"Isn’t that convenient? I happen to know her really well, might even get you an eighty-eight percent discount!"
Ye Xian had effortlessly shifted from a sophisticated painting analyzer to a salesperson without a hint of discordance.
Everyone at the table was shocked to hear this and exclaimed in unison, "You know Xia Hewan?"
Ye Xian, "...Yes, why, is there a problem?"
There was a big problem.
Wen Yan and Bo Junfeng looked at each other.
They had suspected earlier that Ye Xian hadn’t even glanced at the painting before he was able to precisely describe its content and meaning. If he wasn’t an expert, it meant he was very familiar with the artwork and the artist. But he was only eighteen, not an art student, let alone an expert. How could he understand the painting so well?
Moreover, if it were some ordinary painter it might not matter, but Xia Hewan was not only a famous painter, she also held a more crucial identity, the matriarch of the Ye Family.
The Ye Family began to prosper over a decade ago. Ye Zhuoxuan was in commerce, and Xia Hewan was in painting. They were truly a family flourishing in both arts and commerce, a genuine scholarly family with profound foundations. Their two sons were each paragons of virtues; the elder son was involved in medical research and had won numerous awards, while the younger son, although a bit frivolous, was a business prodigy who made significant strides in the e-commerce industry within a few years.
Theoretically, with such rapid success, the Ye Family should have surpassed many of the famous figures in the Imperial Capital. However, the Ye Family was very low-key, apart from the younger son, Ye Shaowen, who often appeared in public. The others remained enigmatic, with unfathomable power.
Rumors had it that this was linked to a kidnapping incident over a decade ago, details of which were unclear.
How had Ye Xian come to know the elusive members of the wealthy and influential Ye Family, unreachable to even tycoons and industry leaders?
The last time at Old Master Bo’s birthday feast, Ye Xian analyzed a painting by Xia Hewan and knew about flaws that most were unaware of, which spoke volumes about their relationship.
More importantly, Ye Xian also shared the Ye surname. Could there be some relation between them? Relatives?
Unable to hide her curiosity, Wen Yan asked, "Xianxian, how do you know Xia Hewan?"
"I met her at an event where..."
Ye Xian initially wanted to say a gala or something similar, but then remembered, after his elder brother’s incident, his parents had kept a very low profile and hardly attended any lavish events.
"I actually know her younger son, Ye Shaowen, and through him I met her."
Ye Shaowen indeed was the only exception in the Ye Family.
"But I’ve heard the Ye Family is quite selective about their associations. They rarely entertain guests, especially Xia Hewan, who is quite proud. Xianxian, the fact that you get along so well with her and understand her painting so deeply shows that you are truly excellent and likable."
"It’s nothing special, just catering to her preferences. Now, about my earlier suggestion, what do you think..."
"Have you said enough?"
Ye Xian was speaking when suddenly a chilling voice interrupted her.
She turned and saw Bo Tingshen’s handsome face, which had darkened terribly, his eyes stormy as if he were already impatient.
Wasn’t she just talking to Wen Yan, helping Old Master Bo choose a painting? Had she also offended him?
"Tingshen, what tone is that?"
This time, before Wen Yan could speak, Bo Junfeng had already scolded him.
That was outrageous. Ye Xian was sincerely offering her advice and even willing to leverage her connections for them, yet Tingshen was not only ungrateful but also impolite!
This child was really too strange today.