Chapter 40
After viewing the auction items at the preview exhibition, Shen You prepared to select several specialized auctions that interested her. She decided to skip the porcelain auction on the first morning since the overall quality of items in her own collection was superior. She would go directly to the afternoon session.
The two-day preview process passed quickly, and before long, the formal Xi Lu Study autumn auction officially began.
Shen You had ample time, and so ate lunch at home. Then she changed into a light blue mermaid-style qipao with a white shawl, simply pinning up her hair. Rather than choosing an expensive jade hairpin, she opted for a simple silver one and carried a matching floral hand-embroidered bag.
When she arrived at the study, the sky was overcast. The autumn breeze carried a hint of coolness, and osmanthus flowers had fallen all over the ground. Combined with the surrounding Chinese-style architecture, the atmosphere was perfect.
As she walked toward the entrance, she inadvertently met a pair of dark black eyes. The figure was wearing a black suit with a lean and upright posture.
“Why are you here too?” Shen You couldn’t help but ask.
Wen Zhi lazily lifted his gaze, his smile captivating as he replied, “Oh, this used to be my home.”
Shen You: ???
She had heard that this estate was privately owned but never expected it to be his home.
“Who is this young lady?” A female voice asked from behind.
A young woman with excellent temperament approached and stood alongside Wen Zhi, her gaze falling on Shen You while her smile faintly revealed a hint of rejection.
“You’re being too nosy.” Wen Zhi’s brow furrowed slightly, his tone distant.
The woman was instantly silenced by his emotionless gaze but remained unwilling to give up. He had never acted this way before. Previously, when she used such subtle methods, he treated everyone the same, as if he didn’t care about anyone. She had worked here for so long but couldn’t get close to him. What made this woman so special?
“You two talk.” Shen You said, seeing their interaction and indicating she wouldn’t get involved. She started walking inside.
Wen Zhi changed direction and walked beside her, asking, “Shall we go in together?”
“Are you also participating in the auction?” Shen You looked up at him.
“I suddenly felt like taking a look.” Wen Zhi’s thin lips curved upward. Then thinking about what had just happened, he began to explain: “Tu Yan is a professional manager responsible for managing Xi Lu Study. These ancient buildings can’t be rebuilt, nor can the original structure be damaged. This type of old wooden architecture isn’t comfortable for living, but the estate needs maintenance even when uninhabited. Since I don’t have time to manage it, I hired someone to handle it.”
Tu Yan had managed Xi Lu Study for three years and received substantial commissions. However she now wanted to interfere in his personal affairs. There was no need for future cooperation with people without boundaries, what’s more replacing a manager wasn’t a major issue.
Listening to this, Shen You bit her back teeth and said, “So you’re saying that part of the high commission I paid went to you.”
Wen Zhi looked at her seriously and replied, “It’s fine – your shop’s prices aren’t low either.”
While speaking, they had already reached the entrance to the auction hall. The auction was taking place on a pavilion over water, with people raising their paddles below and two separate private boxes on the second floor.
Jiang He was coordinating the process and arranging matters for the private boxes, so she directed someone to escort Shen You to her seat. And seeing Wen Zhi’s exceptionally handsome face, even the busy Jiang He’s eyes flashed with amazement.
The moment these two appeared together, both the story and atmosphere were complete. Was this the person behind Shen You? No, from the looks of it, Shen You seemed more like the person behind him. Especially when Shen You sat down and began playing with her prayer beads while glancing at Wen Zhi beside her, she gave off the aura of a wealthy boss.
“Is the girl who brought out the Ru kiln porcelain also here?” In the private box, an elderly man in understated Tang-style clothing set down his tea bowl.
Xu Jiayan, sitting on the other side of the square table, glanced at the chat on his phone and said, “She just arrived. Should I bring her over to greet you?”
“I heard her professional level in restoring cultural artifacts is also quite good.” Elder Xu smiled. “Have her come over.”
After all, this was someone his grandson had mentioned himself, so he should give this face.
“Alright.” Xu Jiayan nodded happily.
When Shen You received Xu Jiayan’s message, although she wasn’t skilled at handling such greeting situations, she had vaguely learned over the past two days that Xu Jiayan’s grandfather had extraordinary influence. Among those present, many people wanted to greet him but couldn’t even enter that private box.
If she didn’t go, it would be somewhat ungrateful. A person of this caliber wouldn’t lower himself to argue with her, but if she offended him, it wouldn’t benefit her future development.
“I have something to attend to.” Shen You told Wen Zhi then walked towards the private box area.
Xu Jiayan came out to meet her and noticed that there was another person at that table, whose profile revealed an invisible sense of pressure about him. He wasn’t like an ordinary person – this feeling he had only experienced with the high-ranking elders in his family.
“Did you come with someone?” Xu Jiayan asked casually.
Shen You replied, “Mm, sort of.”
As if sensing the attention from this direction, Wen Zhi turned his head sideways, glancing at Shen You and Xu Jiayan, his slender fingers slightly positioned while his face showed no expression.
When Shen You followed Xu Jiayan to the second-floor private box, this scene fell into Gu Yue’s eyes at another table, making her quite unhappy. She had inquired and learned that Shen You had merely inherited an antique shop from a relative.
Besides that, her family had no particular background. If the other party’s family background was better than hers, she wouldn’t say anything, but girls from such ordinary backgrounds were everywhere on the street.
Xu Jiayan hadn’t even thought to bring her and Gu Shaoyu to make introductions, yet he specifically brought Shen You! How could she feel comfortable about this?
“Hello, Elder Xu.” Shen You mustered all her energy and smiled politely in greeting.
“You don’t need to be nervous – the elder just looks stern.” Xu Jiayan whispered, but his words were clearly also meant for Elder Xu to hear.
Elder Xu glanced at his grandson and knowingly shifted his gaze to Shen You. The young lady seemed quite nice, with sincerity in her eyes, much better than those people downstairs who opened with flattery.
Moreover, she was willing to donate even Ru kiln pieces, showing her character was also good.
“Jiayan is right. I’m also acquainted with Old Li, and he mentioned you just a few days ago. Don’t stand, come sit.” The elder said kindly.
Shen You sat down and discovered that the elder also loved porcelain, so they chatted about various topics, from Ru kiln and Jun kiln to sweet white glaze.
“The young lady prefers sweet white glaze, while I still favor Jun kiln more.” The elder said.
Among the people the elder usually associated with, quite a few understood these things, but there weren’t many young people who not only appreciated porcelain but also understood porcelain-making techniques. Therefore, their conversation became increasingly enjoyable.
“Girl, don’t you still have some fine porcelain pieces?” The elder, having held high positions in the past, had seen all kinds of people, and younger generation’s thoughts couldn’t hide from him.
“I do have several pieces worth selling, but I didn’t include them in this auction.” Shen You automatically omitted mention of those she couldn’t sell.
“I heard that except for a pair of porcelain bowls, there wasn’t anything particularly outstanding in the morning session, so I didn’t attend.” The elder said with a smile. “When you’re ready to bring out those fine pieces in the future, don’t forget to call Grandpa Xu.”