“Operating a large Art Museum like this must come with incredibly high running costs.”
“Although I have never managed an Art Museum before, I imagine that just the daily expenses—venue rent, staff salaries, exhibition setup, collection preservation—must be substantial.”
“Ms. Bai, since your Art Museum opened, I suppose ticket sales and exhibition sponsorships have long been insufficient to cover these costs, leading to persistent financial shortfalls?”
When the negotiation topic was brought up, Jin Ke’er once again took the upper hand.
It was as if everything that had just happened hadn’t affected her at all.
What gave her this confidence was the Jin Family—funds that ordinary people would never dream of amassing in a lifetime.
“Coincidentally, I can offer Ms. Bai a significant sum to solve your immediate financial difficulties.”
She said this, her gaze sincerely fixed on Bai Huizi.
Money works like that.
Even if the other party’s first impression of her wasn’t good,
even if they were late, it didn’t matter. As long as enough benefits could be presented, she could instantly make them change their attitude.
Bai Huizi did not respond immediately. Instead, she picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
Her eyes continued to look at Jin Ke’er, then she said, “Go on.”
“Our side is willing to provide your museum with a three-year Special Fund totaling 50 million yuan. Of this, 20 million will be allocated for the International Loan Exhibition, 15 million invested in Digital Art Museum Construction, and the remaining 15 million as an unrestricted donation for your own use.”
“At the same time, we will open 188 Registered Collections from our Family for special exhibition collaborations, including 3 National First-Class Cultural Relics. We also promise to recommend at least 20 high-net-worth collectors worth tens of millions annually to participate in your museum’s fundraising dinners.”
“In return, we only ask for two Family Members to have their signatures on the Exhibition Album Editorial Board for the special exhibitions, and the priority display rights for our future Art Derivatives in the Huang Museum Store over the next decade.”
“This collaboration will increase Huang Museum’s annual influence by 30%, and we will only claim 10% of the invisible brand value appreciation.”
As Jin Ke’er spoke, she observed Bai Huizi’s expression.
To her disappointment, Bai Huizi was not as excited as she had imagined. Instead, her face remained calm.
If it had been any other Art Museum Director, hearing about a 50 million yuan funding offer might have already made them excited beyond control.
Seeing Bai Huizi’s indifferent expression made Jin Ke’er inexplicably irritated.
It was as if this person had been assimilated by Su Li.
She didn’t understand it—anyone should have emotional fluctuations.
Su Li didn’t show much emotion, which Jin Ke’er thought was already strange enough, and now here was another person like that.
“Very generous terms. Compared to such an offer, the price we pay seems negligible.”
“Or is there some cost that cannot be openly stated?”
Bai Huizi asked calmly, looking at Jin Ke’er, waiting for her to continue.
Only then did Jin Ke’er show a slight smile and say:
“It seems Ms. Bai is very satisfied with the terms I’ve presented.”
“I don’t think any reasonable Art Museum Director would refuse Ms. Jin’s offer.”
When Jin Ke’er saw the faint smile at the corner of Bai Huizi’s mouth, she finally felt she had regained the upper hand.
The familiar rhythm of negotiation returned, and her gaze grew sharper.
She looked at Su Li as if she were a hyena eyeing its prey.
“I want Ms. Bai to stay away from this Su Li. If Su Li works with you, I hope you will end your cooperation with her.”
Saying that, Jin Ke’er placed her slender fingers on her thigh, waiting for Bai Huizi’s reply.
Everything was unfolding just as she had expected.
A mere Su Li was no match for fifty million yuan, right?
Surely no one would refuse such terms.
Although it was the Family’s money, the Jin Family’s money was hers.
Spending fifty million on Su Li felt like a huge waste to her.
But since Su Li was only an incidental condition of cooperating with the Art Museum, Jin Ke’er wouldn’t feel the slightest pain spending the money.
“I refuse.”
Bai Huizi said calmly, her eyes meeting Jin Ke’er’s, a smile curling on her lips again.
She seemed to have guessed why Jin Ke’er cared so much about Su Li.
People don’t pay attention to ants at their feet.
In Ms. Jin’s mind, Su Li was probably just an insignificant ant.
But being repeatedly beaten by an ant made her feel uneasy.
That was why she was so eager to take revenge.
And to retaliate against Su Li, Jin Ke’er had already provoked her to the point of anger, and even repeatedly taunted her. Bai Huizi barely cared.
From Bai Huizi’s observations, Jin Ke’er was an extremely arrogant person.
That haughty attitude had been clear the moment she entered the meeting room.
She radiated a sense of superiority and disdain.
If it weren’t for Su Li, Bai Huizi might have already gotten up and left.
Even when discussing terms, Jin Ke’er maintained that condescending air, as if she were bestowing charity on others.
Bai Huizi watched the sly grin on Jin Ke’er’s face turn into shock and disbelief.
It was quite amusing!
She wondered if Su Li viewed others the same way.
Bai Huizi still couldn’t manage to keep a poker face when interacting with others.
But this unexpected surprise for the Art Museum was far more entertaining than she had imagined.
“What?”
“Did you say that wrong?”
“I said we can provide your museum with a total funding support of fifty million.”
Jin Ke’er’s tone turned icy. Her patience had reached its limit.
If it weren’t to thoroughly teach Su Li a lesson, she would have already slammed the table and left.
Now, the Art Museum Director acted like a lowly person, repeatedly pushing her limits.
Her patience was about to run out.
“I didn’t say it wrong. I refuse to cooperate with Ms. Jin.”
“First, Su Li is not my employee, so I have no right to end my cooperation with her.”
“Second, I don’t believe personal matters should be brought into work discussions.”
“And I don’t think I should have to pay any price for my work.”
Bai Huizi looked at Jin Ke’er’s incredulous expression and continued:
“It seems my decision has greatly disappointed you, Ms. Jin?”
Jin Ke’er’s gaze locked onto Bai Huizi, her expression cold.
Only at this moment did she realize that perhaps from the start, the Art Museum Director had no intention of cooperating with her.
All the effort she had spent was only to mock her and watch her fail.
“Bitch!”
“You’ll regret this decision someday!”
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