Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 207

Xu Huizhen blushed slightly and retorted, "Pah! What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight?"

He Yuzhu reached out and touched Xu Huizhen's pink cheek, then dodged Xu Huizhen's kick before leaving the bedroom with a smile.

Having moved to a new place, they brought a lot of things with them. After tidying up, He Yuzhu found that Xu Huizhen was already asleep on the kang (a heated brick bed).

He covered her with a blanket, then used his mental power to check on her to make sure the baby in her womb was okay before leaving the courtyard.

A commotion came from the small tavern next door, and out of curiosity, He Yuzhu stepped inside.

As soon as I walked in, I saw more than a dozen people gathered around a table, discussing and admiring something.

He Yuzhu walked up and peeked at the table. There was a traditional Chinese ink painting on the table, depicting a galloping horse.

So it was just looking at paintings. He Yuzhu had thought it was erotic art. Although there were no adult films at the time, there were all sorts of erotic paintings, each one lifelike and captivating.

"Whose painting is this?" Due to the angle, He Yuzhu did not see the signature on the painting.

A person turned around and Xu Hesheng said, "It's Boss He. This is a painting by Mr. Qi Baishi."

"Ah, it's an old gentleman's painting!"

"Yes, Mr. Qi lives not far away, but his paintings are not easy to see."

Many celebrities were still around at that time. Some of them actually lived not far away. Not far from Nanluoguxiang Hutong was Mao Dun's former residence, which was the most recent celebrity. He Yuzhu could often be seen in the hutong.

The two sides had no connection whatsoever, not even a nodding acquaintance.

Mr. Qi Baishi was the greatest artist before and after the founding of the People's Republic of China. At this time, he was already over 80 years old and lived in Yu'er Hutong, not far from Nanluoguxiang.

Of course, He Yuzhu had no personal relationship with him, but had often heard about his romantic escapades.

Qi Baishi's artistic achievements are undeniable and need no further elaboration. However, this old gentleman has an eccentric personality, and without an introduction from an acquaintance, ordinary people cannot even get a chance to visit his home.

He Yuzhu had wanted to visit the master to ask for a painting before, since the master's paintings had repeatedly fetched astronomical prices in later generations.

I just never had the connections to visit him and ask for a painting.

I never expected to see Mr. Qi Baishi's paintings here.

He Yuzhu carefully examined the painting of the galloping horse and chatted casually with Xu Hesheng, his voice filled with envy.

He Yuzhu quickly recalled that the painting seemed to belong to Old Man He's collection, who was also a collector.

He casually patted Old He on the shoulder and asked, "Old He, who bought this?"

"Zhu Zi is here, but it's been a while since I've seen you."

Old Man He turned his head to look, then smiled and said, "This is something I just got my hands on recently, and it's a rare gem."

"This painting is indeed very good."

He Yuzhu looked at it with envy. This painting of galloping horses was indeed a masterpiece, and if it were left to posterity, it could be worth millions.

Unfortunately, this painting isn't his own, and he probably can't get Old Man He to sell it to him.

Old Man He said with some pride, "Yes, I'm quite content to have this painting as a family heirloom."

He Yongqiang, who was standing next to him, muttered, "I don't see what's so good about it!"

Old Man He reached out and slapped him on the back of the head: "You idiot, this is a painting by Qi Baishi. What kind of eyes do you have? You really have eyes but can't recognize a gem."

He Yongqiang looked unconvinced. "This painting doesn't look that great either. What's so good about it?"

Everyone knows that Old Man He has no biological son; this He Yongqiang is an adopted nephew who used to farm in the countryside and doesn't have Old Man He's shrewdness at all.

They all just smiled, admiring Qi Baishi's paintings, and didn't get involved in their family affairs. They all looked down on He Yongqiang.

He Yuzhu had wanted to acquire some paintings by modern masters, but unfortunately, there were no ones for sale on Yandaixie Street, and he still doesn't have a single one.

Upon seeing Qi Baishi's painting of galloping horses, He Yuzhu was once again tempted to collect paintings. At that time, the most expensive paintings cost only a few dozen yuan, while the cheapest ones cost only a few yuan or a dozen yuan. It was a good time to buy, and after a few decades, they would be worth millions or tens of millions of yuan.

Fortunately, even in the 80s, the prices of these people's paintings were not high, allowing enough time to collect them slowly.

Even if He Yuzhu wanted to collect them, he didn't have a suitable channel.

After all, he was just a cook before, and this profession used to be considered a lowly and undesirable occupation with low social status.

After they finished admiring the painting of the galloping horse, He Yuzhu pulled Xu Hesheng aside and said, "I'll treat you to a drink."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. He."

He Yuzhu went to the counter and bought half a jin of sorghum liquor, then ordered four side dishes including peanuts and pork intestines, and drank with Xu Hesheng.

Old Man He still added water to the wine; no wonder his business is usually just so-so and not very prosperous.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, He Yuzhu started talking about famous painters such as Qi Baishi and Huang Binhong.

Xu Hesheng was a primary school teacher, and like Yan Bugui, he considered himself a cultured person and liked to inquire about things in the art world.

He Yuzhu remembered that in two years, Xu Hesheng would find a painting by Huang Binhong and want to exchange it for the painting of galloping horses in Old Man He's hands.

