Chapter 5, I am not his admirer.

The wine reception has not officially started, and the guests have hardly arrived. Xiao Zhengyu found Zhang Lingli, who was talking with the gallery's supervisor, under the podium at the venue. From the looks of their conversation, they seemed to be making the final arrangements.

These words, heard by Xiao Zhengyu, carried a different flavor. He silently mulled over her words in his heart, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Li Tianming: "You see it very clearly"

He noticed that although she had put on makeup, it still could not conceal the weariness in her expression. Remembering the toil and hardships she had endured throughout the day, Xiao Zhengyu felt a surge of sympathy and spoke to comfort her: "It doesn't matter whether you are a makeup enthusiast or not. In any case, you should eat something. I will make the arrangements for our meeting."

Zhang Lingli reached out to smooth the slight wrinkles on her dress, speaking without any emotion: "I have always said that he can only be a businessman in this lifetime, and that art can only be a pastime for him, but he refuses to believe it."

Upon mentioning Li Tianming, Zhang Lingli revealed a smile that was to be expected: "Taking fans to meet their idol, you are indeed thoughtful. You hurriedly borrowed a gown from me this afternoon, all for her. Oh, it seems she is indeed more suited to that evening gown than I am"

Xue Yuan certainly cannot be considered a person of status; she simply lifted her skirt, casually found a seat, and began to fill her stomach. Regardless of the time, one must eat to their fill in order to have the courage to face the matters that follow

Xiao Zhengyu put away his joking demeanor and introduced the situation in detail. After listening, Zhang Lingli let out a soft "ah" and said with a half-smile, "Truly remarkable. That Xue Yuan, right? Quite unexpectedly impressive."

Perhaps, "Xiao Zhengyu changed the subject, "Moreover, he was present when the incident occurred, but I didn't have time to call out to him. I estimate that he saw me and turned to leave.

"Buddhas require gold adornments, and people require fine clothing. This evening gown is best suited for young girls, isn't it?" Zhang Lingli observed Xue Yuan from a distance and couldn't help but laugh, "Looking at her now, who would believe she is just a recent university graduate? Some might even believe she is a big star from somewhere."

Li Tianming asked the reporter with a smile, "Have you done any research on me?"

He set down the highball glass in his hand, leaned his upper body towards her, and whispered gently: "You are eating too quickly; there is salad dressing at the corner of your mouth"

Since they were all acquaintances, there was nothing to be cautious about. He approached Zhang Lingli, and she casually linked her arm through his. "You are late, exceeding the scheduled time by two minutes"

In such a setting, few people actually consume food; those of status, as if trained in the past, wear expressions of complete leisure, holding wine glasses in their hands, with the red liquid swirling within.

He is not the type of person who enjoys appearing in front of the camera, and he rarely accepts interviews. The photos of him circulating online are always the same few, each of which is somewhat dated. This time, his personal appearance truly gives a lot of face to Boyi

Zhang Lingli glanced at Xiao Zhengyu without any emotion and said, "You actually gave her this piece of clothing? I have only worn it once."

There are always individuals who remain hidden and unassuming, whose true value can only be recognized at critical moments

Li Tianming's reputation was so high that this banquet quickly became his personal event. Due to the tight schedule of the opening ceremony this morning, there was no time for interviews, and now all the reporters had gathered around him. Zhang Lingli felt a bit anxious, while Xiao Zhengyu attempted to escort him upstairs but was brushed aside by Li, who turned slightly towards the reporters with a faint smile.

