Chapter 101: Minding the Shop

This amateur painter surnamed Zhang really brought Chen Feng a big surprise. Among the more than one hundred paintings he brought, there were actually two more that he had a connection with. One of them was not even mounted.

Chen Feng still offered 50,000 yuan for each, and the other party agreed without even thinking. And he still had a surprised expression as if he had won the lottery.

Seeing him like this, Chen Feng felt a little embarrassed. In the end, he bought an extra one of his works. Although this one had no connection, Chen Feng still spent another 50,000 yuan.

A total of 4 paintings for 200,000 yuan. Three of them had a connection.

For Chen Feng, it was really a bargain, a great profit. He was very happy.

And this painter surnamed Zhang, who had been taken advantage of, was also very happy.

It could be said that everyone was happy.

With three more paintings that he could absorb in his hands, Chen Feng felt much more at ease.

More importantly, after these few days of absorption, Chen Feng felt that his body had been very healthy.

Healthier than before, refreshed and invigorated.

This seemingly intuitive feeling was not his illusion or self-imagination, but a real existence.

And this was the main reason why Chen Feng wanted to open this shop and acquire these calligraphy and painting works.

But after buying three paintings with a connection at once this time, his good luck seemed to have suddenly turned a little worse.

For three consecutive days, he didn’t receive a single one, and the number of people coming to sell paintings also began to slowly decrease.

In the previous few days, at least a dozen people would come every day, but in these three days, at most, only five or six people came each day.

Chen Feng could only sit in the shop bored, scrolling through his phone.

This made Chen Feng suddenly feel as if he was tied down by this shop.

However, there was nothing he could do about it.

Only he himself knew what kind of paintings to buy, and he couldn’t entrust it to others.

After these few days of continuous consumption, he now only had one painting left to absorb. With not much stock left, Chen Feng could only continue to stay in the shop and mind the shop honestly. It felt like waiting for a rabbit to bump into a tree.

On this day, Chen Feng was sitting in the shop feeling a little depressed, when Lin Wan and Wu Mengting suddenly walked in.

“Brother Feng, is it really you!?”

Lin Wan looked astonished.

Wu Mengting also had a look of curiosity and surprise on her face.

“Why are you guys here?”

Chen Feng asked back curiously.

He hadn’t told them about opening this shop. There was no need.

Lin Wan explained, “Yesterday afternoon when I was driving by, I vaguely saw you sitting in this shop. I thought I had seen wrong. Today, I happened to be walking by with Tiantian, so I came to see. And it really is you.”

Only then did Chen Feng nod in realization. “So that’s how it is. Since you’re here, just sit wherever you like. If you want water, go get it from the water dispenser.”

Both Lin Wan and Wu Mengting looked around the shop curiously. Lin Wan, in particular, was not at all reserved. After looking around the front, she went directly to the back to have a look.

Wu Mengting didn’t follow her in. She smiled at Chen Feng a little embarrassedly and then asked, “Why did you suddenly think of opening an art shop?”

Chen Feng explained briefly, “Mainly out of interest. Secondly, I feel that opening such a shop shouldn’t be a loss.”

Wu Mengting shook her head slightly. “I told you before, the art trade is very deep. If you don’t know the business, you could really get scammed.”

Chen Feng smiled and said, “You should have seen the sign at the door. I mainly collect modern artworks. Those artists are basically still alive, so their works are generally not expensive. Even if I get scammed, it won’t be by much.

Besides, I have confidence in the future art market. For example, if I collect 10 artworks, even if half of them are junk, as long as half, or even just one-third, are fine works, I won’t lose money in the future. If I find a hidden gem, and it happens to be one that appreciates by ten or even dozens of times in the future, it’s possible.”

What Chen Feng said was not a lie.

After hearing this, Wu Mengting thought for a moment and then nodded. “Maybe you’re right. However, I still suggest you hire an expert to oversee things.”

Lin Wan also came out from the back at this time and asked curiously, “Are you all alone? You didn’t hire anyone to mind the shop?”

Chen Feng nodded. “Yes, not for now.”

“Is it necessary for a big boss like you to mind the shop yourself?” Lin Wan expressed her confusion.

Chen Feng shook his head nonchalantly. “My business now is art recovery. Transactions can be worth tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions. Can I just casually entrust it to someone else?”

