"About a dozen or so," the staff member answered honestly.
Normally, in a situation like this, he would have reflexively added: "Are you interested in purchasing any?"
But he didn't.
Sophia gently tugged Alex's arm and pouted playfully: "Honey, I love Qin Bufan's paintings so much. Buy me one, okay?"
"The family finances are in your hands anyway. Pick whichever you like—we'll get it. Your happiness comes first."
Alex looked down at her with pure adoration, brushing the tip of her nose with his finger like the ultimate doting husband.
Just then, Captain Lane, Luo Weiwei, and the others arrived after buying tickets. They finally spotted Alex and Sophia—only to be hit square in the face with a massive serving of PDA.
Sophia pointed one slender, fair finger at *Cursed*. "Excuse me—how much is that painting? I'd like to buy it!"
"Sorry, ma'am, I can't make that call," the staff member replied apologetically.
Sophia planted her hands on her hips, clearly annoyed. "What—you think I can't afford it? I know Qin Bufan's market price usually starts above 300,000. Don't worry, if I'm here at the exhibition, I can cover it."
"I'm sorry," the staff member maintained his polite but distant smile. "The thing is, we only have exhibition rights. Only Mr. Qin himself can authorize a sale."
Sophia held back her temper and tried again: "Then give me his contact info. Honestly, I really admire his style and the emotions in this piece."
"I'm sorry—Mr. Qin is quite reclusive. I don't have his contact information either," the staff member said, spreading his hands helplessly.
Now Sophia was genuinely irritated. Her tone turned sharp: "That's strange. If only he can decide on sales, and I can't reach him—what's the point of even holding this exhibition?"
"If he only sells to friends, he could just keep it private. Why open a public show and then act like the public doesn't exist? Isn't that basically looking down on everyone?"
Sensing her rising anger, the staff member finally relented. "You know how it is—geniuses are eccentric. Mr. Qin has his own strict criteria for buyers. He says: it's not people choosing paintings; it's the paintings choosing their owners."
"I'll ask my supervisor and get back to you."
"Fine." Sophia stepped aside, but couldn't resist one last jab: "Exhibitions are meant to let more people appreciate the artist's work—and boost his reputation. The way Qin's handling this is really turning people off."
"I understand how you feel. I'll pass it along," the staff member said with a firm nod.
But just as he turned to leave, Captain Lane stepped forward and flashed his badge: "In that case, we can officially meet this so-called legendary painter, right?"
Sure enough, the staff member—who had been dodging with practiced ease—did a complete 180 the moment he saw the police ID.
"Mr. Qin is upstairs. I'll take you right up!"
Lane waved toward Alex and Sophia. "Those two are my friends—come with us."
But Alex waved them off repeatedly: "No, you handle the investigation. My wife and I will just wander around nearby."
Even though he wanted to help, Alex didn't want to get too involved publicly—he couldn't risk drawing warnings.
Lane seemed to understand Alex's hesitation. Luo Weiwei and Bai Yidao, however, looked reluctant. They called out enthusiastically: "You wanted to buy a painting, right? Once we talk to him, it'll be easier to negotiate."
Sophia started to refuse, but Alex nodded: "You go ahead and talk. When you're done, I'll ask about the painting."
After watching Lane, Luo Weiwei, and Bai Yidao follow the staff member upstairs, Alex waited a moment before slowly trailing behind.
Upstairs, Qin Bufan was observing from above. He wore a perfectly tailored gold suit, around thirty-five years old, holding a glass of red wine. He swirled it lazily, looking down with an air of superiority.
"Mr. Qin, these three are from the police. They have business with you."
Qin Bufan didn't seem surprised by Lane's arrival at all.
He dismissed the staff member with a wave and gave Lane a condescending nod: "I wonder what brings the police to see me?"
Lane got straight to the point, holding up a photo of the Lolita dress: "We understand you commissioned a dress like this from Eternal Spring Custom Tailoring. Is that correct?"
"Seems like it. Officer, is there a law in our country against buying dresses?"
Qin Bufan was strikingly handsome. He took a sip of wine; the blood-red liquid stained his lips, giving him an air of sinister charm.
"That dress is connected to an ongoing serial murder investigation. Per procedure, I need you to come to the station for questioning."
Qin Bufan's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Sorry—that dress got thrown out. Is throwing away trash a crime now?"
"Are you even capable of speaking normally? You've got an Asian face but keep spitting English every other sentence."
Bai Yidao had been holding back for a while. He despised this kind of blind worship of foreign things. Living in China, dealing with Chinese people, yet constantly slipping in English words to act superior.
Luo Weiwei didn't like Qin Bufan either. He showed zero intention of cooperating.
Her gut told her this man was definitely linked to the Lolita Corpse Puppet case.
"A dress that expensive—you just 'threw it out'?" Luo Weiwei sneered.
Qin Bufan kept up his English flair, saying he had money to burn and could toss whatever he didn't like.
"Mr. Qin, I must remind you—you're currently obstructing justice!"
Lane activated the body cam on his chest. Though he didn't have the younger officers' hot temper, his presence was far more intimidating.
But just then, a man with gold-rimmed glasses and a briefcase strode over quickly. Slicked-back hair, the look of a successful businessman.
"Officers, I'm Mr. Qin's personal attorney, Xu Xiaodong! Allow me to remind you of two things."
"First: under Chinese law, to take someone into custody, you need either a summons or an arrest warrant."
"Second: a single dress proves nothing. There's no evidence linking my client to any crime. If you drag a well-known artist out in broad daylight without proof, can you afford the reputational damage lawsuit?"
Xu Xiaodong wasn't even a Riverside lawyer. Alex had quickly checked online: he was from Changshu City, infamous for exploiting legal loopholes. Known for his silver tongue, people called him "Iron-Mouth Xu."
Under Xu Xiaodong's smooth arguments, Lane and the team couldn't take Qin Bufan in.
They could only watch as Qin Bufan walked out of the exhibition.
They'd officially stirred the snake from the grass!