Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 422 Buying Paintings
The department store was bustling with activity.

This is a place with more stuff than a state-owned store and is more complete.

Xu Qing wandered in, not in a hurry to buy all the master's paintings, but took a leisurely walk around, looking here and there, looking at everything.

Then I went back to the place where I could buy Master Qi's calligraphy and paintings. I stopped and looked at them for a while, and asked the salesperson to take a few pairs at random. He had a look first.

Works like Master Qi's are also sold in cultural relics stores in addition to department stores.

But Xu Qing didn't go there. Going to the cultural relics store was a little farther than going to the department store.

Based on the principle of proximity, Xu Qing bought here and didn't bother to walk further.

In this era, Master Qi's paintings are very famous, and there are not many people who imitate them, but they are very few.

After all, Master Qi's paintings are famous, but the prices are not particularly expensive.

Moreover, people who can afford it also come to such formal places to buy.

So there is no possibility of buying imitations.

In addition to regular places, such as Fuchang Street Wutiao and flea markets, you can also find some good things.

But that's an old thing.

Panjiayuan doesn't exist yet. The private market is mainly located on the five Fuchang Streets. Many people put their second-hand goods on the small streets less than a hundred meters long, and they are filled with old objects.

Xu Fengming is relatively familiar with this area. After visiting the flea market, he will come to this antique street that has just taken shape.

But here, there is a mixture of good and bad, both real and fake.

It is not opened by the state. If you want to buy good things, you have to rely on your own abilities.

Xu Qing knew that Gui knew, but he never came.

Not that necessary.

If he really wants to buy some good things, cultural relic stores and department stores are enough for him.

There are no such things as fake goods in these two places if there are countries as sponsors.

Xu Qing randomly selected three works of Master Qi.

Two large ones and one small one.

It has a seal carved by Master Qi himself.

Undoubtedly authentic!

The price is more than 300.

This amount of money is not too big for Xu Qing.

But it’s not a small amount either.

It was almost equal to half a year's salary he gave to Sanhuzi's wife and Meijuan.

However, Xu Qing knew that the price of Master Qi's paintings would rise rapidly in the future.

Nowadays, a large painting costs more than 100. In terms of today’s prices, it’s not cheap, but it’s really not too expensive, so I bought it.

It’s time to invest in advance!

At the same time, Xu Qing saw that the paintings of Mr. Li Keran, a disciple of Master Qi, were less than 20 yuan each, and the works of Master Huang Binhong, the master of landscape painting, were only one or two yuan each.

Xu Qing smoked a cigarette, thought for a while, and spent dozens of yuan to buy a bunch of paintings by these two people.

Master Qi’s shrimps, Master Li’s cows, and Master Huang’s landscapes.

Xu Qing pocketed all 430 yuan.

And this is cheaper than the TV he bought last year.

For those who understand, any piece of it is regarded as a treasure.

But for those who don’t understand, apart from being beautiful, it’s just a piece of broken paper.

Xu Qing didn’t understand, but he knew the commercial value behind it was huge.

If you have a lot of money for the time being, it won't be a big deal if you buy some.

Ten years ago, Xu Qing would never have bought it.

At that time, he and his younger siblings had just managed to live a decent life at home.

He had just married Jinghong and didn't have much money on hand.

How can I think of doing this?

But times have changed, and now he has opened a grain station and is self-reliant.

The second brother Aiguo and the third brother Fengming both started their own families.

He doesn't need to worry about his sister Xiaoya, his son Hongzhi has grown up, and although his daughter is young, she is over a year old in the blink of an eye.

With his daughter-in-law Jinghong running the house, Xu Qing can do whatever he wants.

I bought a lot of paintings, put them in my net bag, and headed back to my grain station.

At this time, in the grain station, Xu Xiaoya, Meijuan and Sanhuzi's wife were chatting.

There was no one around at noon, so Xu Qing casually placed the paintings in the net bag on the counter, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and turned to ask his sister to put the net bag and the paintings under the counter and put them away.

When he returned to the compound in the afternoon, he took it back and put it at home.

Xu Qing mainly collects and waits for appreciation in value.

