In the dead of night, with candlelight flickering, Qi Yu gently set up his easel.
This time, he drew a set of real "Three Friends of Suihan" pictures, namely: pine, bamboo, and plum. The style adopts the "ancient style" charm popular in later generations, which looks elegant and pleasant.
Speaking of "Three Friends of Suihan", Qi Yu couldn't help but think of the past.
This set of works was promised to my brother-in-law earlier, but it was later abandoned. However, during this period, I had a lot of ideas, but I just didn’t use them, so it’s not difficult to draw them now.
The reason why I painted a set instead of one was mainly because I was worried about the lack of value, and also to be on the safe side, so I increased the number of works.
You know, the added value of a complete set of works is much greater than that of a single work.
When it comes to a family's future, it's best to be safe.
Since you want to fish, it's best to succeed the first time. If the fish gets off the hook, it will be much more difficult to get it to bite again.
When I put down my painting brush, I heard the sound of five o'clock in the morning. Although I was physically tired, I felt very at ease mentally.
Painting is energy-consuming and I feel a little hungry now.
There are a few pieces of halva on the table, which my daughter contributed a lot. In her words, this is a reward for her father's hard work.
All right……
Looking at his daughter sleeping like a little frog, Qi Yu was filled with happiness and chuckled as he covered her with the quilt that had been kicked off.
The lady was also fast asleep, but she was still frowning in her sleep.
…
As soon as the genius dawned, Liu Quan got up early and made arrangements for breakfast.
Breakfast is much richer than yesterday, including crab roe siomai, which Xiaotong likes, as well as shrimp dumplings and meatballs.
Is this intentional to take care of yourself?
Judging from the look in the lady's eyes, she should be.
As soon as I put down the dishes, the waiter came and knocked on the door. He said that a foreigner named Wu Deli was visiting.
The fish has indeed come to bite the hook!
I actually guessed it correctly!
For the first time, Qi Yu felt like he was competing with Zhuge, and it seemed that he was just a few clicks away.
Next, let’s see how it was deceived.
??
How can things about scholars be called cheating?
It should be called negotiation!
Qi Yu straightened his clothes and walked out of the wing with his suave hand in hand.
The store also made it easier for him and arranged for him to lend an unoccupied vacant room to receive guests.
"Qi Yu has met Wu Yuanwai."
The old squire, who was nearly sixty years old, turned his head when he heard the sound, cupped his hands warmly, and said, "Do you think you are Mr. Qi?"
"Exactly! Please~~"
…
The two exchanged pleasantries for a few words and finally got to know each other.
"I heard from Liang Kuan that the young master intends to buy my house. Is there any problem?" Wu Deli asked straight to the point.
Qi Yu smiled and said: "The house outside the Yuan's building is grand and well-furnished. It's really good." Then, he changed his voice and sighed: "It's a pity that I came here with my family in a hurry and didn't bring enough cash with me.
I can only look forward to it and sigh."
Even if you don’t have money, you still have to express yourself in a subtle way.
Everyone understands...
Wu Deli laughed and said in a very considerate way: "Who hasn't had an inconvenience when you are out? This is human nature. You don't have to blame yourself."
Uh...do I blame myself?
This is what I call modesty!
"If time had not waited for me, I would have missed out on Yuanwai's mansion. What a pity!" Qi Yu sighed helplessly.
Dropped the book bag?
Wu Yuanwai was very puzzled. This scholar just shook his head and shook his head. How could he not be enlightened?
Could it be that Liang Kuan didn't express his request for a painting clearly?
Okay, I'll do it then.
"Ahem! I think the young master's appearance is extraordinary. He is also a son of a wealthy family. Since he is short of money, why not be flexible?" Wu Deli reminded.
Work around?
Of course it can!
So, Qi Yu said with a "painting" in his words: "I am just a scholar. Apart from some paintings and classics, I don't have anything valuable."
This rhythm of talking without stopping was really uncomfortable, and it only made Wu Yuanwai feel more itchy.
Forget it, I'd better take the initiative.
"Ahem! When the young master talked about painting, I remembered something. Well, I heard from Liang Kuan that the young master still has colored paintings in his hands? I wonder if this is true?"
hehe……
"I got it by chance, I do have a trick." Qi Yu pretended to be right.
Focus: One set?
What's the meaning?
I still remember that at that auction meeting, I participated in the whole process. All the paintings were single works. How could they be described as a set?
In response to Wu Yuanwai's questions, Qi Yu said a few words without hesitation: "It's like this. I managed to get this painting before the auction started. This is the set I have in my hand now, and it is even more popular among the public."
The only complete set of works in the painting."
Oh I got it.
This sentence has a lot to say.
Wu Yuanwai thought to himself: Since he can purchase paintings in advance, it means that his relationship with Mr. Yu is very valuable. Also, what does the complete set of works mean? It is of high value!
It seems that this young master's family is not only rich, but also has connections like Mr. Yu.
Other paintings can be faked, but color paintings cannot be faked because no one knows how to paint!
After figuring this out, Wu Deli couldn't help but look at him high again.
"To be honest, young master, the purpose of my coming here is to get the colored painting in your hand. If you are willing to give up, you can give me the discounted price of the painting, which will be used as money to buy a house. Specifically, we will refund more and make up less.
Fair trade, what do you think?" Wu Yuanwai finally couldn't hold it in any longer and spoke out directly.
