Chapter 271: Chapter 0271: 2 Billion_1
「In the reception room.」
Master Lin, Lin Youlan, and Yang Yiyi were admiring the ten paintings created by Zhang Bin. Their faces were filled with shock, and their eyes gleamed with a fiery intensity, almost enough to set the paintings ablaze.
"Tsk, tsk... So beautiful. These are all Grandmaster Level works of calligraphy and painting that will be cherished for millennia. They are truly priceless treasures," Master Lin remarked, his voice filled with admiration. He wished he could claim these paintings for himself. As a Grandmaster Level painter, he naturally loved collecting famous works of art, cultural relics, and antiques, almost to the point of obsession. As a result, his vault contained countless precious treasures, and now, his eyes were set on these ten pieces.
As for the talented Lin Youlan, she had long been dazzled, her heart and soul stirred. Previously, she thought Chen Junheng was merely a Grandmaster of calligraphy and the guqin, and she was already smitten by his talent. But now, discovering that he was also a Grandmaster Level painter whose accomplishments surpassed even her grandfather’s, she found herself completely and hopelessly captivated. While admiring the paintings, she would periodically steal glances at Zhang Bin, her eyes brimming with an affection so intense it seemed she wanted to melt him on the spot.
If you like me, can’t you at least not flirt with me in front of Yang Yiyi? Zhang Bin inwardly groaned. This is just going to make it harder for me to win her over. Why don’t you just sneak into my room tonight?
While he was lost in thought, Yang Yiyi shot a glare at Lin Youlan. That shameless woman still isn’t giving up! She’s still trying to get her claws into Zhang Bin? How can I tolerate this? I’m his girlfriend now! Well, a temporary one... no, no, a fake one.
"Chen Junheng, did you bring all these paintings for me to enjoy, or do you intend to sell them?" Master Lin asked expectantly, finally looking up after more than an hour of admiration.
"I was hoping Master Lin could provide a certificate of authenticity before I sell them. After all, I have no reputation to speak of. Ordinary people might not recognize the value of my work," Zhang Bin said with a faint smile, having waited all this time for this very question.
"Providing a certificate is no problem. However, even with my certificate, fetching a good price will still be difficult. It requires time to build a market and accumulate fame. It might take more than three years before your paintings can match the prices of mine," Master Lin said.
"But I need a large sum of money in a short amount of time," Zhang Bin said, his brow furrowing slightly.
"I have a proposal. How about I purchase these ten works of art from you? The price I offer will definitely be higher than what you would get at auction. Hmm, I can offer two hundred million for each, for a total of two billion. However, you’ll have to throw in this piece of calligraphy as a bonus. What do you say?" Master Lin proposed.
Yang Yiyi was instantly dumbfounded. Two billion? My goodness, Chen Junheng created all these paintings himself, possibly in just a few months! Who can even compare to that speed of making money? She guessed that not even Master Lin could compete. After all, Master Lin was old and had limited energy, whereas Chen Junheng was so young. He could create many more paintings in the future and sell them for even more money.
I actually know such a Big Tycoon! It seems he’s my benefactor. I have to suck up to him later and get him to teach me some painting and calligraphy skills... At this thought, she was so excited she nearly shouted with joy. But then, she felt a pang of guilt. He’s already helped me so much, even fulfilling my wish to meet Master Lin. Isn’t it too much to keep asking for more?
Joy surged in Zhang Bin’s heart, as the price was far beyond his expectations. He had estimated that after Master Lin’s authentication, his paintings would fetch about fifty million each at auction. Ten paintings would bring in five hundred million, but this offer was for two billion! With this two billion, plus the money from Wenwu Pharma and my online school, I’ll have nearly four billion. That should be enough to bid for the Spiritual Medicine I need at the Hero Auction. I’ve finally raised enough funds!
"Deal," Zhang Bin agreed without hesitation.
Of course, he was very grateful to Master Lin. The man didn’t have to spend so much; he could have simply waited for the auction and acquired them for far less money. It seemed he wanted to do Zhang Bin a favor. This was a debt of gratitude he could not ignore.
"Hahaha..." Seeing the grateful expression on Zhang Bin’s face, Master Lin was very pleased and laughed joyfully. In truth, he wasn’t taking a loss. In three years, he was confident he could increase the value of these ten paintings to over four billion. He would make a two-billion-yuan profit in three years, and he had also befriended a Grandmaster of calligraphy, painting, and the guqin. Most importantly, he had created an opportunity for his granddaughter, Lin Youlan, to get closer to Zhang Bin.
Two billion in cash was a huge sum. Even for someone as wealthy as Master Lin, who was one of the richest men in the Magic Capital, it couldn’t be produced at a moment’s notice. It would take a day to gather the funds. Therefore, Master Lin warmly hosted Zhang Bin and Yang Yiyi, inviting them to stay at Lanting Villa.
Naturally, Yang Yiyi also took the opportunity to present a few of her own calligraphy and painting works for the two Grandmasters to evaluate. Her calligraphy was very elegant, and her paintings, all of plum blossoms, were exceptionally beautiful and enticing. Of course, in the eyes of two Grandmasters, her work was still quite amateurish. However, out of respect for Zhang Bin, Master Lin still gave her a favorable review and even stamped her pieces with his personal seal. The presence of his seal indicated that Master Lin held her work in high regard, which meant it could be auctioned for a good price. Yang Yiyi was so overjoyed she nearly fainted.
That night, Yang Yiyi stayed in Zhang Bin’s room, pestering him for advice on calligraphy and painting techniques, reluctant to return to her own room. Lin Youlan had arranged their accommodations, giving them two separate rooms, of course.
Is she thinking of sleeping with me? Zhang Bin mused mischievously. He boldly wrapped an arm around her slim waist and said with a roguish grin, "My dear wife, the night is deep. Let’s go to sleep, shall we?"
As if bitten by a venomous snake, Yang Yiyi quickly squirmed free. "Big Bad Egg! Who are you calling your wife?" she pouted.
"You, of course. Hasn’t our pretend relationship become real? I’m your boyfriend, and you’re my girlfriend..." Zhang Bin said with a shameless, wicked smile.
"Turn our fake relationship real? In your dreams! I’m not Sun Shangxiang, and you’re certainly no Liu Bei," Yang Yiyi retorted playfully before fleeing the room. But just as quickly, she poked her head back in. "Chen Junheng, good night."
Sigh... still not quite there. Am I destined to sleep alone tonight? Zhang Bin sighed inwardly, his face a mask of regret.
He closed the door, took a shower, and had just lain down on the bed when there was a knock at the door.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK...
The sound was very faint.
Hahaha... That must be Yang Yiyi! The little minx must have had a change of heart and decided to throw herself into my arms! Overjoyed, Zhang Bin quickly went to open the door. Standing there was a woman as stunning as a fairy from the heavens, her pretty face blushing, her beautiful eyes filled with an unspoken invitation.
But it wasn’t Yang Yiyi. It was Lin Youlan.