Although it will not rise until ten years or even 15 years later.

But at that time, the price increased not fifteen times, but more than 150 times.

There isn't much growth to be seen right now, but if a man wants to do big things, he has to take a long-term view.

The weather was getting hotter day by day, and at noon, there was no one around.

Xu Qing asked his sister Xiaoya and Sanhuzi's daughter-in-law, Meijuan, to rest while he kept an eye on them.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, when he saw his sister and the others were awake, Xu Qing took out the net bag behind the counter, took the pile of paintings he bought at the department store in the morning, and brought them back to the compound on his bicycle.

In the front yard, the third aunt and the first aunt were sitting in the shade under the eaves, picking vegetables and chatting.

Seeing Xu Qing coming back, the third aunt said:
"Hey, Xiaoqing, what's in the net bag hanging on your bicycle?"

Xu Qing stopped pushing his bicycle, stood in the front yard and said:

"Third aunt, I bought some calligraphy and paintings. The walls in the house are empty. It would be nice to hang them up."

The eldest mother picked beans and said: "That's right. There is nothing on the wall. It always looks ugly. You are educated people and you know how to buy some calligraphy and paintings. My eldest brother and I have never read any books and are in literacy classes. After a while, I didn’t learn much calligraphy. After a few days, I went out to buy some calligraphy and paintings to hang at home.”

Xu Qing smiled when he heard this and said: "First aunt, third aunt, you guys are busy first, I'm going back to the backyard."

The third aunt responded and saw Xu Qing pushing the cart towards the backyard. While continuing to pick the leeks in her hand, she said to the first aunt:
"Sister-in-law, don't forget to buy paintings. My Lao Yan originally planned to buy a TV some time ago, but when he saw that there was a painting by Master Qi in the department store, he didn't buy a TV anymore. He insisted on buying paintings, which made me confused. The eldest son and daughter-in-law complain to us every day."

The eldest mother said, "It turns out that Xie Cheng has ignored you two in the courtyard these days because of this matter. I thought your daughter-in-law Yu Li asked Jie Cheng to ask you for money again."

The third aunt showed a hint of embarrassment on her face, and then she hummed in a low voice.

When the first aunt saw that what she just said made the third aunt unhappy, she changed the subject and said:
"Lao Yan wants to buy a painting, but it's nothing. I saw someone selling paintings on the street yesterday afternoon. They only cost a few cents a piece."

The third aunt immediately said: "Sister-in-law, the painting my Lao Yan wants to buy is not at that price. You don't know, what he wants to buy is that of the great painter. A painting costs more than 100 yuan, which is very expensive!
I have been arguing with my boss for quite some time. "

When the aunt heard this, she was shocked, "So high? A pound of pork only costs a few cents, and a painting costs more than 100. Who wants it?"

The third aunt said along the way: "Sister-in-law, isn't it? I told my old Yan that we were taken advantage of by buying that painting. Besides, it was painted by a great artist. After all, it was just a painting. How can it be worth so much money?”

After the third aunt finished speaking, she paused, looked at the first aunt and said:
"Sister-in-law, what do you think my Lao Yan said?"

The first aunt stopped what she was doing and looked up at the third aunt, "What did Lao Yan say?"

The third aunt sighed and said: "He said that I am a woman and don't understand anything. He said that the paintings of that great painter are not expensive for a little over 100. Listen to me."

The third aunt said that her heart was boiling.

The eldest mother smiled and said: "You and Lao Yan are now looking forward to making things happen for your children. If he wants to buy a painting, it's more than 100. As long as the family life is not delayed, let him go."

The third aunt sitting on the small bench said helplessly:

"Sister-in-law, you don't know something. My Lao Yan has bought a lot of messy things over the years. Every year he doesn't buy a few old old books, and I don't say anything for spending a few dollars.

But for a painting that costs more than 100, what do ordinary people like us want it for? No matter how good the painting is, it is not as good as the TV. My granddaughter is clamoring to watch TV every day and buy a TV. No matter what, it is better than that painting. The eldest mother hummed, picked vegetables and asked, "Did Lao Yan buy the painting?" "

"No."

