After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 407 - 398: The So-Called Art Investment

Chapter 407: Chapter 398: The So-Called Art Investment

Shen Yunqing didn’t stay long, leaving in a hurry before Jiang Wenhu returned.

He couldn’t accompany them to Liangchuan this time, but thankfully Jiang Lingxi agreed to take Huzi and Changning along, which put him at ease.

Since he had to stay behind, he’d better take care of the matters in his hands.

That afternoon, at the hotel where Jiang Lingxi and the others had their wrap party, two young applicants came in.

One applied to be a waiter, the other for a security position in the monitoring room.

They were quickly hired due to their good performance.

The investigation proceeded systematically.

When Jiang Wenhu got home from work, she saw an extra suitcase in the living room.

"Did your sister come home?"

"Yeah, she came back this morning, and my brother-in-law arrived right after, but he left after lunch."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenhu reached out and gave her son a light whack on the back of his head.

"Why didn’t you give me a call?"

Jiang Lingxu rubbed his head, already used to the occasional hit, "You said you’re not allowed to have a phone at work, even if I called, you wouldn’t have received it!"

Jiang Wenhu thought and agreed, "Then what did you guys eat for lunch?"

Her son could only make noodles, and her daughter, she didn’t even count on, could it be her son-in-law who cooked?

But her son-in-law didn’t seem like someone who could cook either!

"Brother-in-law brought lunch when he came; my sister specifically arranged it."

Jiang Wenhu: "..."

Rarely visiting for a meal only to bring food, she didn’t know what to say about that.

"Where’s your sister, in the bedroom?"

"Yes, she went to rest in the bedroom after lunch. She must be tired from the recent days and she has to continue filming in Liangchuan tomorrow, today is her only day off."

Jiang Wenhu, who had planned to check on her daughter’s room, hesitated.

"Come, let’s go to the supermarket to buy some ingredients so I can cook a few dishes tonight."

"Wouldn’t it be better to eat out?"

Jiang Wenhu: "..."

This uncooperative son is truly hopeless!

When Jiang Lingxi woke up, Jiang Wenhu had just returned with her son from buying groceries.

"Mom."

"You’re awake," after months without seeing each other, Jiang Wenhu cherished her daughter much more than her son, and immediately took out a bunch of snacks from the shopping bag and placed them on the coffee table, "Have some snacks first."

Then pulled her son, who was trying to slip away, "You go wash the vegetables and peel the garlic."

"This preferential treatment..." Jiang Lingxu mumbled but obediently followed into the kitchen.

Jiang Lingxi chose a box of yogurt, using the small spoon to eat as she wandered to the kitchen door, "Xiao Xu said Dad is getting into investments with someone; Mom, did you know?"

"I know," Jiang Wenhu replied as she worked, "Your dad hasn’t given up on restarting his career. Lately, he’s been very active mingling with that old Liu, going out early and coming home late. I don’t really understand their business, but since he’s not drinking anymore and is using his own savings, I figured I might as well let him."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Jiang Lingxi heard the door open and was just aiming to throw the yogurt carton into the trash when she turned and saw a face glowing with pride.

Jiang Runcheng was genuinely surprised, "Xiaoxi, you’re back."

"Dad," Jiang Lingxi greeted and then looked at the middle-aged man who followed him in.

Noticing his daughter’s gaze, Jiang Runcheng said, "Don’t forget, this is your Uncle Liu, here for a casual meal."

"Hello, Uncle Liu."

Liu Chengyun beamed with a slightly plump, kind face, "Xiaoxi, you’ve really changed a lot, becoming a big star now. If I saw you on the street, I might not recognize you."

Jiang Runcheng immediately showed a modest yet proud demeanor, "Star or no star, at home, she’s still the junior."

Jiang Lingxi smiled, "Just making a living."

Once everyone settled in the living room, being the junior, Jiang Lingxi brewed a pot of tea for them.

Then she casually asked, "Dad, I heard from Mom that you’re investing with Uncle Liu?"

"Yes," Jiang Runcheng nodded, initially intending to say it wasn’t the business of the younger generation, but upon meeting his daughter’s gaze, he suddenly realized she was grown up, "Recently, your Uncle Liu found a new track. After hearing his analysis, I also think it has great potential."

