Yunding Ranch

Chapter 29 Returning to New York
Looking at the long queue of cars in front of him, Lu Li couldn't help but sighed softly. He just stayed in Texas for five days, and when he came back to New York again, he had already begun to feel uncomfortable.The mighty traffic jam scene in front of him can be called a scene in New York. During the few years of studying here, he gradually got used to it. But at this time, Lu Li couldn't help but began to miss the spaciousness and emptiness of New Braunfels. street.

Looking up, the gray-blue sky in New York reveals an inexplicable depression; the sparse sunlight seems to fall down because it penetrates the steel forest, and the feeling of weakness makes people hardly feel the warmth; even The air has become sensitive, but I'm not sure whether it's a psychological effect or real; not to mention that the densely crowded heads have backlogged all the space in sight to the extreme, making people breathless.

Lu Li couldn't help but start planning in his mind when he could go back to the ranch.

He is now a senior, and the internship has been successfully completed, but he will have some exchanges with the "New York Observer". The editor in charge of his internship is quite optimistic about him, because he has both the background of Eastern culture and The color of Western education does have unique insights into cross-cultural communication. Especially in recent years, China's influence has gradually increased, and the appearance that was covered with a layer of tulle has gradually become clearer.Before spring break, he owed the New York Observer a story on China's bizarre Singles' Day shopping spree, which was due Wednesday.

In addition, he has no classes in the second half of the semester. With enough credits, he needs to focus on writing his graduation thesis. Before leaving New York, he must meet with the professor to determine the opening report and research direction of the thesis. Right, and then he can go out to the ranch and work his way through the thesis.

Therefore, he will stay in New York for at least one to two weeks.This took longer than expected.Thinking of this, Lu Li couldn't help laughing. He just left the ranch, and he couldn't wait to go back?But it doesn't hurt to stay here for a while, he can go to the library to check the information, and have a clearer idea of ​​the future development plan of the ranch.

While driving, thinking wildly at the same time, the time in traffic jams will not be so difficult.Even so, Lu Li was still a little helpless. It usually only took 10 minutes to get there, but today it took a full hour and 15 minutes. The spring break is over today, and the students are starting to come back one after another. People have a headache.

Lu Li didn't go straight back to his residence, but drove directly to Sotheby's auction house.

When he was still in the ranch, Sotheby's called him to inform him that the "Entrance of the Masquerade Dancer" had been verified and was indeed authentic. This is really good news; it also means that the painting The pre-auction publicity has officially started, and they invited Lu Li to come to the auction house in person to discuss the details of the subsequent auction.

Those who came out to greet Lu Li were still familiar faces, Jennifer.

"You seem to have just had a very pleasant vacation." Jennifer could feel a subtle change in Lu Li's aura, and she started with a small joke with a smile.

Lu Li nodded and gave an affirmative answer, "You can say that." Although it's not Miami, even though it's not a sunny beach, life on the ranch does make people feel happy.

"This is one of the reasons why I miss my school days, winter vacation, summer vacation, spring vacation, those crazy years." Jennifer said with a smile on her face. Going to the bar for a drink and thinking about whether to go to work tomorrow or not. God, 'TGIF (Thank-God-It's-Friday, Long live Friday)' is the only hope in life now."

Although Jennifer was joking, it cannot be denied that this is reality.After entering the society, the work becomes more and more busy, and the pressure of life becomes heavier and heavier. Many times, people even forget themselves, forget to relax, forget to be happy, and at the same time forget their goals and happiness. alive.

Lu Li was very fortunate that he had the opportunity to choose, and he thought he made the right choice.

"I thought you both had to go to work on weekends." Lu Li didn't plan to discuss it in depth, but replied with a joke.

Such humor made Jennifer amused instantly, "What you said is true. I have been working continuously for sixteen days. However, I don't think I will have a chance to take a vacation in a short period of time. Because in the next week, your German Plus will be the focus of my work."

"Although I really want to persuade you to take a day off and relax tomorrow; but considering Degas's auction price, I decided to keep my mouth shut." Lu Li's words made Jennifer laugh again.

While talking, the two of them came to the reception room. The room is not big, but it is very elegantly furnished. The beige tone is matched with warm yellow and light red, which makes it easy to relax.

