In front of The Azure Gallery, a lavish Neoclassical establishment in the heart of Shanghai, Ohm stood adjusting a necktie so tight he could barely breathe. He was clad in an imported suit that looked like it had been ripped straight from the pages of a high-end fashion magazine—though, in reality, it had a few minor creases from his earlier stint of crouching in the bushes to scout the perimeter.
"Alright, Ohm... you were born for this. Billionaire investor, art connoisseur... even if you can't tell the difference between a masterpiece and a pile of scrap metal," Ohm muttered to himself. He cast a quick glance toward the battered delivery van across the street, where Phuak was signaling an 'OK' while nonchalantly stuffing a steamed bun into his mouth.
Stepping inside, he was greeted by an aura of opulence and the soft, soothing strains of classical music. Ohm scanned the abstract artworks—most of which made absolutely no sense to him—while maintaining a stern, brooding expression. He clasped his hands behind his back, narrowing his eyes slightly as if engaged in a deep, spiritual dialogue with the high-concept pieces.
"Welcome to The Azure Gallery," a melodic voice chimed. A graceful woman appeared, wearing a dark gown that contrasted beautifully with her porcelain skin. This was Qin Mei, the wife of Yong Chang... and target number one. According to Directors Feng and Zhen Hao, this gallery was the primary vault where Yong Chang's illicit funds were laundered and hidden.
"Ah... I find it hard to believe a gallery housing such exquisite works exists in this quarter," Ohm pitched his voice to a sophisticated baritone. He gestured toward a twisted iron sculpture that looked suspiciously like a burst water pipe run over by a semi-truck. "This piece... it is profoundly deep. Does it perhaps represent... the swirling currents of the human psyche?"
Qin Mei offered a strained smile before replying politely, "That is actually 'The Decay of the Deserted Metropolis,' sir."
"Ah... Decay... of course, I see it now," Ohm improvised shamelessly, closing his eyes as if inhaling the philosophy of the work, while internally screaming at his own blunder. "It reminds me of my time walking through the slums of my homeland... the raw, visceral emotion is truly haunting." Ohm nodded slowly with the gravitas of a master, while Phuak, listening in via the earpiece, nearly choked on his bun. Slums? Seriously? This guy is just making it up as he goes!
"Is this your first visit here?" Qin Mei asked, scrutinizing the man before her.
"It is," Ohm replied, handing her a business card for 'Oriental Business Holding,' printed on premium black cardstock with gold-foiled edges. "My name is Ohm. I've just arrived in Shanghai looking for artistic partners... and perhaps a piece of real estate to house my private collection."
At the mention of investment and real estate, her eyes ignited with interest.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Qin Mei, the owner of this gallery," she introduced herself, extending her hand. Ohm took it gently, observing the heights of corporate etiquette.
"Oh! No wonder you possess the keen eye of an artist combined with the commanding presence of a queen. It seems my intuition for people remains as sharp as ever," Ohm complimented her with a heart-melting smile, prompting Qin Mei to let out a flirtatious little laugh.
"You seem very well-acquainted with Asian business," she noted as she began to lead him through the exhibits.
"Naturally. I believe sustainable business begins with friendship... Would the Queen of Azure Gallery mind personally guiding me through the beauty of this place?" Ohm gestured with gentlemanly grace.
"It would be my honor."
Throughout the tour, Ohm deployed his master-level charm, blending silver-tongued flattery with subtle boasts of immense wealth. "You know, I've just finished building an art library for a prestigious university in Bangkok. Meeting you, I realize that finding a curator who truly understands the soul of a work—like you do—is no easy task.".
He pulled up his phone to show a digital news clipping of a 'Philanthropic Thai Billionaire'—a flawless fake profile created by Chatchawin's IT team. When Qin Mei saw the evidence of his wealth coupled with Ohm's 'effortlessly rich' persona, her last shred of suspicion evaporated.
"Mr. Ohm, you are not only a visionary businessman but a generous philanthropist as well," she said, her gaze warming considerably.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just a man who loves art with a limited budget... somewhere in the low billions," Ohm winked at her charmingly. Internally, he thought: Please just believe it, lady! My face is going to cramp from all this lying!