Yunding Ranch

Chapter 9 Worth Thousands of Gold

"So, I heard that there is a second painting?" Before Lu Li's ecstasy boiled over, Alan interrupted his celebration directly.Obviously, compared to the commercial value hidden behind the painting, the painting itself is what Allen cares about.

Lu Li had to calm down temporarily and waited for Alan to continue to insist on the Chrysler Building. His inner anticipation was eager to try. Since Degas might be real, why couldn't the Chrysler Building?Perhaps those three sketches in the space ring may also be from the hands of a certain master...

However, Lu Li's fantasy bubble was quickly burst.

"This painting should have been created in the 30s. Judging from the use of paint and the trajectory of the brush, it should be an amateur who is quite accomplished in art." Allen's words directly cut off more possibilities. "After the Chrysler Building was completed, it stole the limelight from the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building, and became the favorite of countless artists. In that era, some artists even traveled across the ocean to New York just to paint a Chrysler. "

Allen began to pack up the identification tools next to him, "This painting is not from a famous artist, but its quality is very outstanding. I think there should be many collectors who are willing to keep it. If you want, you can also keep this painting .”

The amount of information was a bit large for a while, and Lu Li needed to digest it carefully.Allen didn't stay too long. After the appraisal was completed, he left the room calmly, coming and going in a hurry.

Jennifer took over the scene. She put on the gloves again and carefully sealed up the Degas, which will be sent to the laboratory for further testing. The professional and gentle movements look like art, pleasing to the eye.

"Sir." After sealing up Degas's painting, Jennifer looked at Lu Li, "Does this Chrysler Building also need to be inspected?"

According to what Allen said just now, this painting can be put up for auction, and many art lovers should be very willing to collect it. However, Lu Li thought about it, maybe this painting can be auctioned for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, which is very important for their family. It is also a lot of income; but he has decided to auction off Degas, in comparison, this Chrysler Building is not so important, it is better to keep it as a thought, as it is left by the owner of the space ring a gift.

"No need." Lu Li rejected Jennifer's proposal. Even so, Jennifer still carefully wrapped up the painting to avoid being treated so simply and rudely by Lu Li again.Of course, if Jennifer knew that Lu Li found a hidden place to take the painting out of the space after arriving at the Sotheby's auction house, and ensured that it was not damaged, she would not think so.

After finishing the work at hand, Jennifer sat down face to face with Lu Li again, "The Degas will be sent to a professional laboratory for testing, and the cost should be..." Jennifer handed a complete test list to Lu Li , "Forty-eight hundred dollars. This fee needs to be paid today."

Four thousand eight hundred, which is already equivalent to Lu Li's living expenses for four months. He can afford this amount in his bank card now, but this is already the largest expenditure other than tuition fees. It hurts.

"However, if you are willing to entrust our auction house with full authority to handle subsequent auction matters, this fee can be deducted." Jennifer's next words made Lu Li's eyes light up, "All expenses will be included in the commission fee. "

Sure enough, there is no such thing as a free lunch.Lu Li also came to his senses at this time. After the inspection by Jennifer and Allen, although there was still a final hurdle, they could basically confirm the authenticity of the painting. Naturally, he hoped that Lu Li would keep the painting and give it to them for auction.Compared to the commission fee, the appraisal fee of [-] is just a drop in the bucket.

"How much is the entrustment fee?" Lu Li didn't hesitate and made a decision immediately.

Jennifer's smile became brighter, "If the auction is successful, we will charge a commission fee of 13.00% of the transaction price. This fee not only includes all related services, but also insurance business. We will ensure that the painting is safety; and subsequent related services to ensure that your interests will not be lost.”

13.00%, sure enough.

As a journalism student, Lu Li's thoughts were very quick, and he quickly thought about an important question, "What if the auction fails?" Although Degas's paintings should not be unsold, when Jennifer introduced This possibility was deliberately ignored.

Jennifer nodded her chin lightly, a little surprised, but not surprised, "Then we will charge [-]% of the estimated price as a storage fee. Of course, the appraisal fee will also be deducted."

Two percent, which sounds like a lot.

