CHAPTER 510: CHAPTER 510: ARE YOU HERE FOR SOMETHING?

The next morning, Xiang Kunshan and his wife arrived at the Bailing Winery.

After mentioning Chen Bin’s name, the staff who received them introduced the salary and benefits.

Overall, it was almost exactly as Chen Bin had described.

With such a good job, the couple naturally didn’t hesitate and signed the labor contract on the spot.

Xiang Chengkang knew that Chen Bin had an ulterior motive, but he was still grateful.

Because both his son and daughter-in-law were rather unremarkable, usually just loafing around at home.

Now that the jobs for both of them were settled, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

A few days later, Xiang Chengkang personally went to Chen Bin’s office.

"Chen Tai, are you busy?"

As he spoke, he smiled, his tone extremely polite.

"Not busy, please sit down."

Chen Bin immediately poured a cup of water for Xiang Chengkang, who accepted it with both hands.

"I know about the jobs you introduced for my son and daughter-in-law. You helped me a lot. Thank you."

"Xiang Tai, we’re colleagues, there’s no need to be so polite. Besides, Bailing Winery is a state-owned enterprise. As long as they do their work well, promotions and raises are not a dream."

"I understand this, they will definitely do their work well."

At this point, Xiang Chengkang paused noticeably.

Then he continued, "About what I did to you before..."

Chen Bin waved his hand and smiled in response.

"Let bygones be bygones. Xiang Tai, at your age, surely sees work and life clearly and won’t entangle yourself in meaningless conflicts, right?"

Nodding repeatedly, Xiang Chengkang remarked appreciatively.

"You’re right, I won’t make any statements now. We’ll see each other in the future through our actions."

The reason he previously opposed Chen Bin was just that he felt unbalanced seeing someone so young as a director.

Now thinking it over, if he brought Chen Bin down, the one who would rise would only be Jiao Jikai.

Since there was no benefit in it for him, he might as well build a good relationship with the resourceful Chen Bin.

After all, Jiao Jikai has a foul temper; trying to cozy up to him might only backfire.

Just after Xiang Chengkang left, Chen Bin called Ma Juan.

"Honey, are you busy? I have something I want to ask your help with."

"What is it?"

Ma Juan’s business was getting bigger and busier.

But she was always willing to spend time for Chen Bin.

"Have you heard of Yue Kongliang, Mr. Yue?"

"I’ve heard of him. Isn’t he famed as the most outstanding artist in the past three hundred years? Many of my business friends love his work. It’s just a pity that I’m not interested in antiques. Why are you asking about him?"

"As you know, I’ve just been made acting director. That executive vice director thinks I’m too young and has a grudge. He’s very fond of Mr. Yue’s work. I want to get a piece to gift him and build a relationship, then deal with him later."

"I see, so you want me to help you buy a piece?"

"Yes, I’ve heard that the vice director really likes Mr. Yue’s ’Awakened Lion’ painting. Could you look into who’s willing to sell it?"

"No problem, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can."

After hanging up, Ma Juan immediately sent someone to inquire about the whereabouts and price of the ’Awakened Lion.’

Three days later, she got the news that the ’Awakened Lion’ was in the hands of a collector.

Since Mr. Yue’s paintings have recently been in high demand, their prices have also soared in the past two years.

The ’Awakened Lion’ was his final masterpiece, and its price was naturally very high.

The collector stated that he wouldn’t consider selling the ’Awakened Lion’ for less than fifty million.

Upon receiving this news, Chen Bin frowned immediately.

Spending a million or two was something he could bear, but fifty million was simply outrageous.

Jiao Jikai was merely a small provincial TV station deputy director and was not worth such an expense.

After thinking it over, Chen Bin asked Ma Juan again.

To find out if there were any masters of forgery, he would pay a high price for a copy.

Ma Juan happened to have a friend who knew someone in this business.

This expert was in the Imperial Capital and was extremely renowned in the art of forgery.

His work could even pass for the real thing, and ordinary experts couldn’t tell the difference.

The best part was, the other party’s price wasn’t high, only fifty thousand to create the piece.

Chen Bin expressed his immediate interest in having a fake ’Awakened Lion’ made.

After paying a deposit of ten thousand, the work was completed in half a month.

Upon receiving the painting, Chen Bin transferred the remaining forty thousand to Ma Juan, asking her to handle the payment.

Opening the scroll, a vivid and majestic lion was depicted, very impressive and striking.

Chen Bin couldn’t help but marvel in his heart.

The fifty thousand painting was quite satisfactory; after all, it’s just a painting, so why spend fifty million on the original?

The evening before the National Day holiday, Chen Bin visited Jiao Jikai’s home.

Jiao Jikai was very surprised by his unexpected visit.

Although the two had rivaled openly and secretly within the station for a long time, Jiao Jikai maintained a somewhat hospitable demeanor, as guests were still guests.

After inviting Chen Bin to sit, he asked, "Chen Tai, is there something you need?"

"I heard Jiao Tai loves calligraphy and painting and has depth in this area. I wanted to come by and have a discussion with you."

"Chen Tai flatters me. I just like them, it’s not deep at all. By the way, does Chen Tai have related calligraphy and painting collections?"

"Of course, but I’m just starting, so I’m not very knowledgeable. I recently acquired a painting and wanted Jiao Tai to take a look."

At this, Jiao Jikai’s eyes lit up.

"Whose work might it be?"

Chen Bin took the painting out of the brocade box, smiling as he replied.

"If Jiao Tai truly loves art, you will definitely know whose work this is."

Unfolding the scroll, Jiao Jikai was immediately stunned.

He seemed completely dumbfounded, staring at the scroll with no reaction.

Seeing this, Chen Bin felt a surge of joy in his heart.

"Jiao Tai, is this painting authentic?"

"Wait a moment."

As he spoke, Jiao Jikai quickly grabbed a magnifying glass from the tea table, carefully examining the painting he had longed for.

While he examined it, Chen Bin held his breath, worried the ruse might be discovered.

After quite a while, until Chen Bin’s arms grew tired, Jiao Jikai finally nodded seriously.

"It’s genuine, this ’Awakened Lion’ is undoubtedly an authentic painting!"

Jiao Jikai had been collecting paintings since he was thirty, and over the past twenty years, he prided himself on being an expert in this field.

The ’Awakened Lion’ was his most coveted piece and he knew many of its obscure details.

From his expertise, this ’Awakened Lion’ was unmistakably authentic.

"Chen Tai, where did you get this painting from?"

"It was a gift from a friend."

"Such a precious painting, just given like that. It seems you and this friend are very close."

Saying this, Jiao Jikai was filled with envy.

If only he had such a friend, how wonderful it would be!

"This friend is well-off. A while ago, he accidentally fell into the water, and I saved him. So he gave me this painting. Unfortunately, I don’t really understand art. Knowing that Jiao Tai is an expert, I made this bold visit."

"Do you know how much he paid for this painting?"

"Well... I was too embarrassed to ask directly, but I did find out indirectly, it was around fifty-five million."

Nodding, Jiao Jikai became even more convinced of his judgment.

"An authentic piece would indeed be in that price range."

As he continued speaking, his eyes remained fixated on the painting.

Seeing the timing was right, Chen Bin suddenly asked.

"Jiao Tai, do you like this ’Awakened Lion’?"