The gallery manager helped check the registration information.

Afterward, they discovered that the person who had consigned the painting in the front window to the gallery was named Vera Andrade.

Hearing this long-lost name, Su Yehao suddenly understood, and everything clicked into place.

He explained to Yin Liuli:

"Miss Vera was my schoolmate. My family still has a painting she gave us hanging up, and my friends all know her. No wonder she chose Jiang Yu as a model; they're best friends."

Yin Liuli smiled after listening and said, "That's quite a coincidence, running into her in New York."

"Casino's East Phoenix Rose High School is a prestigious school. Since graduating from high school, the alumni are scattered all over the world. The majority of graduates choose to study abroad, so it's normal to run into alumni overseas, right?"

Su Yehao smiled and added, "Vera was able to hold her own private art exhibitions when I was in high school. I heard she went to art school in Europe, but I didn't expect her to come to the East Village in New York. Oh, and many of the red wines in the small building should have been sourced from the Andrade family's business. Her family also owns a vineyard in Portugal."

Yin Liuli was slightly stunned and said in surprise, "The Andrade family from Casino? The one famous for afternoon tea?"

"Yeah."

"...So that's how it is. I've even been there for desserts. It's a small world."

Arriving at the entrance of the gallery.

Su Yehao asked the manager to bring out the oil painting of Jiang Yu for a closer look.

Jiang Yu had been a beauty since she was a child, always receiving a large number of flowers and love letters every Valentine's Day. Her temperament was pure and comfortable, with a face that evoked first love.

The style of this oil painting was super realistic, similar to the painter surnamed Leng that Su Yehao had heard of.

In the painting, Jiang Yu's eyes were bright, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, outlining a beautiful arc.

Yin Liuli stared at the painting and whispered to Su Yehao, "Miss Jiang is really beautiful. I haven't had much contact with her. I think I only saw her once at the Koko Cat Cafe. How similar do you think the painting is to the real person?"

"From a distance, it's about 90% similar. It's already very impressive, and the overall picture looks very pleasing. Since we've encountered it, it must be fate. I want to buy it; it's perfect as a gift."

Su Yehao switched to English and said to the manager, "Please pack up this painting for me. Fifty thousand U.S. dollars, right? I'd like to meet the artist. Can you ask her if she's available now?"

The gallery manager immediately replied, "Shall I give her a call then?"

"Okay, tell her my name is Su Yehao..."

...

Half an hour later.

The oil painting of Jiang Yu had been packed, and the payment had been made.

Miss Vera was now sitting in front of Su Yehao, a bright smile on her face, telling him:

"I never thought that the painting you bought would actually sell. It took me more than two years, off and on, to paint it. I felt like selling it at a low price would be a loss, so I thought that if it didn't sell, I would take it home and give it to Jiang Yu as a gift."

"That's right, you're a little rich woman. Whether you make money or not doesn't matter; the important thing is not to take a loss."

Su Yehao joked and continued, "Now it's all good. I bought the painting, and I'll give it to Jiang Yu anyway. Her father is partnering with me in business now, and I'm worried about not having a gift to give her."

Vera was simple in character but not stupid.

She looked at Yin Liuli and wondered if Su Yehao would get in trouble for saying he was going to give a gift to Jiang Yu in front of his girlfriend.

Obviously, Miss Vera knew nothing about Su Yehao's position at home.

As long as it wasn't too outrageous, Yin Liuli generally turned a blind eye; if she were easily angered, she would have been mad to death long ago.

In fact.

Yin Liuli was also very curious about Miss Vera at the moment.

This was the first time she knew that Su Yehao had such a white girl with delicate features like a doll by his side. Besides having a good family background, she also seemed to be very talented.

Although she was unwilling, Yin Liuli silently sighed, "This playboy's taste is really picky."

With beauties constantly around him, whether it was Jiang Yu or Miss Vera, she felt immense pressure.

While their appearances and figures each had their own merits, Yin Liuli admitted that she was losing badly in terms of education and family background. No wonder she was so insecure when she was with Su Yehao.

Vera took a sip of lemonade, put down her cup, and asked softly, "I remember Jiang Yu's father was a consultant in your family. How did he become your business partner?"

"Uncle Jiang is no longer a consultant. Many things happened after graduation. Zhao Yimeng dropped out of school halfway to go home and take over the family business. Jiang Yu went to Hong Kong University and moved to the Mid-Levels. I think they must miss you very much. By the way, how did you end up in New York?"

Su Yehao asked.

Vera had grown up in Casino and spoke Cantonese without any pressure. She explained:

"I'm only living here temporarily. My tutor received a commercial order to create a large-scale church mural, and I and several other students have been living with him for three months. I estimate we'll have to stay for another four or five months. I've been carrying this oil painting with me, painting it whenever I have time. I only finished it completely after coming to New York. I didn't expect to run into you."

Creating oil paintings takes time and effort.

Especially realistic oil paintings that pursue extreme detail, which are much more difficult than Impressionist or abstract paintings.

After listening, Su Yehao noticed that Vera was much more cheerful than before and smiled, "Yeah, life is truly wonderful. Painting murals in a church with your tutor, aren't you doing free labor for others? No wonder I haven't heard any news about you."

"You can't say that. Although it's hard work, creating murals for a church is the dream of many painters. I feel like my painting skills are much better than before."

"...That's true. Anyway, you're young, and you really like this field. It can't hurt to learn more."

"Enough about me, Young Master Su, what brings you to New York? Are you traveling with your girlfriend?" Miss Vera blinked, her face filled with gossip.

Su Yehao finished talking about buying artwork and discovered that Miss Vera also knew Jeff Koons and was familiar with the huge stainless steel balloon dog.

After chatting for a while.

Vera received a call and had to go deliver paint to her teacher, saying that as thanks for buying the painting, she wanted to treat them to dinner tonight.

Su Yehao agreed. He hadn't scheduled any meetings with market makers yet, so he was free today.

——————

Leaving with the oil painting.

Yin Liuli sighed softly and said in a low voice:

"I've noticed that all the women around you are so beautiful? Like this Miss Vera, so fair and young. Even I'm tempted. Her eyelashes are so long, her eyes are so big, and her blue pupils are so watery."

"...Don't be envious. I've heard that white girls age quickly when they get older, but Vera's appearance does suit Asian aesthetics. She used to be very popular at school."

"Oh? Like, popular with you?"

"Hey, hey, hey, why are you dragging me into this? Is someone's jealousy overflowing? I smell something sour." Su Yehao teased.

Yin Liuli hooked her arm around his and glanced at the shopping bag containing the painting, humming softly and smiling:

"If I were the jealous type, I would have drowned in vinegar long ago. You usually even ask your bodyguard to carry your shopping bags for you when you buy clothes. Today, you're carrying such a heavy painting yourself. Can you guess why?"

Su Yehao was instantly silenced, shaking his head in feigned ignorance: "I don't want to guess. I can't guess..."