006, in dreams one hears the truth, yet upon waking, one remains bewildered

Wang Sishui: "The television station compensated you with 10,000? If your sister-in-law asks, you still made a profit of 10,000, so even if we consider the actual accounts, you still earned 2,800. Why did you decide to dispose of that painting? It would be nice to keep it as a memento anyway, since the television station paid you, you aren't losing anything!"

This night always lingers between half-dream and half-wakefulness, with such hazy scenes appearing in my dreams, yet nothing particularly strange occurs. At first, it might be a bit unsettling, but later it becomes inconsequential. The sound begins to annoy Cheng Tianle, who is in a daze, prompting him to casually respond, "You are a rat!" After that, there is silence, and it is unclear when this dream ends, as Cheng Tianle remains in deep slumber.

Li Wan sighed and said, "If you were me, you wouldn't think this way. Every time I see that painting, it makes me uneasy. A few days ago, I kept hearing uproarious laughter in my ears; that scene was so embarrassing... Forget it, I won't say more. I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow night, come over at six o'clock to pick you up"

Li Wan's voice suddenly rose by an octave: "What? Is the television broadcasting? How can it be broadcasting? The production team is being unreasonable!"

Certainly, it cannot be compensated at the price of Tang Dynasty relics. After all, that original painting has never been formally authenticated and is almost certainly not an authentic piece. Since Li Wan purchased it for 8,000 yuan, the production team can add a little more to round it up to 10,000 yuan, which at least provides an explanation. In fact, considering the sensational effect of that episode after it aired, this 10,000 yuan can be regarded as his appearance fee, which is worth it!

Wang Sishui: "The painting you threw here has just been sold for 800 yuan; the buyer is a rather foolish young man"

After turning several bends along the Shantang River, they arrived at an alley called Beiwujing Lane. Walking along a river, they turned who knows how many more bends, and Cheng Tianle was completely dizzy from the journey. Liu Shujun remarked that the road was not far, yet the time they spent walking was indeed considerable. It felt as though the route back to the "company" in the evening was longer than an entire afternoon spent wandering the streets.

As one speaks while walking forward, the southern bank of the Shantang River is no longer a tourist scenic area, but rather a winding alley that can easily disorient a person. The alleys of the old town in Suzhou have a distinctive feature; many are built along the waterways. Even a small space appears deep and varied, often seeming to lead nowhere or even into someone's courtyard, yet with a turn, one finds a new vista filled with willows and blossoms.

The person on the phone is Li Wan, the "treasure holder" from the television program earlier. Li Wan responded on the phone: "Let's start with the good news."

Yu Fei also took the opportunity to respond: "Of course, our industry has limitless prospects; it all depends on whether you have the insight! Many people do not understand this, and thus miss the opportunity. Le, your chance has arrived!"

Wang Sishui quickly added: "Fortunately, we cut out the part where you lost your temper on stage, and just aired it until the audience burst into laughter"

The shop owner found the young man's smile to be so charming and pointed to the scroll, saying, "Isn't it written here, 2,000 yuan? If you really want to buy it, I can give you a discount."

Li Wan: "As long as it has been dealt with, is there any other bad news?"

Cheng Tianle was truly moved, haggling for a long time, and finally spent 800 yuan to buy the painting. Watching them walk away, the shop owner took out his phone and dialed: "Brother Li, it's me, Wang Sishui! ... ... I have good news and bad news for you, which one do you want to hear first?"

Cheng Tianle replied: "Eight hundred yuan is not expensive. This piece is neither a print nor a book. Even if it is not an ancient painting, it is indeed an authentic ink wash work, and it is quite well done. I have studied art, so I can tell!"

Liu Shujun interjected, "Even with a discount, it's still not cheap. It's been shown on television; this is clearly a humorous fake painting. How can it still be sold for such a high price?"

Cheng Tianle, who rarely dreams, had a hazy and strange dream that night. In the dream, he found himself again by the Xishan Temple Bridge at the end of Shantang Street, touching the silly stone raccoon statue and asking, "Raccoon? Are you really a cat? You don't look like one at all. Who carved you to look so ugly? With a pig's nose and such a big mouth? What is your name..."

"How much is it?"

The shop owner, a man in his thirties, smiled as he approached the counter and said, "Sir, you have a keen eye! This is indeed the painting that was featured on television. Did you just watch the program? The show was recorded last week, and as soon as it aired, you came right over. You truly have a special connection with this painting! Such an opportunity is rare; if you're interested, feel free to take it. There is only this one piece, and if you come back tomorrow, it will surely be gone!"

There are several semi-new residential buildings by the small river, and the area appears quite remote, with even the streetlights not functioning. Liu Shujun led Cheng Tianle upstairs, entered a unit, and opened the door to a small room, saying: "It is already too late today, let's rest first, and tomorrow we will attend the orientation training"

Chang Tianle exclaimed, "The benefits are so good!"

Without mentioning what Li Wan is feeling at this moment, Liu Shujun, who has already crossed the bridge, asked Cheng Tianle in confusion: "Handsome guy, you clearly know what this painting is about, yet you still spent 800 yuan to buy it back"

Is this the employee dormitory of the group company? It really is quite cramped! Upon entering, Cheng Tianle saw that there were still makeshift beds set up in the living room, with several people sleeping on the floor. Fortunately, this small room was not shared with anyone else and was assigned solely to Cheng Tianle, but there was no bed, only a mat typically used for children to roll around and play on. The early summer weather was relatively warm, so there was no need for a thick blanket. After a tiring day, Cheng Tianle had no desire to think too much and quickly fell asleep—whatever needed to be addressed could wait until tomorrow. Fortunately, this small room was not shared with anyone else and was assigned solely to Cheng Tianle, but there was no bed, only a mat typically used for children to roll around and play on. The early summer weather was relatively warm, so there was no need for a thick blanket. After a tiring day, Cheng Tianle had no desire to think too much and quickly fell asleep—whatever needed to be addressed could wait until tomorrow.

