The Art of Teasing - Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Wen Zhengyu didn't refuse.

She didn't find Ye Ling's company uncomfortable. They couldn't be lovers, but that didn't mean they couldn't be friends.

During the meal, Ye Ling broke her usual silence and asked what the problem had been with that painting.

Wen Zhengyu told her honestly.

This kind of remounting process causes considerable damage to a painting, damage that is very difficult to repair.

These artworks had survived centuries, even millennia, passing through countless hands, enduring wars and turmoil to be preserved into this era of peace and prosperity. Only now, in these peaceful times, to fall into the hands of unscrupulous merchants and be damaged.

She felt deeply pained by this kind of destruction of calligraphy and painting works, yet had no grounds to criticize. After all, the painting belonged to someone else, and they had the right to dispose of it as they wished. There was no explicit law prohibiting such actions.

Some widely renowned masters of calligraphy and painting, either for survival or various other reasons, would create forgeries and sell them. But their forgeries relied on their own profound skill to produce replicas, causing not the slightest damage to the original painting. Sometimes, when an authentic original work faced destruction for some reason, a produced forgery would act as a stand-in to survive the calamity, allowing the original to be preserved and passed down. Although she didn't consider producing and selling forgeries to be right, having studied painting since childhood and copied countless works, she felt that being able to reproduce the works of past masters with one's own brush—even achieving a level where true and false were indistinguishable—was also a testament to a painter's skill and attainment.

Wen Zhengyu suddenly felt a stirring of interest.

She understood appraising ancient paintings and knew many collectors. The art studio she managed wasn't restricted solely to modern calligraphy and painting transactions; she could also deal in antique calligraphy and paintings. People like Ye Ling, Wen Li, and many of the studio's VIP clients all had the need to purchase valuable ancient paintings. There was a considerable market for this.

However, dealing in antique calligraphy and paintings carried a much greater risk of tying up capital.

In the antiques trade, there was a saying: "No sales for three years, but one sale feeds you for three." The profits were large, but going months without a single sale was normal.

The studio's working capital wasn't abundant; so far, they could only manage a fast-in, fast-out approach, trying to keep the turnover cycle for goods within three months, six months at the absolute latest. Antique calligraphy and paintings relied on customers coming to you or recommendations from peers and friends; you couldn't hold joint exhibitions and large-scale promotions like you could with works by emerging contemporary artists.

Ye Ling called out, "Zhengyu," pulling Wen Zhengyu's thoughts back from her contemplation, and asked, "Something troubling you?"

Wen Zhengyu hesitated, wondering whether to share her thoughts with Ye Ling. Ye Ling had wanted to buy an ancient painting but hadn't succeeded, and now she was thinking of going into that business—it felt a bit awkward to mention. But when it came to business and commerce, Ye Ling was an expert, and they were partners. If she had any ideas or inclinations, she could discuss them with Ye Ling.

Ye Ling poured Wen Zhengyu a cup of tea and waited patiently for her to consider.

After a moment's hesitation, Wen Zhengyu said, "What just happened with CEO Ye trying to buy a painting suddenly gave me an idea. I think the studio could also deal in antique calligraphy and paintings, targeting high-end clients who have that demand. However, trading antiques requires a large amount of capital for turnover, and it's very likely to create a situation where significant funds are tied up and liquidity stalls."

Ye Ling said, "When funds get tight, there are always ways to secure financing or raise money. If there are returns and the risk is low, you won't lack investors. As for how to trade antique calligraphy and paintings and make this business viable, I think Elder Wen can give you better advice." She paused, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her mouth, and suggested, "Zhengyu could also try a third method."

Wen Zhengyu looked at Ye Ling, puzzled.

Ye Ling said, "I happen to have a difficulty myself. I need to buy an ancient painting and would like to commission CEO Wen to find me a famous piece from the Tang or Song dynasty."

Wen Zhengyu understood that Ye Ling meant the studio could develop intermediary or commission-based services even with insufficient capital.

But regarding Ye Ling commissioning her to buy a painting, Wen Zhengyu really wanted to ask, "CEO Ye, you're not joking, right?" Yet she knew Ye Ling genuinely wanted to buy a painting and hadn't succeeded. She figured that since Ye Ling hadn't managed to buy the painting, she would have already prepared an alternative birthday gift as a backup, precisely for situations like this.

Seeing Ye Ling's expression, it was clear she really did need to buy a painting. Wen Zhengyu thought it over and decided she could help Ye Ling with this. She confirmed once more with Ye Ling, clarifying whether she truly urgently needed to buy a painting.

