"Of course I love it. This is the treasure I’ve dread of owning, but unfortunately it’s sothing I have no fate to possess in this lifeti."
Jiao Jikai sighed, his face full of regret.
Seeing this, Chen Bin smiled and said.
"Since Jiao Tai likes it so much, how about I leave this painting here? You help take care of it, and you can look at it anyti you want."
"This... wouldn’t be appropriate, would it? Such a precious item, leaving it with —are you sure?"
Although his words showed hesitation, the depths of Jiao Jikai’s eyes were full of longing.
"It’s no trouble at all. I’m not knowledgeable about paintings. If I keep it at ho, it would only gather dust. It’s better for it to stay at your place, so you can admire it fully."
"Well then, if that’s the case, I guess I’ll humbly accept."
Upon hearing these words, Chen Bin nodded slightly, his face showing an expression of wanting to say sothing but hesitating.
Jiao Jikai imdiately asked, "What’s the matter?"
"Jiao Tai, there’s sothing I’m not sure if I should bring up."
"No problem, go ahead and say it."
"You surely know how valuable the ’Roaring Lion Scroll’ is. If sothing were to happen to it, I wouldn’t mind much, but it was a gift from a friend, and damaging it would ruin our relationship. How about... you write a note of safekeeping for it?"
After a brief mont of thought, Jiao Jikai felt that this request made sense.
After all, with such a valuable item as the ’Roaring Lion Scroll,’ if he lent it to soone else, he would also ask for written proof.
"No problem, I’ll write the note right now!"
Right after, Jiao Jikai took out paper and pen and wrote down on the sheet:
"Today, Jiao Jikai takes custody of Mr. Yue Kongliang’s authentic work, the ’Roaring Lion Scroll,’ on behalf of Chen Bin. The custody period is undefined, and Chen Bin can retrieve it anyti."
He signed his na at the bottom along with the current date and even pressed his fingerprint onto it.
Chen Bin took the note, confird there were no errors in it, and then nodded approvingly.
"Jiao Tai, your handwriting is truly excellent. It looks as refined as Mr. Yue’s."
"Chen Tai, you exaggerate. How could I compare to Mr. Yue? For now, this painting will stay with , and you can take it back anyti you like."
After sending Chen Bin off, Jiao Jikai brewed so fine tea. After showering, he even burned a stick of incense.
Entering his study, he began to slowly admire the ’Roaring Lion Scroll.’
The more he looked at it, the deeper his love for it grew, as if his entire being was drawn into the painting.
It was evident that Jiao Jikai truly adored the ’Roaring Lion Scroll’ deeply.
After the National Day holiday, Chen Bin once again gathered the mid-to-upper level executives of the station to discuss the ’Entertainnt First’ strategy.
He was well aware that whether or not this initiative would succeed depended entirely on Jiao Jikai and Xiang Chengkang.
The two old tirs had already benefited from him, and logically speaking, they shouldn’t oppose him anymore.
Thus, Chen Bin attended the eting with an air of absolute confidence this ti.
After a simple opening address, he turned his gaze to Xiang Chengkang.
The latter understood and was the first to speak.
"Last ti I was adamantly against the ’Entertainnt First’ strategy. However, after thinking deeply about it, I realize that entertainnt-focused programming does have its rits."
Hearing this, Chen Bin secretly nodded to himself.
Clearly, this statent pleased him.
Others, however, were surprised and wondered why Xiang Chengkang had suddenly changed his stance.
Xiang Chengkang continued, "Our station has been news-centric for a long ti, but the external debts are ever increasing. I believe reform is necessary—adopting ’Entertainnt First’ programming will make things better quickly."
To be fair, words can sound reasonable from anyone if frad correctly.
Slightly nodding, Chen Bin then looked toward Jiao Jikai.
"Jiao Tai, what’s your perspective on the ’Entertainnt First’ strategy?"
The latter first glared discontentedly at Xiang Chengkang before slowly responding.
"I believe the foundation of a television station lies in news coverage. ’Entertainnt First’ is a side-tracked approach and won’t go far."
Clenching his fists slightly, fury surged in Chen Bin’s heart.
He never expected Jiao Jikai would still oppose him.
Jiao Jikai snorted coldly, his face full of disdain.
