The heavens begin from the golden years

Chapter 87 Monet's Water Lilies

In the afternoon, on the top floor of Grand Hyatt Mansion, Mrs. Wang's home.

After Yuan Xudong took Wang Manni to meet the wives and their husbands in the wife circle, he knew that they lived on the No. 18 floor of Grand Hyatt Mansion. Mrs. Wang, who lives on the top floor of Grand Hyatt Mansion, proposed to hold an afternoon tea event to welcome Wang Manni Joining the circle of wives, and affectionately called Wang Manni Mrs. Yuan, which made Wang Manni very happy, and directly agreed to Mrs. Wang's proposal.

Everyone sat around on the sofa in the living room, and Mrs. Wang, who was the host, sat in the middle and said with a smile:
"In order to celebrate Mrs. Yuan joining our wife circle, I proposed this afternoon tea event. Do you have any good suggestions?"

Glancing at the showy Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Li, whose family has been in business for a hundred years, had a flash of disdain in her eyes, but said calmly on her face:
"Since it's afternoon tea, dessert and black tea are naturally indispensable. I wonder if Mrs. Wang's family has a servant who can make desserts, or Mrs. Wang wants to prepare cakes and black tea for us by herself?"

Hearing what Mrs. Li said, Mrs. Wang, who was not prepared for anything, forced a smile:
"Of course I know that cakes and black tea will be prepared for afternoon tea, and the dessert servant at home has asked for leave, but don't worry, Gu Jia who lives on the [-]th floor is very good at making cakes.

Let me tell you, Gu Jia's cakes are very delicious. You have never eaten such delicious cakes before. I will let her prepare today's cakes and black tea. "

Glancing at Mrs. Wang with an unnatural expression, knowing that she didn't understand anything, Mrs. Li flaunted:
"You must have never tasted the desserts made by the most authentic French pastry chef. If you go to France, I will send you the address of the pastry chef and let you taste what is a really delicious cake. It is not a family A housewife can make it casually."

Knowing that an established businessman like Mrs. Li looked down on emerging assets like her own and was jealous of her being richer, Mrs. Wang couldn't help but counterattack:
"How could I not have eaten desserts made by the most authentic French pastry chef? Just because I like desserts, my husband specially arranged a private visit to the French pastry school. What kind of desserts have I not tried?"

Seeing Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Li fighting openly and secretly, Mrs. Yu, whose family runs the paradise business, smiled and said:

"That's because our class is low. When we go to France, we just look at the paintings. Mrs. Wang's house is all privately ordered to visit and study. This is the difference between the bourgeoisie and the aristocrats!"

Hearing Mrs. Yu cheering her on, Mrs. Wang said with a smile on her face:
"I also have paintings at home. I don't know if you can understand them, but they are hung in the dining room. I will take you to have a look and enjoy Monet's water lilies!"

After all, she got up and walked directly to the restaurant, secretly proud in her heart. Since Gu Jia reminded her that the painter of water lilies was Monet, not Van Gogh, she specially collected some relevant information from the Internet, just to show off in front of many wives one day Once, so what if you have been in business for 100 years, it's not that you don't have money!
After leading everyone into the dining room, seeing her husband standing in front of Monet's water lily with the husbands of several other wives, Mrs. Wang seemed even more pleased:
"Do any of you know this painting?"

After all, she glanced at Yuan Xudong and Wang Manni who had just met today and said with a smile:

"Mr. Yuan, Mrs. Yuan, what do you think of this painting?"

Hearing Mrs. Wang's question and seeing everyone looking at herself and Yuan Xudong, Wang Manni, who knew nothing about oil painting, was a little embarrassed and said:

"I know more about luxury goods, and I'm not interested in oil paintings!"

After all, she looked to Yuan Xudong for help and said:

"Xudong, what do you think of this painting?"

Glancing at Mrs. Wang and Mr. Wang, Yuan Xudong secretly admired the unchanging faces of the two. Rich people don't have a few simple things. Thinking of this, he pretended to be confused and said:

"I don't have much oil painting appreciation ability. I heard that Christie's in Hong Kong auctioned a piece of Monet's water lilies collected by the Rockefeller family. It seems to be the one in Mr. Wang's house. The estimated price is 3500 million U.S. dollars, and the final auction price is 7500 million U.S. dollars. Including the commission, it would cost about 8500 million U.S. dollars, which is more than 5 million yuan. I didn’t expect that there are collectors like Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang hidden in our Grand Hyatt Mansion!"

