Chapter 231: Master Lin Zhu

Translator: _Min_

Song Ling called out, “Gu Dai!”

Gu Dai had no intention of engaging with Song Ling and planned to walk around him to enter the company, but he managed to intercept her.

With no choice but to halt, Gu Dai frowned and looked at Song Ling with puzzled inquiry, “What’s the matter?”

Song Ling, unconcerned by Gu Dai’s chilly demeanor, earnestly said, “I’ve come to sign the Suzhou embroidery contract.”

Only then did Gu Dai remember that she had given the contract to Song Ling previously, but he had not signed it yet.

“Come in,” Gu Dai invited.

Upon seeing Song Ling, Lin Sheng’s gaze unexpectedly shifted to Gu Dai.

She explained, “He’s here to sign the contract.”

Lin Sheng nodded in understanding and followed behind them.

Song Ling’s eyes occasionally rested on Gu Dai, wanting to speak to her, yet he didn’t know what to say.

Zhao Xuan, watching his president’s hesitant demeanor, almost wished to speak on his behalf, and in his eagerness, he accidentally did just that.

“The painting in Chairwoman Gu’s office is really beautiful,” Zhao Xuan blurted out.

Gu Dai glanced at the painting on the wall and then smiled appreciatively at

Zhao Xuan, “a.s.sistant Zhao has quite the eye for art.”

Lin Sheng also puffed out his chest in pride.

After all, the painting was the young miss’s own work; how could it not be beautiful?

Song Ling also looked at the painting and was instantly stunned.

It was an ink wash painting.

With just a few strokes, it depicted the glow of the sunrise on a valley, with indistinct pines and cypresses and a solitary vibe, captivating the observer and transporting them into the painting’s profound atmosphere.

Regaining his composure, Song Ling excitedly asked, “Is this painting by the famous ink painting master Lin Zhu?”

Gu Dai gave a soft affirmation.

Song Ling, an avid admirer of paintings, especially cherished the works of “Lin Zhu,” a master he had investigated more than once.

However, he had only learned that “Lin Zhu” was a pseudonym the master used. The true ident.i.ty of this incredibly enigmatic person remained unknown, as n.o.body had seen him for years.

The artworks of “Lin Zhu” were scarce, each one a masterpiece highly sought after and fetching high prices at auctions.

The last sighting of the master was five years ago; afterward, he had vanished, leaving no trace.

Snapping back from his reverie, Song Ling turned to Gu Dai with a smile, “I had no idea our tastes were so similar—you also appreciate Master Lin Zhu’s works.”

Gu Dai pressed her lips together, not replying.

Song Ling, still immersed in his excitement, didn’t mind and continued, “I recall this painting is the master’s initial work. It’s nearly impossible to acquire Lin Zhu’s pieces under normal circ.u.mstances, but to think you’ve secured this one!”

After reflecting for a moment, Gu Dai hesitantly nodded.

This painting was just one of many she had created, hence her memory of it was not so clear.

Song Ling looked at the painting and asked symbolically, “Do you know Master Lin Zhu?”

Gu Dai answered directly, “Yes.”

Song Ling was taken aback, then looked at Gu Dai in shock, exclaiming, “You know Master Lin Zhu!”

“Uh-huh,” Gu Dai responded lightly.

Song Ling quickly spoke up, “Could you please convey to Master Lin Zhu that

I’m very fond of his work and would like to acquire a piece?”

After a brief hesitation, Gu Dai replied, “I can do that.”

Song Ling’s eyes lit up with joy at her response.

He was a fervent fan of Master Lin Zhu, and now the opportunity to own one of the master’s collections was a dream come true.

Lin Sheng felt even prouder upon hearing Song Ling’s words.

The paintings Song Ling admired were all works of the young miss when she was eighteen.

Although Gu Dai had agreed to Song Ling’s request, she wasn’t completely selfless.

Gu Dai raised her eyes to Song Ling and said, “1 can pa.s.s your message to Lin Zhu, but you should offer something in exchange, shouldn’t you?”

Without any hesitation, Song Ling immediately replied, “I can share with you the trends of the Suzhou embroidery market that I’ve been researching these days.”

Gu Dai hadn’t expected Song Ling to offer this as a trade; it seemed he truly cherished her paintings.

Then, they sat across from each other at the negotiation table and began discussing the Suzhou embroidery matter.

While reviewing the doc.u.ments Song Ling had given her, Gu Dai suddenly looked up and seriously asked, “To partic.i.p.ate in the collaboration, you need to invest a cash share first. Is that a problem?”

Shaking his head, Song Ling responded, “No problem.”

With the money issue resolved, Gu Dai began to discuss the development of Suzhou embroidery..