Ye Ling nodded and said, "The Elder has a fondness for ancient charm and refined elegance; he has a passion for collecting ancient books, calligraphy, and paintings."

Wen Zhengyu understood. She said, "I can contact some collectors to see if they're willing to sell a painting. But whether it works out, I can't guarantee."

Ye Ling expressed her understanding, thanked Wen Zhengyu, and said, "Then I'll entrust this to you, Zhengyu."

Wen Zhengyu carefully asked Ye Ling about the price range she was willing to pay, as well as detailed requirements for the painting, then made calls to help her.

Some collectors only bought and never sold; the artworks in their possession were only for mutual appreciation and sharing with fellow enthusiasts. They could be approached for appraisal and authentication of paintings, but asking them to sell a painting was purely asking for trouble. Many collectors had situations similar to her grandfather's—they collected for themselves but also engaged in trading, keeping the antiques in their hands circulating. Like a snowball rolling downhill, the money grew larger and larger, and the antiques multiplied as well. For this type of collector, as long as the introduction came through a known contact, the price was right, and the buyer wasn't too disagreeable, they were generally willing to sell and earn a reseller's fee. Then there was the third type: those purely driven by profit and money-making. They had no personal interest or passion for antiques or calligraphy and paintings; their only motivation was money. For money, these people were capable of anything—fraud, deception, swindling—stopping at nothing.

Wen Zhengyu contacted a collector she'd known for many years, surnamed Zhou, in his early fifties. He was primarily a businessman; antiques were both a hobby and a way to earn some reseller's profit. Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou—one loved antiques and cultural relics, the other loved tending to their garden and flowers. They had a wonderful relationship, full of harmony, and spending time with them was always easy and comfortable.

After Wen Zhengyu communicated with Mr. Zhou, she and Ye Ling left the restaurant and headed straight to the Zhous' home.

The Zhous' courtyard, with its bright, clean rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows covering an entire wall, and flowers filling the yard, looked as beautiful as a fairy-tale world under the sunlight.

When they arrived, Mrs. Zhou was in the garden wearing a sun hat and gloves, tidying up the flower beds. Seeing Wen Zhengyu, Mrs. Zhou cried out with pleasant surprise, "Xiao Yu, what brings you here? How's the business going?"

Wen Zhengyu smiled and greeted her, "Hello, Mrs. Zhou," then said, "With friends helping, things are progressing fairly smoothly." Seeing Mrs. Zhou about to take off her gloves to receive them, she quickly added, "Mrs. Zhou, please carry on. We'll go find Mr. Zhou first."

Mrs. Zhou said, "Alright then, go on in yourselves," and told the housekeeper to serve them tea.

As they entered the living room, Mr. Zhou came down from upstairs. Seeing that Wen Zhengyu had brought Ye Ling, he exclaimed with considerable surprise, "Yo!" and called out, "CEO Ye!" adding twice, "A rare guest, a rare guest." He quickly stepped forward and shook hands with Ye Ling.

Ye Ling rose and greeted him with a smile: "Chairman Zhou." She added, "Please forgive the intrusion; I hope you'll understand."

Mr. Zhou said, "No intrusion at all, no intrusion at all. Please, sit." He ushered them to sit down and exchanged a few more polite words with Ye Ling, then, unable to contain himself any longer, with a hint of smugness and a touch of secretive excitement, he said to Wen Zhengyu, "Do you know what new painting I've just acquired?"

Wen Zhengyu, seeing his reaction, knew he must have gotten his hands on an excellent piece. She smiled slightly and asked teasingly, "For sale?"

Mr. Zhou made a "tch" sound and said to Wen Zhengyu, "I haven't finished appreciating it yet."

Wen Zhengyu knew, of course, that he wouldn't be willing to sell it now—only after he'd appreciated it thoroughly, once the novelty had worn off. She made an inviting gesture toward the upstairs, signaling him to stop being mysterious and take them to the upstairs study to see the painting.

Mr. Zhou immediately got up and led them both to the study on the upper floor.

Ye Ling, seeing this kindred-spirit rapport between them, quietly broke into a cold sweat, a little worried that Wen Zhengyu and Zhou Ji would get so caught up discussing the painting they'd lose track of time.

Mr. Zhou brought Wen Zhengyu and Ye Ling to the desk, directing Wen Zhengyu's attention to a large, meter-wide scroll spread out upon it.

