Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xu Fang sounded arrogant.
Ye Li pursed her lips. “This has nothing to do with you, right?”
Xu Fang smiled. “How can it have nothing to do with me? Have you forgotten who I am? I’m the president of Bin City’s Art Association. You have to get through me if you want to sell your paintings.”
The Bin City Art Association was a civilian organization. However, all the painters and artists in Bin City had to give her some face.
1
Ye Li instantly understood what she meant. “Did you do it?”
Xu Fang’s voice suddenly became fierce. “So what if it’s me? You guys played tricks yesterday and got Lu Chao to delete my daughter’s WeChat. Don’t blame me for ignoring my classmate’s feelings.”
Ye Li clenched her fists.
Her painting had been on display for a long time but had not been sold yet. However, Lu Chao’s incident happened just yesterday, which meant that Xu Fang had been targeting her long before.
What was with her enmity? It had been 18 years yet she could still be so calculative?
Xu Fang mocked her again. “I didn’t do anything, but do you really think you’re Zhang Daqian? Do you think you can shock the entire nation’s art world just by making a painting? You haven’t used a brush in 18 years. Have you seen what you drew?”
She had not painted in eighteen years. To be honest, Ye Li was a little weak.
Even so, she felt that the two paintings she drew were about the same level as the ones she drew 18 years ago, and because of her 18 years of added experience, her state of mind was even more peaceful. The landscape painting she drew was even more grand, but this was only her own feeling.
She did not know what the public thought of her.
Xu Fang’s words seemed to have completely shattered her self-confidence. Her fingers relaxed and the fork landed on the plate.
She took a deep breath. “Is there anything else?”
Xu Fang sneered. “Ye Li, in our line of work, who is good at drawing and who is not good at drawing? Who can be certain? Everyone relies on others to support them. If you offend me, you won’t have a good outcome. At least, don’t think of standing out in Bin City! I’m waiting to see you make a fool of yourself!”
Ye Li’s fingers trembled in anger. Before she could say anything, the other woman hung up.
Her eyes turned red and attracted Xue Sheng’s attention. He asked, “What’s wrong?”
Ye Li glanced at him and shook her head. “I’m fine.”
In fact, many of the buyers were laymen. Most of the artists’ reputation was hyped up. The Xue family was rich, and if they were to spend money on her, they would definitely be able to build her reputation.
However, she did not want to do this.
She picked up the paintbrush again not because she wanted Xue Sheng to do things for her. Moreover, even though the 50 million had been returned, Xue Sheng had invested it back into the company, and the family’s financial situation in the past two months was not good. She did not want to give Xue Sheng any pressure.
Moreover, even if he told Xue Sheng that there were barriers between the world of painting and the business world, he could do nothing other than to spend money to support others.
Xue Sheng sighed.
At night, when Xue Xi returned home from school, she realized that her maternal grandparents were already there. Her maternal grandfather was mentally ill and could not walk properly. He stayed in the room downstairs with her maternal grandmother. Their room had been tidied up and they were currently chatting in the living room.
Upon seeing them, Xue Xi walked up and looked at her grandmother, Song Wenman, with sparkling eyes.
Song Wenman teased, “Xixi, did you miss Grandma?”
Xue Xi: “…Yes.”
Song Wenman sighed. “Did you miss me or did you miss my book?”
“…Yes.”
“Did you miss me more, or did you just want to study more?”
“…” Xue Xi felt that this was very childish. Did Grandma think that she was only eight years old and not eighteen? She looked a little helpless and did not know what Song Wenman was laughing at, which caused her to laugh even louder.
Song Wenman said, “Alright, alright. I won’t tease you anymore. Come and see what book I brought you!”
Xue Xi nodded and followed her into the room.
During the renovation of the house, Xue Sheng had already considered fetching the two elderly to stay. Hence, he set up a very spacious suite on the first floor. Outside was the study room and living room while inside was the bedroom.
There were a few boxes of books on the desk in the living room and they had yet to be placed on the bookshelf.
Song Wenman flipped through one of the boxes and finally passed her a pure English edition of “Elemental Chemistry.” This book was already a closed edition, and it was likely only people like Song Wenman who had it.
Xue Xi received it and realized that her maternal grandfather had followed her in.
He was different from normal mental patients. He was very quiet. Sometimes, he did not speak and was very autistic. Sometimes, he was normal.
Standing in front of Xue Xi, he took a closer look at her face and smiled. “Lili!”
Song Wenman said helplessly, “He’s confused again.”
Xue Xi did not mind. She held her maternal grandfather’s hand and wanted him to sit on the sofa beside her. However, her maternal grandfather gestured for her to keep quiet. “Lili, come, let me show you something good.”
Like a child, he dashed toward the bookshelf. After searching for a long time, he found a magazine and passed it to Xue Xi. “Look, what is this?”
Xue Xi lowered her head and realized that it was actually a research project book.
Her grandfather smiled and stuffed it into her hand like it was a treasure. “This can be sold for a lot of patent fees. I’ll give you a dowry when the time comes! I’ll buy you a big house!”
Song Wenman sighed. “He’s sick and he’s always nagging. Take it or he’ll definitely harass you every day.”
Xue Xi nodded and walked out with the project books and chemistry books. Xue Sheng had just finished work and smiled. “Xixi, look who’s here!”
Xue Xi looked over in confusion and saw a familiar figure following behind Xue Sheng.
After Xiang Huai entered, he revealed a smile. “I heard that Grandpa and Grandma are here. I specially came to visit them.”
Xue Xi: “…”
That was her maternal grandparents! What did it have to do with him?
At this moment, Xiao Fang said, “Sir is back? The food is ready. Madam said that we’ll start the meal when you’re here. She’s currently in the art studio upstairs. I’ll call her.”
Seeing that Xiao Fang was about to go upstairs, Xue Xi said, “I’ll go.”
She wanted to put the books down.
Xiao Fang nodded. “Then I’ll scoop the rice.”
Xue Xi took another glance at Xiang Huai before heading upstairs. She first placed her bag and the things in her hands in her bedroom, then walked to the studio and pushed open the door.
There were many brushes and paper in the studio, as well as an inkstone. Ye Li was sitting there, holding a pen and drawing a painting.
Upon hearing the door open, she glanced at it and said, “Xixi, wait a moment. My painting is almost done.”
Xue Xi nodded.
She lightened her footsteps and walked to Ye Li’s side. She seemed to be in a trance as she placed strokes on a landscape painting; a shadow appeared.
The entire painting gave off a peaceful feeling.
After she was done drawing, Ye Li put down the brush and took out a seal. She pressed it on the lower right corner of the painting and picked it up.
This should be Ye Li’s pen name. Xue Xi looked over curiously…