"Is it reliable?" Chen Jianqiu asked.

He doesn't care too much about that fake technology, as long as it's not too outrageous.

The Pinkerton Detective Agency seems to have been a bit underfunded lately.

Even the production level of the genuine Pinkerton document that Sean got was a bit miserable.

As long as it's about the same, you can basically get through it.

"Reliable, he's not a guy who likes to deal with the outside world, he's only obsessed with his art." Huang Qingyun replied, "A few years ago, when I first came, I used a drawer of xiaolongbao in Chinatown to exchange an identity certificate with him, but I haven't been uncovered until now. ”

"Art? Do you mean those fake results of his? Chen Jianqiu pursed his lips.

Strictly speaking, if the fake is good, it is indeed called art.

It's not the soulless fakes, but the creative fakes in the process.

Huang Qingyun shook his head: "You'll know when you go." ”

"He's actually a painter by profession, at least that's what he says."

Chen Jianqiu took out his pocket watch and looked at it, it was close to eleven o'clock in the evening: "Then let's go early tomorrow." ”

"No, that's where he usually starts." Huang Qingyun scratched his earlobe.

Midnight activities? Although it is true that counterfeiting is not something that can be done in broad daylight, in this era when electric lighting has not yet become popular, it is a bit difficult at night, right?

Chen Jianqiu thought about it, but decided to go and see the situation first.

"Let's go, let's go."

Huang Qingyun changed his clothes and walked out of the dock with Chen Jianqiu.

Outside, the fog was heavier, visibility was low, and there were almost no pedestrians along the way, save for the occasional bell from passing carriages.

"You say he has a weird temper, what's weird?" Chen Jianqiu asked as he walked.

Huang Qingyun walked in front, looking for his way through the fog, and didn't look back, but his voice came: "He always does something that is not normal." ”

"For example?"

"He used to buy alcohol with the dollars from his paintings, and he was never found until he was arrested and taken to the police station two years ago."

"How was it discovered?"

"He got drunk and made a bet with another guy in the tavern, mocked the current dollar design for being unaesthetically pleasing, and drew one in front of the other man, and used it to exchange it for another bottle of wine at the bar owner."

"Talent." Chen Jianqiu sighed.

They walked through the fog-shrouded neighborhood for a while before they came to the door of a dilapidated apartment.

The two entered the apartment.

The first floor of the apartment was pitch black, and the horse lamp in Huang Qingyun's hand was the only thing that shone in the darkness.

The common corridors are filthy and littered with all sorts of debris and garbage.

The silence is occasionally broken by a few rats scurrying around, asserting their sovereignty over the public realm.

The two climbed a wooden staircase.

Chen Jianqiu's feet stepped on the stairs, making a creaking sound, giving people the feeling that a little force would directly collapse the stairs.

When they reached the second floor, they finally saw a light other than the lantern.

At the end of the aisle, there was a glimmer of light.

It was a door, but the corner of the door was damaged, so it couldn't block out the light coming from inside the room.

Chen Jianqiu can imagine that this broken door can't cover the light, and if it encounters windy weather, it will definitely not cover the wind.

They came to the door.

Huang Qingyun stretched out his hand and knocked on the door: "Nigo! It's me, Lao Huang! ”

There was a rustling sound through the door.

After a while, a crack opened in the door, and a large eye appeared in the crack of the door.

The eye rolled as it scanned the door.

Chen Jianqiu frowned.

It can't really be a psychopath, right?

"I, Huang Qingyun, open the door quickly!" Huang Qingyun raised the lantern and pressed his face to the crack in the door.

The door opened.

Chen Jianqiu's imaginary image of a neurotic artist unkempt, wearing slippers and baring his teeth did not appear.

A well-dressed white-haired old man appeared in front of him.

He wore a black gown with a bow tie, and his white hair was neatly combed back.

"Come in, you two."

He politely brought the two men in.

The room was not large, but it was the luxury of lighting four or five candles at the same time, illuminating the room.

By the window lay a bed and a table with tools and brushes neatly placed on it, as well as paper.

There was also a glass goblet on the table, and in the goblet, there was a small half cup of red liquid, Chen Jianqiu guessed, probably red wine.