In the painting, a cold wind drove heavy snow across steep, sheer cliffs. Several ancient pines stood steadfast amidst the blizzard, their branches gnarled and vigorous like coiling dragons. The rugged pines, towering and imposing, stood at the summit of the grey mountains, revealing their transcendent poise in the heart of the wind and snow, a bearing honed by a thousand years of frost, standing proudly. The individual pine needles were rendered with breathtaking clarity; the snowflakes resting on the branches, the vast, sweeping blizzard—it felt as though one had instantly crossed from high summer into a harsh winter world of biting wind, frost, and snow.

Wen Zhengyu, looking at the painting Ancient Pines on a Frigid Mountain, found herself holding her breath. She meticulously examined the painting from top to bottom, then again from bottom to top, and finally gave Mr. Zhou a thumbs-up, at last willing to tear her eyes away from the artwork.

With Ye Ling pressed for time, she couldn't leisurely savor and discuss the painting with Mr. Zhou as usual. Once they started talking about a painting, the conversation could be lengthy; hours could pass in the blink of an eye.

Mr. Zhou's level of painting appreciation was decent, but he wasn't exactly an expert. When he bought paintings, he had professional appraisers authenticate them for him. However, those appraisers and highly respected senior figures mostly valued their reputation. Unless there was a dispute over differing opinions among close friends, in most cases they wouldn't say much. At most, they might offer one or two very subtle hints at critical points. Just like with that Yi Yuanji painting of two apes—she only needed to tell Ye Ling it was a painting that had undergone remounting; that was enough.

She was young and not a person of great renown, so she wasn't afraid of being wrong. When appreciating paintings with older experts, she could speak her mind boldly and confidently. If she was right, it served as validation of her own judgment; if she was wrong, others wouldn't mock her but might instead offer a pointer or two, which had benefited her greatly. She liked to talk more, and Mr. Zhou liked having her appraise his paintings. Whenever he acquired a good piece and invited people to view it, he was always happy to ask her along to "cast a brick to attract jade." They learned together and then continued their discussions later.

Today, however, was clearly not suitable for that kind of discussion.

She glanced at the time and said to Mr. Zhou, "If Ancient Pines on a Frigid Mountain isn't for sale, then what about that Wu Daoxuan piece?"

Ye Ling's eyebrow twitched; she looked at Wen Zhengyu with great surprise: a painting by Wu Daozi? An authentic work by Wu Daozi was something one could only chance upon, not seek out; very few circulated on the market. To buy one, you had to go to a major private collector. Without an introduction or guidance from a known acquaintance, you wouldn't even be able to find the right door.

Zhou Ji hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let's first look at the painting, then look at the price."

Ye Ling: "…"

Zhou Ji led them both down to the living room, saying, "Please sit for a moment; I'll go get the painting." He went to his collection room to retrieve it.

After Zhou Ji brought the painting down, Wen Zhengyu carefully unrolled it and meticulously examined it. Although she had appreciated this painting before, when buying, one still had to look it over with extreme care. This was about separating the matter from the person, to avoid any disputes later that would ruin the friendship. The painting was still the same one. Given its age, there was inevitably some slight damage, with evidence of repair. The restoration was limited to the damaged areas only; nothing else had been done to it.

Wen Zhengyu gave Ye Ling a slight nod.

Ye Ling understood and turned to negotiate the price with Zhou Ji. Wen Zhengyu didn't participate in their haggling; she sat quietly to the side, listening. The prices of antique calligraphy and paintings varied by era, by buyer, and by seller; the difference could sometimes be tens or even hundreds of times over. Often, it truly wasn't about what the painting was worth, but whether the buyer's offer and the seller's asking price could meet in the middle.

After a round of bargaining, Ye Ling and Mr. Zhou settled on a price. Wen Zhengyu could tell they were both quite satisfied with the agreed amount.

They wrote out a transfer agreement, signed and stamped it, completed the wire transfer, re-inspected the painting one last time—money and goods exchanged, the transaction was complete.

Mr. Zhou personally saw them to the door.

Wen Zhengyu knew Ye Ling needed to catch a flight. Once in the car, she said to Ye Ling and Dong Yuan, "You can just drop me off at the compound gate."

Ye Ling said, "I brought you out from the studio; naturally, I have to see you back." But the time only just allowed her to rush to the airport; she knew she wouldn't be able to take Wen Zhengyu back personally. She left the car her bodyguards had been following in for Wen Zhengyu and assigned one of her accompanying security detail to escort Wen Zhengyu home.

Not long after Wen Zhengyu switched to the bodyguards' SUV, she received two transfer notification text messages in quick succession. One was from Zhou Ji, her fee for introducing Ye Ling to buy the painting. The other was from Ye Ling—her referral fee plus two appraisal fees. The two fees combined amounted to more than her annual salary.

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