Chapter 140

Baochao Alley

Cao Weiguo, carrying two fish in one hand and eggs in the other, attracted attention as soon as he walked into the courtyard.

Just these few things were definitely considered a big gift in this era.

Good things that one's own family was reluctant to buy on ordinary days.

"Weiguo is coming to see your master again!"

"Those two fish are really not small!"

"The eggs must be five or six catties!"

"Old Chen really took in a good apprentice!"

"This Cao Weiguo is truly wealthy!"

"I heard he's already become a director at the rolling mill."

"Weiguo, have time to come sit at our house."

The residents in the courtyard were envious, and many people muttered with jealousy.

"Auntie Chen's complexion is getting better and better."

"Auntie Xie."

"I'll go see my master first."

Cao Weiguo greeted them familiarly and walked into the back courtyard with the things.

"Master!"

Arriving at the back courtyard, Cao Weiguo called out directly.

Even if he knew there were people at home, he couldn't just push the door open and enter.

"Weiguo is here."

Hearing the call, Chen Baoshu's eldest daughter-in-law, Sun Dan, hurried out to welcome him.

"Weiguo, hurry into the room!"

"You say you come when you come, why bring so many things."

Sun Dan was an intellectual, an art teacher at a normal university, and naturally carried a scholarly air.

"Weiguo is here."

Holding a rag and wearing glasses, Chen Bin smiled.

"Master!"

"Brother Chen!"

Chen Baoshu glanced at the fish and eggs in Sun Dan's hands: "You are a man with a family now, you need to change your bad habit of being extravagant."

Cao Weiguo smiled: "Master, this is a little bit of my heart as an apprentice. Besides, the fish were caught by me at Beihai, and it didn't cost any money."

Chen Baoshu said: "I'm not lacking this bite of food from you, keep it for your wife to nourish her body."

Cao Weiguo hurriedly smiled: "I'll listen to you, Master. It won't happen again, please don't criticize me."

Arriving in the room, Sun Dan enthusiastically served tea and water.

Chen Baoshu asked about Cao Weiguo's recent situation with concern.

Chen Bin took out a landscape ink painting he had just completed from the room like he was presenting a treasure.

And then he was scolded and reprimanded by Chen Baoshu.

His eldest son hadn't inherited the culinary skills he was proud of, but instead went to learn some painting.

This had always made Chen Baoshu unhappy.

"Master, there are 360 trades, and every trade has its master."

Cao Weiguo said: "Ink painting is our national painting, Brother Chen paints so well, he will definitely become a master in the future."

Chen Baoshu snorted disdainfully: "Can't eat it, can't drink it, what's the use."

Chen Bin didn't dare to talk back to his father and could only endure it with a wilted head.

Seeing this situation, Cao Weiguo was also helpless.

Every family has its own difficult situation.

"Brother Chen, you and your sister-in-law are both in the calligraphy and painting world, do you know where one can get works by Master Baishi, Master Beihong... and other masters."

Cao Weiguo wasn't interested in calligraphy and painting, but he was interested in money.

If he could buy these masters' works now, they would definitely be worth a lot of money decades later.

Chen Bin asked curiously: "You want to buy paintings?"

Cao Weiguo said: "A leader likes to collect calligraphy and paintings, and I'm just catering to his preferences."

Chen Bin thought for a moment and said: "I do have a few friends who have some paintings in their hands, let's go to the study to talk."

Cao Weiguo said happily: "That's great."

Chen Bin had received a higher education, loved painting, and actively participated in various activities in the calligraphy and painting world.

Although he hadn't had any presentable works until now, he had made quite a few like-minded friends.

As the saying goes, everyone has their own circle.

Thinking of the circle Chen Bin was in, Cao Weiguo suddenly discovered a bright money-making path.

The current calligraphy and painting market was cold, which was a great buying opportunity that was hard to come by.

Buy low, sell high!

The profit contained in between was very large.

Now he wasn't short of money in his hands, and he didn't have too many expenses.

Instead of holding onto it and letting it depreciate, it was better to buy a large amount of calligraphy, paintings, and antiques.

Gold in troubled times, antiques in prosperous times!

With economic development and the continuous improvement of people's income and living standards, those antique calligraphy and paintings would also become more and more valuable.

Chen Bin said: "Those friends of mine are willing to sell the calligraphy and paintings in their homes, but they all need cash, and the asking price is not low."

Cao Weiguo said: "As long as they are authentic, the price is negotiable."

Although Cao Weiguo had already handed over his wages, his small treasury was still thick.

Chen Bin teased: "Weiguo is truly prosperous, so wealthy and imposing."

Cao Weiguo said: "Hey, I'm also helpless. To please the people above, I have to spend money."

Chen Bin sighed: "In that case, you're not having an easy time either." ===== CHAPTER 142 =====