Chen Feng had previously visited a museum where he had seen precious artworks and an art gallery with nurous books, paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
Then, he eventually ca to a conclusion: if the creators of these artworks were dead, they did not et his requirents.
From another perspective, during these days, the few paintings that Chen Feng found that t his requirents were created by artists who were still alive.
Conversely, the works of those who had passed away did not et any of Chen Feng’s requirents.
Therefore, when this man claid that these two paintings were works from a hundred years ago, Chen Feng naturally did not believe him.
"These two paintings are sowhat interesting, you na the price first. If it’s suitable, I might consider acquiring them."
Understanding the basic rules of trading, Chen Feng naturally knew not to relinquish control in the transaction.
Upon hearing this, the balding middle-aged man hesitated slightly before responding, "These two paintings are family heirlooms passed down to . I have had them appraised by experts, and both are rare and fine pieces. Soone offered one million US dollars for this ’Mist and Rain in Jiangnan,’ but I didn’t agree. And this ’Rose’ painting had a foreigner offer 200,000 US dollars, which I also did not accept."
This balding middle-aged man was incredibly deceptive—I almost believed his lies!
Chen Feng thought to himself, Do I look that easy to deceive?
"You can’t make a deal like this," Chen Feng said sternly, "You claim these two paintings are from a hundred years ago, but looking at the canvas, the paper, and the ink, they are definitely modern works. You say this ’Mist and Rain in Jiangnan’ was painted by a master of the Late Qing Dynasty—who, what’s his na? And the author of this ’Rose,’ what’s his na? I’m certain that the authors of these two paintings should still be alive right now, right?"
The balding middle-aged man initially wanted to argue further, but when Chen Feng asserted that the authors of the paintings were still alive, he was startled and speechless.
He nearly blurted out, "How did you know?"
Fortunately, he didn’t embarrass himself then and there, but his face was sowhat awkward. After all, having his lies exposed on the spot was embarrassing, especially with two beautiful won watching.
It was undeniable, in his eyes, Chen Feng was an expert, and the information he had previously gathered was obviously incorrect.
If it weren’t for the money, he would have stord off in a fit of anger by now.
But in the end, his thick skin, or perhaps the allure of money, was strong enough to withstand the sha, and he asked tersely, "Then how much are you willing to pay?"
Chen Feng, seeing that the man had stopped making excuses, was rather impressed.
"Let’s do this, twenty thousand for the two paintings together."
The other party’s initial asking price had been over two million, and Chen Feng’s offer cut it down by a hundredfold.
"Twenty thousand!?"
The balding middle-aged man felt insulted and exclaid, his eyes bulging as he started to pack the two paintings back up.
Chen Feng remained calm and leisurely asked, "Then how much are you thinking?"
The balding middle-aged man paused in his movents and then countered, "Together for these two paintings, 200,000—that’s my lowest price."
Chen Feng shook his head, "These two paintings were painted by soone who is still alive and clearly not famous yet. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be trying to pass them off as the work of artists from a hundred years ago. Two paintings by a modern, relatively unknown artist priced at 200,000—do you think that’s reasonable?"
After a mont of visible struggle, the balding man said, "Let’s make it 150,000 for both. You are knowledgeable, and you should know that these two paintings are extrely well done. Their creators might not be famous now, but I believe they will be soon."
"How about this, 100,000 for both. This price will surely still leave you with so profit, and also, tell about the artist."
The balding middle-aged man weighed his options, then grudgingly and theatrically as if taking a big loss, he said, "Okay, I’ll suffer so loss and make a friend of you."
The balding middle-aged man then promptly returned the paintings to the desk and swiftly pulled out his cell phone, asking, "WeChat, Alipay, or a bank transfer?"
Chen Feng grinned and watched him, "Tell about the artist first, and after I’ve confird it, I’ll transfer the money to you."
Caught off guard, the bald man reluctantly retrieved a phone number from his phone and handed it to Chen Feng, then said, "He’s an amateur painter who runs a noodle shop in the countryside."
"Both of these paintings are by him?" Chen Feng was sowhat surprised.
The balding middle-aged man nodded.
Chen Feng morized the phone number and then dialed it imdiately.
"Hello, is this Li Chungang?"
"Yes."
"Hello, I run an art acquisition store, and I’ve received two of your paintings: ’Mist and Rain in Jiangnan’ and ’Rose.’ Did you paint them?"
"Ah, yes."
"Great, I’ll add you on WeChat in a bit. Please accept my request, I’m very interested in your work and would like to check them out."
"Ah, okay, okay, thank you, thank you."
"Let’s leave it at that for now, I’ll contact you later."
This person was undoubtedly, like the previous amateur painter nad Zhang, one of Chen Feng’s targets for finding underpriced art. This was indeed good news.
"Alright, let’s proceed with the formal transaction now. Please sign this contract."
Although Chen Feng’s store was small, it was quite official, with all procedures and docunts complete, and transactions conducted according to standard processes.
Signing the contract, making records, transferring money.
After receiving 100,000 yuan, the balding middle-aged man was overjoyed and expressed his willingness to collaborate again.
Chen Feng was also pleased, ntioning that if there were any more quality works in the future, he would be interested in acquiring them too.
It must be said that the balding middle-aged man had pretty good taste. Both paintings he planned to sell "hit the mark."
The balding middle-aged man left with great happiness, and he naturally had reason to be.
Not long ago, he had purchased these two paintings for only 5,000 yuan, and now he flipped them for 100,000—a solid profit.
Once Chen Feng had added Li Chungang on WeChat and asked a few questions, he also found out the original selling price of the two paintings.
Chen Feng didn’t feel that he was at a loss.
Originally, spending 100,000 yuan on these two paintings was quite a profit for Chen Feng. Besides, this transaction led him to Li Chungang, a potentially unrecognized great painter hiding in plain sight.
Chen Feng might dig up quite a few "Energy Paintings" from him.
However, Li Chungang lived quite far away, actually in Sichuan Province; Chen Feng would have to take a flight.
Chen Feng made arrangents with him and planned to visit him the next day.
Li Chungang had no objections.
After they settled the plan, Chen Feng finally got a chance to look at the two won and said with a smile, "Are you interested in joining for a trip to Sichuan Province tomorrow? I’ll cover the travel expenses."
Lin Wan imdiately raised her hand, very excited, "I would love to go with you."
Wu ngting’s heart tightened slightly, and she quickly responded with a smile, "I happen to be free tomorrow too; let’s go together."
"Great. Send your ID numbers, I’ll book the flights now."
Chen Feng was still sowhat anxious. Li Chungang had ntioned that people occasionally visited to buy his paintings, and over the years, he had accrued many works, around five to six hundred in total.
Chen Feng felt the possibility of uncovering a treasure this ti was high. The bald middle-aged man had casually bought two paintings, and both were spot on.
It seed unreasonable that he couldn’t unearth a treasure by going there himself.
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