Lin Wan thought for a moment and then nodded in understanding.

Wu Mengting said, “You can hire someone to mind the shop. When a customer comes, they can first keep them here, entertain them a bit, and then notify you. Otherwise, you’ll be tied down by this shop in the future, unable to leave even for a step.”

After thinking for a moment, Chen Feng nodded. “That’s true. I should indeed find someone to help mind the shop.”

Lin Wan’s eyes rolled, and she immediately recommended herself. “How about I help you mind the shop? It doesn’t have to be much, just eight thousand a month.”

Chen Feng and Wu Mengting both rolled their eyes at her.

Lin Wan giggled. “Then how about five thousand? Five thousand really isn’t high.”

“Then what about your live streaming?” Chen Feng asked.

“That’s easy. If you agree, I can live stream in the shop while helping you mind the shop. At the same time, I can also promote your shop in the live stream every day. It’ll be somewhat useful. If you don’t allow me to live stream in the shop, that’s fine too. At most, I’ll just do it at night when I get back.”

It had to be said, Lin Wan’s suggestion was quite good.

Previously, Chen Feng had hired a water army to help him with promotion on a monthly basis, and it had some effect. In the past few days, a dozen or so people had come to sell their artworks. They had all seen the advertisement online, but none of the artworks they brought were to Chen Feng’s liking.

Lin Wan’s live stream room now had over 20,000 followers, with a peak concurrent viewership record of over 200,000, and an average of 30,000 to 40,000 concurrent viewers, which was quite decent.

So, after hesitating for only about ten seconds, Chen Feng agreed. “If you’re really willing to come to the shop and mind it for me, five thousand a month is no problem. Live streaming in the shop is also no problem, but don’t just randomly film the customers who come in, in case you scare them away with your female streamer persona. Of course, if you do well in the future, I’ll also give you a bonus.”

“Really, a bonus? How much?” Lin Wan looked like she had seen money.

“At least ten thousand at the end of the year. Of course, it depends on your work attitude and ability. Also, I have to say the ugly words first. We are friends, but if you work for me in the future, I won’t be showing you any friendly favors during work hours. You are my employee, I am your boss, and you have to listen to me. You understand this principle, right?”

Lin Wan quickly said, “Of course I understand. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t be disrespectful to you during work. Whatever you, the boss, say, I’ll do. I’ll obey absolutely and won’t resist.”

That sounded a bit strange.

Chen Feng frowned and continued, “Of course you say you understand now. But I still have to say the ugly words specifically. For example, if you take leave without reason, I will definitely deduct your salary. Also, if I feel you are not working seriously, I will definitely fire you. You have to be mentally prepared. Friends are friends, superiors and subordinates are superiors and subordinates. I hope you can adapt to this change in identity. Otherwise, I’m afraid we won’t even be friends in the future.”

Hearing Chen Feng speak so seriously, Wu Mengting couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “Then I think we should forget it. Otherwise, I’m really worried you two won’t even be friends in the future.”

But Lin Wan immediately objected, “Why shouldn’t I take such a good job? It’s better to benefit me than someone else. Brother Feng, don’t worry. When I work for you, I’ll definitely be clear about my identity during work hours. I won’t cause any trouble with you.”

“That’s good. Also, two days off a month, you have no objection, right?”

“Isn’t it two days off every week?”

“How is that possible? This is a shop, not a government agency or a state-owned enterprise. Two days off a week is impossible. One day off every half a month.”

“Then I want a raise.”

“Impossible. Five thousand a month is just for you to mind the shop, not for you to sell things. At most, when someone comes, you’ll be responsible for receiving them and then contacting me. For the rest of the time, you’ll be very free. You can play on your phone and do live streams. I won’t restrict you. If you don’t want to do it, I’ll post a recruitment ad online right now.”

Lin Wan quickly agreed, “Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Then it’s settled. You can start work anytime.”

Chen Feng was quite satisfied with an employee with such high looks as Lin Wan. And she was actually quite good at socializing with people.

More importantly, she was someone Chen Feng was familiar with, a friend, and he knew her quite well.

Having her help him mind the shop was definitely more reliable than hiring someone from society.

“Boss, then how about I start work now? Count it as half a day’s salary.”

Lin Wan immediately entered employee mode, looking at Chen Feng with a fawning expression.

