After following Mr. Lu into his study, even the well-traveled Shen Shi couldn't help but be surprised by what he saw: "This is no study, it's practically a small museum!"
Shen Shi never imagined that a study could contain so many famous paintings.
In this incredibly large study, apart from a desk, the rest of the room is filled with all sorts of famous paintings, with over a hundred hanging on the walls and displayed in cabinets.
It includes traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings, sketches, landscapes, and figures, and the vast majority of them are works by masters.
"Well, this is all I've saved up over the years," Mr. Lu said proudly, looking at Shen Shi's surprised expression.
He boasted in a tone full of pride, "I'm not bragging, but when it comes to collecting famous paintings, no one in the entire City A can compare to me."
That's true. Any one of these famous paintings in the room would be priceless.
Shen Shi felt that even his grandfather probably wouldn't be willing to spend so much money on collecting art, and of course, the old man had no interest in art at all.
If he were to see these famous paintings by Lu's father, he might think that this man is "just bored and has nothing better to do."
"Uncle, you are so... generous..." Even Shen Shi, who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, couldn't help but praise him.
"Hahaha..." Upon hearing this, Mr. Lu burst into laughter.
“We don’t need to be so polite, just say if you have anything you like,” Mr. Lu said politely to Shen Shi, thinking about what he needed to do next.
"Then thank you very much, Uncle," Mr. Lu said politely, but it was exactly what Shen Shi wanted.
“I think this one is pretty good; the colors are quite vibrant. I like it,” Shen Shi said, pointing to the huge oil painting on the wall.
Shen Shi's unexpected agreement embarrassed Lu's father.
Unexpectedly, he actually had the nerve to ask, and Mr. Lu was momentarily speechless: "This..."
Unable to express his agreement, he could only helplessly scratch his head.
It's not that Mr. Lu was stingy; it's just that this painting, "Vina's Wedding," is truly rare. It's a masterpiece that was renowned in Europe in the last century.
Mr. Lu had spent a lot of effort and money to acquire it, and he treasured it dearly. He was really reluctant to give it away now.
Lu Ming's face was full of reluctance, but Shen Shi didn't care about that.
He knew in his heart that Lu's father must have had some ulterior motive in asking him to come here, and given the relationship between the two families, it was unlikely that Shen Shi would refuse unless things went too far.
Since Chen Shi was determined to be a sucker, he naturally wanted to take the opportunity to squeeze some money out of Lu's father.
"Uncle, why aren't you saying anything?" Chen Shi asked knowingly, leaning against the wall as he looked at Lu Ming, who was hesitating in front of him.
"No...it's just this painting...it's too..." After hesitating for a long time, Mr. Lu, still unable to bring himself to make up his mind, said to Shen Shi in a consultative tone, "Xiao Shi, do you have any other paintings you've taken a fancy to...?"
Lu Ming, a middle-aged man nearing fifty, was like a child reluctant to part with his beloved toy.
Shen Shi underestimated Lu's father's love for paintings. Since things had already gone this far, it was impossible to force him to do anything against his will.
"It wouldn't be right for Uncle to part with such a precious piece." After looking around again, Shen Shi pointed to the painting and said, "This one will do!"
Although this time the chosen item was also one of Father Lu's favorites, everyone who gets to enter this house is a precious treasure.
Compared to "Vina's Wedding," these are nothing.
Surprisingly, Lu's father felt a surge of joy and beamed at Shen Shi, saying, "Good, good, this one is also quite nice. Don't worry, my dear nephew, I'll have someone wrap it up right away."
"Thank you for your generosity, Uncle." Shen Shi was in a good mood after getting a famous painting for free.
Mr. Lu, who initially just wanted to show off, gave away a piece of his collection for nothing.
Having learned from his mistake, Mr. Shen realized that continuing the idle chatter might just lead to more wasted effort.
As soon as Shen Shi sat down, Lu's father cut to the chase: "Nephew, I had no choice but to call you here this time." His drawn-out tone was full of difficulty, and he stared at Shen Shi as if he had seen a lifeline.
After waiting for so long, it's finally starting.
Shen Shi put on a concerned expression and comforted him, "Uncle, please don't be like this. Given the relationship between our two families, you can just say whatever you want to say."
Seeing Shen Shi's attitude, Lu's father felt there was hope, so he immediately complained to Shen Shi, "The Lu family is not as wealthy as the Shen family, and of course I am no match for Old Master Shen, who is decisive and capable of leading the company to expand its territory. Nephew, to tell you the truth, the Lu family is already teetering on the brink of collapse. If the Lu family falls in my hands, I will have no face to face Old Master Lu a hundred years from now!"
Shen Shi could guess the situation within the Lu family with a high degree of accuracy. With Lu Ming, a manager who was obsessed with collecting, often spent lavishly, and was not good at business, it would be strange if the Lu family were doing well.
Just thinking about Grandpa Lu, who was once a renowned entrepreneur, he and his grandfather were evenly matched.
As a result, within just five years of his death, the business empire he had built was squandered by his own good-for-nothing son, leaving him barely clinging to life.
However, with the practical problems at hand, Shen Shi didn't have time to sigh too much: "I understand what Uncle Lu means, but a company as big as Lu's can survive for several years just by living off its past achievements, so how can it be as serious as you say?"
Despite being a junior, Shen Shi exuded the air of a superior, addressing Lu Ming as if he were a boss questioning an employee.
"The Lu family can still hold on, but..." Mr. Lu said with regret, "I wanted to buy a collectible piece, but I didn't have enough cash flow. In a moment of confusion, I took shares to buy it..."
Perhaps realizing his actions were somewhat foolish, Mr. Lu quickly explained, "But I hold the largest shareholding, so there shouldn't have been any problem. However, recently the board members want to reconvene the shareholders' meeting. If they unite, the position of the Lu family's leader may no longer belong to the Lu family."
After listening to Lu's father's words, Shen Shi breathed a sigh of relief. In his opinion, it was a good thing that Lu's father, who had no management ability at all, stepped down from the position of decision-maker.
Anyway, I still have the shares, so I can just wait to receive dividends.
But he couldn't say that directly, so he asked again, "What does Uncle Lu plan to do?"
"I wanted my nephew to help me contact a few old shareholders." Facing Shen Shi, his lifeline, Lu's father revealed his thoughts without reservation.
"Given the Shen family's prestige in the industry and your reputation, nephew, this matter is not difficult. Several shareholders have investments in various places, and they are particularly involved in many of the Shen family's projects. Your words certainly carry weight."
Before the meeting, Lu's father had thoroughly investigated everything, using the prestige of others to support himself, his wishful thinking was quite impressive.
This was indeed not difficult for Shen Shi. If Lu's father was a competent manager and the two families had an inseparable marriage relationship, Shen Shi would undoubtedly give him face.
Unfortunately, the word "competent" simply doesn't exist for someone like Mr. Lu, who is used to being a young master.
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