Opening an antique shop and getting rich through all the worlds

Chapter 102

The garment made from fire resistant cloth captured everyone’s attention, and combined with the rare treasures displayed in the exhibition cases, the visitors who came found themselves watching with great interest.

Having the ability to hold such a personal collection exhibition was uncommon even within the collectors’ association.

Moreover, for Shen Yu’s collection exhibition, the industry’s big shots had all given face by coming personally.

When Old Master Xu and Mr. Zhang arrived, they caused quite a stir at Xi Garden.

These were figures who were usually difficult to meet in person or exchange even a few words with, yet today they stood here pleasantly, viewing the exhibition alongside everyone else. How could anyone not feel excited?

Jiang He wore an elegant smile on her face while leading people in. She didn’t actively try to curry favor, maintaining proper etiquette throughout.

With big shots of this caliber, there were usually plenty of people fawning over them in daily life. They could see through everything clearly. Rushing over to steal the spotlight or disturbing their exhibition viewing would only backfire.

By doing what needed to be done well, she would naturally be looked upon favorably, and Shen Yu would appreciate her efforts.

Old Master Xu and these other big shots made their appearance, walked through the exhibition cases, and this also provided tremendous face for Shen Yu.

Afterward, they came to the tea room to drink tea and chat with several professors from the collection museum, while also visiting the adjacent workshop.

Mrs. Gu was also there. Normally, ordinary visitors would be in the exhibition hall, but Mrs. Gu was ultimately Gu Shaoyu’s mother, so after the reception staff asked Shen Yu, they brought her to the tea room as well.

Mrs. Gu looked at Shen Yu, who had just come from the exhibition hall, and was stunned for two seconds before recognizing her. This was the person she had seen previously at the tailor shop.

That fine fabric had been bought from Shen Yu’s hands.

At the time, she had found it strange. Someone who could afford Master Zuo’s shop, why would they still be selling fabric?

She and another wealthy lady had discussed it afterward, both feeling that young lady was backed by someone, having obtained such fine fabric to resell for cash.

This was a common occurrence, similar to having a sugar daddy buy luxury handbags, then returning them later for refunds.

Yet she never expected the other party to be Shen Yu herself!

Setting aside everything else, just looking at her outfit, she couldn’t possibly be someone who lacked the money from selling fabric.

She didn’t understand traditional craftsmanship much, but from the moment she entered, she had heard those collectors saying how much they envied the fire resistant cloth Shen Yu wore.

Just now, someone had offered thirty million to buy that bag, yet Shen Yu hadn’t sold it.

Mrs. Gu stood behind, using a voice only the two of them could hear to ask Gu Shaoyu, “Those things in the exhibition hall, are they all hers?”

“What else would they be?” Gu Shaoyu frowned slightly.

Mrs. Gu watched Shen Yu discussing porcelain glazes and gold and silver artifacts with those big shots, showing no hint of timidity whatsoever. She let out a heavy breath, “Forget it. Now I also think she probably wouldn’t look favorably upon you.”

Her background was quite ordinary, with no foundation to speak of, but this girl’s professional abilities were certainly not lacking.

On the first day of the workshop’s opening, they had signed a cooperation agreement with Jiang City Collection Museum to restore several cultural artifacts.

If her son could be with her, it would be the Gu family’s good fortune. Even if her son married into her family, it wouldn’t be a loss.

Because her son was involved in running the workshop, Mrs. Gu was experiencing such prestige in front of these big shots for the first time.

The Gu family was in business, and while they appeared glamorous on the surface, compared to the circles these figures moved in, they still fell short.

“I didn’t expect you to have such deep understanding of porcelain firing. Are you preparing to try it yourself? When the time comes, you must include me.” Tu Guangsong’s eyes were full of interest. He had no other hobbies in his daily life besides going to friends’ workshops to make porcelain himself.

Shen Yu smiled, “My painting skills aren’t good enough. I can only try pieces without patterns that don’t require outlining.”

“Wasn’t that fan painted by you?” Tu Guangsong asked in confusion.

“I don’t have that level of skill. I bought it.” Shen Yu said honestly.

