NOVEL NEXT Chapter 70: Very Cunning
"Old Mr. Fang? Steward Liu," Wang Ye said with a smile. "I might sound unpleasant. Mr. Fang is Old Mr. Fang's own son, while I am just an outsider. If something really happens, whom will Old Mr. Fang care about? Mr. Fang, or me?"
Steward Liu found himself at a loss for words at this statement.
Obviously, one would care more about their own son than an outsider!
Wang Ye was merely a chess piece used by Fang Cunshan. Ultimately, he would certainly be discarded.
But after considering, Steward Liu smiled and said, "Doctor Wang, you can't put it that way! If it were a normal son, of course, he would be more important than a stranger. But what if the son wants to harm his father? Would the situation still be the same?"
"Oh! I see, now I understand!" Wang Ye said, looking satisfied.
He had asked this to test Steward Liu. He wanted to know whose side Steward Liu was on! Now it seemed, Steward Liu was certainly on Old Mr. Fang's side.
Moreover, Wang Ye could tell that Steward Liu was aware of the actions Fang Junxiang took against Fang Cunshan.
Seeing Wang Ye's reaction, Steward Liu immediately realized his mistake, knowing he had revealed too much too easily.
Now, in front of Wang Ye, he could no longer hide himself.
This minor incident immediately made Steward Liu realize that Wang Ye was no simple man.
Even though he seemed inexperienced, he was, in reality, quite scheming.
"Doctor Wang is indeed a clever person! No wonder Old Mr. Fang wants to cooperate with you! Please, Old Mr. Fang must be getting anxious."
Steward Liu dared not speak more with Wang Ye, lest he be tricked into revealing even more important information.
"Okay, please lead the way, Steward Liu!"
Under Steward Liu's guidance, Wang Ye quickly arrived at the Fang Family's study.
Old Mr. Fang of Fang Cunshan was already waiting.
However, he was currently engrossed in painting with a brush.
Seeing this, Steward Liu did not dare to interrupt Fang Cunshan.
So he said to Wang Ye, "Doctor Wang, please wait here for a moment. After Old Mr. Fang finishes his painting, I will call you."
But as soon as his words fell, Fang Cunshan himself called out, "Come in!"
"Yes, venerable lord," Steward Liu quickly responded and led Wang Ye inside.
"Old Mr. Fang!" Wang Ye greeted him first and then glanced at the painting by Fang Cunshan.
The painting depicted a tiger descending the mountain. It indeed looked quite imposing.
Fang Cunshan waved his hand, signaling Steward Liu to step out.
Then, he asked Wang Ye, "Doctor Wang, do you also understand painting?"
At this, Wang Ye chuckled lightly. "Old Fang, is this question intended to embarrass me?"
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Fang Cunshan asked in confusion.
"I am the champion of the Treasure Appraisal Convention. How could I not understand painting?" Wang Ye retorted.
In the Treasure Appraisal Convention, appraising ancient paintings was a separate round of competition. Though ancient and modern paintings have their differences, Wang Ye certainly knew how to appreciate Fang Cunshan's work too!
Upon hearing this, Fang Cunshan's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
His question had indeed been a bit thoughtless, which was why Wang Ye had caught such an opportunity.
"I just spoke the truth, no offense intended. Old Mr. Fang, please don't mind." Wang Ye, knowing that Fang Cunshan was slightly displeased, continued.
With Wang Ye saying this, Fang Cunshan, originally upset, couldn't really make a scene.
He could only give a faint smile and then asked, "Since that's the case, why don't you evaluate this painting, Doctor Wang?"
Wang Ye knew that Fang Cunshan was definitely looking to save face. Otherwise, losing face in his own territory would be irretrievable.
So, Wang Ye intentionally said, "This 'Descending Tiger' by Old Mr. Fang is very imposing. The brushwork is delicate, and the details are perfectly outlined."
Upon hearing Wang Ye's assessment, Fang Cunshan laughed heartily.
"You, a master of appraisal, must be just a name without substance! How could this 'Descending Tiger' be described as imposing?"
"Oh? Can it not? I would appreciate Old Mr. Fang's guidance." Wang Ye said earnestly.
"This 'Descending Tiger' exudes a sinister dominance, it's about hiding the sharpness and avoiding the obvious. It's the 'Ascending Tiger' that requires an imposing presence. You don't even understand this?" Fang Cunshan said proudly.
But after saying this, Fang Cunshan felt something was off.
It seemed that he had been too hasty once again.
How could Wang Ye, with such simple things, not understand?
It seemed Wang Ye wasn't ignorant, but rather he intentionally stepped down, giving back face to himself!
In that case, Wang Ye, this youngster, indeed had some schemes.
"Old Mr. Fang is truly knowledgeable, Wang Ye has learned something today." Wang Ye responded lightly.
Fang Cunshan had regained his face, although it was actually given by Wang Ye. But he knew that he couldn't dwell on this issue anymore; otherwise, it would be a true loss of dignity.
So, he became serious and said sternly, "Let's talk business! Wang Ye, you know why I sought cooperation with you, right?"
Of course, Wang Ye understood but, considering Fang Cunshan's character, it was not good to state it bluntly.
Thus, Wang Ye pretended not to know and shook his head, "Wang Ye is unaware, please enlighten me, Old Mr. Fang."
"Unaware? Do you really not know, or are you unwilling to say?" Fang Cunshan also knew that Wang Ye definitely understood.
"Wang Ye truly does not know," Wang Ye adamantly claimed.
"Fine, then I will tell you directly! This cooperation is about the matter of poisoning. I have already investigated; my illness was someone's deliberate doing," Fang Cunshan stated outright.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ye feigned surprise and said, "That's really the case! No wonder I felt something was off when I treated Old Mr. Fang previously."
"Ha!" Fang Cunshan scoffed, knowing that Wang Ye was just acting.
"Doctor Wang, now that I've told you, can you help me find the person who poisoned me?" Fang Cunshan asked.
After thinking for a moment, Wang Ye answered, "That might be difficult! The person who poisoned, surely meticulous, leaves no traces. Now that Old Mr. Fang has already recovered, it's even harder to investigate."
Actually, Wang Ye was telling the truth. To investigate this matter, evidence was needed. The incident had already passed so long ago, where to find evidence now?
Even though it was very clear that Fang Junxiang was likely the culprit, without evidence, nothing could be confirmed.
"I know it's hard to investigate, or else I wouldn't have sought you out! Just tell me how much time you will need!" Fang Cunshan knew the difficulty of this matter as well.
"Old Mr. Fang, I can't give a definite time. This matter is very challenging, not predictable," Wang Ye said directly.
Giving a definite time was very disadvantageous for him.
"Then just give a rough time frame!"