Hearing what Yuan Xudong said, Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang said without changing expressions:

"Mr. Yuan was joking. We are not collectors. It's purely a hobby. It's a bit expensive, but it's worth the money. This is a world-famous painting, and it will definitely become more and more valuable in the future!"

Seeing that everyone was amazed at Monet's water lilies, Mrs. Wang flashed a smug look in her eyes and said:

"You guys watch first, I'll ask Gu Jia to come over and make cakes!"

After all, she turned around and left. When Mrs. Wang disappeared, everyone gathered in front of Monet's water lilies. Wang Manni, who was behind, stared at the oil painting and sighed:
"I thought my vision and pattern were high enough. I didn't understand a truth until I saw this oil painting. Poverty really can limit a person's imagination. A painting costs more than [-] million. This world is really crazy!"

Looking at Wang Manni who was feeling emotional about life, Yuan Xudong whispered in her ear and said:

"Like it?"

After thinking for a while, Wang Manni shook her head slightly and said:
"I can't say I like it, and I can't say I don't like it. It's the first time I see such a valuable oil painting. I have a sense of awe. It represents the social class gap. The life at the top is something we ordinary people at the bottom can't even imagine. A painting costs more than [-] million yuan, and we can buy hundreds of houses in our hometown, which is unimaginable!"

Seeing that no one was paying attention to his side, Yuan Xudong whispered in Wang Manni's ear:
"This is the biggest gap between the poor and the rich. Do you believe when others say that this painting is worth more than [-] million yuan? If you like it, you can buy a pair of Monet's water lilies that are exactly the same for thousands of dollars. You believe it is the authentic work of Monet, it is the authentic work of Monet, it looks similar anyway, how many people can tell the difference?"

Hearing what Yuan Xudong said, Wang Manni opened her eyes slightly, glanced around, and said in a low voice:

"You mean the painting is fake?"

After glancing at Wang Manni, Yuan Xudong muttered directly:

"I'm not Monet, how do I know if this painting is fake, but I don't believe that Mrs. Wang's family will spend more than [-] million yuan to buy a useless oil painting, and hang it in the restaurant so casually , there is no protective measure at all, and it will be over in a few years, her family is not rich enough to this level!"

After listening to Yuan Xudong's explanation, Wang Manni took another look at the oil painting not far away, and the awe in her heart dissipated, just like looking at the middle hall of her hometown, she said with a complex expression:

"Do rich people also buy fake paintings?"

Glancing at Wang Manni, Yuan Xudong reminded her:

"There is no difference between rich people and ordinary people in essence. They can also buy fake paintings to decorate their appearance. Be careful when dealing with them, and don't count the money for others when they are sold!"

After glaring at Yuan Xudong, Wang Manni said angrily:

"You are also rich, and you must be a big liar!"

Before Yuan Xudong opened his mouth to refute, Mr. Wang not far away greeted him and said:
"Mr. Yuan, what are you doing standing so far away? Come here quickly, let's have a chat together. I heard that your Jingyan Group has acquired some land in Binhai. I wonder if we can contract part of the project?"

Hearing Mr. Wang's greeting, Yuan Xudong walked over with Wang Manni on his arm and said with a smile:
"As long as the qualifications of several of your companies are qualified, you can participate in the bidding of our Jingyan Group. Under the same conditions, I can recommend them to Mr. Ye and give priority to several companies."

"Then please trouble Mr. Yuan. If you have anything to do, just ask. Let's help each other and make a fortune together!"

In front of the elevator on the top floor of Grand Hyatt Mansion, Mrs. Wang paced back and forth. When the elevator door opened, Gu Jia came out from inside. She hurriedly stepped forward and complained:

"Gu Jia, why are you going upstairs so slowly?"

"Mrs. Wang, I'm going to have a banquet tonight. I really don't have any."

Before Gu Jia could finish speaking, Mrs. Wang quickly interrupted her and said:

"Don't you want to join the wives' circle? Today is just a chance. Many distinguished guests came to my house. Everyone wants to drink afternoon tea. I told them that the cakes you made are very delicious. You just show it and let them accept it. You join the wives circle."