"Are you still planning to buy a TV?" The eldest mother kept picking beans in her hand.

The third aunt shook her head, "I can't buy it anymore. My eldest brother Jie Cheng lent their family's industrial coupons, which were leaving last week, to his wife's cousin Yu Haitang, the one who went on a blind date with Sha Zhu a few years ago."

When the aunt heard the name Yu Haitang, she immediately became energetic and asked quietly:
"That Yu Haitang, is he married now?"

The third aunt thought about it and said, "I heard from my eldest daughter-in-law that we got married the year before last or the year before that."

The aunt suddenly lost interest, lowered her head to pick vegetables, and didn't ask any more questions.

The third aunt sighed and said to the first aunt:
"Sister-in-law, Xiaoya said not long ago, has Lou Xiao'e come back? That night, Lao Yan and I both went to bed, and Silly Zhu came to our front yard to borrow a car. He went out at night, presumably to find Lou Xiao'e. Have you ever heard Shazhu talk about it?"

The eldest mother looked confused and said with her eyes wide open:
"Is there still this thing? What night did you come here? Zhu Zhu didn't tell me or Lao Yi anything?"

When the third aunt saw that the first aunt didn't know anything, she put the picked leeks aside and immediately spoke in a low voice.

At this moment, Xu Qing had returned to his home in the backyard, lying on the kang, holding his daughter Qiaoxin and playing around.

With a little cotton-padded jacket, Xu Qing wanted to take a nap, but he had no idea.

As for those paintings, he had already put them aside as soon as he entered the room.

However, there are two paintings hanging on the wall, both of which are landscape paintings by Master Huang.

For one or two yuan a piece, Xu Qing planned to hang it for a few days and then put it away when he got tired of it.

The sun shines in the courtyard, making it stuffy and hot.

Aunt Feng, the nanny who lived next door to Aiguo, hurried into the kitchen to cook when she saw Xu Qing coming back.

Hongfu, the son of Aiguo and Aiqian, ran around Xu Qing with Qiaoxin.

The two little ones are only a few months apart.

It didn't take long before he spoke, and his voice was milky. If he caught the civet cat Xiao Hui, he would torture him to death.

Xiao Hui was originally sleeping on the kang, but suddenly his tail and ears were grabbed. He bared his teeth and howled in pain. He lay on the kang and didn't dare to move.

Until he found an opportunity, he scratched the ground, jumped to the ground, and ran to the courtyard outside the house.

At an age when even dogs are disgusted, the two little ones are naturally disgusted by cats as well.

More than half an hour later, Xu Qing ate steamed buns heated by his nanny Aunt Feng and a plate of hot and sour cabbage fried for him. He was full and drank, and spent some time with his daughter and nephew Hongfu at home.

It was already past five o'clock, and the sun was setting in the west, reflecting the red sky in the west.

Xiao Hui, who had run out earlier, lay down outside the door, sticking his head out and looking directly at Qiao Xin and Hong Fu.

I saw the two little ones were still there, squatting at the door of the house, refusing to enter the house.

The weather gradually cooled down. Xu Qing left his daughter and nephew to the nanny Aunt Feng and was about to walk out of the house and push the cart to the grain station.

As soon as I turned around, I saw my son Hongzhi, jumping up and down with his schoolbag on his back.

"Dad, look, the certificate my teacher gave me!"

Xu Hongzhi looked triumphant, gritted his teeth, took out the certificate from his schoolbag, handed it to Xu Qing, then ran out of the house, picked up Xiao Hui at the door of the house, put it in his arms, and stuffed it into the hands of his sister Qiaoxin. .

Xu Qing stared at the certificate and said, "That's right. I won an outstanding class cadre. I'll ask your mother to boil eggs for you at night."

Xu Hongzhi's head shook like a rattle, "Dad, I want to eat meat."

Xu Qing frowned and looked down at his son Hongzhi.

"I don't count you as an outstanding class leader. If you can get your certificate back in the final exam, dad will buy you whatever meat you want."

Xu Hongzhi pouted, his face slumped, and his mood suddenly dropped.

