Chapter 55: Contrary to the Original Intention

Qian Siyu giggled, hugging Mr. Zhang's neck and gently shaking it, saying, "Whose side are you on? This guy is just a tycoon. Who else should we take advantage of if not him?" Mr. Zhang burst into laughter, lightly patting his granddaughter's hand.

Seeing the grandfather and granddaughter, Chen Xie's impression of Mr. Zhang improved significantly. The old man must be a high-level person, indifferent to fame and fortune, not showing off, looking like an ordinary old man, but one would be unconsciously influenced by him upon getting closer.

"Before coming, I checked online. If these calligraphy and paintings are genuine, the most valuable should be Zhao Mengfu's horse." Chen Xie decided to spend some money, but also wanted to remind Qian Siyu, "I'm not a fool." However, before he could finish, Mr. Zhang interrupted, "What you said is not accurate. Among the four works you brought, the rarest is Tang Yin's Dongxuanzi. In terms of value, it's hard to estimate. This work has never appeared in the records of literati from the Ming and Qing dynasties. But this doesn't prove it's fake; it only shows the uniqueness of the painting, which has probably been privately collected by wealthy merchants for the pleasure of the ladies. If it meets the right person, I can't estimate how much it could sell for. Zhao Mengfu's galloping horse is also a rare treasure, conservatively estimated to be worth about 80 million. Dong Qichang's works are not as valuable; the two combined are worth about 3 million."

Mr. Zhang's integrity was indeed solid. Chen Xie looked solemn, thought for a moment, and took out Dong Qichang's calligraphy, placing it in front of Mr. Zhang, "Mr. Zhang, giving you money would be too vulgar, but I can't let you work for free. I can get more of Dong Qichang's calligraphy. This one is a token of my respect."

Qian Siyu, standing beside, had already taken action, putting away the calligraphy for Mr. Zhang. The old man probably couldn't do much about her, as long as she didn't go too far. Then Qian Siyu extended her hand to Chen Xie, "What about my hard work fee? I don't want much, just one of Dong Qichang's paintings."

Mr. Zhang's face changed, slapping Qian Siyu's hand, "Nonsense, that painting is worth no less than 3 million, which is too much." He then said to Chen Xie, "Chen, this is Dong Qichang's early work, probably given to his teacher, Huang Gongwang. Look here, there's a small seal, Lu Jian. This is a very rare seal, worth 2 million on its own."

Chen Xie didn't understand, asking casually, "Who is Lu Jian?" Mr. Zhang laughed, "This guy is really an outsider," and explained, "Lu Jian is Huang Gongwang. Lu Jian is his real name. He was adopted by a family surnamed Huang as a child. Why he put this seal on the painting, I'm not sure. There's something strange, though. Did you get all these calligraphy and paintings from one person?"

Chen Xie neither nodded nor shook his head, just paused. Mr. Zhang continued, "There are no seals from the Qing and Republican eras, and they are in very good condition, indicating they have been privately collected for many years."

Mr. Zhang didn't say it outright, but it was almost as if he was pointing out, "Kid, did you dig up someone's grave?" Unfortunately, Chen Xie, being an outsider, didn't catch the subtlety. How could he get seals from the Qing and Republican eras on a painting from the Ming dynasty?

"The origins of these calligraphy and paintings, I can't say clearly. I have some similar works in my possession," Chen Xie's answer was somewhat evasive. Of course, Mr. Zhang wouldn't delve into this issue. Chen Xie clearly wasn't a grave robber, which was obvious. He probably got them from some channel.

From Chen Xie's perspective, this matter couldn't be explained clearly, so it was better to be vague.

Everyone was smart, and a tacit understanding was quickly formed. Mr. Zhang smiled, "Since that's the case, I can introduce you to a collector. I can't just take your gift without doing anything in return."

Unexpectedly, Chen Xie pushed the Dong Qichang painting to Mr. Zhang, "Please accept this one too. Although Siyu is greedy and cunning, she has good credit. I don't have time to deal with the remaining two paintings, so I'll entrust them to Siyu. This will be her labor fee."

Mr. Zhang's face turned serious, looking at Chen Xie for a while before saying, "Chen, do you have many more calligraphy and paintings? Are they all without seals from the Qing and Republican eras?"

Chen Xie was almost on his knees, this old man was too sharp. There was no hesitation, and he nodded firmly, "They should all be like that, but I can't tell you the specific source."

Mr. Zhang pondered for a moment, "I was just speculating. There aren't many people who can have such a collection. Whether it's from the Western or Shun dynasties, I won't ask further."

Chen Xie smiled without speaking. He knew about the Shun dynasty, but what was the Western dynasty? But at this moment, he could only force a smile.

Qian Siyu, sitting beside, had stars in her eyes, puffed out her chest, and rubbed her hands, looking at Chen Xie, "No more nonsense, I'll take your business. This time, it's just a test. In the future, I'll handle your calligraphy and paintings, and I want 10% of the selling price."

