142: Landscape Painting

Lei Jun leaned back relaxedly into the large, soft sofa in the living room and let out a soft sigh.

Her body was somewhat tired, but her spirit felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

"It finally looks a bit like a 'home'."

She looked around the space, which had been filled with more of the breath of life in a short time, and nodded with satisfaction.

Having moved into a new home, she was very happy.

After the happiness, her hands felt itchy again; she wanted to spend money.

She looked up at the few people beside her.

"Now that we're done, I suddenly want to spend money again. Give me an idea; are there any items worth consuming?"

Su Qing was stunned for a moment and shook her head, saying, "I usually just like to visit the supermarket to buy ingredients; there's nothing special I want to spend big money on."

Su Ya also waved her hand: "I just love organizing things. Does buying storage boxes count?"

Lei Yue also shook her head, indicating she didn't know.

Just then, the consistently steady and taciturn Lei Ying pondered for a moment and spoke up.

"Miss, why not try collecting antiques? As the old saying goes, 'Antiques in prosperous times, gold in troubled times.' In the current environment, good antiques can not only preserve value but also appreciate."

"Moreover, antiques have a sense of age, and placing them in the home also shows style; they aren't as monotonous as ordinary ornaments. If you like them, you can slowly study the history behind them, which counts as another interest."

Lei Jun's eyes lit up.

Collecting antiques?

This idea was indeed good.

Before, she had always bought things like jewelry and luxury cars whose value could be seen at a glance. She really hadn't tried objects like antiques that required careful appreciation.

And Lei Ying was right; good antiques have both collection value and can add a bit of cultural atmosphere to the new home, making them much more interesting than simply buying luxury goods.

"Alright, let's go look at antiques," she decided immediately. "Are there any high-end auctions tonight?"

Lei Ying immediately took out her phone to check and soon looked up: "The Modu International Auction Center has a preview tonight, and the official auction is tomorrow. There are many Ming and Qing porcelains as well as modern and contemporary paintings and calligraphy being auctioned this time; the specifications are very high."

Lei Jun went to the walk-in closet and chose a deep purple velvet long dress.

The neckline had hand-embroidered silver thread patterns, and the skirt had an excellent drape, appearing both low-key and powerful.

For accessories, she still chose that familiar set of jewelry: she put the paraiba tourmaline bracelet on her left wrist.

She hung the "star river dreamscape" diamond earrings on her ears.

Finally, she put on the "star of the ocean" sapphire necklace.

When she walked out of the closet, Su Qing and Su Ya were both dazed.

Su Qing subconsciously sighed: "Miss Lei, you look too beautiful in this outfit, like a female lead in a movie."

Lei Jun smiled and picked up her handbag: "Let's go, to the auction center."

The car stopped at the entrance of the Modu International Auction Center. As soon as Lei Jun got out, the receptionist's eyes went straight.

Several wealthy people queuing for entry also looked sideways, and some couldn't help but whisper.

"Whose daughter is this? That jewelry looks anything but cheap, especially that sapphire necklace—it couldn't be the legendary 'star of the ocean', could it?"

"I saw a similar paraíba tourmaline at a Swiss jewelry show; the quoted price then was nearly fifty million, and she's actually wearing it on her hand?"

"This temperament is just too amazing, more dazzling than those celebrities. Could she be the heir to some invisible wealthy family?"

"Look at the Bodyguard beside her; the standing posture is so standard, you can tell at a glance they're professional. This entourage is quite extraordinary."

"It's over. I deliberately wore a jade bracelet today, but compared to her, it's like I bought it at a roadside stall."

"She wouldn't be here to bid on that Qianlong famille-rose vase, would she? I heard that's the most watched item at the preview tonight."

"Regardless of what she's bidding on, with her here, she'll definitely be the focus tonight. Everyone else has become background noise."

Lei Jun ignored these discussions and followed the receptionist into the preview hall.

The hall was brightly lit, with various antiques displayed in glass cases.

There were Song Dynasty porcelain bowls with warm glazes, exquisitely carved Qing Dynasty jade pieces, and finely mounted modern paintings and calligraphy.

Lei Ying followed beside her, introducing information about the key auction items in a low voice.

When they reached the painting and calligraphy exhibition area, Lei Jun suddenly stopped in front of a painting.

It was Fu Baoshi's "landscape painting." The mountain peaks in the painting were shaded with ink-wash techniques, and amidst the swirling clouds and mist, one could vaguely see thatched huts and streams in the mountains. The brushstrokes were free-spirited yet delicate; the entire scene had both momentum and a sense of spiritual aura.

She stared at the painting for a long time, feeling inexplicably calm in her heart.

It was as if she could feel the artist's state of mind during creation through the painting.

This feeling of being attracted by an artwork was something she had never experienced when buying jewelry or luxury cars before.

"Miss, do you like this painting?" A voice suddenly came from the side.

Lei Jun turned and saw an elderly man with white hair but high spirits. He wore a Chinese-style buttoned shirt, held a folding fan, and had a gentle yet somewhat searching gaze.

She nodded: "Yes, it's very comfortable to look at."

The old man smiled and pointed at the painting, asking: "Then where do you think the beauty of this painting lies? Fu Baoshi's 'Baoshi texture' is unique in the art world. Can you see any of the skill involved?"

Lei Jun paused and answered honestly: "I don't know much about painting techniques; I just feel that the mountains and clouds in this painting seem alive, and looking at it makes my heart feel peaceful. As for where it's good specifically, I can't really say."

She didn't intend to pretend to understand; liking it was liking it, and there was no need to force professional terminology.

Hearing this, the old man's eyes lit up instead: "Rare, rare indeed. Nowadays, many people look at paintings only for the name and the price. Someone like you who can simply feel the artistic conception in the painting is not often seen."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand the techniques; being able to feel the artist's heart is the true essence of looking at a painting."

He sized up Lei Jun with interest, his gaze briefly lingering on the several pieces of priceless jewelry on her, but he didn't pay them much attention. Instead, he focused more on her temperament and her honest statement just now.

"This old man's surname is Mo, Mo Shouzhuo. I can barely be considered an old apprentice in calligraphy and painting. May I ask how to address you, Miss?"

The elderly man before her, calling himself Mo Shouzhuo, had an elegant temperament with clear and wise eyes, giving Lei Jun a feeling different from ordinary merchants or collectors.

His appreciation for her admission of ignorance also made her feel a bit surprised, but she wasn't repelled by it.

She could feel that the other party was someone truly immersed in art itself, rather than just focusing on its market value.

"My surname is Lei, Lei Jun." She nodded slightly and gave her name with a neither humble nor arrogant attitude.

"So it is Miss Lei." Elder Mo nodded, seemingly not showing too much association with the surname. His attention quickly returned to the painting.

"It is truly rare for Miss Lei to have such intuition. Since we are fated, if Miss Lei doesn't find this old man's wordiness tiresome, I can briefly explain the wonders of this 'landscape painting' to you."

Lei Jun nodded.

Elder Mo pointed at the artwork, his voice peaceful like that of a patient mentor: "Mr. Fu Baoshi's original 'Baoshi texture'—look at the texture of these rocks. It's not traditional outlining and filling with color, but rather using scattered brush tips and random strokes, boldly splashing ink in one go."