Rebirth in the 60s: A Path to Counterattack-Chapter 379. Art Exhibition, Strange Buyer

Exhibited a total of 116 pieces, apart from the 76 pieces gradually ordered over the past few days, the remaining 84 pieces were all purchased.

With an average price of around twenty thousand per piece, Lian En’s earnings of a full 1.68 million confirmed it: this was real, he wasn’t dreaming.

But, isn’t this a bit too incredible?

If it weren’t for his parents, mentor, and elders all denying it, Lian En would have thought it was a collective effort to make his first art exhibition a sensational success.

Surnamed You named Hui, claimed to appreciate his talent and works, and wanted to do his part for impoverished students. So spending over a million sounded quite far-fetched?

Moreover, for some reason, Lian En couldn’t feel any joy at all.

Instead, he was filled with worries, fearing this sudden wealthy buyer might stir up his peaceful and happy life.

Although he believed his apprentice’s talent was overflowing in every direction, his artistic skills were extraordinary at a young age, and he had excellent character. Attracting discerning collectors who fall in love with his works and take pride in collecting them wasn’t anything surprising.

But if his treasured apprentice was so anxious and uneasy, as his mentor, he certainly had to investigate thoroughly.

To find out who this wealthy individual was who spent nearly two million to buy all of his apprentice’s paintings exhibited at Beijing Station, whether it was genuine affection.

"What? Couldn’t find anything?" Feng Ju’s eyes widened, and in his excitement, he slipped into a Northeastern dialect: "With your ability, Old Wu still dares to exaggerate, calling you an experienced old hand? Hey, not scared of his old tongue slipping in the wind!"

Liang Zhuo, sent by the old leader to assist Feng Ju, said darkly: "My lack of ability is the problem, but Mr. Feng, please keep your words appropriate. Don’t, needless be dragging our old leader down."

"Psh, I’d dare mock him even in front of that old man, you believe that? Forget it, our help-and-banter relationship is beyond your comprehension. I was just being impulsive and impatient earlier, speaking more than needed. You don’t need to be like me, just tell me the situation in full, so I can at least grasp roughly what’s going on." Looking at the square face with angular features and that coal-colored complexion, Feng Ju understood he was dealing with someone who responded to a soft approach rather than a hard one.

Yet he still had to accompany his precious apprentice to the next event in Shanghai, making time scarce to waste here!

He quickly apologized sincerely and gathered firsthand information thereafter.

When he softened his attitude, Liang Zhuo, meticulously instructed by the most respected old leader, shared all the details he uncovered with Feng Ju.

"You Hui, a resident from Hong Kong or Macau? Age unknown, appearance unknown, gender should be male. Passionate about the Republic’s traditional culture, found Lian En’s painting skills admirable and spiritually rich, worthy of collection. Also appreciated his philanthropic heart, as he’s donating thirty percent of the exhibition revenue to support children’s education in impoverished areas, thus decided to buy 84 paintings, spending 1.68 million? Shuzhen frowned, thinking there might be something fishy about this.

Hmm, either this You Hui’s mind was fishy, or there was something fishy about this whole affair!

True, her son had some renown, and his painting skills were excellent.

But not to the extent that would cause someone to buy everything in one sweep like grocery shopping, right?

1.68 million, this was the late eighties where even a household owning assets worth a million was rare, and housing cost only a few hundred per square meter!

It was a time when prices were genuinely adorable, and money was especially valuable, and thrift was considered virtuous.

No matter how wealthy or taken someone was, buying a few as collectibles should be the limit, nowhere near purchasing all remaining pieces.

Besides, Lian En was only in his early twenties, his painting career had just begun.

His future works would be plentiful, and naturally, his skills and level would enhance with time and experience.

This extensive collection was undoubtedly premature.

"Exactly, that useless Liang, fretful for two or three days, unearthed only so much. Pity we’re off to Shanghai soon; otherwise, I’d have Old Wu invest effort to uncover the truth!" Feng Ju gritted his teeth, seemingly quite unwilling.

"Alright, don’t rush. We’ll remain unchanged while everything changes, believing the fox will show its tail eventually!"

However, for now, let’s ditch the plane and opt for the train sleeper, better late and safe than sorry!" Lianshan frowned, feeling his sudden insight was somewhat paranoid.

But some concerns simply couldn’t be ignored, could they?

In case some lunatic deemed his eldest son’s painting skills earthshaking and bought most of his works, only to cause him some mishap making those paintings rare treasures?

Whether this notion came true or not, either way, Lianshan resolved to infinitely raise vigilance, ensuring his wife and kids encountered no danger whatsoever.

Though unable to comprehend his extraordinary thought process, Old Yang, suffering from airsickness, nodded repeatedly.

He swiftly asked Wu Liguo to arrange five sleeper tickets to Shanghai, ready to leave early and return promptly. Hoping Lian En’s exhibition concludes successfully, so he can hurry back to Liu’s village. Chenchen tasked him to keep an eye on the factory; he must do his utmost not to let the apprentice down.

With the sensational news that all 116 paintings in Beijing were sold out, the Shanghai exhibition was also a major success.

Similarly, 160 artworks, with 102 preordered within three days.

On the last day as the exhibition ended, the remaining 36 pieces were again bought by someone signed You Hui, citing the same reason.

This time, Feng Ju and Lian En paid multiple times more attention to the selling process, also reacting much swifter.

Regrettably, all they discovered was a beautiful woman in her thirties, claiming to be the secretary of Mr. You Hui.

"Two exhibitions, He bought 120 paintings of Lian and spent over 2.4 million. Such kindness makes Lian endlessly grateful yet inexplicably anxious and curious. Could Miss Secretary kindly make an introduction?" Lian En’s gaze was hawk-like, firmly locking onto the secretary claiming to be Luna, not missing a single change in her expression.

"Indeed, Luna, could you arrange a meeting? Not just my apprentice; I’m a gifted painter too! Mr. Wu Tong, in the art world, I’m definitely more prominent than this rookie.

If Mr. You genuinely loves Chinese paintings and wants to collect them, surely my works would also qualify?" Feng Ju’s eager face portrayed himself as someone willing to undercut his apprentice for the chance of selling paintings at high prices.

In reality, this man undoubtedly wanted an opportunity to investigate You Hui, to identify this enigmatic character!