In the afternoon, on the top floor of Junyue Mansion, at Mrs. Wang’s home.
After Yuan Xudong took Wang Manni to get to know the wives and their husbands in the wife circle, they learned that they lived on the 18th floor of Grand Hyatt House. Mrs. Wang, who lived on the top floor of Grand Hyatt House, proposed to hold an afternoon tea event to welcome Wang Manni.
Joining the circle of wives and affectionately calling Wang Manni Mrs. Yuan made Wang Manni so happy that she directly agreed to Mrs. Wang's proposal.
Everyone was sitting on the sofa in the living room. As the host, Mrs. Wang sat in the middle and smiled:
"To celebrate Mrs. Yuan joining our circle of wives, I proposed this afternoon tea event. Do you have any good suggestions?"
After taking a look at Mrs. Wang, who likes to be in the spotlight, Mrs. Li, whose family has been in business for a century, flashed a trace of disdain in her eyes, but said calmly:
"Since we are having afternoon tea, we can't do without desserts and black tea. I wonder if Mrs. Wang has a servant who can make desserts at home, or does Mrs. Wang want to prepare cakes and black tea herself to entertain us?"
Hearing what Mrs. Li said, Mrs. Wang, who had not prepared anything, forced a smile and said:
"Of course I know that cakes and black tea need to be prepared for afternoon tea. The dessert servant at home is on leave, but don't worry, Gu Jia, who lives on the twelfth floor, is very good at making cakes.
Let me tell you, Gu Jia’s cakes are very delicious. You have never had such a delicious cake before. I will let her prepare today’s cake and black tea."
After taking a look at Mrs. Wang, who looked unnatural, and knowing that she didn't understand anything, Mrs. Li opened her mouth to show off:
"You must have never tasted the desserts made by the most authentic pastry chef in France. If you go to France, I will send you the address of the pastry chef so that you can taste what is a truly delicious cake. It is not a family
A housewife can make it casually."
Knowing that established businessmen like Mrs. Li looked down on emerging assets like hers and were jealous that her family was richer, Mrs. Wang couldn't help but counterattack:
"How could I not have tasted desserts made by the most authentic pastry chefs in France? Just because I like desserts, my husband specially arranged a private visit to the French Pastry School. What kind of desserts have I not tasted?"
Looking at Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Li who were fighting openly and secretly, Mrs. Yu, whose family is in the amusement park business, smiled and said:
"That's because our class is low. We only go to France to look at paintings. Mrs. Wang's home is a private tour and study tour. This is the difference between the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy!"
Hearing Mrs. Yu cheering for her, Mrs. Wang said with a smile on her face:
"I also have paintings at home. I don't know if you can understand them. They are hanging in the dining room. I will take you to see them and enjoy Monet's water lilies!"
After that, she stood up and walked to the restaurant, feeling secretly proud in her heart. Ever since Gu Jia reminded her that the painter of water lilies was Monet, not Van Gogh, she specially collected some relevant information from the Internet, just to show off in front of many wives one day.
So what if you have been in business for a hundred years? It’s not like you don’t have enough money!
When she brought everyone into the restaurant, she saw her husband and the husbands of several other wives standing in front of Monet's water lilies to comment. Mrs. Wang looked even more interested and said:
"Do any of you know anything about this painting?"
After saying that, she glanced at Yuan Xudong and Wang Manni, whom she just met today, and smiled:
"Mr. Yuan, Mrs. Yuan, what do you think of this painting?"
Hearing Mrs. Wang's inquiry and seeing everyone looking at herself and Yuan Xudong, Wang Manni, who knew nothing about oil paintings, felt a little embarrassed and said:
"I know more about luxury goods and am not interested in oil paintings!"
After saying that, she looked to Yuan Xudong for help:
"Xudong, what do you think of this painting?"
After taking a look at Mrs. Wang and Mr. Wang, Yuan Xudong secretly admired the expressions on their faces and saw that rich people don't have many simple things. Thinking of this, he pretended to be confused and said:
"I have no ability to appreciate oil paintings. I heard that Christie's Hong Kong auctioned a Monet's Water Lily collected by the Rockefeller family. It seems to be the one in Mr. Wang's home. The estimated price was 35 million U.S. dollars, and the final auction price was 75 million U.S. dollars.
