"Alright, I’ll ask around."
Chen Feng then headed toward a staff member.
When he directly asked if he could buy the "Lanting Preface" calligraphy, the staff member initially thought it was a prank. Only after Chen Feng reassured her several times did she believe him and helped to contact the supervisor in charge of the art exhibition.
Then, Chen Feng was taken to an office, with Wu Mengting following.
The art museum’s leader confirmed multiple times and clearly told him that Master Wang Yi’s "Lanting Preface," if he really wanted to purchase, would cost at least two million.
Then he asked Chen Feng, with that price, do you still want to buy?
Chen Feng said straightforwardly, "Buy!"
Seeing his decisive answer, the leader immediately helped contact someone from Master Wang Yi’s side.
That person, in charge of meticulously planning this art exhibition, was Master Wang Yi’s niece-in-law, that is, his wife’s niece.
A woman over fifty, wearing glasses, exuding a dignified and elegant aura, with the surname Zhai, Ms. Zhai.
Of course, Master Wang Yi’s paintings and calligraphy were for sale, and quite a few had been sold over the years.
Regarding this copy of the "Lanting Preface," it was not the only one Master Wang Yi had; at over ninety years old, over the years he had successively sold three copied versions of the "Lanting Preface." The cheapest one sold for two hundred thousand, but that was more than twenty years ago.
The most expensive one was sold three years ago for 2.8 million.
As for this copied version, according to Master Wang Yi himself, it was his most cherished work. He had created it on his sixtieth birthday, in a burst of inspiration after a bout of drunkenness.
Thus, he always treasured it and did not wish to sell it.
Therefore, Ms. Zhai needed to ask Master Wang Yi himself.
After explaining all this, at Chen Feng’s request, Ms. Zhai went out to make a call.
Then, holding her phone, she said to Chen Feng, "Master Wang Yi is currently in Beijing; he needs to see you on a video call before he can decide whether to sell it or not."
Chen Feng found it a bit odd, but still took her phone. Master Wang Yi in the video had sparse white hair and a face full of age spots and wrinkles.
Chen Feng spoke up first, "Master, hello. I am very sincere about purchasing your copy of the ’Lanting Preface.’ Could you consider selling it to me? We can negotiate the price."
Master Wang Yi asked with a somewhat unclear voice, "Why do you want to buy this painting?"
Chen Feng sincerely replied, "I feel very comfortable looking at this painting, I even feel somewhat intoxicated by it."
"Thank you. Then I will sell it to you. Three million."
"Yes, if you think it’s too expensive, don’t buy it."
"Of course not," Chen Feng hurriedly shook his head, "I’ll buy!"
In fact, Chen Feng thought it was a bargain. After all, Ms. Zhai had said that three years ago, a copied piece was sold for 2.8 million. Now, three years later, this work was Master Wang Yi’s crowning achievement, which he previously did not want to sell.
Unless what she said was a lie, but seeing her shocked expression, it was unlikely to be deceit.
"Alright, let Little Zhai handle it."
After that, the video call ended abruptly – Master Wang Yi certainly was decisive.
"Mr. Chen, you’re really lucky. I don’t even know why the master suddenly agreed to sell you this painting. Before, someone offered 5 million to buy it, and he refused. It’s really... just give me a moment, I need to ask him again."
Ms. Zhai went out again to make a call, and a few minutes later she returned helplessly.
"Alright. The painting is yours. We’ll sell it to you right now, no need to wait for the exhibition to end. This is the master’s will."
Everyone who heard this felt it was quite unbelievable.