Indeed, he liked the ’Roaring Lion Scroll,’ but simply borrowing it for viewing would never make him change his stance because of minor favors.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Bin turned to the others.
"Let everyone share their thoughts. As mbers of this station, it’s our duty to contribute to the developnt of the province’s network."
After serious consideration, Fan Sheng spoke again.
"I still uphold my previous view: the foundation is news programming—it must not be changed!"
In the previous eting, the three deputy directors openly opposed Chen Bin, greatly diminishing his authority as acting director.
Afterward, there had even been petitions circulating, leading many to believe that Chen Bin wouldn’t last long as acting director.
Though Xiang Chengkang had changed his mind this ti, for most people, Jiao Jikai was the key figure they followed.
Moreover, Fan Sheng also had a strong reputation as deputy director at the station. Based on a two-versus-one principle, most still opted to stand by Jiao Jikai.
Thus, in subsequent discussions, nearly all present opposed the ’Entertainnt First’ strategy.
As the eting headed toward an uncontrollable outco, Chen Bin feared that if it continued, the matter of maintaining a ’News-Centric’ approach might be solidified.
He hastily found an excuse to abruptly end the eting.
Returning to his office, Chen Bin slamd his fist on the desk, his hatred for Jiao Jikai reaching its peak.
He muttered to himself, "That old bastard—asking for trouble! Since that’s the case, don’t bla for being ruthless!"
Once he finished speaking, he imdiately dialed Ma Juan’s phone.
"Honey, could you help contact an expert in calligraphy and painting? Preferably soone highly authoritative. It’s urgent!"
Chen Bin’s initial plan was simple—since Jiao Jikai liked the ’Roaring Lion Scroll’ so much and believed it was genuine, he could leave it there for the old man’s continued enjoynt.
But now, given Jiao Jikai’s refusal to toe the line, it was clear he needed to teach the man a lesson.
So people only learn to submit when they’ve been pushed hard enough.
At present, the country’s most authoritative appraisal expert was Qi Bocha, the dean of the National Academy of Painting and Calligraphy.
Not only was his expertise in appraisal unparalleled, his skill in painting and calligraphy was also extraordinary.
One of his finest works had even sold for over ten million at auction, making him the most valuable living artist in the country.
Through Ma Juan’s connections, she managed to reach out to Qi Bocha. Initially, the latter had matters to attend to, but about a week later, he flew into Tianhai.
Chen Bin personally welcod him and arranged accommodations at a luxury hotel.
During dinner together, he ntioned that he had received a ’Roaring Lion Scroll’ by Mr. Yue Kongliang, as a gift from a friend.
He lanted that, unfortunately, he didn’t understand calligraphy and painting and wanted Qi Bocha to help thoroughly explain its significance.
With a slight frown, the latter was visibly surprised.
In his impression, the ’Roaring Lion Scroll’ had never changed ownership. How could it have ended up with this young man?
However, on second thought, private transactions were not uncommon, so perhaps he simply hadn’t heard about this one.
He nodded slightly and replied with a smile.
"Alright, bring it tomorrow. I’d be delighted to appreciate Mr. Yue’s masterpiece."
Early the next morning, Chen Bin headed straight for Jiao Jikai’s office.
"Jiao Tai, have you ever heard of soone nad Qi Bocha?"
Jiao Jikai assud the other man was here to confront him but was surprised to find it was about calligraphy and painting.
Taking a deep breath, he replied evenly.
"Of course, he’s the dean of the National Academy of Painting and Calligraphy. Why do you ask?"
"Dean Qi has co to Tianhai. I even had dinner with him last night."
"What did you say?!"
His eyes widened in shock, and disbelief filled Jiao Jikai’s face.
Chen Bin quickly added, "The esteed dean is currently resting at the hotel. I plan to take the ’Roaring Lion Scroll’ to him for evaluation later. Could you bring to retrieve it after work tonight?"
Standing up imdiately, Jiao Jikai offered eagerly.
"How about this? Tonight I’ll arrange a dinner at the hotel where Dean Qi is staying, and I’ll bring the painting along. What do you think?"
Given Qi Bocha’s towering status in the art circle, Jiao Jikai naturally wouldn’t pass up a chance to et him.
With a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips, Chen Bin nodded.
"No problem. Let’s go with that plan!"
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