After exchanging a few words, it became clear that the other party did not have the painting in their possession, just as I had guessed.

He Yuzhu said, "I can tell you know a lot about these things!"

"Yes, I studied traditional Chinese painting for a while when I was young, but unfortunately my skills are limited, and I haven't achieved anything yet."

He Yuzhu said, "I also quite like them and would like to collect some. Do you have any connections to help me with an introduction?"

Xu Hesheng's eyes lit up. Since ancient times, those who act as intermediaries have always received some benefits. He Yuzhu is a famous braised meat vendor in the area. If he can get in touch with him, how can he not get some benefits in the future?

"Sure, I know some people who have a lot of paintings. I'll ask them for you later."

"Then thank you first."

"It's easy to talk about."

The tavern was frequented by a diverse group of people. After Xu Hesheng left, Niu Ye and Pian Ye arrived. He Yuzhu chatted with them for a few minutes, asking them to help him collect paintings at market prices, and also to buy any antiques or curios.

Once the matter was out in the open, everyone patted their chests and said they would find out later if anyone was going to make a move.

He Yuzhu thought Xu Hesheng would find the painting first, but unexpectedly, it was Pian Ye who was the most proactive. Two days later, he came to his door and said, "Boss He, I found you a painting by Xu Beihong. I wonder if you want it?"

Of course I want it!

"What painting?"

Master Pian laughed and said, "It's a picture of a shepherd boy leading an ox. If you want it, I'll bring it to you in a couple of days."

He Yuzhu was slightly disappointed. Xu Beihong was most famous for his horse paintings, and it would have been even better if it were a painting of galloping horses.

However, He Yuzhu accepted all comers. As long as the paintings were genuine, he would take as many as he wanted. If he couldn't get one, he would just take another one next time.

"Okay, of course I'll take it, but don't wait a few more days. Just bring it to me today without any delay, so that nothing unexpected happens."

After thinking for a moment, Pianye said, "Alright, you can wait at home, I'll bring it to you later."

The old man's business was selling shadow puppets, mainly targeting children. He earned a few cents at a time, and even if it took up half a day of his business, it wasn't a big deal.

Once he got the confirmation, Pian Ye didn't care about his small business anymore and immediately went off to get things done.

After everyone left, Xu Huizhen said, "Why did you suddenly decide to buy a painting?"

“The money I make always needs to go somewhere. I was thinking that since these great painters are still alive, I should buy a few of their paintings while they are cheap. Perhaps they will appreciate in value after they pass away.”

"That's true, our business has reached its peak at this scale."

He Yuzhu has taken the braised meat business to its extreme. Not only do he have two shops selling to the public, but he also wholesales to many taverns and restaurants. Some white and red cabinets buy their products here and then sell them to ordinary residents through the streets and alleys.

Although the wholesale business is based on small profits and high volume, it can still earn 10,000 to 20,000 yuan a year, which is an astronomical figure at this time.

The main reason for further expansion is the lack of sufficient market demand; the market in Beijing has already been fully developed.

The grain market is now under strict management, making it unlikely that large-scale grain purchases are possible. Moreover, Xu Huizhen has taken over the shop's accounts, and He Yuzhu has given up any intention of continuing to buy grain.

I'll just invest the money I earn in antiques and paintings, build my reputation as a collector, and buy as many as I can.

He Yuzhu said, "I regret making the business so big. The reputation of He's braised meat has already spread. I feel that it would be better to keep a low profile and make a fortune."

"Yes, more and more shops are being merged into public-private partnerships. I wonder when ours will be merged, and then we won't be able to make any money," Xu Huizhen said with some worry.

He Yuzhu reached out and smoothed Xu Huizhen's furrowed brows with his thumb, and said with a smile, "What are you afraid of? 25% of the daily business is still ours, which is enough to live on. I'll find another job later. With my skills, I can earn 90 yuan a month, which is enough for us to live on."

After the public-private partnership, the owners can still get 25% of the profit, plus interest, which is enough to ensure a wealthy life.

He Yuzhu had already planned it out. After the public-private partnership was completed, he would find a job. He couldn't just stay at home idly every day. After all, in five or six years, there would be no more private enterprises in the whole society, and he would have to go to work.

Xu Huizhen asked, "What about me? Will I have to go to work too?"

"You should just stay home and have my babies. Why go to work? The He family isn't very large. We need to have at least ten or eight children."

Xu Huizhen blushed slightly, reached out and slapped He Yuzhu's arm, and said shyly, "Do you think I'm a pig? Ten or eight of them?"

He Yuzhu chuckled: "Why don't you want to?"

Xu Huizhen rolled her eyes: "I don't want to. Ten or eight? I'd be lucky to have three or five. If you want children, go find someone else to have them for you."

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Okay, then I'll find someone else later!"

"You dare?" Xu Huizhen glared at her, then chuckled.

"Sis, what are you laughing at?"

Xu Huizhi lifted the curtain and came in, asking as soon as she entered.

Xu Huizhen blushed, but of course she couldn't explain the reason to her cousin. She simply asked, "Did you come here for something?"

Ever since Xu Huizhen established herself in the city, Xu Huizhi wanted to work there. Her closest cousin, Xu Huizhen, agreed and arranged for Xu Huizhi to run the breakfast business at the Qianmen shop.