Chapter 360: The ugly truth
Individually, they continued in a lost silence for a while, holding hands just to remind each other that they were not alone.
Chi Lian wiped a few tears off her face as she tried to keep the sadness for the innocent victims who had been brainwashed at bay.
"We should not be wasting any time, maybe the swapping of the painting at the auction was no accident. You should copy the video, send it to me as well and wipe it off the memory card then place it back in the frame. If this painting ever goes missing, it should never be suspected that you knew anything."
She let go of his hand and walked to a cabinet from where she brought out another similar looking painting to the blessing lotus. "I already prepared a copy of the painting; I will not allow the original one to fall into the wrong hands. This painting was once a very treasured item of someone." She explained to Muyang. "I picked this lesson from your great grandfather who collected fake antiques that could easily pass for the real thing."
Muyang helped her and they framed the fake painting which was basically a scan of the original painting carefully made by T4. The memory card was pushed down to the furthest end inside of the frame and sealed with instant wood hardening glue.
"Now, we can hang it up in the house like any thoughtless person and hope no one ever comes looking for it." Muyang said. Deep down however, both of them were very doubtful. They had a feeling that in time, someone would come looking for the painting.
As they were going back upstairs, she asked Muyang, "The man in the mask, at the end of the video he briefly lifted it for a moment. Did you recognize him?"
For a small moment, Muyang hesitated slightly just before saying, "I am afraid so."
His face was grim, as if bad news had just been delivered to him. This was not any bad news; it was the kind of news which ended with pain, betrayal or bitter resentment and tears.