Chapter 116: Selling Paintings

Yi Zhongtian’s response came quickly; he provided a definitive answer the day after Zhang Ye had inquired.

Sunday!

Compared to the painting itself, Yi Feifan was more interested in Zhang Ye the person. It was not difficult to find out that he favored Dong Yuan’s paintings, but what was truly commendable was the young man’s courage.

Although Yi’s own success was built upon his own steady efforts and hard work, the road to success is always fraught with blood and storms. For a high school student to rashly approach him to sell a painting required both courage and self-confidence.

The meeting took place in Yi Feifan’s favorite courtyard—a small villa located in the suburbs, surrounded by an estate and fruit orchards, possessing a serene atmosphere far removed from the city.

When Zhang Ye stepped into the courtyard, he was immediately captivated by the rows of bonsai trees. They were truly magnificent, with uniquely shaped branches sculpted by an artisan into forms that were both pleasing to the eye and full of vitality. On both sides of the courtyard stood two orange trees; it was the harvest season, and the fist-sized oranges were plump and lovely, ready to be picked at any moment.

"So, you are the one looking for me?" Supported by a middle-aged woman, an old man with slightly greying hair emerged from the villa. Though he held a cane, his gait was steady.

Behind the old man stood Yi Zhongtian, holding a lounge chair and waiting quietly.

"Yes, Elder Yi," Zhang Ye stood straight, pulling his gaze away from the bonsai and orange trees.

"This is a painting I acquired by chance. Though it has some damage, it is still of significant value." Zhang Ye took the carefully packaged painting out of a cloth bag. Thanks to his efforts to decorate it, it looked much more refined.

"There is no rush to discuss the painting. I am curious: why did you come to me to sell it? If you were to take it to any auction house in Guangyang City, not only would the price be higher, but there would be far less risk," Yi Feifan said after Yi Zhongtian had set up the lounge chair. He sat down and, served by the middle-aged woman, took a sip of hot tea.

"I trust that an honorable man like you, Elder Yi, would not stoop to such things for the sake of a million. Besides, I am not a connoisseur. The moment I obtained this painting, my first thought was to sell it for cash. The longer this painting stays in my hands, the more dangerous my situation becomes," Zhang Ye said with a smile. He then turned to the woman and added, "My apologies, I am a bit thirsty. Could I trouble you for a cup of tea? Plain water is fine, too; I’m not well-versed in tea."

"Haha, you’ve piqued my interest. You have not only courage but also audacity," Yi Feifan said with a chuckle, nodding slightly to the woman.

"I have no interest in men," Zhang Ye replied with a stern, serious expression.

"..."

"Let’s get back to the painting. How can you be so certain that this is a work by Dong Yuan? You should know that if you brought a forgery here to sell, I could have you arrested by the police at any moment." Yi Feifan suddenly stood up, and Yi Zhongtian quickly stepped forward to support him. He felt a sense of admiration for this schoolmate of his, someone he hadn't heard much of before but who was now beginning to make a name for himself.

"You are welcome to authenticate it. Without a certain degree of confidence, I wouldn't dare to come here and act recklessly, even if I had ten times the courage," Zhang Ye said. He knew that the old man could indeed do as he said; he could have even called the police the moment Zhang Ye entered the courtyard. As for the painting, people of their status wouldn't even need to consult the police to keep it.

However, since Zhang Ye chose to stand there, it was because he was confident in Elder Yi’s integrity. Had the buyer been the White Bear—a man who built his fortune through the underworld—he might have done exactly that. But this elder, who had weathered the rise and fall of power and wealth, possessed a far greater perspective.

"Very well. Xiao Hong, go ahead and examine it." At this, Zhang Ye’s face showed surprise. The woman he had assumed was merely a nanny was actually an expert in antiques, and judging by the old man’s demeanor, she held his complete trust.

Feeling slightly awkward, Zhang Ye took the tea she offered and handed over the painting. He then sipped the tea bit by bit, though he drank it like a cow gulping water without truly tasting it, his eyes fixed on the woman known as Xiao Hong.

He was nervous and apprehensive. He had obtained this painting entirely based on his memory, and he couldn't guarantee it was an authentic masterpiece. Although it had fetched a high price in his previous life, history is always subject to change. He had already altered many things, and he couldn't be sure if this event had been affected by the butterfly effect of his actions.

However, Zhang Ye did not let his nervousness show on his face. When dealing with people of such status, he had to avoid appearing weak if he wanted to sell the painting for a high price. Otherwise, a man as shrewd as the old fox would have plenty of ways to manipulate him.

"It is authentic." The middle-aged woman’s words allowed Zhang Ye to breathe a sigh of relief. He became even more composed, pouring himself another cup of tea and finishing it in one gulp. The temperature was perfect, and he even rinsed his mouth comfortably, spitting the water into a nearby bonsai pot before turning around. "One point two million." He cut off the opening price Yi Feifan was about to suggest.

"Transfer or cash?" Yi Feifan was slightly taken aback, but he spoke quickly. Having seen all kinds of people in his life, Zhang Ye was just another eccentric, confident character, regardless of his youth.

"I prefer cash," Zhang Ye said, relieved. Before he could lament how tiring it was to talk to such people, the words slipped out. But realizing that over a million in cash would weigh over a dozen pounds—and might not even be available on-site—he quickly corrected himself. "Actually, a transfer would be fine."

"Did you do this packaging yourself? It’s terrible," Yi Feifan remarked after observing the painting for a moment. He then headed into the inner room to enjoy it at his leisure.

As for the transfer, the woman handled all the arrangements.

"Mom, I’m seeing my classmate out," Yi Zhongtian said to the woman before leading Zhang Ye toward the exit. Upon hearing how he addressed her, Zhang Ye stiffened, a wry smile appearing on his face.

Compared to their cunning, he realized he had been putting on quite an act.

Regardless, 1.2 million was now in his pocket. This was crucial for his upcoming plans. Though he still had a long way to go compared to the grand scale he envisioned, he was at least on the path. He was about to take his first step.