Xu Qing continued: "Don't forget, your scores in Chinese and Mathematics in this year's midterm exam are not as high as those of your Aunt Yuli's Niuniu. Are you ashamed?"

Xu Hongzhi pursed his lips and looked up at Xu Qing, his small black eyes rolling around.

"Dad, that's what I asked her to do. You always say that I'm a boy and older than her, so I can't bully her."

Xu Qing didn't expect that at such a young age, his son was quite clever in speaking, and he knew how to use his own words to defend him at this time.

With a wry smile in his heart, Xu Qing put down the certificate and said: "You have to let Niu Niu do it in other aspects, but in terms of study, no need! You can only eat boiled eggs this time. If you want to eat meat, you can get the certificate back in the final exam."

Xu Hongzhi groaned, took off his schoolbag dejectedly, and placed it on the kang, with a listless look on his face.

Seeing this, Xu Qing thought for a moment, reached for a dime from his body, touched his son's head, and put the money in front of his eyes to comfort his son's young mind.

After all, my son also got his certificate back today.

Although it is not obtained by taking an exam, it is worthy of encouragement if it is obtained by a cadre on duty.

Xu Hongzhi immediately became happy, smiled broadly and said, "Thank you, Dad!"

Xu Qing leaned over and said, "Okay, hurry up and do your homework. Dad is going to the grain station first."

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he walked out of the house and pushed his bicycle towards the central courtyard.

Xu Hongzhi got a dime, took his sisters Qiaoxin and Hongfu, stood at the door of the house and said:

"Dad, please go slower on the road."

Xu Qing turned around and smiled, then turned around and pushed the cart toward the middle courtyard.

In the middle courtyard, Shazhu, Qin Huairu, Banggan, and the first uncle Yi Zhonghai have not come back from get off work yet.

Only Mrs. Jia and Zhang were at home.

At this time, the kitchens of Jia's house and the first man's house were filled with smoke, and it was obvious that both families were cooking.

Mrs. Jia Zhang was not diligent in the past, but her family's life improved after she came back from joining the team.

His sarcastic temperament was so restrained that it was almost invisible.

He also became kinder.

He no longer makes trouble with people in the courtyard, and he seems to be a different person again.

Xu Qing walked across the middle courtyard and said hello to Yan Bugui, the third uncle, who was wiping the car with Yu Li's daughter in the front yard.

Yan Bugui twisted the rag in his hand, and when he saw Xu Qing, he immediately said:

"Xiao Qing, I heard from your third aunt that you bought some calligraphy and paintings today, right?"

Xu Qing nodded and said, "Yes, Third Master."

Yan Bugui asked tentatively: "Xiaoqing, whose paintings are you buying?"

Xu Qing pushed his bicycle and stood in front of Yan Bugui and said:

"Mr. Huang Binhong's. It costs a few yuan a piece. It's not too expensive. I just bought some and hung them in the house for decoration."

Yan Bugui nodded slightly and said with a smile: "I also planned to buy it before, but I think Mr. Qi's paintings have more profound meanings. I want to buy his paintings, alas. This is because your third aunt and my boss won't let me. Didn’t buy it.”

Xu Qing took out his cigarettes, handed one to Yan Bugui, and said:
"Third uncle, I'll buy it later."

Yan Bugui took the cigarette and waved his hand:

"Hey, I won't be able to buy it anymore. If I buy it back, your third aunt will still nag me in my ears all day long. Will I be able to have a clean life in the future?"

Xu Qing laughed, "That's true. Master Huang's paintings are cheap, so you can just buy a few of them."

Yan Bugui said with a serious face: "His is not good, the artistic conception is not as good as Qi Lao's."

Xu Qing smiled and said nothing. Everyone's appreciation concept is different, so he couldn't force it, so he stopped entangled in this matter and pushed the lane:

"Third uncle, you should be busy first, I'm going to the grain station."

Yan Bugui saw that Xu Qing was leaving and said hurriedly:
"Xiao Qing, I have something to tell you."

"Grandpa, what's the matter?"

Yan Bugui stretched out his hand to adjust his glasses, looked at Xu Qing, and whispered:

"Xiaoqing, does your family have any extra industrial coupons?"

(End of this chapter)