The Art of Teasing - Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Since even Wen Jing had said so, Wen Zhengyu knew the matter was not completely unfounded. For a rumor to exist, there had to be a source. The Old Madam was already well past eighty, long past retirement age. Sooner or later, the catering company would have to be handed over to her children and grandchildren. As her biological maternal granddaughter, following the Old Madam in and out every day, and even managing the accounts—if she were a company employee, she'd make the same assumption.

Wen Zhengyu knew exactly what the actual situation was, but the employees didn't. The rumors had already reached the warehouse; there was no telling what form they'd taken by now. A lie repeated a thousand times becomes truth. It wouldn't be good if real misunderstandings arose. After all, the Old Madam had several biological grandsons. In terms of inheritance rights, her uncles and cousins all came before her. The Old Madam treated her well, and as her older brothers, they found it awkward to say anything about this matter. But when it came to money, even between blood brothers, accounts had to be settled clearly. A massive catering company was no small sum.

The next day, when she went to the Old Madam's place to turn in her assignments, she mentioned the matter to her.

The Old Madam scolded her: "Worrying about pointless things. If you've got the ability, even without me giving you anything, you can earn it yourself. If you don't have that ability, even if I gave you a mountain of gold, you wouldn't be able to hold onto it. Learning real skills properly is better than anything." She paused, then added: "It's the same for those brothers of yours. The world outside is vast—high as the sky, wide as the sea. As long as you have the skill and the ability, you can earn a fortune no matter how big. The family only has so much—you can see the end at a glance. Anyone counting on living off this family property for a lifetime, that kind of worthless wretch, they'd better scram sooner rather than later."

Wen Zhengyu felt this deeply. Before Wen Shiyi's downfall, she'd always thought the money her family left her meant she'd never have to worry about running out. She'd very much intended to live off the family fortune her whole life. But no matter how much the family had, it could vanish in an instant. In the end, what supported her was the painting skills she'd learned and her eye for appraising antiques.

When she left the Old Madam's, she received a call from Qi Wei, who said she was at her studio and wanted to buy paintings.

Her studio didn't sell fakes or forgeries. It operated on a high-volume, low-margin model, building a reputation. All paintings had clearly marked prices. Typically, if an expensive painting was to be acquired, she needed to go and appraise it and negotiate the price. Selling paintings, on the other hand, was essentially a matter of the buyer taking whichever piece they liked. If an acquaintance wanted to buy a painting, they'd give her a call, and she'd offer a five-percent discount. However, when someone she knew called saying they wanted to buy art—for close acquaintances who needed no extra formalities, she'd handle it over the phone and recommend pieces. For those she wasn't so familiar with, if she could make it back, she usually tried her best to return. Those she was very close to, who wanted to come by and discuss the paintings with her, would call in advance to make an appointment.

The Old Madam was close with Qi Wei. She herself really wasn't close with Qi Wei at all. If it were Ye Ling buying a painting, she could easily say which pieces were good, and that would pretty much settle it. But to tell Qi Wei, "These few pieces aren't bad, pick what you like, I'll give you a five-percent discount"—that would be somewhat impolite.

The assignments the Old Madam had given her weren't urgent, so she decided to head back to the studio first.

When she arrived at the studio, Qi Wei was sitting on the reception area sofa reading the newspaper. A beautiful person, just casually sitting there exuded myriad charms. Her studio staff were somewhat distracted from work, busy sneaking glances at the great beauty, Qi Wei.

What's there to look at? Wen Zhengyu thought. Our studio doesn't lack for beautiful women. The three bosses being each more attractive than the last was famous within the industry. Of course, besides her, the studio bosses being each more formidable than the last was also famous.

When she returned to the studio, she noticed that Ye Ling's car and her bodyguard's car were both absent. Parked in Ye Ling's reserved spot was an outrageously flashy sports car. Ye Ling's bodyguard's parking spot had also been commandeered by several large off-road vehicles.

This area was close to a tourist zone. Tourists used to frequently park in the studio's spaces. During peak tourist season, neither she nor Ye Ling could find parking, so they'd later designated reserved spots, even writing the license plate numbers on them. Clients also had a dedicated parking area, managed by dedicated staff.

Qi Wei had just brazenly, ostentatiously taken over Ye Ling's parking spot.

Does Qi Wei have a problem with Ye Ling? Wen Zhengyu wondered.

She went over to the reception area, smiled, and said: "So sorry, I didn't know you were coming. I've kept you waiting." As soon as she finished, she saw Qi Wei regarding her with an enigmatic smile. She asked: "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Qi Wei asked her: "Keeping me at a distance, are you? Giving me this fake politeness."

Wen Zhengyu hurriedly said: "No, no, not at all."

Qi Wei cast a sidelong glance, made two "hmph" sounds, and said: "Not at all, is it? Fine, first call me Sister Weiwei, let's hear it."

If you're born with such devilish looks, don't go casually throwing your gaze around, Wen Zhengyu thought. She already had a pair of enchanting peach-blossom eyes to begin with. The way that look swept over was intensely alluring.

Qi Wei gave a light snort: "Muttering insults again."

Wen Zhengyu: "..."

Qi Wei stepped forward and grabbed Wen Zhengyu's ear, saying: "Out with it. What insults were you muttering? If you don't speak, I'll have to apply some pressure."

Wen Zhengyu hurriedly said: "Muttering insults about your good looks." As soon as she finished, seeing Qi Wei still hadn't let go, and with staff outside watching through the studio's glass panels... She added: "Sister Weiwei, you can let go now."