"What track is it?"

Seeing the curiosity in the young lady’s demeanor, Liu Chengyun couldn’t resist rubbing the rim of his teacup, "It’s high-end artwork. A few years ago, this field wasn’t very popular, but now that people are wealthier, they pursue higher quality pursuits. Eating and dressing are no longer sufficient, and above that is art, for its higher elegance."

Seeing Jiang Lingxi’s attentive listening, he continued his enthusiastic discussion, "But art is subjective, at the end of the day, fame correlates with value. The more famous it is, the higher its value, and the more room there is for maneuvering."

He also thought of this girl’s profession, "It’s similar to being a star; nowadays, it’s more about fame than acting skills. Good acting is less valuable than high popularity, which represents market value. Does that make sense, niece?"

Jiang Lingxi smiled and nodded, "So, what Uncle Liu is talking about is enhancing an artwork’s fame to increase its value, investing early and profiting later?"

Liu Chengyun laughed heartily, "Looks like my niece has a flair for business, getting it right away."

Of course, there must be many complexities and even risks involved, but there’s no need to explain that to such a young girl.

Jiang Lingxi didn’t find it novel.

Such things have existed since ancient times.

A truly excellent work of art is priceless.

But the prerequisite is that the piece is genuinely good and not falsely hyped as pseudo-art.

As for today’s guest, Uncle Liu, Jiang Lingxi remained reserved about him.

His view on art was good; indeed, more people now sought this elegance.

But if for profit, one forcibly conjures up a so-called piece of art, that’s somewhat unscrupulous.

"Uncle Liu must already have something promising in mind?"

Old Jiang may have always sought a big comeback financially, but he’s not entirely without sense to just be led on blindly.

Unless this Uncle Liu made him believe this track was definitely feasible.

"It’s calligraphy and paintings," seeing Old Liu chatting endlessly with his daughter while he couldn’t get a word in, Jiang Runcheng finally managed to speak up before Old Liu, taking out his phone and opening the gallery, "Xiaoxi, take a look; these are the calligraphy and paintings, both ancient and modern. They may not be worth much now, but once they gain fame, their value can increase tenfold or a hundredfold."

Liu Chengyun instinctively wanted to stop him; those photos were just hooks for Jiang Runcheng, outsiders shouldn’t know.

Yet, pondering further, he considered that Jiang Lingxi was just a young star; reputedly, after the Jiang family’s bankruptcy, she didn’t even attend college, so her understanding might be limited. She probably wouldn’t grasp much about calligraphy and paintings.

Letting her look wouldn’t hurt.

With that thought, he leisurely sipped his tea.

The tea had been brewed quite well.

Jiang Lingxi accepted Jiang Runcheng’s old, cracked-screen phone, tapped on it, glanced a few times, enlarged the images, and examined them again seriously.

Ultimately, she confirmed she couldn’t appreciate them.

"Were these acquired by you guys?"

Jiang Runcheng waved his hand, "We don’t have that much money; we’re collaborating with art companies and those collectors and artists, splitting the profits later. With the money I have now, I can only take a small share." His tone carried regret.

With investments, the more you put in, the more you can earn. But if you lose, you lose big too.

Given what Old Liu had introduced him to, wasn’t this surely a money-maker!

Liu Chengyun sipped his tea, leaned back against the sofa, exuding confidence and enthusiasm, "Niece, have you heard of Anfeng Art and Culture Company? There’s the Nachuan Private Calligraphy and Painting Museum in the Imperial City that you must know of, right? The esteemed Mr. Zhang Nachuan is the most renowned calligraphy and painting artist of our time. That company was started by his son himself, and in the art commodity world, it’s an absolute leader. Even following your Uncle Liu and your dad just to have a sip of the soup is a rich, flavorful one!"

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

She wondered whether old Mr. Zhang knew about his eldest son’s business dealings.

After all, for a businessman, regardless of whether it’s truly art, drawing benefits from it is what matters.

But with Mr. Zhang’s intolerance for imperfection, if he knew his eldest son was involved in such potentially art-degrading business, would he get so furious as to reincarnate a Buddha?

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