"This seems... feasible! Why didn't I think of it?"
"..."
When it comes to buying and selling, it all depends on who has the initiative.
After friendly negotiation, Qi Dalang accepted the suggestion obediently.
Shaoqing, Liu Quan, who had been prepared for a long time, came immediately upon hearing the call, and took the calligraphy and painting according to Xianggong's prior arrangement, then bowed and bowed before retreating.
Liu Quan was also very surprised. Why did this takeaway artist come to the inn to negotiate if he didn't go to the bookshop?
No matter what, it's good to sell it for a little money to pay the rent of the store.
…
"Three Friends of Suihan" slowly opens.
The painting style is elegant and the charm is extraordinary. It is indeed a rare set of masterpieces.
But~~~it’s a little strange!
Wu Deli's face was full of confusion: This painting seems to have been written not long ago, and it looks like a new painting.
Qi Yu brushed this off and explained: This was because the humidity in the inn was too high and the tide had returned.
Oh I got it.
Although Wu Deli couldn't understand the quality of the paintings, he still had his own way of judging. Later, he took out his collection and compared the consistency of the seals. He finally concluded that this set of works was indeed from the legend.
The handwriting of Mr. Xingyan.
certainly!
Even though my seal is carved from rough wood, it has so many flaws that you can't even try to imitate it!
The next step is to negotiate how to discount the price.
Wu Deli was already feeling itchy, so he simply stopped doing Tai Chi and expressed his sincerity directly: "To be honest, sir, at the auction meeting, my bid was one hundred...oh no, it was eighty taels of silver.
Haha, let me use this price as a reference... Well, based on this estimate, the value of your set of paintings should be a little over two hundred taels. In this way, in addition to my real estate, there are five more in my granary.
Ten shi of grain to be sold will be given to you at a discounted price to offset the painting expenses. How about that?"
If this were normal, Qi Yu would definitely try his best to maximize the benefits. But now it is different. He must know how to stop when it is appropriate. If he really has to offer a high price, and others cannot pay him in the end, he will not be slapped in the face.
?
It’s better to accept it when it’s good!
So... Qi Yu reluctantly agreed after feeling sorry for him.
make a deal!
Wu Deli was even more anxious than Qi Yu. After the negotiation was settled, he took him to the Yamen to sign the contract.
He said that now that winter has entered, it is necessary to hurry up when traveling north to Beijing. If it suddenly snows, you will be unable to walk even if you want to, so it is best to do it as soon as possible.
Qi Yu expressed his understanding and full support.
The process went smoothly. After Wu Yuanwai gave some money to the pawnbroker, he quickly completed the transfer procedures, and then handed over the house and the food store.
In addition, there is a small ritual that is common to both ancient and modern times - handing over keys!
Everyone is happy!
After saying goodbye to Wu Deli, Qi Yu laughed happily.
The laughter was very hearty, like an accelerated version of a donkey braying.
…
With a happy mood, Qi Yu hummed and walked back to Yuelai Inn.
When I entered the inn, I happened to meet Liu Quan ordering dinner, which seemed to be all vegetarian dishes.
"Waiter, come here! Plus a fat chicken and a sweet and sour carp, and by the way, a plate of steamed eggs, um, remember to add more sugar!"
"okay!"
The waiter responded and ran down.
Hmm~~
Why are there so many vegetables added for no reason?
"Ms. sir, are you hungry? Oh, I almost forgot, you haven't eaten chicken for several days." Liu Quan said with a smile.
"I'm not hungry for chicken, I'm just hungry for you." Qi Yu joked with a smile, and then started to tease: "Let's go to bed early today, and I'll take you to a place early tomorrow morning."
"Where to go?"
"We'll know when the time comes!"
From what I heard, could it mean... an outing?
Well, just go, it's just a shame to sit in the inn and sigh, it's a good idea to take some time off.
…
When dinner time came, Xiaotong divided the various parts of the chicken: "Grandma will eat this chicken leg, my mother and the little brother in her belly will eat this chicken leg, and I will eat these two chicken wings. Daddy will eat the chicken head to replenish his brain."
Haha, Qi Yu hugged his daughter and kissed her several times.
Yes, maybe I was so wise today because I was eating chicken heads?
Xiaotong smiled and dodged again and again: "Daddy has a thorny beard..."
Then, there was a burst of laughter.
A night of silence.
Early the next morning, after the family had finished breakfast, Qi Yu urged the family to pack their luggage.
In addition, he checked out.
Check out? Where can I stay in the back?
Liu Quan's eyes flashed, as if he thought of something, and his heart jumped.
Mrs. Zhou, however, looked confused, thinking, could it be that her son felt that this inn was not good and wanted to find another one?
Xiaotong was innocent and didn't know what was going on. She just helped her mother pack her things and ran around.
After everything was settled, Qi Yu found a carriage, loaded up his luggage, and walked towards the new house.
With the groom's roundabout voice...
Got home!
According to Qi Yu's arrangement, the groom left directly after unloading his luggage.
Why... parked on the street?
The whole family looked confused.
Suddenly, there was a clang!
Qi Yu smiled: "Madam, please look! This is the key to our house!"
Then, he pointed to the mansion behind him and showed a "compliment me now" expression.
Liu Quan, however, was puzzled by the sentiment and did not praise him. Instead, he asked: "You mean...this house belongs to our family?"