Chapter 381 Buying Paintings

Chapter 381 Buying Paintings

If only Ye Xiaoxiao had invited Su Tong to come along.

Now, she and Ye Changsheng looked completely out of place at the exhibition.

Passersby kept glancing their way.

Though the Ye siblings resembled flawless works of art themselves, their artistic taste left much to be desired.

A man with a camera approached. "Here to see the exhibition?"

Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng turned to him before replying politely, "Just looking around. We don't know much about it."

The man, likely charmed by their looks, offered enthusiastically,

"If you don't mind, I could give you a tour."

Ye Xiaoxiao hesitated. "Isn't that too much trouble?"

He smiled. "Not at all. I'm here alone and would enjoy the company."

Ye Xiaoxiao pulled at Ye Changsheng's arm. "Could you show us Su Tong's works, then?"

The man nodded immediately. "Of course!"

He appeared to be a photographer with art knowledge, launching into detailed explanations about the pieces.

He spoke with genuine admiration for Su Tong's work, though he wished he could afford one himself.

That's when Ye Xiaoxiao realized the paintings were for sale—just not until after the exhibition.

She nudged Ye Changsheng. "We should buy a couple to hang at home."

Ye Changsheng thought of her traditional-style courtyard. "You should get a Chinese ink painting."

"Whatever. Money's no object—we can hang them in another house."

Ye Xiaoxiao mainly wanted to support her friend. Whether she'd actually appreciate the art was another story.

She approached the staff about purchasing two paintings.

The man who'd been guiding them gave Xiao Xiao a strange look.

"You're buying paintings...?"

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes. You made such a good case—her work seems worth owning."

The man went quiet.

So the two people he'd approached today had money to burn.

Though not masterpieces, the paintings here went for tens of thousands.

Feeling the man's gaze, Ye Changsheng thought wryly, *Xiao Xiao's the one with money to burn, not me.*

Ye Xiaoxiao went ahead and ordered three paintings—two by Su Tong and one by Jiang Yi. Both were friends, so she wanted to throw some support their way.

The staff explained they needed the artists' okay before completing the purchase. After taking Ye Xiaoxiao's contact details, they escorted the siblings out.

The photographer at the entrance was still a little confused.

Ye Xiaoxiao thanked him for the wonderful explanation, then left with Ye Changsheng.

The man shook his head as he watched their retreating figures. That was close—he'd nearly asked if they'd model for him.

Good thing he didn't. Folks like them definitely wouldn't agree.

No sooner had Ye Xiaoxiao gotten home than she received a call from Jiang Yi.

"Xiao Xiao, are you really buying my painting? Why bother spending money? Just come to my place and pick whatever you want."

It sounded chaotic on Jiang Yi's end, with many people talking in the background.

"You're at home?"

Jiang Yi nodded. "Yeah, I was in the middle of dinner when the gallery called."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Relax, I bought more than just yours."

Someone called out to Jiang Yi, and he hurriedly ended the conversation, but not before reminding her with a laugh, "Then make sure you spend Bro Lu's money!"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "...Got it."

She chuckled. Some friend.

After hanging up, Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng brought their haul to old man Song's place.

This time Duan Hong didn't come with—she'd left early in the morning, probably off celebrating too.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng spent the whole afternoon there, staying until after dinner before heading home.

The next day, they visited the Lu family estate.

Grandpa and Grandma hadn't been able to have dinner with Xiao Xiao the day before, so this meal made up for missing yesterday's holiday celebration.

"They won't be joining us, so we'll eat by ourselves."

Grandma Lu took quite a shine to Ye Changsheng. Knowing he was still studying, she kept asking when he'd graduate and whether he'd come to work in Beijing.

Ye Changsheng fielded all her questions patiently.

"Our country needs top research talent like you. You'll definitely join the Academy of Sciences and contribute to our family."

Though Grandpa Lu hadn't studied much himself, he admired academic excellence.

Pity his own grandson was such a handful—nothing to be proud of there.

In that case, marrying Xiao Xiao might at least upgrade the gene pool.

Ye Changsheng just gave a modest smile at the elderly couple's expectations.

His demeanor won them over completely.

...

Ye Changsheng stayed through New Year's Day before leaving.

When seeing him off, Ye Xiaoxiao didn't forget to remind him: "Give it some serious thought when you get back. Don't let the right one get away."

Ye Changsheng told her not to worry too much, as it all comes down to fate.

Ye Xiaoxiao pouted, hating hearing that.

"You still gotta put in some effort for fate."

"Be careful on the road, and text me when you get there safe."

Ye Changsheng waved, "You be careful on your way back too."

As soon as Ye Changsheng left, Ye Xiaoxiao dove right into work.

First, she went to the hospital to visit Zhang Runxin, who was still recovering from surgery.

His operation had been very successful, and he had received excellent post-operative care. This time, when they met again, he was looking much better.

"Dr. Ye, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I might not even be here talking to you right now."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Don't be so dramatic. This was the result of everyone’s efforts, including your own."

Jiang Yi had spent New Year’s Day with his family, and in the evening, he had even gone out of his way to accompany Zhang Runxin.

Now, seeing Ye Xiaoxiao, he didn’t bring up the paintings first.

Instead, he asked, "Doc, when can Runxin be discharged? I feel like the hospital doesn’t want to let him go."

After all, Zhang Runxin was a VIP patient at First Hospital, which was even willing to cover all his medical costs to ensure he received close monitoring.

"Maybe another month. Actually, if the hospital agrees, he could be discharged in two weeks.

But since his family isn’t around, leaving might not be better than staying in the hospital, where he can get the best care."

Ye Xiaoxiao was telling the truth, but Jiang Yi felt hospital stays are stressful.

For one thing, being around sick people all the time could affect one’s mood.

Even though Zhang Runxin had a private room, he could still hear crying and conversations in the hallway—which was unsettling.

"Well, let's give it another month." Hearing Ye Xiaoxiao’s words, he didn’t insist on his friend leaving. "Runxin, if you don’t want to stay here, I can get you out of here and hire a caregiver for you."

Zhang Runxin: "I'm good here. The doctors and nurses take good care of me."

Director Li from the Oncology Surgery Department heard that Ye Xiaoxiao had come to the hospital and immediately came to greet her.

"Dr. Ye, you came at just the right time!"