Qi Wei said: "Hey, I gotta say, your earlobe is quite comfortable to pinch." With that, she gave it two more squeezes before releasing.

Wen Zhengyu: "..." Do I need to call the cops on a female molester? She asked: "Sister Weiwei wants to buy a painting?" Afraid this difficult-to-please grand-aunt would find fault with her again, saying she was too eager to do business without even catching up first, she quickly lifted a tea cup and presented it with both hands. Just drink your tea. Don't nitpick. I'm afraid of you.

Qi Wei couldn't help but laugh as she accepted the tea, saying: "Hey, I gotta say, I'm starting to like you a little."

Wen Zhengyu: "..." Please, no. I can't handle it.

Qi Wei took a sip of tea, then leaned close to Wen Zhengyu, saying: "Let me tell you a secret."

Wen Zhengyu was so startled she quickly said: "Sister Weiwei, we aren't yet close enough to share secrets."

Qi Wei pointed a finger at Wen Zhengyu, saying: "Now that's an honest statement." Her smile faded. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. But honestly, where did you learn this act—all docile and obedient on the surface, but your mind running through schemes non-stop inside?"

Wen Zhengyu: "..."

Qi Wei said: "I can't read minds. Just studied micro-expressions a bit."

Wen Zhengyu no longer dared to use polite formalities with Qi Wei. She asked: "Sister Weiwei, do you have some business, or did none of the displayed paintings catch your eye?"

Qi Wei said: "Both." She continued: "First, bring out the best, most expensive paintings you've got here. I need to buy several paintings."

Wen Zhengyu asked: "Even the ones in the exhibition hall didn't catch your eye? What aren't you satisfied with?"

Qi Wei said: "Age."

Wen Zhengyu immediately understood. She asked: "You want to buy antique paintings?"

Qi Wei said: "Calligraphy works too. If there's something else, that's also fine."

Coming to a studio that sells modern calligraphy and paintings to buy antiques—has she come to the wrong place? If not for the generations-old friendship between the Qi family and the Lian family, Wen Zhengyu might have suspected this was deliberate trouble-making.

Wen Zhengyu said: "My studio doesn't deal in antiques."

Qi Wei swept her gaze over Wen Zhengyu, lifted her teacup, and slowly sipped.

Wen Zhengyu, helpless, said: "Sister Weiwei, we truly don't deal in antiques here. What the studio acquires are all modern artworks, and almost all are new works." After a moment's consideration, she continued: "If you genuinely intend to buy, you can tell me what kind of items you're looking for, and I can try to help you connect with potential sellers. However, some collectors are very wary of others knowing they possess such items, so I'd need to ask first." She paused. "Every trade has its rules. I don't know if you're aware of them; some rules need to be stated upfront. Also, I truly don't deal in antiques, nor am I a professional intermediary."

The corner of Qi Wei's mouth lifted slightly. She asked: "Meaning, our relationship has to reach a certain level before you'll help make connections, right?"

Wen Zhengyu nodded. "More or less. Unless I know someone's background inside out and they're absolutely reliable, I dare not help make introductions."

Qi Wei said: "You're honest, at least." Her gaze swept over her empty teacup.

Wen Zhengyu obediently refilled Qi Wei's cup.

Qi Wei raised a finger and poked Wen Zhengyu's forehead, saying: "If you weren't Grandma's biological maternal granddaughter, I wouldn't even bother with you. I suppose I count as someone whose background you know inside out. Contact a few sellers for me. Whatever antiques they're willing to part with, I'll buy a few pieces for my collection. Just guarantee authenticity. Additionally, it'd be best if you could pick out one or two rarer items for me, things not typically found on the market. As for your intermediary fee—whatever price Ye Ling gives you, I'll give you the same. Once you've made contact, give me a call." With that, she rose and walked toward the door.

Wen Zhengyu stood and called out: "Sister Weiwei."

Without looking back, Qi Wei waved her hand and said: "Remember, you owe me a favor for this."

Wen Zhengyu gave a stunned "oh." She still didn't know what exactly was going on. However, she understood that something must really have happened. But what exactly had happened, she couldn't figure out. The paintings she had introduced Ye Ling to buy—though all were private transactions, they were all legitimate dealings. There was nothing illegal or improper that would warrant police attention. Even if there had been a slip-up when Ye Ling gave them as gifts, that would be Ye Ling's problem, not hers.

Wen Zhengyu couldn't make sense of it. Thinking why trouble two people when one will do, she called Qi Wei again.

Qi Wei sighed over the phone: "Grandma must be especially worried, having a granddaughter like you."

Wen Zhengyu didn't dare make a sound. She also felt her grandmother had been worrying about her a lot recently.

Qi Wei said: "Someone in the capital has been making inquiries about you. The Ye family is in chaos right now. Ye Ling's been particularly effective in working her connections and sending gifts lately. Naturally, those with an agenda would start asking questions. And you—if you wanted to earn money as an intermediary, just be an intermediary. You do the work of an intermediary, yet you handle Ye Ling as your exclusive client. How do you think that looks to others? Those who don't know better might even think you're the one behind her, helping her gather fine items to use against someone."

Wen Zhengyu: "..."

Qi Wei said: "Alright, it's nothing major. In the future, if you come across collectors willing to sell something good, let me know too. I'll also buy a few fine pieces to show off."

Wen Zhengyu said: "Sister Weiwei... thank you."

Qi Wei said: "Don't thank me. Just remember to repay the favor you owe, and that'll be enough."

Get instant access to all chapters now.

Previous Table of Contents Next