Ohm sat with his legs crossed, sipping tea with an air of practiced relaxation. It was a stark contrast to his frazzled nerves, as he strained to listen to Phuak through the tiny earpiece hidden beneath his hair.
"Earlier... what did you say you wanted to rename the Phoenix collection to?" Qin Mei asked after a lengthy conversation, while they waited for the expert to verify the artwork's data. The current topic of debate was Ohm's peculiar insistence on renaming the sculpture he was about to purchase.
"The Oou-Wiew Bird," Ohm replied with a deadpan expression, as if it were the most prestigious scientific name in the world.
"Pardon...?" Qin Mei's face contorted in sheer bewilderment, though she tried to maintain her poise. "The... Oou...?"
"Oou-Wiew," he nodded slowly, articulating every syllable with gravity. "In truth, it is the Koel bird. Its song captures the heart every time it calls at dawn and dusk. Thus, I am determined to rename this powerful creature... the Oou-Wiew... Oou-Wiew... Oou-Wiew... The Wings of Thailand." Ohm mimicked the bird's call with startling realism, offering a confident smile that suggested he was either a genius or completely unhinged. Internally, he knew it was utter nonsense, cooked up solely to buy more time.
"Mr. Ohm... you have a truly... unique creative vision. You are a businessman unlike any I've ever met," Qin Mei noted, her crimson-manicured nails tracing the rim of her expensive ceramic teacup. "An investor brave enough to drop 5 million Yuan in cash without a second thought... you truly are one of a kind."
Ohm let out a soft, low chuckle, setting his teacup down silently on the marble table. "In the world of finance, those who scream the loudest about being rich are usually the ones with empty pockets. As for me, I prefer to be the silent whirlpool. I act humble, like a man without a dime, while in reality, I hide my treasures in jars beneath the floorboards... much like your husband. He does great work in Thailand, with almost no one knowing the true depths of his affairs, isn't that right?"
The words hit her like a poisoned needle. Qin Mei froze, her breath catching for a split second. "Y-you..."
"I only know... that easy money usually comes with high risks. But I manage things so well that I have enough left over to buy whatever I desire." Ohm leaned in, his gaze as sharp as a razor, effectively cowing her into submission. "I can help you manage those risks... over a special meal we shall share in the future. If, of course, you are interested in my assistance."
BEEP... BEEP...!
Inside the data room, a red alert flashed frantically on the monitor alongside a security warning. Phuak's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
"Damn it! Only 5 percent left! You turtle-paced internet, run like a 5G network in Thailand, would ya!" Phuak cursed, sweat dripping so profusely his glasses nearly slid off. His hands shook as the rhythmic clicking of the assistant's high heels grew louder in the hallway.
98%... The green bar crawled forward. Phuak bit his thumb in a state of high-octane stress.
99%... In the other room, Ohm left his riddle hanging, gesturing toward Qin Mei with a cunning smile and another "Oou-Wiew, Oou-Wiew" call.
The footsteps stopped right outside the door. Phuak hiked one foot up onto the chair cushion, his leg shaking violently with nervous energy.
The doorknob turned. CLICK... Phuak looked over in absolute terror.
100% Transfer Complete!
The instant the final file hit the USB, Phuak triggered an Overload Script. The virus he'd prepared slammed into the system, freezing the screen before flipping it to a Blue Screen of Death just as the assistant opened the door. Phuak let out a startled, high-pitched wail, feigning a panic that suggested the world was ending.
"OH MY GOD! HEAVENS ABOVE!" Phuak clutched his head, spinning around the room like a malfunctioning top.
"What happened, Mr. Wiwat!" The assistant turned pale as she saw the blue screen filled with rows of error codes.
"Your system just errored out! I think a virus ate it the moment I opened the file!" Phuak slickly slid the USB into his pocket while frantically tapping on the frozen keyboard. "Argh! The system is totally 'kaput'!"
Phuak acted as if he were about to burst into tears, clutching his temples. "What is happening here?!"
The commotion brought Ohm and Qin Mei running to the room. Ohm immediately donned a mask of stern concern. Phuak, playing his role to perfection, rushed to his boss in a state of agitation. "Mr. Ohm! Their system has a virus! If you transfer the money now and it vanishes, I won't be held responsible!"
Ohm's face darkened with feigned disapproval. "Is this true? Your system crashed because of a virus?" He turned to a stunned Qin Mei. "Madam, I am truly sorry. Since your gallery's security system is facing such a major crisis and my consultant hasn't finished his verification... I must delay the 5-million-Yuan transfer for the safety of both parties."
Qin Mei looked devastated, watching a fortune slip through her fingers. "But... but the contract is ready!"
"Do not worry," Ohm stepped forward, taking her hand gently. "A piece with this much soul... I won't let it go. I promise on my honor as an investor... that I will buy this work. However, you must resolve this issue first." He handed her a business card with a map to his restaurant. "This is my place in Shanghai. Drop by anytime. I'll cook a comforting meal for you personally, and we can discuss the contract again in a better atmosphere."
Lulled by his seemingly sincere gaze, Qin Mei could only nod helplessly. "Very well... I trust you. I'll make an appointment."
"I shall wait until your system returns to normal," Ohm concluded. He turned to Phuak. "Let's go, Mr. Wiwat."
The moment they cleared the gallery doors and climbed into the van, both men collapsed into their seats, utterly drained. Phuak shed his high-brow curator persona instantly, pulling out the USB and giving it a massive kiss.
"Here it is, Boss! All meat, no bone. Pure data!"
Ohm snapped back to his playful self, starting the engine immediately. "That's my boy. Now, get ready—because the prey is about to walk into the 'Oou-Wiew's Den' very soon."
The young chef smirked with the satisfaction of a victor. Phuak blinked, looking at his boss with genuine confusion.
"Seriously, Boss... what the hell is an Oou-Wiew bird?" The chubby tech genius leaned in, puzzled. Ohm closed his eyes, exhaling slowly before mimicking the sound once more.
"Oou-Wiew... Oou-Wiew... Oou-Wiew."
Phuak went silent for three seconds before shaking his head in weary resignation. "Let's just go, Boss. You're high on your own supply."