Xue Yuan shook his head: "There is not much to say in terms of impressions. It is still quite conventional. This is also his most grand appearance in recent years, and he must have made adequate preparations. He may not be adept at dealing with reporters, but he is not an old-fashioned painter who clings to his study. He is undoubtedly a very astute person of the times; otherwise, he would not have achieved what he has today"

However

It seems that a reporter asked him a question, likely related to a certain piece of work he recently auctioned off

His Mandarin carries a strong southern accent, soft and gentle, with very clear and rational content in his speech. The hall's lighting is dazzlingly bright, yet it cannot completely obscure the vivid expressions on his face

Yes

The man raised his glass with a faint smile: "If not you, then who? I am currently flirting with you"

Apologies, Xiao Zhengyu explained in a low voice, there was a slight accident

Some say that you are very fortunate, being the wealthiest and most notorious painter in China. What is your own perspective on this matter

Xue Yuan remained silent for a while before finally speaking: "I am not his admirer of paintings"

This is a buffet at a five-star hotel, where the dishes are difficult to find fault with, both in terms of taste and appearance. Xue Yuan has been eating at the school cafeteria for several years, and has reached a level of indifference towards food. However, due to being preoccupied with certain matters, he is absent-minded and finds the meal tasteless.

Not thinking too much about it, Xiao Zhengyu shifted his gaze away from Xue Yuan and said, "You both have similar figures, so I just grabbed something at random to bring out. Your taste has always been impeccable; you can never find fault with the clothes."

Zhang Lingli folded her pair of snow-white arms, half in shadow and half cool, and spoke: "So you admire her very much, bringing her to the cocktail party?"

I watched him paint those few pieces almost from start to finish, how could there be any mistake? Who would have thought that it would be so coincidental, that the very first exhibition would have the paintings accused of plagiarism? Xiao Zhengyu's lips twitched, revealing an expression that was difficult to define, resembling both sarcasm and mockery, "I wonder how many people in the world have to face such a situation"

Today, she wore a deep red low-cut evening gown, her snow-white skin almost reaching a dazzling degree, making her particularly eye-catching in the hall, as if she were a phoenix reborn from the ashes

He was surprisingly articulate, which excited many journalists, leading to an influx of questions. One reporter, who was closest, suddenly spoke up: "Mr. Li, it has been noted that there are almost no works of yours from before the age of thirty. May I ask why that is?"

Then you should know that before I turned thirty, I drifted around the world, experiencing hardships. At that time, I was in a learning phase, creating many types of paintings, most of which were not preserved, nor was there a way to preserve them. To be frank, I hardly have any myself

Xiao Zhengyu said: "Then why do you still not want to see him this afternoon? I thought fans would be happy to meet their idols."

If it were up to me, I would recommend that you have steak

However, what?

She withdrew her hand from his arm and patted his back

After Zhang Lingli finished her speech, Li Tianming mysteriously appeared from backstage. As soon as he appeared, the reporters' cameras began to click rapidly. Xue Yuan was already familiar with Li Tianming's photos; however, it was her first time seeing him in person. In an instant, she felt a rush of blood to her forehead, accumulating at her temples and refusing to dissipate, with her blood vessels pounding vigorously.

Art, at its core, is better when it is lively. Art is also a form of life, and it can only develop when it is vibrant. Any industry that seeks to grow cannot do without the gathering of many people; if no one pays attention, and art clings to its own aloofness, the result will be a world devoid of heroes. I hope that under the leadership and efforts of Bo Yi, people will pay attention to art and the painting community. Through the collective wisdom and strength of everyone, we can break down the boundaries between industries and stimulate true creativity, so that the realm of art does not become overly refined and isolated.

"You need not concern yourself with what others say; I want to know the truth from you," Zhang Lingli tightened her cloak, "You were present at the scene; what did you see?"

Xue Yuan does not belong to any of these circles; she simply stands silently by the window, flipping through the promotional brochures, occasionally glancing at Zhang Lingli, and she always sees Xiao Zhengyu quietly accompanying her. At first glance, they truly appear to be a perfect couple

Zhang Lingli scoffed dismissively and said, "Perhaps this is the only thing that resembles his father."

The person is at the door, they have already arrived

Xue Yuan stared at him in astonishment. Since when has such blatant flirting become fashionable

The several supervisors beside exchanged smiles with one another

He said he was not interested in the art exhibition, yet he actually came? Zhang Lingli was first taken aback, then let out a cold, gritted-teeth laugh, "He didn't even come over to say hello."

