Hearing Wu Bin say this, Yao Lin was the most anxious one on the side.
He said quietly, "It’s over, Master Wan hates bootlicking the most. Especially bootlicking in the field of woodworking—it’s like patting the horse’s leg."
"Now it’s over, Master Wan is probably going to get angry."
After all, Yao Lin spent all day in the factory with Wan Xiu, so he understood Wan Xiu’s temperament very well and knew exactly what kind of person he was.
Tang Hao also furrowed his brows on the side, feeling that this matter was getting tricky.
On one hand was Song Bing’s friend, and on the other, the most important technical worker in his own factory. If Wu Bin really offended Wan Xiu, he, as the factory director, would have to offer an apology later.
While Tang Hao was thinking this, Wan Xiu didn’t get as angry as everyone imagined. Instead, he glanced at Wu Bin and inquired with great curiosity, "Interesting, how did you figure out that this is a Maitreya Buddha statue?"
Wu Bin said with a smile, "Although there are a lot of wood shavings on the carved wood blocking the view, from the outlines that are barely visible, it should be a Buddha statue, right?"
"I also saw a script under the lotus throne, although just a small part, but I think that must be the Maitreya Buddha."
Hearing what Wu Bin said, Wan Xiu, who had a face of impatience just a moment ago, suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Not bad at all, really not bad. I didn’t expect someone as young as you to have such discerning eyes. Could it be that you are also a carpenter?"
Of course, Wu Bin was not a carpenter.
His discerning eyes were entirely because he had a client in his previous life who liked wood carvings, so Wu Bin put a lot of effort into studying for a while.
If what Wan Xiu carved were landscapes or birds and animals, Wu Bin would indeed have a hard time guessing.
But carving statues related to Taoism and Buddhism? Those were much easier to guess.
Because religious statues are standardized, they all have specifications and fixed images.
Although the standards in most places are different, they’re mostly similar, so that’s why Wu Bin could recognize it at a glance.
Seeing that Wu Bin just smiled without speaking, Wan Xiu didn’t continue to press on and instead stood up the piece of wood in front of him.
"Fine, since we have an expert here, it won’t hurt to show you this wood. Anyway, it’s almost finished."
The moment the wood stood up, the netizens in the live stream couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration!
"Holy shit, this is an art piece! This Maitreya Buddha is carved so vividly! This smile is just too classic!"
"This is the most festive Maitreya Buddha I’ve ever seen, and the most meticulous one too. Look at the lotus throne around him; you can even see the patterns on the lotus!"
"Before, I never understood why the factory director had to bend over backwards for a technical worker, but now I get it. With this skill, saying he’s the factory’s signboard isn’t an overstatement!"
When Wu Bin saw this wood carving the moment it was revealed, he was surprised as well.
In his previous life, he had seen many exquisitely beautiful wood carvings, but not a single one could compare to the one before his eyes now.
What exactly makes a good wood carving?
Just four words—naturally flawless.
Wan Xiu’s wood carvings had achieved just that; the Maitreya Buddha was not only gentle and kind in demeanor, giving off a joyous and soothing aura, but most importantly, the detail in the carving was so exquisite that one couldn’t find any flaws or defects.
The texture of the skin matched perfectly with the grain of the wood, the form and posture were natural yet full, and the wood itself looked as beautiful as amber jade!
Wu Bin could hardly dare to imagine how comfortable it would feel if such a piece of woodcarving art were to be touched and handled for a few years, after absorbing some human qi.
Seeing Wu Bin entranced, Wan Xiu smiled and said, "You’re an expert as well, why not evaluate my Maitreya Buddha and see how it turned out?"
Hearing Wan Xiu’s question, Wu Bin walked around the entire Maitreya Buddha before saying in a deep voice, "This Maitreya Buddha has too much murderous aura; to be honest, it’s not suitable for sale. My suggestion is to destroy it on the spot."
When Wu Bin said this, everyone was stunned.
Song Bing widened his eyes in disbelief.
"Old Wu, you can’t be serious? There’s nothing wrong with the carving of this Maitreya Buddha, you want to destroy it?"
Song Bing thought Wu Bin had simply gone mad.
After all, for craftsmen, each of their creations is like their own child, treasured and cared for dearly. And now Wu Bin was suggesting to destroy it?
Wan Xiu wasn’t angry, instead, he continued to inquire, "Oh? You can see an excessive murderous aura in my Maitreya Buddha? Then please do tell in detail, where exactly is the murderous aura too strong? If you can make your case, I’ll do as you say and destroy it."
"But if you can’t explain, then you’ll have to apologize to me and send a red envelope of twenty-thousand yuan as a remedy for the slander."
Once the live streaming audience heard what Wan Xiu said, they immediately erupted in chatter.
"Is this guy out of his mind from poverty? I admit his carving skills are quite good, but just for saying one wrong sentence, a twenty-thousand yuan red envelope as a remedy? Isn’t this extortion?"
"Those who think it’s too expensive just don’t understand the rules here. Whether it’s carpenters or stonemasons, they are extremely careful and devout when creating statues of Buddha. What is the Buddha? The Buddha embodies compassion. Now you’re saying that the Buddha has too much murderous aura, do you think the Buddha won’t impose a blame?"
"The guy upstairs is just spouting nonsense. Are you saying that the Buddha will get angry and punish for a single wrong sentence, and then, once a red envelope of twenty-thousand yuan is given as a remedy, the Buddha won’t be angry anymore? If it’s really as you say, then it only demonstrates that the Buddha is not only petty but also greedy."
"You ignorant people truly know no fear. This is the same reason why many ghost film crews will give a red envelope after someone plays a dead person; each circle has its own rules, why can’t you just abide by them?"
After laying out his terms, Wan Xiu waited for Wu Bin’s response.
Song Bing also realized the atmosphere was getting tense, and he was about to step in to ease the situation when Wu Bin readily agreed.
"Fine, we’ll do as you say. If I’m right, remember to destroy this Maitreya Buddha."
After finishing his statement, Wu Bin turned to Yao Lin standing by and asked, "Do you have a flashlight? Let me borrow it."
Yao Lin didn’t know what Wu Bin wanted with a flashlight, but recalling that Wu Bin was Song Bing’s friend, he had no choice but to take out his flashlight and hand it over.
Then Wu Bin took the Maitreya Buddha to a dimmer area and shone the flashlight on it.