After sitting down, Jennifer turned on the computer and called up some information, "Here are some pictures we took after we completed the appraisal. If you like it, you can keep it as a souvenir. Because this painting will change hands soon. " Jennifer showed a playful smile, and because of Lu Li's humor, her tone became more casual, "Currently, this painting is being exhibited in a private gallery we have cooperated for a long time. If you are interested, I will Give you a business card, you can come and visit."

The so-called private gallery means that only people who reach a certain level can enter and exit.This detail shows the importance that Sotheby's auction house attaches to the painting "Entrance of Masquerade Dancers".

Sure enough, Jennifer's next words verified Lu Li's conjecture, "We have sent invitations to some famous European collectors, and they are coming to New York one after another. This Degas is very rare, and many people have heard of it. Its name, but only a small number of people have been able to see the real face. Therefore, there are quite a few people who are interested this time."

This is good news. Perhaps, the final transaction price of this painting will exceed expectations.

"The exhibition will last until next Wednesday, and then we will send out invitation letters according to the situation, inviting specific buyers to participate in our private auction." Jennifer continued to explain, "This time we will auction several other treasures together , including an ancient Egyptian accessory. However, Degas is our final big axis in terms of value, so trust us, we will do our best to promote it. Not sure if you are interested in going to the auction What about the scene?"

"Hehe, I'll forget it." Lu Li knew that if it was just an ordinary auction, then it would be harmless for him to experience it, and it would also increase his knowledge; but after a private auction like this has reached a certain level, even if Lu Li Attending, may not be able to gain something. "When is the auction scheduled?"

"The day after St. Patrick's Day," Jennifer replied.

That was March No. 18, and there were still nine days to go, which basically coincided with his next itinerary. The next time he went to the ranch, he would have enough funds to carry out the initial construction of the ranch.

Lu Li nodded, "Then I will leave the rest of the matter to you."

"Of course." Jennifer said with a decent smile, "Our goal is to make the transaction price of this work exceed 1000 million US dollars."

Lu Li's eyes couldn't help showing surprise. The original estimate was around 500 million or 600 million. If he passed the 1000 million threshold in one go, it would be doubled. This is really a pleasant surprise.

Seemingly understanding the meaning of Lu Li's expression, Jennifer added, "Rare is the most precious thing, and it's the same in the field of art." This was enough to answer Lu Li's question. It seems that this Degas is still rare. more than one estimate.

"For me, this is good news." Lu Li's frank answer made both of them smile, and ended today's meeting in a friendly atmosphere.

After bidding farewell to Sotheby's auction house, Lu Li went home to take care of himself first, washed off the dust, and then rested and adjusted, and decided to go to the Olive Garden.

To be honest, he was quite happy working in Olive Garden, not only because Olive Garden provided him with a job and relieved the pressure of life; but also because the colleagues around him and his immediate boss got along very well——Al is an exception.Now, he has decided to resign, but at least he can go to say goodbye to everyone, maybe we can meet each other on different occasions in the future, and even if not, he can also express his gratitude.

Standing at the door of the familiar store in Olive Garden again, Lu Li sighed a little. The changes in life really caught people off guard, didn't they?
Some people may have used the position of waiter as a springboard to seek better development opportunities; some people may have been trapped in the position of waiter all their lives, and their spines have been crushed by running around for a living; Maybe just to experience life, to feel what it's like to work hard with your own hands, and then quit your job and take a completely different life path...

These used to be other people's stories, but now they actually happened to Lu Li himself.Although as a journalism student, Lu Li has different choices; it is not easy for Asians to find white-collar jobs in the United States, let alone the journalism industry where racial discrimination and sexism are particularly serious.

So, Lu Li also thought about it, what if he couldn't get rid of the position of waiter for the rest of his life?What if serving dishes was his only way out?The confusion and panic in the future are like a knife switch hanging on the head, and no one knows when it will fall.

Only now, the situation is completely different.Just a few days ago, he was a waiter with an uncertain future; but now, he's worth millions—if not tens of millions—and he's truly taking his future into his own hands.In the journey of life, you never know what will happen at the next turn.

(End of this chapter)