Su Yu and his group browsed on the first floor for a while.
The auction was about to begin.
Led by Kim Sung-hyun, they ascended the stairs to the second floor of the exhibition.
It had to be said, Kim Sung-hyun indeed had a knack for connections.
Korean chaebols were different from ordinary capital; they not only controlled a majority of assets but also held high status within the country. Many films and television dramas depicted the characteristics of these chaebols, bringing their hidden affairs to light, thus allowing everyone to have some understanding of this group.
Among the producers, if one were to truly discuss official status, even Su Yu couldn't compare to Kim Sung-hyun.
"There are so many world-class painters on the second floor!"
Upon reaching the second floor, Losov was instantly astonished.
Besides the art exhibition visitors, there were also many renowned painters and top masters from other industries.
"Of course, many of the painters exhibiting on the first floor are present here. I happen to know a few of them, like Davis and Angel. If there's anyone you'd like to meet, we can go over directly," Kim Sung-hyun said with a smile.
"Kim Sung-hyun, you actually know Davis!"
"I love Angel's paintings the most, you must introduce me!"
Losov and the others were immediately extremely excited.
"Haha, don't worry, I'm very familiar with them," Kim Sung-hyun beamed with joy.
These two were both famous painters of the younger generation. Although they couldn't compare to the top-tier painters with high international standing, they still held status within the industry.
This was the power of connections!
He thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of showing off in front of his peers.
However, to his disappointment, Ting Yu remained completely calm throughout. He showed no reaction to seeing these celebrities and world-famous paintings. In fact... his and Lin Yanyu's demeanor was as if they were strolling through a supermarket with his wife!
What was going on? Was he treating this level of art exhibition like a wet market?
"Oh my god, is that 'The Starry Night'?"
"Hiss... to actually see 'The Solitary Figure' with my own eyes!"
"We have to thank Kim Sung-hyun. Last time he showed us a jewelry auction, and this time he's brought us to see so many world-renowned paintings!"
"It's been an eye-opener, we really must thank Kim Sung-hyun."
To Kim Sung-hyun's satisfaction,
Losov and the others' reactions were completely different from Ting Yu's.
Everyone was stunned by the paintings exhibited on the second floor.
Each painting here was worth over ten million US dollars, and each was a representative work that had appeared in textbooks. For them, it was a rare opportunity to broaden their horizons.
"I heard that in addition to works by internationally renowned masters today, there will be a famous painting presented as the centerpiece at the end."
Kim Sung-hyun was very familiar with the details of this art exhibition. Amidst the waves of gratitude, he felt a little smug.
"What painting could be the centerpiece among these?" Even Sean became interested.
After all, at ordinary auctions, each of these paintings could be the centerpiece. To be even more impressive than these, what level would it be?
"Master Munch's 'The Scream'!"
Kim Sung-hyun said word by word.
After he finished speaking, everyone else gasped.
No one had expected that such a world-famous painting would be privately collected and now brought to auction.
"The auction price for this kind of world-famous painting is likely no less than one hundred million US dollars!" Sean said solemnly.
The others nodded in agreement.
One hundred million US dollars was not a small sum for anyone, and they were not insiders. Spending so much money on jewelry still had its uses, but spending that much on a painting was indeed a bit extravagant for them.
"Su Su, Lao Lin really likes Munch's paintings..." Lin Yanyu looked at Su Yu.
"Then let's buy this one," Su Yu's lips curved slightly upwards.
Nothing was more important than his father-in-law's preference.
He had already bought a ten-billion diamond ring.
A one-hundred-million-dollar painting posed no pressure for him.
The two whispered to each other.
"Ting Yu?"
Just then,
A voice called out from behind.
He turned his head to look.
He frowned slightly.
The person calling him was a middle-aged man, somewhat familiar but Su Yu couldn't recall where he had seen him.
"Master Chang Yu!" Lin Yanyu said with some surprise and delight.
"Heh heh, it really is you." Chang Yu quickly walked over.
Chang Yu.
Currently, China's most prominent painter.
He had a high reputation worldwide.
He was also a significant figure in China's painting circle.
At today's auction, there was a painting by Chang Yu. Being able to participate in such an auction was enough to demonstrate his strength in the painting world.
During "The Love Song King" program,
Chang Yu's painting "The Whale on a Lonely Island" was very popular.
He had also shared his story on the show.
After this story was chosen by Su Yu, he wrote the song "The Whale That Transformed Into a Lonely Island," which became one of Jiang Xiao'e's signature songs.
Later, Chang Yu also gifted that "Lonely Island Whale" painting to Su Yu and his group.
"I heard Mr. Louis say you would be here today. I was thinking of coming down to pick you up earlier, but I didn't expect you to come up," Chang Yu seemed very friendly, without the aloofness of a master.
"I still need to thank Master Chang Yu for gifting that painting," Su Yu nodded with a smile, then asked with some surprise, "Master Louis is already here?"
When he came up to the second floor, he had glanced around but hadn't seen Louis.
"It is I who should be thanking you. I've been playing your song on repeat. Louis is in the lounge chatting with a group of old friends. Shall I take you there?" Chang Yu chuckled.
"I should go say hello," Su Yu nodded.
Then he looked at the stunned Kim Sung-hyun and the others: "You guys continue browsing, I'm going to see some friends."
After saying that,
He walked towards the lounge with Chang Yu.
After a long while,
Kim Sung-hyun and the others finally came back to their senses.
The smile on his face slowly disappeared.
"Oh my god, was that Chang Yu just now?"
"Ting Yu actually knows Chang Yu..."
"Master Chang Yu actually gifted him a painting?"
Losov exclaimed in disbelief.
In the Blue Star painting circle, apart from deceased master painters, Chang Yu's status in painting ranked among the top ten globally.
Moreover, they had just said they were going to see Louis!
They were naturally aware of the matters between Ting Yu and Louis.
The old friends of a master of this caliber would certainly be top figures in their respective fields!
They were far from comparable to young painters like Davis and Angel!
"Ahem... let's continue browsing," Kim Sung-hyun's lips curved into an awkward yet polite smile once more.
Inwardly, he was furious and cursing.
You know Chang Yu and Louis, and you didn't come up to the second floor earlier? What the hell were you doing browsing on the first floor!
The thought of how he had shown off in front of Su Yu just moments ago made his face burn with embarrassment.
Although Kim Sung-hyun had extensive connections, he merely knew these top industry figures and had some dealings with them. He was far from having such good relationships with these masters as Su Yu did.