Chapter 8

"Tell me straight, how much can this painting of a soaring eagle sell for?"

The fat old man thought for a moment, "Regardless of whether this painting is genuine or not, let's assume it is an authentic piece. A few years ago, Tang Yin's 'Spring Trees and Autumn Frost' sold for over ten million. Nowadays, it should be worth around twenty million. Your painting..."

Twenty million? The unit is of course in ten thousand!

Chen Muyu was somewhat stunned. This painting could sell for twenty million?

This number also shocked Qin Hong, who was standing beside him.

"Brother Xu, are you sure you didn't make a mistake? Twenty million? Even if we sold this kid, he wouldn't be worth twenty million. Besides, did Tang Yin ever paint something like this? I've never even heard of it!"

"Old Qin, what are you talking about? If you haven't heard of it, it's only because you're ignorant. How many paintings did Tang Yin create in his lifetime? Who can say for sure? Besides, haven't you heard? This is a painting from Tang Yin's younger days..." Chen Muyu retorted irritably.

Qin Hong glared at Chen Muyu, holding his breath.

The fat old man ignored him, "Twenty million is its ideal price. Although Tang Yin's paintings are in high demand, there are still operational costs involved. To be honest with you, this painting is not as good as 'Spring Trees and Autumn Frost,' and it is severely damaged. I can buy it from you right now, but I can only offer up to sixty. What do you think?"

Sixty thousand?

Hearing this price, Chen Muyu wasn't disappointed. For him now, sixty thousand was already a lot, considering he had obtained it for free.

"Of course, if you're not in urgent need of money, you can entrust it to me. I can help you find someone to restore it and then auction it off. Regardless of the final auction price, you just need to cover the restoration, appraisal, and auction fees. However, the restoration cost is not a small amount..."

Fees? Hearing these words, it felt like he was being scammed.

Seeing Chen Muyu's expression, the fat old man thought he was hesitating.

"This is Mr. Xu Sihai, a well-known collector in this city. Have you heard of the Sihai Group? His net worth is over sixty billion. He can't be faking it..." Qin Hong said disdainfully from the side.

Xu Sihai?

Chen Muyu was stunned, almost excitedly calling out "Dad." He felt the fat old man was familiar, and it turned out to be this person.

The Sihai Group is a major enterprise in Qingshan City and even throughout Xichuan, involved in real estate, agriculture, feed, chemicals, and many other industries. The largest ceramic tile factory in Qingshan City, the Sihai Tile Factory, is just one of his many businesses.

Xu Sihai's name is well-known, a true first billionaire in Qingshan. To have such a prominent figure standing in front of him, and he didn't recognize him?

Chen Muyu wanted to slap himself. This fat old man was simply a god of wealth.

Who would have thought that Qin Hong, this old guy, could be associated with the first billionaire of Qingshan?

He was dazed for a long time.

"Little brother, what do you think?"

Xu Sihai smiled. Once a person has money, they like to cultivate hobbies, such as collecting, which makes them appear cultured and refined. Otherwise, no matter how much money they earn, others would only label them as nouveau riche.

If he could have a painting by Tang Yin, it would be enough to make him shine in his social circle for a while.

...

—

In the afternoon, Chen Muyu walked out of the Qin family building.

He didn't sell the painting. After all, sixty thousand was too low. Why should he sell something worth twenty million for sixty thousand?

The system has a restoration function. Just because he can't afford to restore it now doesn't mean he can't in the future. Once he restores it and sells it, wouldn't that be great?

Although he didn't sell the painting, Xu Sihai gave him his contact information.

By connecting with Xu Sihai, there would be many opportunities for future cooperation. It wouldn't be too late to sell it to him after restoring it.

Looking up at the sky, the sunlight suddenly seemed brighter. With twenty thousand in his account, he suddenly found everyone on the street to be so adorable.

Collecting scrap can be so profitable!

Should he ask his mother for fifty thousand first?

With how stingy his mother is, she would probably beat him to death.

...

—

"Teng Hu!"

At night, in the Qin family building, Qin Hong's face was dark as he called Teng Hu to his side.

"Master Qin?"

Teng Hu stood in front of him, expressionless, a typical tough guy.

"Find a way to contact that kid from the Chen family. Who knows what interesting things Chen Guanhai might have left him. If there is anything, don't let others get the benefit..."

Qin Hong said casually, implying that if there were any benefits, they should be his.

He couldn't say much in front of Xu Sihai during the day, but now he had some free time.

Teng Hu responded and quietly left.

...

—

"Where can I get fifty thousand?"

With twenty thousand more in his account, Chen Muyu hadn't had this much money since graduating from university. However, compared to the fifty thousand needed to restore the 'Soaring Eagle' painting, it was still a drop in the bucket.

All afternoon, Chen Muyu was thinking about this. Asking his mother for money was out of the question; she would likely refuse and even beat him.

In the old neighborhood of Xingfuli in the northern part of the city.

There was an old customer who had something to sell. The station was short-staffed, so his father asked Chen Muyu to check it out. This old customer had some connection with Chen Muyu.

The alley was lined with osmanthus trees, making it a very quiet neighborhood, just as its name suggested.

At this time of year, the osmanthus trees were beginning to bloom, and the alley was filled with a faint, intoxicating fragrance.

"You don't need to come anymore. The money your family offered is too little. My mother won't agree!"

Chen Muyu stood in the hallway, the door of 601 slightly ajar. Inside, a young girl was holding the door handle, her face filled with weakness and sorrow.

She wore a light pink long dress, with a well-proportioned figure, quite stunning. A small mole on her lip made one's imagination run wild.

Her voice was as gentle as a small hand caressing your heart, her expression and eyes like those of Qin Xianglian meeting the unfaithful Chen Shimei.

Chen Muyu pushed against the door, "Let me in first. Is Aunt Jie at home? I want to talk to her."

"Go away. My mother doesn't want to see you. Brother Yu, let's just say we were meant to meet but not to be together in this life..." The girl bit her lip lightly, her eyes welling up with tears.

Chen Muyu's forehead was covered in black lines.

"Miss, I'm just here to collect scrap. There's no need to make it sound like the dowry wasn't enough, right?"

Seeing the phone hidden in Huang Xiaoqi's arms, Chen Muyu knew she was probably filming a video.

As soon as he spoke, her pretty face fell, "Ugh, Brother Yu, why are you so straight!"

She stomped her foot and let Chen Muyu in.

Straight?

Chen Muyu didn't understand what "straight" meant, but he entered the house as if it were his own, not even changing his shoes, and sat down on the sofa.