Including commissions, it costs almost 85 million U.S. dollars, which is more than 500 million yuan. I didn’t expect that our Grand Hyatt Mansion still has collectors like Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang!”
After hearing what Yuan Xudong said, Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang's expressions remained unchanged and they said:
"Mr. Yuan is joking, we are not collectors, we are just hobbies. It is a bit expensive, but it is worth every penny. This is a world-famous painting, and it will definitely become more and more valuable in the future!"
Seeing everyone marveling at Monet's water lilies, Mrs. Wang's eyes flashed with pride and she said:
"You guys watch first, I'll ask Gu Jia to come over and make the cake!"
After saying that, she turned around and left. When Mrs. Wang disappeared, everyone gathered in front of Monet's water lily. Wang Manni, who was left behind, stared at the oil painting and sighed:
"I thought my vision and outlook were high enough. It wasn't until I saw this oil painting that I realized that poverty can indeed limit a person's imagination. A painting costs more than 500 million. This world is really crazy!"
Looking at Wang Manni who was lamenting her life, Yuan Xudong whispered in her ear and laughed:
"Like it?"
After thinking for a while, Wang Manni shook her head slightly and said:
"I can't say I like it, nor can I say I don't like it. I just feel a sense of awe when I see such a valuable oil painting for the first time. It represents the class gap in society. The life at the top is something we ordinary people at the bottom can't even imagine.
A painting costs more than 500 million, and we can buy hundreds of houses in our hometown. It’s really unimaginable!”
Seeing that no one was paying attention to his side, Yuan Xudong whispered in Wang Manni's ear and teased:
"This is the biggest gap between the poor and the rich. Do you believe it when people say that this painting is worth more than 500 million? If you like it, you can buy an identical pair of Monet's water lilies for a few thousand yuan. Just
Do you believe it is an authentic painting by Monet? It is an authentic painting by Monet. They all look the same anyway. How many people can tell them apart?"
Hearing what Yuan Xudong said, Wang Manni opened her eyes slightly, glanced around and whispered:
"Are you saying this painting is fake?"
Giving Wang Manni a blank look, Yuan Xudong muttered directly:
"I'm not Monet, how do I know if this painting is fake, but I don't believe that Mrs. Wang's family would spend more than 500 million to buy a useless oil painting and hang it casually in the restaurant like this
, there is no protection at all, or it will be over in a few years, her family is not rich enough!"
After listening to Yuan Xudong's explanation, Wang Manni took another look at the oil painting not far away, and the awe in her heart disappeared. Just like looking at the nave of her hometown, she said with a complex expression:
“Do rich people also buy fake paintings?”
Glancing at Wang Manni, Yuan Xudong reminded her:
"There is essentially no difference between the rich and ordinary people. They can also buy fake paintings to decorate their appearance. Be careful when dealing with them. Don't be sold and count money for others!"
After glaring at Yuan Xudong, Wang Manni said angrily:
"You are also a rich man, and you must also be a big liar!"
Before Yuan Xudong could refute, Mr. Wang, who was not far away, greeted him:
"Mr. Yuan, why are you standing so far away? Come here quickly and let's chat together. I heard that your Jingyan Group has acquired several pieces of land in Binhai. I wonder if we can contract part of the project?"
Hearing Mr. Wang's greeting, Yuan Xudong walked over with Wang Manni on his arm and said with a smile:
"As long as a few of your companies are qualified, they can participate in the bidding of our Jingyan Group. Under the same conditions, I can recommend a few companies to Mr. Ye and give priority to a few companies."
"Then I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Yuan. If you have any questions, just ask us. Let's help each other and make a fortune together!"
In front of the elevator on the top floor of Junyue Mansion, Mrs. Wang paced back and forth. When the elevator door opened and Gu Jia walked out, she quickly stepped forward and complained:
"Gu Jia, why are you so slow going upstairs?"
"Mrs. Wang, I have a banquet to entertain guests tonight, but I really don't have any."
Before Gu Jia could finish speaking, Mrs. Wang quickly interrupted her and said:
"Don't you want to join the circle of wives? Today I have a chance. Many distinguished guests came to my house. We all want to have afternoon tea. I told them that the cakes you made are particularly delicious. You just need to show off and let them accept them.
