Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Sixty Million in Hand

Momentarily, Zhuang Yan’s doubts about Lin Yi’s antique knowledge vanished, replaced by admiration.

Through their conversation just now, he realized that Lin Yi’s appraisal skills definitely surpassed Elder Wang’s!

To have such insight at a young age, what a talent!

However, Empress Dowager Ye, listening nearby, didn’t understand their conversation at all and wasn’t very concerned. She did catch one thing: the painting her son bought for 250 yuan might be worth quite a bit!

And Zhuang Yan’s next words instantly petrified Empress Dowager Ye.

“Oh, my eyesight is still lacking. Such a treasure entered my Xuanrui Studio only to be turned away. Haha, if word got out, my studio would be disgraced. By the way, Brother Lin, do you have any intention of selling this treasure?”

At this point, Zhuang Yan pondered briefly before continuing:

“Even though I’m not as adept at verifying authenticity, I do have some market insight. Here’s the deal, Brother Lin, I’ll offer you sixty million. If you agree, we can transfer the money now!”

Sss…

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi and Elder Wang showed no particular reaction, but Empress Dowager Ye and Father Lin audibly gasped.

How is this possible? A painting just bought for 250 yuan, now there’s someone willing to spend sixty million to buy it!

It wasn’t that Empress Dowager Ye was making a fuss; this situation was simply too hard for her to accept.

After all, to Empress Dowager Ye and her family, sixty million was an unimaginably distant number.

It’s like the little goals of Wang Shoufu back in the day; perhaps they were nothing to him, but for ordinary folks, that was unimaginable wealth.

Such as now, Empress Dowager Ye could never have imagined that a painting she deemed quite shabby could sell for a fortune she’d never earn in several lifetimes–how could she not be shocked?

Yet, facing such an astronomical figure, her son remained calm, as if he didn’t care at all.

In that moment, Empress Dowager Ye, looking at her slightly naive son’s profile, felt she hardly knew him anymore. Was this boy, handling sixty million as if it were nothing, still her mischievous little boy?

Instantly, Empress Dowager Ye felt her son had grown up; the one who constantly teased her had truly grown up.

Thinking about this, Empress Dowager Ye felt a little forlorn. Although she always said she wanted her son to grow up quickly, now that the day had come, she felt somewhat empty.

Her son had grown up and gained abilities; would he still tease her as before? Would he still spend all day with her like before?

Beside her, Lin Jianguo seemed to perceive his wife’s inner change, silently holding her hand as if to tell Empress Dowager Ye that children will eventually leave the nest, but I will always be by your side.

To be honest, after experiencing the multimillion tea leaves event yesterday, Lin Jianguo’s acceptance was clearly beyond what Empress Dowager Ye could handle.

Feeling the warmth from her husband’s palm, Empress Dowager Ye’s melancholy slowly improved. Gripping her husband’s hand, she quietly sniffed.

Then, just as Lin Jianguo was preparing to whisper some comforting words to his wife, Empress Dowager Ye abruptly tossed Lin Jianguo’s hand aside with disdain…

For a moment, Lin Jianguo was at a loss, but seeing his wife like this, he breathed a sigh of relief–this was more like it. The earlier Empress Dowager Ye seemed too abnormal.

Seeing his wife was okay, Lin Jianguo redirected his focus back to the dialogue between Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan in front.

“Since Brother Zhuang likes it, I don’t have much to say. As for the price, Brother Zhuang, you can decide.”

Lin Yi didn’t know the painting’s exact value but thought Zhuang Yan probably wouldn’t deceive him.

Firstly, his demonstrated appraisal skills were very high, so the counterpart would surely not think someone able to identify Tang Bohu’s paintings wouldn’t know the painting’s value.

Secondly, Lin Yi could sense the counterpart’s intention for long-term cooperation, considering this was their third transaction.

“Haha, Brother Lin, straightforward as always. Let’s settle it–sixty million. Give me your account number, and I’ll transfer it right away.”

Just as Lin Yi guessed, Zhuang Yan was now very optimistic about Lin Yi, yet couldn’t grasp Lin Yi’s background, unsure how many secrets this young man held.

In summary, regardless of the purpose, Zhuang Yan wouldn’t jeopardize his relationship with Lin Yi over small profits.

Realizing that a sixty-million business deal was sealed with a few words, Empress Dowager Ye felt a bit sentimental, while also understanding the meaning behind her husband’s words that her son’s future was nothing to worry about.

Just when Empress Dowager Ye felt proud of her son’s abilities at such a young age, yet concerned he might stray due to youthful success.

Her son turned to her with a proud smile, winking as if to say, “How about it, Empress Dowager? Isn’t your son impressive? Come on, praise me!”

Seeing Lin Yi’s cheeky demeanor, Empress Dowager Ye’s worries suddenly vanished; her son hadn’t changed, still just as annoying.

“Mom, give Brother Zhuang the card number for the new bank card Dad got yesterday.”

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Ye was momentarily caught off guard, questioning with some confusion:

“Why use your dad’s card number?”

Looking at his mom’s puzzled look, Lin Yi helplessly clicked his tongue:

“My bank card isn’t VIP yet; a single transfer of sixty million can be a hassle later when withdrawing money. Dad’s card is different; he got a platinum card directly yesterday.”

Hearing her son’s words, Empress Dowager Ye finally realized and quickly took out the silver bank card from her backpack to hand over to her son.

In this age of information, things are truly convenient. Even for colossal transactions like sixty million, Zhuang Yan only needed to make a call to the bank, and it was credited within three minutes.

Looking at the long string of numbers on the bank confirmation message on the phone screen, Empress Dowager Ye and Lin Jianguo exchanged glances, both helplessly laughing.

Seeing his parents like this, Lin Yi felt quite happy; nearly a billion in earnings these past two days would serve well for their retirement!

[To be continued…]