Her matter-of-fact tone made all the elders present laugh out loud.

“Young lady Shen Yu, this vase of yours is a fine piece.” Old Master Xu immediately spotted the vase treasured in the Great Qi palace.

Placed on the antique table, paired with autumn-style Chinese floral arrangements and the wall’s patina of age, just looking at it was like stepping into an ancient painting.

The Xu family’s old residence had a similar one in their private museum, passed down from ancestors. They only had one.

“When I first obtained it, I also looked at it carefully for a long time before daring to put it down.” Shen Yu responded accordingly.

Jiang He demonstrated her tea ceremony skills, saying half-jokingly, “Miss Shen’s collection here brings surprises every time I visit. If you have anything you want to sell, please be sure to contact me first. I’d be willing to do it without commission.”

“Alright.” Shen Yu nodded with a smile.

“Don’t forget about me either. Among the collection pieces you exhibited just now, I quite like several of them, especially that filigree jewelry box.” Mr. Zhang also spoke up.

That box would go perfectly with his phoenix crown. The Zhang family’s heirloom treasures could have another addition in the future.

As long as Shen Yu would sell it, he would transfer the money immediately.

“Of course, if I decide to sell anything, I’ll definitely have everyone take a look first.”

Shen Yu painted them a picture first. The items these big shots favored were treasures among treasures. She herself was reluctant to part with them.

That ivory hairpin might be sold, but it would have to wait until after the exhibition.

At noon, Shen Yu set up a table on the pleasure boat, treating these distinguished guests, as well as Fu Xicheng and the others, to dinner.

Yu Xiaosu and Cheng Liang’s teacher Yan Min was also there, arranged to sit beside Professor Li.

Although most of those present were people who valued health maintenance and wouldn’t drink excessively, toasting was still necessary.

In such occasions, Shen Yu felt somewhat at a loss for how to handle things, but fortunately, she had Jiang He and Gu Shaoyu, two people who knew how to speak well.

Everyone enjoyed the dinner thoroughly. And after the dinner, they rested on the lake cruise for a while before dispersing around two o’clock.

Gu Shaoyu personally escorted people to their cars before it was all finished.

“Are you coming back with me, or…” When Old Master Xu was leaving, he looked at Shen Yu and asked Xu Jiayan with meaningful implications.

“I’ll go with Professor Li.” Xu Jiayan’s voice was gentle. “You should head back first.”

How could Old Master Xu not know what his grandson was thinking? If his grandson could win over young lady Shen Yu, he would be delighted too.

Old Master Xu got into his car while Xu Jiayan and Professor Li returned to the workshop.

At this point, no one was coming to the workshop anymore. Only the few of them remained, along with Mrs. Gu.

“Miss Shen, where did you get all those fabrics from before?” She found Shen Yu to inquire.

Shen Yu replied, “I know a friend who weaves this type of traditional fabric. It’s just that her sales channels weren’t good, so I bought everything from her. Master Zuo had also asked me about it, so I put them there to sell.”

This explanation wasn’t wrong either. If there were no problems with Liu Erniang’s situation, she would use fabrics woven by her in the future.

“I see.” Mrs. Gu suddenly understood. “I have many friends who can afford good prices. How about this? When your friend produces good fabrics, we’ll buy them.”

“Of course, we won’t bypass Master Zuo. When you deliver them to Master Zuo’s place, just let me know.”

Mrs. Gu was Master Zuo’s longtime regular customer. Their relationship was there, and she wouldn’t directly buy from Shen Yu just to save a little money in the middle.

“No problem.” Shen Yu agreed.

“Previously, our family’s Gu Yue may have had some misunderstanding with you. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

Mrs. Gu glanced at Xu Jiayan from the corner of her eye. Anyone could see how much Old Master Xu valued Shen Yu.

She was someone who could make Master Jiang come out of retirement, what’s more his two proud disciples had rushed to Jiang City overnight just to deliver a gift.

“That antique restoration matter passed long ago.” Shen Yu really hadn’t taken it to heart.

As long as others didn’t provoke her, she definitely wouldn’t provoke others either.