422: Chapter 422 Half-finished product

Shen Yan shook his head and said, "Before, I didn't want Youyou to be too far from home, so all the kindergartens I looked for were in this vicinity."

"Now it seems, we really need to find a kindergarten that meets the standards in all aspects."

Shen Ya wholeheartedly agreed.

"Exactly. There's no way we can let those uncultured people be around us again."

"But you are very busy right now. Why don't you leave this matter to me?"

Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Can you handle it?"

Shen Ya made a 'tsk' sound and said, "Are you doubting my ability?"

Shen Yan found it amusing and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"That's not what I meant. It's just that this isn't really your area of expertise. If you can't manage it, I'll have my Employees help me find a few places with better conditions."

Shen Ya shook her head.

"Forget it. Didn't you find this kindergarten in the first place?"

"Don't worry, I can definitely handle this matter well. Youyou must attend the best kindergarten!"

Youyou, standing nearby, had no idea that Shen Yan and Shen Ya were planning to send her to an elite international kindergarten. She was still watching cartoons.

Seeing how carefree Youyou was, Shen Yan and Shen Ya exchanged a look, both smiling as they walked over to Youyou and laughed along with her.

The next day.

As soon as Shen Yan woke up, he received a message from Chen Guangke.

He said Old Wang was ready and asked him to contact the specialized appraisers after waking up to go to Old Wang's house to appraise the painting.

To save time, he contacted the appraisers before leaving, asking them to wait for him at Old Wang's house in advance.

Half an hour later.

He drove to Old Wang's doorstep.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Creak..."

The door opened.

Chen Guangke, the appraisers, and Old Wang were all inside the room.

After Shen Yan greeted them, he asked Old Wang to bring out the painting.

Soon, the appraisers began their work.

Old Wang rarely saw such a grand occasion, and he stood nervously to the side, rubbing his hands.

"Um... uh, roughly how long will it take? I might need to go to the hospital again later?"

Hearing Old Wang's question, Shen Yan glanced at the appraisers and roughly estimated, "It should take at least half an hour."

Old Wang nodded. "Oh, then that's fine..."

As soon as the words fell.

The room fell silent again.

Just as the atmosphere began to become somewhat awkward, Shen Yan took the initiative to start a conversation. He asked Old Wang, "Do you have any price requirements?"

Old Wang didn't react immediately.

After a moment of stunned silence, he lowered his head and tentatively asked, "How much... how much are you planning to offer?"

Shen Yan turned to look at Chen Guangke.

Chen Guangke took the initiative to reply, "Our budget is within eight figures."

Old Wang gasped.

"Hiss... Is that so? Then... then how about five million?"

Although he knew his ancestral painting was valuable, he had no real concept of just how valuable it was.

Because the deceased elders in his family had forbidden them from harboring any thoughts about the ancestral treasures, he had never researched the relevant information.

If it weren't for the continuous misfortunes the family had faced in recent years, coupled with Chen Guangke suddenly inquiring about the matter, he wouldn't have considered selling the ancestral calligraphy and painting.

Thinking of this, a sense of sorrow welled up in his heart.

In the end, it was only because the younger generations in their family were too disappointing that they were reduced to the point of needing to sell ancestral treasures.

Just as his emotions dipped low, Shen Yan spoke.

"Although I'm not very familiar with the market for this either, five million is indeed a bit low. How about this, is seven million acceptable?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Old Wang looked up, his eyes wide.

"Sev-sev-seven million?!"

Shen Yan smiled. "That's right, seven million. Is that okay?"

Old Wang nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"Of course it is... You... you are truly a great person!"

Shen Yan gave Chen Guangke a helpless look.

Chen Guangke burst out laughing, threw an arm around Old Wang's shoulder, and said, "Alright, let's wait for the appraisal results first."

Old Wang nodded vigorously.

Forty minutes later.

The appraisers finally produced the results.

They walked up to Shen Yan and told him, "It is authentic, no mistake. It should be a draft left behind by Mr. Li."

Hearing this, Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.

"A draft?"

The appraiser nodded.

"If there's no surprise, this painting should be a half-finished piece."

Old Wang shot up from his chair with a 'whoosh'.

"A half-finished piece?! How could it be a half-finished piece? Doesn't it look quite well-painted?"

The appraiser patiently explained, "We have seen quite a few of Mr. Li's genuine works before. According to his preference in painting, he should favor layered painting."

"This painting only uses three layers of overlay... This does not match his usual painting habits, so this should be a draft work."

Old Wang slumped back onto the sofa.

He knew for certain the painting was genuine.

But he hadn't expected it to be a half-finished piece.

After all, the price difference between a half-finished piece and a completed work was definitely huge.

Moreover, he didn't know if anyone would collect a half-finished piece.

Just as he started overthinking, Shen Yan's voice sounded beside him.

"Good. Then, as we agreed beforehand, I will purchase this painting for seven million."

As the words fell.

Old Wang's heart rate instantly accelerated.

In just a few seconds, his emotions swung wildly.

For a moment, he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"I... you... this..."

Chen Guangke walked over to him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Alright, alright, don't get too excited. Take a breath before you speak."

Two minutes later.

Old Wang, with teary eyes, asked the two of them, "Are you really planning to buy this half-finished piece in my hands for seven million?"

Shen Yan nodded.

"Regardless of whether it is a half-finished piece or a completed work, it is still Mr. Li's genuine work. I believe my friend will like this piece."

Hearing this, Old Wang's eyes became even redder.

"Thank you... To be honest, I am indeed short on money right now. I..."

Chen Guangke couldn't stand it anymore.

He patted Old Wang's shoulder and said, "That's enough. Regardless of anything else, we've been classmates since we were little. We don't need to say much; it's all understood between us."

Old Wang nodded vigorously.

After the appraisers left.

Shen Yan signed the sales contract with Old Wang.

"The money will arrive in a week. I'll take this painting with me now."

Hearing this, Old Wang quickly nodded.

"Take it, take it! I trust you both!"

After finishing the matter, Shen Yan did not stay at Old Wang's place any longer.

After the two left, Shen Yan didn't rush to get into the car but called Chen Guangke into his own vehicle.

"What is it?"

Shen Yan said to Chen Guangke, "I need you to help me with something."

Chen Guangke raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you just say a couple of days ago that you'd give me a break?"