“Lin Yi, this is where you’re wrong. Young Master Ye is so talented. Why would he need to cut you off?”
“Exactly. Don’t develop a persecution complex and think someone is always targeting you.”
“Tell me, are you jealous of the rich? Why do I feel like you’re the one targeting Young Master Ye?”
“Young man, being poor isn’t the problem. What matters is striving to improve yourself and having ambition. Do you understand?”
Lin Yi was almost drowned by the spit flying toward him.
Lin Fengjiao quickly moved far away from him. She had always thought he was useless. Now it turned out he still was.
Bai Jianhao frowned, secretly thankful he hadn’t said anything earlier. Otherwise, where would he have put his old face?
Only Bai Susu felt distressed seeing Lin Yi being criticized by everyone.
In contrast, Ye Feng was showered with praise. People almost lifted him to the sky. His previous image as a playboy had been completely overturned.
Gu Yunxiang was also overjoyed. Just moments ago, she had been sweating for Ye Feng.
She had never expected that Ye Feng would be so knowledgeable.
She liked him more and more. What was she supposed to do?
“Young friend, this old man has a small request.”
At that moment, Yan Wenjing walked toward Ye Feng, and the venue fell silent.
Although no one knew Yan Wenjing’s identity, they could tell that his background was definitely greater than Patriarch Chen Tianlei’s.
“Please speak, Elder Yan,” Ye Feng said calmly.
“You… you know me?” Yan Wenjing was stunned. Even Chen Tianlei stood there in shock.
Yan Wenjing had always kept a low profile and disliked appearing in public. Most people had only heard his name, but had never seen him in person.
Chen Tianlei had only met him by chance more than a decade ago in Yandu.
But how did Ye Feng know him?
“Since I have studied calligraphy and painting, how could I not recognize the great master of traditional Chinese painting, Yan Wenjing?” Ye Feng replied with a smile.
In an instant, the crowd erupted again.
“What the hell, that’s actually Master Yan Wenjing!”
“Oh my god, with his status, why would he come here?”
Everyone was stunned. Even Bai Jianhao found it hard to believe that such a towering figure had come to his 50th birthday banquet.
Yan Wenjing was not only a master painter but also a highly influential figure with connections everywhere. He had three thousand disciples, all social elites.
Although the Ye family was the top wealthy family in Jinling, Jinling’s economy ranked near the bottom within the province. Looking across Jiangnan and Jiangbei, there were countless strong competitors.
But if they could establish ties with Yan Wenjing, the Ye family could definitely rise even further.
“So he is Yan Wenjing…” Lin Yi stared blankly at him. He never imagined that the old man who had praised him earlier would be such a powerful figure.
If he could build a relationship with Yan Wenjing, soaring to success would be effortless.
But that immense opportunity had already slipped away because of Ye Feng’s performance.
Now, neither Yan Wenjing nor Chen Tianlei had any interest in him.
If he had known this earlier, he would never have mentioned Autumn Geese and Sunset Clouds.
“Since Young Master Ye recognizes this old man, I will speak frankly,” Yan Wenjing said. “I am very fond of this Autumn Geese and Sunset Clouds. I wonder if Young Master Ye would be willing to transfer it to me.”
“I know your Ye family does not lack money, but I am willing to purchase it at a price above market value.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd began discussing again. How much exactly was the painting worth?
Earlier, Lin Yi had said it was worth tens of millions of yuan, but how much exactly?
“Elder Yan is a master of traditional Chinese painting. Even if I were to gift the painting to you, I would have no objection,” Ye Feng said calmly.
A trace of joy appeared in Yan Wenjing’s eyes. It was not about money, but about obtaining the painting he admired.
Suddenly, Ye Feng’s tone shifted, and he sighed. “Unfortunately, I intend to give this painting to someone else. I’m sorry, Elder Yan.”
“Give it away?”
Everyone was shocked. Young Master Ye was that generous? A painting worth tens of millions of yuan, and he planned to give it away?
Did he not realize this was the Ye family’s opportunity? Who could be more valuable than Yan Wenjing?
Hearing this, Bai Jianhao trembled with excitement.
Today was his 50th birthday. If Ye Feng bought the painting, who else could he possibly be giving it to besides him?
As expected of Young Master Ye. I knew you still remembered Susu. As long as you’re willing, I will definitely marry my daughter to you!
“Give… give it away?” Yan Wenjing was also stunned. With his status, there was almost nothing he couldn’t obtain.
Even at auctions, others would refrain from bidding out of respect for him.
This was the first time Yan Wenjing had failed to secure something.
Yet he harbored no resentment. After all, the painting belonged to Ye Feng. It was his right to decide.
“Yunxiang, take this painting.”
Under everyone’s gaze, Ye Feng handed the painting to Gu Yunxiang.
“Ah!”
Gu Yunxiang was utterly shocked. Such a precious painting, and Ye Feng was giving it to her?
She instinctively waved her hands and said, “Brother Ye Feng, I can’t accept this.”
She knew her business venture was difficult, and Ye Feng wanted to help her.
But this was too much.
“When we bought the painting, you paid for it. Logically speaking, it already belongs to you.”
Ye Feng directly placed the painting in her hands. She wanted to say more, but Ye Feng did not give her the chance.
He then turned to Yan Wenjing and said, “Elder Yan, the painting is not mine, so please forgive me.”
“Young Master Ye truly values loyalty and sentiment,” Yan Wenjing said, his admiration for Ye Feng deepening.
He also became more curious about this young man whom he had initially viewed unfavorably.
“Elder Yan, Brother Ye Feng was just joking earlier. I don’t understand calligraphy and painting, but I know that people should make the best use of their talents and objects should go to those who appreciate them.”
“This painting means at most money to me. But to Elder Yan, it must carry a different meaning.”
“Since you like it, I will gift it to you free of charge.”
With that, Gu Yunxiang presented the painting.
She was clever. She understood what befriending a figure like Yan Wenjing could bring.
She was not greedy for small gains. After all, the painting had been bought for only 500 yuan. It was better to use it as a favor.
Deep down, she felt that one day in the future, Brother Ye Feng might need Yan Wenjing.
“This…”
Yan Wenjing was surprised. He had nearly given up on purchasing the painting, yet now it was right before him again.
Beyond surprise, he felt genuine astonishment.
“The painting belongs to Yunxiang. No matter how she chooses to handle it, I support her,” Ye Feng said with a smile.
“Haha, you two young friends are indeed interesting. However, I do not have the habit of accepting favors for free.”
Yan Wenjing laughed and continued, “From what I see, this painting should be worth around 20 million yuan. I will purchase it for 20 million yuan. I won’t let you suffer a loss.”
“Elder Yan, that won’t be necessary,” Gu Yunxiang quickly waved her hands. What she wanted was Yan Wenjing’s favor.
The painting wasn’t valuable. Yan Wenjing was.
Yan Wenjing was upright by nature. He handed his bank card to Gu Yunxiang, but she firmly refused.
In the end, Yan Wenjing forcefully pressed the bank card into her hand and said, “If you refuse to accept it, I cannot take the painting. I do not accept things for free.”
He then looked at Ye Feng and said with a faint smile, “Young Master Ye, could it be that this old man’s money is too hot for your hands?”