Xue Yuan twitched her lips, forcing a smile

Xiao Zhengyu was still smiling, but for a brief moment, his expression noticeably dimmed a few shades

Xue Yuan listened in silence for a long time, and finally decided to turn around and leave. When she looked back, she found that Xiao Zhengyu had left Zhang Lingli's side at some point and was now standing behind her, instantly causing her to widen her eyes in shock

Zhang Lingli transferred the high-stemmed wine glass in her hand to him, while the waiter was nearby. Xiao Zhengyu placed the wine glass on the tray, then took a glass of red wine and handed it to her, while he himself took another glass to hold as a pretense, smilingly asking: "So what have you heard about the situation?"

After calming down, I took a closer look at him. He looked almost exactly as he did in the photo—according to the information, he is sixty-five years old this year, which certainly qualifies him as a grandfather, yet he appears completely youthful, as if he is still in his prime. Under the gaze of everyone present, he wore a broad smile and carried himself with grace and poise

Xiao Zhengyu looked at her in confusion

The sounds in the venue all entered her ears, yet her brain was unable to respond for a long time. Only after a while did her mind recall that perhaps the previous statement was directed at her. Turning her head, she finally noticed the man beside her, dressed in a suit with fair skin, observing her with great interest

Xiao Zhengyu shook his head slightly, not intending to explain anything, but ultimately felt it was inappropriate and smiled in a way that was quite incomprehensible: "Given your status, why would you bicker with a young girl like her"

Alright, the guests are about to arrive. You have three minutes to prepare Xueyuan, and then come over to assist me in welcoming the guests

"It is not like that; there is another reason for bringing her here," Xiao Zhengyu said, "I am preparing to arrange for her to meet Li Tianming"

Xue Yuan murmured to herself: "That is because I have spent too much time studying him"

Xiao Zhengyu chuckled: "That's too exaggerated"

Li Tianming smiled slightly: "If someone is imitating, I am honored; however, for a work to truly be called a piece of art, it must always be unique"

"She is merely a Cinderella for one night; how could I possibly hold a grudge against her? After midnight, she will revert to her original form," Zhang Lingli said with a charming smile. She wore a beach-colored lipstick, and when she smiled, her lips sparkled like jewels. "I just want to see how this perfect good person continues and how you manage to bring this play to a successful conclusion."

The wine gathering is progressing smoothly. The attendees include not only collectors, artists, dealers, and so on, but also numerous scholars, entrepreneurs, actors, and directors, all arriving in bright attire. Not everyone present may understand art, but they all have some connection to this circle, to varying degrees. Zhang Lingli's extensive network of friends is evident; she moves freely among the crowd, warmly greeting everyone. Wherever she goes, she creates a lively atmosphere, her laughter resonating all around. She exudes a strong presence, and her demeanor resembles that of a salon hostess from the 18th or 19th century.

"I do not think so," he said. "Even if that were the case, I believe that these honors are the result of hard work, not merely the favor of luck"

How are you?" Xiao Zhengyu asked him, "What are your thoughts on Li Tianming's words?"

Xue Yuan looked at the reporters surrounding him and felt that it was truly too difficult for him to intervene

When she noticed someone sitting down in the seat next to her, she did not pay much attention; she didn't even turn her head to take a look. Although a faint thought may have crossed her mind, similar to "Why, with so many seats available, did this person choose to sit next to me?" she quickly lowered her head and continued eating her portion of fruit salad

Are you talking to me

"He has been playing around for these past few years, and whether you admit it or not, he has indeed achieved results," Xiao Zhengyu said with a straight face. "You may still think his paintings are not good, but you heard the critics' words more clearly than I did today. A rough count shows that there were at least twenty or thirty people inquiring whether his paintings are for sale."

Your reaction is surprisingly slow. But it is quite endearing

Following Zhang Lingli's gaze, Xue Yuan was carefully walking into the venue while holding up her dress. The venue was too large, and she walked slowly, simultaneously looking around as if she were observing and searching.