Chen Feng was unmoved. He looked at the time and said, “It’s already two in the afternoon. How can it be counted as half a day’s salary? You get off work at five, at most it’s one-third of a day’s salary.”

“Go away! Then I’ll start work tomorrow.”

“Wan’er, are you really planning to work for Brother Feng?” Wu Mengting put her hand to her forehead and looked at Lin Wan in surprise.

Lin Wan nodded as if it were a matter of course. “Of course it’s true. Where can I find such a good job? The work is easy and it doesn’t interfere with my live streaming.”

Wu Mengting was speechless, but she had to admit that this job was indeed quite good.

If she didn’t want to quit her job, she would actually be willing to do this job. Not for the five thousand yuan salary, but to be closer to Chen Feng.

And now that Lin Wan had gotten this job, she felt a little uneasy in her heart.

One was that she was afraid that Lin Wan and Chen Feng would have a conflict, and they wouldn’t even be friends in the future. The other was that she was somewhat afraid that the two of them, being together day and night, would develop some feelings for each other.

Wu Mengting knew Lin Wan’s personality quite well. Although it seemed unlikely that she would steal her man for now, if she were to work for Chen Feng in the future, with their boss-employee relationship, being together in the shop every day, who knew if feelings would develop over time between a man and a woman alone.

So, after a few seconds of silence, Wu Mengting still expressed her opposition. “I don’t think you’re very suitable for this job, Wan’er. First of all, you probably can’t stand being cooped up in this shop all day. Don’t think that you stay at home all day doing live streams. But you only do live streams for at most four or five hours a day. The rest of the time, you’re wandering around outside.
Secondly, I’m worried you’re not competent for this job. This is an art acquisition shop, which requires a certain understanding of art. And you know nothing about art. When a customer comes and talks to you, and you don’t know anything, how can you do a good job of receiving them?”

It had to be said that what Wu Mengting said also made sense.

However, Lin Wan immediately retorted, “I do like to wander around outside. But isn’t that because I don’t have a proper job besides live streaming? With a proper job, I definitely won’t run around aimlessly. As for not knowing much about art, Brother Feng hired me to mind the shop, not to do art appraisal. When a customer comes, I just need to entertain them and then notify Brother Feng. Right, Brother Feng?”

Chen Feng nodded. “Yes. She’s mainly responsible for reception work, no professional knowledge is required. As long as she has a good attitude towards the customers.”

Wu Mengting couldn’t fully express her worries, so she could only sigh. “Then Wan’er can just do it for now. If you can’t stick with it, just tell Brother Feng early.”

Lin Wan waved her hand with a smile. “I know what I’m doing. You guys just watch.”

Seeing this, Chen Feng had to say, “Then let’s try it for a month. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll find someone else. Lin Wan, don’t feel embarrassed. If you feel you’re not suitable for this job, just say so.”

“Okay, Brother Feng,” Lin Wan said with a confident smile. “If I can’t even do a job like this, I might as well just hit my head on a piece of tofu and die.”

Chen Feng and Wu Mengting couldn’t help but smile at her words.

At this moment, a bald middle-aged man walked in from outside, holding a large bag in his hand. Looking at the bag, it seemed to be carrying calligraphy and paintings.

“Hello, I’m here to sell two paintings. If the price is right, I’ll sell them to you.”

“Okay, sir. Please have a seat.”

Chen Feng quickly stood up from his chair and invited him to sit down.

The bald middle-aged man waved his hand. “No need. Just take a look at these two paintings of mine. If the price is right, I’ll sell them. If not, I’ll go look elsewhere.”

“Alright.”

So, the bald middle-aged man placed the bag on the desk in front of Chen Feng, opened it, and took out two mounted paintings, one oil painting and one ink wash landscape painting.

“These two were passed down from my ancestors. This one is ‘Misty Rain in Jiangnan’ by a great master from the late Qing Dynasty, and this one is ‘The Rose’ by a 19th-century great national painter. Both are fine works. Take a look, what price can you give me?”

Chen Feng felt a little shocked at this moment, or rather, pleasantly surprised. But he desperately held back from showing it.

The reason was simple: he actually had a connection with both of these paintings.

This really felt like a pie falling from the sky.

Of course, Chen Feng was not so easily fooled as to believe this person’s nonsense.

According to what this person said, the creators of these two paintings were long dead. But how could that be?