You join the circle of wives."
After that, without waiting for Gu Jia to explain a few words, she directly pulled Gu Jia into the house. Seeing that everyone was still chatting in the restaurant, she pushed Gu Jia into the kitchen and ordered:
"Hurry up and make the cake. There is everything in the refrigerator, including the ingredients you bought last time. Just call us and remember to hurry up. Everyone is waiting for you."
Seeing Mrs. Wang's instructions, she left the kitchen and treated herself like a servant. Gu Jia, who was asking for her help, could only endure it secretly. She put on her apron and started making cakes and preparing black tea. The servants on the side helped her and prepared tea sets.
When Mrs. Wang walked into the restaurant, Wang Manni glanced at Gu Jia who was busy in the kitchen. She murmured to Yuan Xudong, and then walked into the kitchen amidst the different looks of the other ladies, helping Gu Jia cook together.
Cake, prepare black tea.
Time passed, and when Gu Jia prepared the cake and black tea, everyone sat around the table in front of Monet's water lilies, enjoying afternoon tea and talking. Only Gu Jia stood in the kitchen with an embarrassed look, because Mrs. Wang didn't have any
Prepare her seat.
Sitting with Wang Manni, seeing her unhappy expression, Yuan Xudong smiled and said while eating fruit cake:
"What's wrong, isn't the cake delicious?"
After rolling her eyes at Yuan Xudong who knew what he was asking, Wang Manni glanced at Gu Jiada in the kitchen and said:
"Gu Jia is so pitiful, can you help her?"
Glancing at the kitchen, Gu Jia happened to look towards the dining room. Their eyes met. Gu Jia, who was in an embarrassing situation, quickly looked away and lowered his head to eat the cake he made to distract himself. Yuan Xudong withdrew his gaze and looked at Wang Man beside him.
Ni smiled and said:
"Gu Jia is willing to stay here and be wronged, so she needs something. Just like when you sell something and meet a customer who makes things difficult for you, what she needs is not a chair.
Don't interfere indiscriminately. This will only disrupt her plan and make the situation more embarrassing. Isn't it just that there is no chair to eat? If you can get what you want, this grievance is nothing, but it can inspire a person.
The spirit of hard work.”
After the afternoon tea was over and everyone left one by one, Mrs. Wang looked at Gu Jia who was putting away the tea sets with her servants and said:
"Gu Jia, they have all left. You should pack up and go back quickly. Didn't you say you are going to treat guests to dinner tonight?"
After handing the tea set to the servant, Gu Jia looked at Mrs. Wang and smiled:
"Mrs. Wang, my greatest value is not making cakes and preparing black tea. It's useless for you to use me to please the guests. Do you know where your problem lies?"
Without waiting for Mrs. Wang to answer, she glanced at the tables and chairs in the restaurant and said with a smile:
"You shouldn't choose this set of tables and chairs for afternoon tea. I know that your tables and chairs are all of the highest quality, and that tea set is also of the highest quality. It's expensive, but expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's right.
Those who understand will know at a glance that there are problems with the details. The real afternoon tea was invented by the ladies of the British royal family. It is divided into high table tea and low table tea. The difference is that one is for the ladies and the other is for the servants.
of."
Hearing what Gu Jia said, Mrs. Wang frowned slightly and said:
"My family is definitely not the short type!"
After taking a look at Mrs. Wang who didn't understand anything, Gu Jia smiled reservedly and said:
"What the real aristocracy eats is called low-table tea. In fact, the height and short refer to the height of the table and chairs. Only truly leisurely people can enjoy afternoon tea on low-legged tables and sofas. High-legged tables are for servants.
, which means eating quickly and leaving quickly.
Mrs. Wang, I know that a person with my family income should not join this circle, but I don’t have what you have, but what I have can help you stand in the middle of the wife circle.”
After that, she glanced at the thoughtful Mrs. Wang and said goodbye:
"Mrs. Wang, I'm going back first. The guest I want to invite tonight is Mr. Yuan. I just go back to prepare dinner now, so I won't disturb your rest. See you tomorrow!"
When Gu Jia left the house like a proud white swan, Mrs. Wang smiled and shook her head, took a look at Monet's water lilies and ordered the servant:
"Xiao Wang, please wipe this painting, it's a little dirty!"