After all, without waiting for Gu Jia to explain a few words, she directly dragged Gu Jia into the house. Seeing that everyone was still chatting in the dining room, she pushed Gu Jia into the kitchen and said:

"Hurry up and make the cake. There is everything in the refrigerator, and the ingredients you bought yourself last time. When you are done, call us. Remember to hurry up, everyone is waiting for you."

Seeing Mrs. Wang's order, she left the kitchen and treated herself like a servant. Gu Jia, who wanted something from her, could only endure it secretly. She put on her apron and started making cakes and preparing black tea. The servants on the side helped her and prepared tea sets.

When Mrs. Wang walked into the dining room, Wang Manni glanced at Gu Jia who was busy in the kitchen. She and Yuan Xudong muttered twice, and then walked into the kitchen under the different eyes of other wives, helping Gu Jia cook together. Cake, prepare black tea.

Time passed, and when Gu Jia prepared the cake and black tea, everyone sat around the table in front of Monet's water lilies, tasting the afternoon tea and chatting freely. Only Gu Jia stood in the kitchen with an embarrassed expression, because Mrs. Wang didn't have any Prepare her seat.

Sitting with Wang Manni, seeing her unhappy face, Yuan Xudong smiled while eating the fruit cake:
"What's the matter, isn't the cake delicious?"

After casting a blank glance at Yuan Xudong who knew what to ask, Wang Manni glanced at Gu Jia in the kitchen and said:
"Gu Jia is so pitiful, can you help her?"

Glancing at the kitchen, Gu Jia happened to be looking at the dining room. Their eyes met. Gu Jia, who was in a difficult situation, quickly looked away, lowered her head and ate the cake she made to divert her attention. Yuan Xudong withdrew his gaze and looked at Wang Man beside him. Ni smiled and said:

"Gu Jia is willing to stay here and be wronged. Naturally, she has something to ask for, just like when you sell things and meet customers who make things difficult for you, what she needs is not a chair.

Don't interfere indiscriminately, this will only disrupt her plan and make the situation more awkward, isn't it just that there is no chair to eat?If you can get what you want, this grievance is nothing, but it can inspire a person to work hard. "

When the afternoon tea was over and everyone left one by one, Mrs. Wang looked at Gu Jia who was packing the tea sets with her servant and sent:
"Gu Jia, they're all gone, pack up and go back, didn't you say you're going to treat guests to dinner tonight?"

Handing the tea set in her hand to the servant, Gu Jia looked at Mrs. Wang and said with a smile:

"Mrs. Wang, my greatest value is not making cakes and preparing black tea. It is useless for you to please customers with me. Do you know where your problem lies?"

Without waiting for Mrs. Wang to answer, she glanced at the tables and chairs in the dining room and said with a smile:

"You shouldn't choose this set of tables and chairs for afternoon tea. I know that the tables and chairs in your house are the most high-end, and that tea set is also the most high-end. It's expensive, but expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's right.

Those who understand know the details at a glance. The real afternoon tea was invented by the wife of the British royal family. It is divided into high-table tea and low-table tea. The difference is that one is for wives and the other is for servants. of. "

Hearing what Gu Jia said, Mrs. Wang frowned slightly and said:

"My family is definitely not the short one!"

Glancing at Mrs. Wang who didn't understand anything, Gu Jia said with a reserved smile:
"The real aristocrats eat low-table tea. In fact, the height and short refer to the height of tables and chairs. Only those who are really leisurely can enjoy afternoon tea on low-leg tables and sofas. High-leg tables are for servants. Yes, meaning eat and walk quickly.

Mrs. Wang, I know that people with my family income should not mix in this circle, but what you have I don't have, but what I have can help you stand in the middle of the wife circle. "

After all, she glanced at the thoughtful Mrs. Wang and said goodbye:

"Mrs. Wang, I'm going back first. The guest I'm going to invite tonight is Mr. Yuan. Now I just go back to prepare dinner, so I won't disturb your rest. See you tomorrow!"

When Gu Jia left the house like a proud white swan, Mrs. Wang shook her head with a smile, glanced at Monet's water lilies and told the servant:
"Xiao Wang, wipe this painting, it's a bit dirty!"

"Got it, ma'am!"

(End of this chapter)