if there might be a remedial method.”

“So, does that mean you’ve found a way, Chief Editor Zhang?” Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow slightly, smiling as he spoke.

“It isn’t that I found a way, but someone is willing to help you,” Chief Editor Zhang Yixing answered.

“Is it Mr. Hu?”

Lin Chuan was taken aback, his mind recalling the scene of their meeting from yesterday afternoon.

Before Hu Shu left the exhibition area, he had not forgotten to remind Lin Chuan that if he encountered any difficulties or needed anything, he could seek help at his ‘Ancient Moon’ private museum.

The man was actually quite nice.

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Yixing nodded to confirm, “Yes, Mr. Hu, out of his appreciation for talent, just revealed to me that he might have a good way to give you a lift.”

“What’s the method?” Lin Chuan inquired.

“He didn’t say. He only asked you to meet him at his ‘Ancient Moon’ private museum,” Zhang Yixing said solemnly, “Are you free now? I can pick you up and go over together to ask Mr. Hu what method he has in mind.”

Lin Chuan looked at Youyou, then nodded, “Youyou and I are at Crab Family Courtyard.”

“Alright, I’ll come to get you.”

Straightaway, the call was ended.

“Mr. Hu is willing to help you; it seems he has quite an appreciation for you,” Youyou watched Lin Chuan with a gentle blink, and smiled as she spoke.

Lin Chuan smiled as well, “The first impression was good, and since he has asked us to visit, he probably is confident about something. However, now that I’m involved in the case, I must keep part of the information confidential.”

“OK, I understand,” Youyou nodded.

Not long after.

Zhang Yixing drove a black Mercedes S450 and appeared outside the ‘Crab Family Courtyard’ shop, Lin Chuan and Youyou got into the car, heading straight to Mr. Hu’s ‘Ancient Moon’ private museum.

Modu is vast, and as Zhang Yixing drove Lin Chuan and Youyou between the skyscrapers, basking in the fierce sun, nearly an hour passed before they arrived at their destination.

The ‘Ancient Moon’ private museum was located in a manor on the outskirts of the city’s outer ring.

Inside the manor, the trees were lush and green, with sunlight streaming through the dense leaves unto the cobblestone path, casting mottled light and shadow.

Lin Chuan, Youyou, and Zhang Yixing walked along the cobblestone path and from afar saw Mr. Hu, wearing a long robe, waiting in front of the museum.

“Mr. Hu.”

Lin Chuan cupped his hands and gestured a greeting.

“Mr. Lin, I’ve been eagerly waiting for your visit. Please, come in,” Mr. Hu’s face wore an amiable smile, his voice sounding very refined.

“Then I’ll take the liberty,” Lin Chuan nodded his head.

Following Mr. Hu’s lead, they all walked into the ‘Ancient Moon’ private museum.

The first floor was a spacious and bright hall.

In the middle of the hall stood a massive sculpture with smooth lines and an imposing aura, while several precious paintings hung on the walls.

Such as Li Kuchan’s “Five Eagles,” Wu Guanzhong’s “Spring in Jiangnan.”

And from the Western Impressionists, Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies.”

The group passed through the hall, climbed up a spiral staircase, and reached the second floor, which hosted various exhibition halls displaying collections of porcelain, paintings, bronzes, and jade, a dazzling array of prosperity.

On the third floor was Mr. Hu’s private reception area.

“Please, take a seat.”

Mr. Hu extended his hand, signaling for them to sit down.

Next to the tea table, a young lady dressed in blue and white porcelain attire was slowly brewing tea with a ceremonial grace, pouring each a cup and revealing an appropriate and gentle smile: “Please enjoy the tea.”

Mr. Hu picked up the teacup, took a sip and then looked at Lin Chuan: “Mr. Lin, what do you think of this museum?”

“Good!” Lin Chuan replied succinctly and sincerely.

Mr. Hu smiled faintly and continued, “Mr. Lin, I felt immense regret last night, both for the situation you were in and for that ‘Qing Dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase.’ You are a talent I admire, and that jade vase is a cultural relic I cherish.”

While speaking, Mr. Hu sighed softly.

Lin Chuan looked embarrassed.

Zhang Yixing joined the conversation, “Mr. Hu, what happened was purely accidental, and truly unavoidable.”

“That’s the truth.”

Mr. Hu nodded his head and then turned to Lin Chuan, continuing, “I hold you in very high regard, Mr. Lin, and couldn’t bear the thought of you suffering in jail. Fortunately, the Cultural Relics Bureau just released an announcement a short while ago, in need of a professional jade restoration artisan, and I’ve thought of a remedial solution,” Mr. Hu continued.

Lin Chuan’s eyebrows raised: “Please enlighten me, Mr. Hu.”

“Mr. Lin, your antique forgery skills are top-notch. I’m sure restoring the ‘Qing Dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase’ would be no problem for you,” Mr. Hu suggested.

“This…”

Lin Chuan’s mouth twitched slightly, showing some hesitation.

This was a strategy I gave to the police, to “lure the snake out of its hole,” so I surely can’t expose myself, can I?

“Mr. Lin, are you worried about the compensation that will follow?” Mr. Hu leaned forward earnestly and said, “If that’s your concern, I can donate a few valuable cultural relics to the Cultural Relics Bureau and the museum on your behalf, which should suffice for compensation.”

“Mr. Hu, I cannot accept a reward without merit; it would be unreasonable,” Lin Chuan declined politely.

“Mr. Lin, we hit it off right away, and if you feel indebted, you can restore some cultural relics here at my museum, which is much better than sitting in prison, isn’t it?” Mr. Hu, sipping his tea, continued, “This matter involves not only you as a party but also your…”

“Youyou is his editor,” Zhang Yixing interjected.

Mr. Hu continued: “It also involves your editor, Miss Youyou. You might want to give it some thought.”