Chen Xie wasn't one to be easily intimidated, glaring coldly, "Why don't you go rob someone? At most, I'll give you 5%."

Qian Siyu laughed, "5%? Do you think I'm a laborer? At least 9%."

After half an hour of haggling, they finally reached an agreement at 7%. Chen Xie would provide the calligraphy and paintings, and everything else would be Qian Siyu's responsibility. The efficient Qian Siyu printed a contract in the study, signed and stamped it. When Chen Xie signed and took out a seal from his pocket, Mr. Zhang's eyes widened, and he reached out, "Wait a moment."

Chen Xie's hand trembled, almost dropping the seal on the table. Mr. Zhang took the seal, examined it carefully, and said, "A newly carved seal, with excellent craftsmanship. This person has a deep understanding of calligraphy. Shoushan Tianhuang stone, weighing no less than 30 grams. Chen, this is too extravagant."

Qian Siyu said, "I hate tycoons the most."

Chen Xie's scalp tingled. This seal was casually given to him by Zhang Yao during the New Year, saying it was something she carved in her free time.

"It's just a stone, no need to make a fuss!" Chen Xie didn't think much of it, glaring at Qian Siyu.

Qian Siyu almost wanted to strangle him, angrily saying, "Shoushan Tianhuang stone, one gram is worth a kilogram of gold. What you have in your hand is 30 kilograms of gold. You ignorant fool, you're making me furious."

Mr. Zhang burst into laughter, putting down the seal, "Rain, you're being too materialistic. This thing is meant to be carved into a seal; keeping it at home would be a waste."

Chen Xie, annoyed, said, "Do you like it? Next time, I'll bring you a 30-gram one. No, two, one for Mr. Zhang too."

At this, even the indifferent Mr. Zhang's hand trembled, truly recognizing the behavior of a tycoon. Qian Siyu, regardless of the details, excitedly asked, "Really?"

Chen Xie coldly replied, "If you keep talking to me like this, I'll find someone else to work with."

Qian Siyu immediately smiled, sitting next to Chen Xie and smoothing his chest, "Don't get angry, calm down. You're a tycoon, you should understand the feelings of us poor people." A poor person driving a Ferrari? Chen Xie didn't counter.

The grandfather and granddaughter had many questions, but since Chen Xie didn't say, Mr. Zhang couldn't ask. Looking at Chen Xie's clear eyes, he didn't seem like a criminal. Qian Siyu, on the other hand, was focused on the profit and didn't care where Chen Xie got his things.

Declining the old couple's invitation to stay for dinner, Chen Xie left. Qian Siyu enthusiastically drove him, surprised to find that Chen Xie was staying at the five-star Hilton, "Why are you staying in a hotel?"

Chen Xie, too lazy to explain, impatiently replied, "Why so many questions? Just go back if there's nothing else." Chen Xie was still a bit upset about the money Qian Siyu had taken.

Qian Siyu grumbled, "Ungrateful, not a good person." The car had barely backed up five meters when it suddenly stopped. "Wait, where's my cordyceps?" Chen Xie paused, turning back unhappily, "Aren't the calligraphy and paintings enough for you?"

"Even a small mosquito is meat, I have big expenses..." Chen Xie promptly interrupted, "Alright, I'll bring you 50 kilograms tomorrow."

Qian Siyu didn't leave immediately, savoring the transformation from a small mountain of gold to a big one. The car horns behind her kept honking, and the doorman politely asked her to leave, so she finally drove away.

Chen Xie's face slowly turned serious, sitting on a sofa in the lobby, reviewing the day's events. He concluded that he had been too hasty, revealing too many flaws. However, Chen Xie helplessly realized he had no choice. Running back and forth between the Ming dynasty and the modern era, he had to do many things himself. With the increasing need to transport items, time was insufficient. He was exhausted like a dog, which contradicted his original intention of earning money to enjoy life. This couldn't continue; he needed to find some people to help and set up a company. Except for the flintlock guns and bronze cannons, other things could be entrusted to others. As for his subordinates, did he have an obligation to explain?

Looking at the hotel key card, Chen Xie took out his phone and, after much hesitation, called Yang Lili.

"Heaven, I thought you wouldn't contact me until the official move-in." Yang Lili's voice was full of surprise. Chen Xie felt a bit guilty, "Sorry, old classmate, I'm really busy. I just got back and signed a contract this afternoon. I contacted you immediately after finishing. Let's have dinner tonight, and I have something to ask for your help."

Yang Lili was secretly delighted. After graduating from high school and working for several years, she knew the meaning of "human warmth and coldness." In this realistic society, not everyone would trust her with 2 million to decorate a house.

If she didn't seize this opportunity, she would be foolish. As for certain rules, didn't she see many beautiful women in the sales office waiting for such opportunities?

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