67: Chapter 67 Oil Painting

"Young man, do you mind listening to an old person like me ramble on about some past events?" The Old Lady looked at Zhang Wei, who nodded in agreement.

The Old Lady smiled and said, "When I was young, I was a university teacher. Later, I was introduced to my husband. I still remember the first time we met; seeing him skinny as a bamboo pole, I was quite dissatisfied at first.

It wasn't until we met several times that my opinion changed. He was a researcher, and in those days, many people couldn't even afford to eat. He ended up donating most of his salary to the Children's Welfare Institute while living frugally himself. I was deeply moved when I heard that. Under the witness of the organization, we became husband and wife.

However, three days after our marriage, he received orders from the organization to go to the Soviet Union for exchange and study. At that time, domestic technology was very backward, but my husband didn't want to miss the opportunity and obeyed the arrangement. This painting was bought with money he saved up for a long time while he was in the Soviet Union. I remember his letter home read: 'Although I cannot bring you a fresh flower every day, let this tulip keep you company.'

He returned to China three years later. I thought we could finally live a peaceful life. Unfortunately, the good times didn't last long; only a year later, he was transferred to the depths of the Gobi Desert in the Great Northwest.

But I knew that was his dream. Although our correspondence was intermittent, every time I looked at this painting, I always felt he was by my side."

The Old Lady stood up and slowly walked to the oil painting, gently stroking it with her hand. Zhang Wei was a little curious: "Auntie, what happened to your husband later on?"

The Old Lady fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Later, he rested eternally in that land. I wonder if he heard that tremendous boom three years later, down in the earth."

Zhang Wei felt a surge of respect. He realized this man was a martyr of the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' project. This painting held immense significance for the Old Lady, and he had completely lost the interest in hunting for bargains.

Just as he was preparing to take his leave, the Old Lady stopped him and smiled, "Thank you for listening to me for so long. I'm used to living alone, and usually, no one keeps me company to talk to. You can take this painting directly. Consider it a small token of my gratitude as an old person."

Zhang Wei quickly tried to decline, but the Old Lady was very firm: "I can tell you are a good child. I am very happy to give this painting to you. After all, at my age, I don't know when I'll be laid to rest."

Finally, under the Old Lady's insistence, Zhang Wei accepted the oil painting. As he sat in his car, he could still see the Old Lady smiling and waving at him from the window. Zhang Wei felt a hollow emptiness in his heart; it was very uncomfortable.

He thought for a moment, stepped on the accelerator, and drove towards the Shenghai Museum.

Arriving at the Museum entrance, he said to the receptionist, "I'm looking for Dr. Zhao. I just spoke with him on the phone."

The young girl at the Museum reception desk recognized Zhang Wei and smiled, "He is in his office. Please follow me."

At that moment, Dr. Zhao was reviewing historical documents in his office when he saw Zhang Wei walking in carrying an oil painting: "Teacher Zhao, I'm troubling you again."

Dr. Zhao laughed, "If you could bring good things every time, I wouldn't mind this kind of trouble at all." He then turned to another middle-aged man standing nearby and said, "Old Wang, Western oil painting is your specialty, hurry over here and stop pretending you didn't hear me."

The middle-aged man eagerly walked over upon hearing this and said to Zhang Wei, "I know you, the young man who rented the imperial seal of china. I didn't expect you to be able to procure a foreign oil painting."

Dr. Zhao glanced at him before introducing him to Zhang Wei: "This is the expert on paintings in the Museum, and also a board member of the Art Association, Wang Jingyu. Having him appraise this painting is perfectly in line with his expertise."

Zhang Wei quickly greeted him, "Hello, Teacher Wang, I need to trouble you to look at this painting."

Wang Jingyu wasted no time. He swept the documents off the conference table, revealing a clear space, and spread the painting out on the table.

He took out a magnifying glass and examined it carefully from top to bottom. Dr. Zhao smiled and said to Zhang Wei, "This old fellow is a painting fanatic; he ignores everyone when he sees a good painting. Don't take it to heart." Then he also stepped forward to examine the painting.

After a while, Wang Jingyu straightened up and said excitedly, "This painting is really good. The brushwork is delicate, the style is realistic, it is undoubtedly an authentic piece."

Zhang Wei asked doubtfully, "Teacher Wang, could you tell me about the origin of this painting?"

Wang Jingyu pointed to the oil painting and said, "This is a work by the French painter Delphin Enjolras. Judging by the style, it belongs to the peak period of his career, likely completed around 1900. Although he is only moderately famous globally, he is a household name in France, especially in Paris. His style mainly uses warm tones, and he is skilled at capturing the spirit of figures and objects."

After saying this, he looked eagerly at Zhang Wei: "I wonder if you, Little Zhang, could loan this painting to the Museum for me to observe for a few days? No Museum in China has yet collected a work by this painter. It is very worthy of study."

Zhang Wei blinked, "That's no problem, but I have one doubt. Don't you two think the frame of this painting is a bit too thick?"

Dr. Zhao and the other man paused upon hearing this and both stared at the oil painting, frowning in thought.

"Now that you mention it, it really is." Dr. Zhao vaguely guessed something and said to Zhang Wei, "Can I take the frame off?"

Zhang Wei came here precisely for this matter, so naturally, he had no reason to object.

Dr. Zhao and the other man carefully removed the frame and measured it with a steel ruler.

"It is indeed much thicker than a normal oil canvas." At this point, their breathing became rapid, "This painting very likely has a hidden layer inside!"

"Let's go! Let's take it to the studio to scan it!" Dr. Zhao waved his hand and rushed out with the painting.

"That Old Zhao claims others are painting fanatics, but he's just as crazy when he gets going." Zhang Wei followed out, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

In the studio at that time, several Museum staff members were conducting research and restoration work on exhibits. The door was pushed open forcefully, startling everyone.

Dr. Zhao and Dr. Wang rushed in, pushed aside a young man standing by the scanner, and started operating it themselves.

"It took me forever to get a turn on the scanner!" The young man looked crestfallen but dared not offend the two of them. Everyone curiously gathered around.

This scanner was huge, somewhat resembling an MRI machine at a hospital. The oil painting on the conveyor belt was slowly being pushed inside bit by bit. After more than ten minutes, the scan was finally complete. Everyone eagerly gathered in front of the computer waiting for the results. Soon, an image resembling an X-ray appeared on the monitor.

"Oh my, there really is a hidden layer! This is a huge discovery!" Wang Jingyu exclaimed, staring intently at the image.

Chinese Museums mostly display domestic antiquities; foreign antiques are rarely exhibited, let alone a painting within a painting—this was unprecedented.

Everyone was incredibly excited, as if they had witnessed history. The researchers also discussed quietly on the side.

Dr. Zhao came to his senses and said to Zhang Wei, "The scan clearly shows that there is another painting concealed inside this oil painting."

Zhang Wei asked, "Is there a way to separate the two paintings?"

Dr. Zhao was silent for a moment and then said, "I don't know yet if we can. This situation is truly rare and requires support. Allow me to call for backup."

Zhang Wei was dumbfounded, "You can call for backup? I didn't realize Dr. Zhao was such a socially connected doctor."