Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2392 - 2328: What If It’s Five Hundred Thousand?

Isn't Chiang Xiao's artwork rather fascinating?

What exactly do you mean by that?

Both the principal and Ji Yuzhi perked up their ears with evident interest.

"I visited the Lee family's hotel and spotted the Welcoming Pine displayed in the entrance hall. It struck me how lifelike the artwork was. If you linger before it briefly, a momentary illusion hits you—like gazing at an actual tree brimming with vitality. And there's another detail: the staff there mentioned that the Lees started with just a modest guesthouse, where things weren't going smoothly, and a small tale ties into this."

Ji Yuzhi inquired with curiosity, "What's that small tale about?"

"Back then, the Lee family operated in Huaming County, City M. Their guesthouse struggled at first. Legend has it that Miss Xiao Chiang dropped by one day and noted how the lobby's original painting felt too gloomy, weighing on visitors' spirits, so she recommended swapping it out."

Hu Xiangyong glanced toward Liu Guoying, hesitated briefly, then went on, "The head of the Lee family acted swiftly. Aware that Miss Xiao Chiang had training in art, he handed over a thousand dollars for her to create a Welcoming Pine to take the old one's place. To everyone's surprise, right after hanging the new piece, the guesthouse's fortunes turned around overnight. From there, the Lees expanded to a full hotel in the city, and their success holds strong even now. That's why the folks at the hotel credit Miss Xiao Chiang's painting with sparking the family's thriving enterprise."

Upon hearing the story, the principal and Ji Yuzhi were left utterly astonished.

The principal let out a light laugh despite himself and remarked, "Mr. Hu, I must say, while Chiang Xiao's works are undoubtedly impressive, a tale like this seems far-fetched. Likely, the Lees adjusted their approach later on, or maybe the overall economy picked up in recent times, leading to their improved results."

"The principal makes a solid point." Liu Guoying was caught off guard that he'd delved into such details, growing more cautious as disbelief etched across his features. He added, "If artwork carried that kind of power, wouldn't Chiang Xiao have amassed a fortune by now? If it truly held such value, a mere thousand wouldn't cut it, would it? It's all about seizing the perfect moment."

Hu Xiangyong joined in with a chuckle.

"As a businessman, I know we can lean toward the superstitious side at times. Better to trust in such signs when they appear."

The principal responded offhandedly, "Well then, embracing a lucky sign can't hurt."

"Precisely my thinking."

"So, for this occasion, what sort of piece does Mr. Hu hope Chiang Xiao will create?" the principal wondered aloud.

"I figured I'd chat with Miss Xiao Chiang directly and get her thoughts on it."

Liu Guoying replied, "If that's your plan, I'll have to turn it down politely for Chiang Xiao." A shadow crossed his expression as he continued, "Mr. Hu, you're placing way too much on this artwork—it heaps undue stress on Chiang Xiao. Suppose your ventures go south down the line; would you hold it against my pupil? That's a burden she simply can't shoulder."

The principal recoiled slightly.

Those words...

Master Liu, couldn't you phrase things a tad more delicately!

They haven't even begun the work, and here you are predicting total ruin—aren't you afraid it'll offend them deeply?

Yet Hu Xiangyong showed no trace of irritation, opting instead for a gentle laugh.

"Master Liu, you can't really speak for Miss Xiao Chiang, can you? Plus, Mr. Hu hasn't brought up compensation yet."

"There's no point in discussing fees; your demands are overly ambitious and outlandish. Regardless of the sum, Xiao Chiang won't take it on."

"How about fifty thousand for the painting?" Hu Xiangyong proposed.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

The principal and Ji Yuzhi coughed up a storm, nearly strangled by their own spit at the same instant.