"What is your estimated price for this Degas painting?" Lu Li couldn't help being curious. He had seen a painting of Van Gogh sold for [-] million pounds in the news before, and he couldn't tell how many zeros followed it. Unexpectedly, now he actually has the opportunity to become one of them.

Jennifer hesitated for the first time. After all, the painting still needs to go through the last layer of inspection, and the specific valuation needs to be consulted by professional appraisers. But after thinking about it, she still explained the complexity of the valuation—the auction house is not a fool. If you sacrifice your own interests casually, you must be cautious, "But Alan made a rough estimate just now, the current market price of this painting should be between 500 million and 600 million, and the specific figure needs to be evaluated by professionals , some fluctuations may occur."

$500 million?That is nearly 4000 million RMB!
"If you are willing to entrust our auction house to carry out the auction, we will hold a small exhibition in New York, and then launch publicity, with the cooperation of the media and the Internet, to attract more potential buyers. When the time is ripe, the auction price will be higher than expected. "Jennifer's words made Lu Li chuckle. Simply put, it's called "hype", which is really familiar to Lu Li, who studies communication and journalism.

Jennifer didn't know why, but she didn't express her doubts, and continued, "Generally speaking, the final transaction price can be 30.00% to 50.00% higher than the estimated price. This Degas is very precious, for art lovers and history It is very valuable to researchers, and if matched with the correct publicity method, the price may bring surprises.”

The correct way of publicity, according to Jennifer, is Sotheby's auction house.

Lu Li couldn't help but laugh, but he didn't take Joe, nodded and gave an affirmative answer, "Then let's do it this way."

"No problem!" Jennifer showed a big smile, "Trust me, you made the right choice."

A boulder finally fell, but Lu Li thought of another thing: After owning this money, his parents would not have to worry anymore, they could even retire early, and his father could finally recover from his illness. However, How should he explain the origin of the money to his parents?Also, does grandma know the secret about this ring?If he announces the truth, what kind of chain reaction will it cause?
Immediately, Lu Li thought of Liz's inheritance.

He didn't know why Liz left the inheritance to himself, this stranger who had only been together for less than a month, this friendship weighed heavily on his chest.But leaving this point aside, Liz not only left Lu Li a pasture, but also left Lu Li a choice, a choice about the future.

This reminded Lu Li of the conversation he had with Fred last night. If he had a choice, would he choose the city or the countryside?Now, it seems that he really has the right to choose.

In a blink of an eye, Jennifer returned to the appraisal room with a thick stack of documents. Under her guidance, Lu Li read the documents in detail and signed them one by one.

"Very good, now your painting is fully entrusted to us at Sotheby's auction house!" Jennifer stretched out her right hand, celebrating the success of the cooperation, "We will do our best to serve you and ensure that this painting can be successfully auctioned .”

Lu Li held Jennifer's right hand, and jokingly said, "Phew, I'm giving you the hot potato now." Jennifer couldn't help laughing heartily.

After leaving Sotheby's Auction House, Lu Li only felt that his shoulders were much lighter. From yesterday to today, things happened too fast and too intensively. The news of the inheritance gift hadn't had time to digest, and then he discovered the ring space , and then Degas's paintings again, overnight, his life seems to have undergone earth-shaking changes - at least with the possibility of qualitative changes.

After things happened one by one, Lu Li found a hidden corner again, put the Chrysler Building back in the space, and then walked towards the subway station.Before the auction, he was still a poor student. It was the right choice to do the subway honestly. However, Lu Li did not rush back to school, but came all the way to Wall Street.

The law firm of Will, Gaucher, and Mangs is on this high street, and now he needs to solve the second thing, visit Mark himself, and find out what is going on with Liz's estate gift.

Stepping out of the elevator, you can see the high-rise building across the street through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows directly in front of you. The iron-gray brick walls seem to have no temperature, and the towering buildings make the sky look high and far away. The thin sunlight It seems to be projected onto the ground after thousands of miles, causing the whole city to reveal a lingering coldness.The orderliness in the law firm is even more tidy and indifferent. Standing in the indoor environment at this time, even with the heating, people still can't help but shiver.

"Sir, do you have an appointment?"

(End of this chapter)