Double evil in the business district

Chapter 215: Troubles and Difficulties: The Bumpy Road of Art Exhibition Preparation

Xiao Yue's hand froze in mid-air.

The sound of shattering porcelain and the man's angry roar exploded in her ears like a thunder.

The bad feeling in her heart became stronger.

The biting cold wind whistled past, and Xiao Yue wrapped himself tightly in his thin coat.

The winter chill seemed to penetrate into her bones, making her shiver.

But she still didn't want to leave, and stood stubbornly outside the door of Artist Zhang's studio, like a small tree swaying in the wind and snow, stubbornly refusing to fall down.

Time passed by minute by minute, and the door of the studio remained closed, as if isolating the two worlds.

Finally, when Xiao Yue was about to freeze to death, the door of the studio creaked open.

A young assistant poked his head out and looked at Xiao Yue with an apologetic look on his face: "Ms. Xiao, I'm really sorry, Teacher Zhang is very emotionally unstable right now and doesn't want to see anyone."

"I know he's angry, but this exhibition is very important to both of us. Can you let me go in and talk to him?" Xiao Yue's tone was sincere, with a barely perceptible pleading hint.

The assistant hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "Teacher Zhang said he doesn't want to talk about the exhibition right now. He said...he said he's very dissatisfied with the preparations for the exhibition and feels you don't respect his art. He might...may not participate."

The assistant's voice gradually became quieter and quieter, until it was almost inaudible at the end.

Xiao Yue's heart sank suddenly, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

"Not satisfied? What's not satisfied? We can change it. We can do our best to meet his requirements!" Xiao Yue said anxiously. "Please tell Teacher Zhang that I will definitely give him a satisfactory answer!"

The assistant sighed, "Ms. Xiao, please don't embarrass me. Teacher Zhang is furious right now and won't listen to anything I say. You should go back first. I'll contact you when he calms down."

After saying that, the assistant was about to close the door.

Seeing this, Xiao Yue quickly stretched out her hand to block the door: "No! I must see him today! This exhibition is very important to me, I can't give up like this!"

Xiao Yue spoke in a firm tone, staring at his assistant with burning eyes.

The assistant was intimidated by her aura and didn't know what to do for a moment.

At this moment, a deep and magnetic voice came from behind Xiao Yue: "What happened?"

Shen Ting had come to Xiao Yue's side without her knowing. His tall figure was like a mountain, blocking the cold wind for her.

Xiao Yue turned to look at him, her eyes slightly red: "Shen Ting, Artist Zhang... he doesn't want to participate in the exhibition..."

Shen Ting frowned slightly. He took a step forward and stared at his assistant sharply: "Open the door."

The assistant was frightened by Shen Ting's aura and trembled all over. He subconsciously took a step back and opened the door of the studio.

Inside the door, there was a mess...

"Artist Zhang, I think there may be some misunderstanding between us..." Xiao Yue stepped into the studio and spoke slowly.

"Misunderstanding? Ha!" A cold laugh came from the depths of the room...

Deep in the room, Artist Zhang stood with his back to them, his body stiff.

Broken porcelain pieces were scattered on the ground. It was one of his works that would be exhibited soon and also his most treasured work.

He turned around slowly, his face full of anger. "Misunderstanding? My work was stolen, and you tell me it's a misunderstanding?"

Xiao Yue took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. "Teacher Zhang, we know you're very angry and anxious right now. But please believe us, we are doing our best to find the lost exhibits. We, like you, don't want this to happen."

Shen Ting walked forward, took off his coat and put it on Xiao Yue.

The winter chill invaded her body, and Shen Ting's actions were like a warm current flowing into her heart.

Xiao Yue looked up at him, eyes full of gratitude.

Shen Ting gave her a soothing look, then turned to Artist Zhang. "Teacher Zhang, I know it's hard for you to accept this fact right now, but please believe me, we will definitely find the person who stole the exhibits and return them intact."

"That's easy for you to say! My work is unique. Even if it is recovered, it will already have flaws! How are you going to compensate me for my losses?" Artist Zhang was still furious.

