Wen Xinya was not affected by the Dream Girl voting at all, for she was busy with her academics as well as the renovation of the Lanxin Cosmetics shop front .
Wen Xinya was informed that the renovation company was acquainted with a calligraphic painting and porcelain ornament replica supplier . She hurriedly noted down the address and told Si Yiyan to send her there .
“Are you planning to open your shop before the end of this year?” Si Yiyan asked while driving .
Wen Xinya answered, “Of course . The year-end period is the peak period for cosmetic sales . I definitely can’t miss it . Besides, we’ve already signed a contract with Floral Lingo Pavilion and they’ve already started promoting the products in magazines . Given how prestigious and renowned Floral Lingo Pavilion is, I’m not worried about the sales at all . Hence, it’s obviously better to open for business as soon as possible . ”
Si Yiyan nodded . He knew that she had always been systematic and cautious when handling business and that she knew how to take preventive measures . It was a brilliant move of hers to establish a partnership with Floral Lingo Pavilion, for she could keep a close relationship with the cosmetic magnate while still keeping the profits from the Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments .
Upon arriving at the antique replica store in the Southern District of the city, Si Yiyan and Wen Xinya knocked on the door quickly thrice and waited for a second before knocking twice more . It was a secret code that Li Mengjie had told them about .
Five minutes after they knocked, the door was pulled open from inside and a middle-aged man appeared, dressed in a traditional Chinese outfit .
Wen Xinya greeted smilingly . “Hello, Uncle! We were introduced to this place by a renovation company called Chao Yang Renovations . We’d like to discuss a deal with you . ”
“Oh, please come in then!” the middle-aged man then moved away and allowed them to enter .
Si Yiyan and Wen Xinya entered the house together, after which the middle-aged man brought them to a shop . He then left .
Wen Xinya and Si Yiyan were left alone in the shop . Wen Xinya stared at the antiques and calligraphic paintings in great fascination . They were so finely made and exquisite, such that they could almost pass off as authentic . She would have thought that they were authentic goods had she not known that they were replicas .
The items on display were much more exquisite than the ones Gu Junling had .
Si Yiyan scanned his surroundings and said, “The things here look pretty good . I reckon you can get everything you need here . ”
Staring at Si Yiyan, Wen Xinya said, “Tell me the truth . Just how are you related to Chao Yang Renovations? Don’t think I don’t know that most of the wood and materials used for the renovation of the shop came from Xiasi Group . ”
Li Mengjie informed her beforehand that all the materials and wood used for the renovation were of superior quality . After looking at the price quote, she discovered that they were charged 40% less than the market price . Hence, she smelt a rat because it was way too low .
The Xiasi Group was in control of 70% of the superior wood market in the nation . Unlike for many others, obtaining 50-year-old wood was a piece of cake for the Xiasi Group .
Si Yiyan did not expect her to find out since he had been keeping it as secretive as he could . He said resignedly, “The owner of that renovation company used to be my father’s subordinate and hence, I told the Gu family to recommend it to you . As for the materials used during renovation, they were sold to you at a 10% profit . Hence, we didn’t make any losses . ”
Despite having already expected it, Wen Xinya was filled with a mix of emotions . Si Yiyan knew that she was a prideful and independent person . Hence, he chose to help her that way . She was rather touched to hear about how much effort he had put into helping her . He would forever help her more than she imagined . “Does that mean that this antique replica shop has something to do with you, too?”
Si Yiyan answered with a nod, “It’s one of the miscellaneous business that I own!”
“Si Yiyan!” Wen Xinya called .
“Yes?” Si Yiyan asked, staring at her .
“Si Yiyan!” she again exclaimed while grinning widely .
“What’s up?” Si Yiyan asked smilingly while staring at his own reflection in her glistening eyes . He felt as if she was the only person in his world .
Wen Xinya dived into his embrace and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist . “Si Yiyan, have I ever told you that I fancy you a lot and that you’re the best man I’ve ever met?”
“No, but you can tell me now,” Si Yiyan said while holding her waist gently . He was overwhelmed with joy because of how proactive Wen Xinya was .
“I’m not going to repeat myself . ” Wen Xinya refuted bashfully, staring at Si Yiyan with her charming eyes .
“Repeat yourself, will you?” Unable to contain his emotions, Si Yiyan kissed her lips gently, treating them with tender care and affection .
Wen Xinya pushed him away and said, “I want to pick out some antiques . You must help me!”
Si Yiyan had no choice but to concede . However, he was not disappointed, for he was already pleased and surprised to hear her confession . He told himself that she was still young… and that he could not compel her too much too quickly . Hence, he decided to let nature take its course .
“What do you think of this one?” Si Yiyan asked, standing in front of a floral, porcelain vase from the Tang Dynasty and scrutinizing its details . The vase was a meter tall and was mainly covered in yellow, red and green, with some bits of blue and gray . It was extremely vibrant and elegant looking .
“I think it’s great, too!” Wen Xinya exclaimed merrily .
Wen Xinya then scurried away to look at the paintings that mostly revolved around graceful-looking women . They were suitable to be hung in the room of her shop front . Wen Xinya soon found a few paintings that she liked .
“By the way, have you completed the paintings that I requested?” Wen Xinya asked, suddenly reminded of the paintings . She had already sent him the rough sketches . However, she had forgotten about them because she was busy .
“I’m almost done,” Si Yiyan answered . Wen Xinya had requested him to paint some paintings of women applying cosmetic products in the palace during ancient times . The paintings were to be hung in the store for the customers to enjoy . Although she had already given him the sketches, he decided to search up on the relevant details in order to make the paintings as true to history as possible .
“Oh, I was just casually asking . They’re not that urgent,” said Wen Xinya, who began to regret letting him do the paintings, for he was too busy .