Typically, such speeches are either mere pleasantries or empty rhetoric, but what she said was different; it was reasoned and measured, with remarkable eloquence, causing many in the audience to nod in agreement. Although this manuscript was unlikely written by her own hand, these words reflect Zhang Lingli's principles of conduct. It is clear why Boyi has achieved success under Zhang Lingli's leadership.

Looking through the crowd, he seemed to ponder for a moment before responding, his voice particularly clear: "... I feel very complicated. From my current perspective, the painting 'Land' has many flaws; adding or subtracting a stroke in many places would improve it. However, that painting was my first attempt at realistic oil painting, representing a stage in my life, and it holds a different significance. Thirty years ago, I have forgotten much, but when I see 'Land,' I can still recall all my feelings from that time. From my current perspective, the painting 'Land' has many flaws; adding or subtracting a stroke in many places would improve it. However, that painting was my first attempt at realistic oil painting, representing a stage in my life, and it holds a different significance. Thirty years ago, I have forgotten much, but when I see 'Land,' I can still recall all my feelings from that time. Artistic works always reflect the author's worldview, and this is something that will certainly not change. ..."

Xiao Zhengyu recalled the evaluations of her within the circle, not only as a successful businesswoman but also as a perfect beauty

The sound, akin to silk, carried an extraordinary allure, sweet as chocolate. Xue Yuan momentarily lost her focus, and her face no longer felt like her own. The man before her placed his left hand over her face; her face was small, almost completely enveloped by his hand. Her face was cold, while his hand was exceptionally warm, creating a strangely cool sensation in the stark contrast. His fingers gently glided over her face as if exploring, finally resting at the edge of her lips, where the pad of his middle finger lightly tapped, gently wiping away the salad dressing. Although the napkin was clearly beside him, he seemed oblivious, smiling as he brought his middle finger to his mouth and licked it: "So sweet." His fingers gently glided over her face as if exploring, finally resting at the edge of her lips, where the pad of his middle finger lightly tapped, gently wiping away the salad dressing. Although the napkin was clearly beside him, he seemed oblivious, smiling as he brought his middle finger to his mouth and licked it: "So sweet."

Are you sure that painting is titled "Fate"? Are you certain there is no mistake?

Li Tianming spoke briefly, simply explaining his reasons for signing with Boyi. The reason was none other than being deeply moved by Zhang Lingli's ideas and dedication. In the end, he stated: "... My exploration in painting will not end; as long as I live for a day, I will continue to delve into it. This is the pursuit of art and also a necessity for my own emotions. Here, I would like to thank everyone for their attention and support over the years."... My exploration in painting will not end; as long as I live for a day, I will continue to delve into it. This is the pursuit of art and also a necessity for my own emotions. Here, I would like to thank everyone for their attention and support over the years.

After everyone had arrived, Zhang Lingli took the stage to speak. She began by expressing her gratitude for the strong support from friends in the industry, which made this art exhibition a success, and only at the end did she mention the art industry itself

Your painting style has become unique, and many people imitate you. What are your thoughts on others imitating your painting style?

After discussing matters with several supervisors, Zhang Lingli and another person walked to a corner. Zhang Lingli then said: "I won't hold this against you for now. I heard that there was a bit of an incident at the exhibition during lunch? Something about imitation and plagiarism, it was said to be quite spectacular, and there was almost a fight."

Therefore, Xue Yuan did not expect to encounter a pervert in such a situation

You have known about his personality for quite some time now. With his own painting displayed there, how could he possibly not come? It is quite a coincidence that he just witnessed such a grand performance. "Xiao Zhengyu paused, "Fortunately, there was a Xue Yuan who resolved the issue on the spot. To be honest, very few people have seen the original work. I don't even know who Du Sha is. If we were to discuss it theoretically, it would be difficult to clarify in a short time, and it would only escalate further.