What is my name? ... ... What is my name? ... ... In my dreams, I often hear this voice, which must be that stone raccoon statue speaking. Accompanied by the sound, I once again see the scenery before me in a daze—he is standing at the head of the Xishan Temple bridge, stroking the head of the raccoon.

Liu Shujun quickly explained: "Not expensive at all, eight hundred yuan for a painting is quite cheap. However, our company's corporate culture emphasizes frugality and financial management, and we are accustomed to it. As long as Manager Cheng works well in our company, it won't take long before we can buy not only modern paintings but even genuine artifacts from the Tang Dynasty without hesitation!"

A week after Li Wan finished recording the program, he naturally sought to negotiate with the on-site staff, questioning how the painting had inexplicably turned out that way. This matter became an unclear and confusing account, but the production team had to bear some responsibility; otherwise, Li Wan would not feel at ease. Eventually, with no other options, and in the spirit of resolving the issue amicably, the production team also compensated.

Cheng Tianle laughed heartily and said, "I can't be considered an artist. I studied painting since elementary school and majored in art design."

This is a calligraphy and painting shop that also sells Suzhou tourist souvenirs, such as embroidery, painted fans, and books and albums introducing the scenery of Suzhou. Behind the counter hangs a painting, a vertical scroll of classical style, but it is clearly not an ancient painting, as the content depicts the current scenery of the Shantang River. In the lower left corner of the painting, a small piece of paper is clipped with a paperclip, indicating a price of 2,000. Cheng Tianle recognized it at a glance; it was indeed the painting he had seen on a television program while having dinner just moments ago. In the lower left corner of the painting, a small piece of paper is clipped with a paperclip, indicating a price of 2,000. Cheng Tianle recognized it at a glance; it was indeed the painting he had seen on a television program while having dinner just moments ago

As soon as Cheng Tianle stepped out, a group of singing men and women rushed over as if they had seen some important figure, eagerly vying to shake his hand. The scene before him left the still-drowsy Cheng Tianle bewildered; was he dreaming or had he truly awakened? When did he become so important and so popular?

The shopkeeper's eyes widened: "This beautiful lady, did I say it was an ancient painting from the Tang Dynasty? I am not lying; this is a contemporary landscape painting of the Suzhou Shantang River, and it is beautifully done! Moreover, it has even been featured on television and has become a famous painting! Do you know why artworks are valuable? Popularity is very important! If it were truly an ancient painting from the Tang Dynasty, could you buy it here? How much are you willing to spend?"

Liu Shujun leaned on Cheng Tianle's shoulder and said: "Are you still involved in the arts?"

Li Wan took a breath and said: "Wang Sihui, thank you! I will treat you to a meal tomorrow at the Old North Gate Restaurant. That... about the painting, if your sister-in-law finds out and asks, just say it was sold for 8,000 yuan. Anyway, I bought it for 8,000 yuan, so I didn't lose anything. The TV station even compensated me 10,000 yuan, so I can explain it when I get home"

Wang Sishui: "Brother Li, you were just on television! I saw it, and I believe Sister-in-law saw it too. Even if she didn't see it, she will probably hear about it tomorrow. You don't want me to mention it, but the TV station broadcasted it, and the audience was laughing at the scene..."

Yu Fei suddenly interjected: "You spend all day with books and art, how much money did you bring? Didn't I tell you to bring less cash? ... Spending so much money on a painting is too wasteful!"

The voice in the dream had faded away, and it was unclear how much time had passed when a burst of singing broke the silence, waking Cheng Tianle. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, hearing what seemed to be many people singing outside the door. Sleepily, he opened the door to take a look, and indeed! In the living room, there were more than ten people, with the bedding rolled up and placed in the corner. A group of men and women were clapping their hands and singing a revolutionary old song, "Why Are the Flowers So Red".

Suddenly, everything before him vanished, as if all the scenery had abruptly disappeared, leaving only a swirling chaos. A voice seemed to emanate from this chaos, or perhaps it was resonating within his mind. During the day, he had indeed experienced this scene, but at that time, he could not hear it clearly; now, in the dream, he could.

Cheng Tianle walked in with Liu Shujun and asked, "Boss, I just saw this painting on television. Is it the original piece?"

... ...

Gradually, Cheng Tianle became tired, his calves aching, yet he felt too embarrassed to say anything. Yu Fei, who was carrying the backpack behind him, also did not mention feeling tired; how could he complain when he was strolling through the alleys with a beautiful girl? There were no taxis available, as they simply would not venture into such narrow alleys. They walked until after 10 PM, finally reaching the edge of the old Suzhou city, and at last, they saw the dormitory.

Cheng Tianle replied, "I didn't bring much money, just one thousand yuan on me. After treating you to a meal, I still have over nine hundred left, which is just enough to buy a painting. Anyway, the company offers good benefits, including meals and accommodation, so I won't need to spend much before the salary is paid next month... Your company has a pretty high income, right? If I spend eight hundred yuan on an authentic ink painting, do you really think it's expensive?"