"We will do our best to compensate you for your losses." Shen Ting's tone was calm and unquestionable. "I have asked the police to investigate, and through my connections, I have found some information about the thieves. I believe there will be results soon."

At the same time, Shen Ting informed Officer Wang of the information he had obtained.

This information was like a beacon in the darkness, pointing the direction for Officer Wang's investigation.

Xiao Yue is also trying hard to persuade Artist Zhang, hoping that he can continue to participate in the exhibition.

She knew that artist Zhang's work was crucial to the exhibition.

However, Artist Zhang refused to give in. He felt that Xiao Yue and her team had failed to fulfill their responsibility to protect the exhibits and he had lost trust in them.

Just then, Xiao Yue's cell phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Chen, the venue manager, calling.

An ominous premonition came to her mind, and she pressed the answer button...

"Ms. Xiao, something's wrong..." Venue Manager Chen's voice was a little panicked. "Something's happened at the exhibition hall..."

Xiao Yue's heart sank suddenly, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

An accident at the venue?

Could it be the work of Zhou’s competitors?

She suppressed her uneasiness and asked in a calm tone, "Manager Chen, what exactly is going on? Please tell me slowly."

Manager Chen explained incoherently, "Ms. Xiao, when I was inspecting the venue this morning, I discovered that a corner of the exhibition hall was flooded! A water pipe burst, and water was everywhere on the ground. Some of the built booths were also soaked and damaged... I suspect someone deliberately sabotaged it, because the pipe was still working yesterday, and the burst location is very hidden, so it seems to be caused by someone..."

Xiao Yue took a deep breath and tried to stay calm: "I understand, I'll be there right away." After hanging up the phone, she turned to Shen Ting and said, "Shen Ting, something happened at the exhibition venue. I have to go check it out right away."

Shen Ting's expression also became serious: "I'll go with you."

The two drove to the exhibition venue.

Along the way, Xiao Yue's heart was in her throat, and she kept praying, hoping that things would not be too bad.

Still, when they arrived at the exhibition grounds, the sight before her made her gasp.

A corner of the exhibition hall was, indeed, flooded.

The water gushing out from the burst water pipe formed a small "swimming pool" on the ground. Some of the built exhibition stands were soaked in water and were deformed and damaged.

The air was filled with a damp and musty smell that made people feel suffocated.

"This...what is going on?" Site manager Chen's face was pale and he stood there at a loss.

Xiao Yue forced himself to calm down and carefully observed the situation at the scene.

The location of the burst water pipe was indeed very hidden, hidden behind a booth. It would be difficult to find if you didn't look carefully.

Moreover, there were some signs of human damage at the broken end of the water pipe.

"Manager Chen, contact maintenance personnel immediately to repair the water pipes. At the same time, arrange for people to clean up the accumulated water to minimize the damage." Xiao Yue quickly made arrangements. "Also, retrieve the surveillance footage to see if there are any clues."

Manager Chen quickly did as he was told.

Xiao Yue walked to the flooded booth and carefully inspected the damage.

Some exhibition stands have been completely scrapped and need to be remade, while some exhibits have been soaked by water and need to be repaired.

As time passed, Xiao Yue's heart became heavier and heavier.

This exhibition means so much to her, she absolutely cannot let it go to waste.

At this moment, Shen Ting walked up to her and gently held her hand: "Don't worry, we will solve it."

Xiao Yue looked up at him, eyes full of gratitude.

Shen Ting's appearance made her feel extremely at ease.

She took a deep breath and rekindled her fighting spirit.

No matter how difficult the situation is, she will never give up.

"Shen Ting," Xiao Yue's eyes were firm, "We must find the mastermind behind this as soon as possible and not let them continue to cause damage."

Shen Ting nodded, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "I will make them pay the price."

Suddenly, a rapid ring of a cell phone broke the silence between the two.

Xiao Yue glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Officer Wang calling.

She quickly answered the phone.

"Miss Xiao," Officer Wang said with a hint of excitement, "We caught the thief Li!"