Judging from his dress and behavior, this person looks like an upper-class person, but he lives in this dirty and cramped apartment, which seems out of place with the environment in which he lives.

The huge contrast is incredible.

"Wait a minute, I'm finishing the best work of my life."

After Nigo brought the two men in, he ignored them and walked to the easel by the table.

Above is a work that is almost finished.

Huang Qingyun was about to say something, but was stopped by Chen Jianqiu raising his hand.

"Respect the artist." He whispered.

Nigo seemed to be completely immersed in his work, and Chen Jianqiu began to look at the painting.

He didn't study art very much, but when he was with Astor some time ago, this New York boy taught him a lot.

The one on the shelf, the level is really average, both in composition and creativity, it is lackluster, just like the ones piled up on the right hand wall.

Chen Jianqiu couldn't stand it, and turned his gaze to another pile of paintings on the left hand wall.

In this room, except for the bed and the table, the rest is painted.

And these words surprised him.

These paintings, unlike the ones just now, are not of the same grade at all, with deep brushwork and exquisite workmanship.

"Alright, done." Finally finishing his "masterpiece", Nigo picked up the wine glass on the table and took a sip.

"What do you think? Lao Huang? He seemed very satisfied with his work and asked Huang Qingyun on the side.

Huang Qingyun was stunned for a moment, and then nodded again and again: "Okay!" ”

Chen Jianqiu finally understood why the painter had such a good relationship with Huang Qingyun.

The painter was pleased to put the paintings away and put them in the pile on his right.

"By the way, what are you looking for me?" He turned to Chen Jianqiu and Huang Qingyun.

"My Chinese friend, I want you to help me copy a document." Huang Qingyun said to him honestly.

Nigo shook his head: "I don't draw false testimony anymore, since I was caught by the San Francisco Police Department last time, I have learned from the pain and want to be a law-abiding citizen." ”

"But ......" Huang Qingyun wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Nigo.

"I decided to continue my own art, even though they are not understood by the world right now." He pointed to his own proud works on the wall on his right, "That's why I've been poor." ”

"And that's all rubbish!" He pointed to the copied paintings on his left.

"Well said!" Chen Jianqiu suddenly applauded and pointed to the original works of the painter on his right, "I appreciate these paintings, they are very artistic. ”

He pulled out a stack of bills from his pocket: "I'm willing to buy two of them first!" ”

The painter was stunned, but when he touched the real banknote, he instantly became excited: "Sir, you are a person who really understands art!" What can I do for you? ”

Chen Jianqiu took out the Pinkerton ID: "I need a few copies similar to this one." ”

The painter's expression was a little hesitant.

Chen Jianqiu took out some more banknotes: "I suddenly remembered that there was another good friend who loved art, so I decided to buy another one for him." ”

The painter took the money and Pinkerton's documents from Chen Jianqiu's hand.

Chen Jianqiu smiled: "Then I'll get it tomorrow morning?" ”

"No, you can wait for me at the door for a while." The painter moved the candle to the table and began to rummage through the tools in the drawers of the table.

Chen Jianqiu and Huang Qingyun walked out of the door of the room together.

"Young master, didn't he say that he was going to change his ways? And he looks like he hates fraud, why did he agree so quickly? Huang Qingyun was a little puzzled.

"It's true that you love art, and it's also true that you were stared at by the police after you were released and didn't let you sell fake paintings. This man is a combination of contradictions. Chen Jianqiu put his hands behind his back and said.

"But he's going to eat anyway."

After a while, the door behind them was opened again, and the painter walked out with the three paintings and the fake documents he had made.

Chen Jianqiu handed the painting to Huang Qingyun and checked it with the fake certificates.

It's exactly the same, and it's the real thing.

"What's your name?" Chen Jianqiu raised his head and asked.

"Emmanuel Nigo, sir." The painter replied.

"Do you want to continue creating art without worrying about your stomach?" Chen Jianqiu continued to ask, "I'm willing to buy all your paintings." ”

Without waiting for the painter to answer, Chen Jianqiu had already walked down the stairs: "Think about it, I will come back to you in a few days, and when the time comes, if you want, come with me." ”

After speaking, he and Huang Qingyun disappeared into the night.

(End of chapter)