"Little Qiang, this is going a bit too far!" Jiang Wei also displayed a thinly veiled anger.

"Jiang Wei, I didn't want to do this," Wang Xiaoqiang spread his hands and said, "So I am petty. When someone insults my character, I have to slap them in the face right then and there. Just now, when I was looking at the paintings, someone called me vulgar and attacked my dignity. Now, I need to take back my dignity. Jiang Wei, if you still consider me a friend, help me find some brushes and rice paper now. I'm going to use my artwork to slap their faces."

"Little Qiang, this, this..." Seeing that Wang Xiaoqiang was serious and not just joking, Jiang Wei didn't dare to go against his will. However, this wasn't her place, and she didn't have the final say.

"If someone wants to make a fool of themselves, why stop them? Give him the brushes, let him paint..." Jin Ximei said in a fury. "Let everyone witness how an idiot becomes what he is!"

With that, she gestured to the two service staff in the center of the exhibition: "Old Zhao, prepare a table and the tools for painting!"

The worker called Old Zhao, a fifty-year-old employee, responded and immediately went to prepare.

In a short while, a painting table was carried over, equipped with brushes, paints, rice paper...

Jin Ximei crossed her arms and sneered, "Mr. Wang, please."

At this moment, everyone present was eyeing Wang Xiaoqiang with a teasing look. Wang Xiaoqiang's skill in painting, whether it was landscapes or figure sketches, was top-notch. However, having just observed that figure painting, he had an epiphany, and besides, his foundational painting skills were there for all to see.

He was now considering whether to hide his skills, because once the painting was finished, it would be a work of art of immeasurable value. After thinking for a while, he finally decided not to hold back and to use all of his ability to paint.

However, he decided to change the subject of the painting. He wouldn't paint Jin Ximei but Jiang Wei instead—why let such skill be wasted on a stranger? Jiang Wei was the woman he had his eye on.

Sooner or later, he would win her over and earn the substantial conversion points that came with her. Since she was the woman he intended to claim, he would not skimp on his brushwork for her; he wanted to fully capture Jiang Wei's grace and poise in the painting. Moreover, once finished, he intended to give the painting to Jiang Wei.

With this thought in mind, Wang Xiaoqiang stepped up to Jiang Wei, pulled her over to the painting table, and said, "Jiang Wei, let me paint you."

Jiang Wei was somewhat surprised and a little flustered, but she didn't refuse. All the people here, including Jin Ximei, were against Wang Xiaoqiang. If Wang Xiaoqiang painted any one of them, they would surely not cooperate. Jiang Wei couldn't be the one to let Wang Xiaoqiang down. With this belief, she positioned herself facing the painting table. Wang Xiaoqiang walked around the table and stood in front of it.

So, under the watchful gaze of all those waiting to see a spectacle, Wang Xiaoqiang pulled out a sheet of rice paper, picked up his brush, took a deep breath, and suddenly his demeanor changed dramatically. Where was the young man of wealth from just moments ago? The aura of a master artist spread out from him, intoxicating as a fine wine aged for many years.

Then...

Wang Xiaoqiang lifted his gaze and stared across the painting table at Jiang Wei.

Speaking of Jiang Wei, as Wang Xiaoqiang's model, she was facing him, giving Wang Xiaoqiang a soft and gentle smile. Bathed in the professional aura emanating from him, her heart overflowed with joy and pounded relentlessly. She intermittently felt an electrifying thrill coursing through her body! In contrast, from the moment Wang Xiaoqiang had entered the state of painting, he had indeed become wholly focused. Although there were dozens of people staring at him with playful looks, his vital essence, qi, and spirit were fully locked onto the brush in his hands as well as the paper. Every stroke was brilliantly precise and splendid!

Wang Xiaoqiang first outlined Jiang Wei's facial features and physique, then slowly enhanced and portrayed the portrait with techniques suited to capture the likeness of individuals. Very soon, Jiang Wei came to life within Wang Xiaoqiang's painting! On the paper, Jiang Wei's image was precise, meticulously elegant, with vivid colors, restraint, and subtlety, light tones, and it incorporated both the gentle and quiet charm of women from Jiangnan Watertown, as well as some contemporary fashionable elements. It turned out to be a remarkable coincidence and a perfect fit to use Jiang Wei as the model for the painting! One must know, Zheng Banqiao's brushwork is, after all, ancient in style. He had copied the Painting of Court Ladies before, where ancient women were without exception gentle and modest, reserved, and tranquil.

And Jiang Wei was just the type of girl embodied in such characteristics! A classic example of a quiet, tender-as-water woman, with conservative, graceful elegance akin to ancient ladies. In this case, for Wang Xiaoqiang, capturing Jiang Wei's nature and charm in the painting came effortlessly!

Twenty minutes later,

finally, a portrait was finished! Wang Xiaoqiang set the brush aside and stretched lazily to relieve his muscles before admiring his work with satisfaction. While painting just now, Wang Xiaoqiang seemed to enter a state of meditation, oblivious not only to external objects but also maintaining a profound disregard towards his own artwork and the model, Jiang Wei. Now that the piece was complete, Wang Xiaoqiang returned from that state, and instead scrutinized the painting anew.

On the canvas was a vivid Jiang Wei. Her clean and neatly styled short hair, the affection-filled glimpse in her bright eyes, and the corners of her mouth curved into a gentle and soft smile. Her beauty and charm were enchanting! The portrait felt alive, as if Jiang Wei depicted within could step out at any moment! "Okay, I've performed up to my usual standard," he thought.

Wang Xiaoqiang felt a wave of relief. Then he snapped his fingers at Jiang Wei and said with a smile, "Alright, Jiang Wei, you've been standing there for a long time and must be tired; thank you for your efforts. I've finished the painting, come and have a look." Hesitant, she then rose from her chair and approached with great apprehension. When her gaze landed on the painting, she was instantly overwhelmed! Yes,

overwhelmed! The painting seemed three-dimensional!

And it was as if looking into a mirror! Jiang Wei saw another living version of herself within the painting! Although Jiang Wei had studied painting for several years and had seen many works by famous artists, she could swear that Wang Xiaoqiang's piece was a marvel, a masterpiece for the ages! She felt as though she had been brought to life in the painting!

"Jiang... Jiang Feng..." At that moment, Jiang Wei's gaze held excitement, elation, and immense admiration, reverence! Of course, the reverence was for Wang Xiaoqiang's painting skills. The thrill and excitement came from the fact that a boy she liked had painted a portrait of her, which was, in truth, a very romantic affair.

"Is the painting finished?" Jin Ximei immediately stood up and, along with everyone else, made her way toward Wang Xiaoqiang's work. Their reactions were identical to Jiang Wei's; the so-called members of the art community were stunned upon seeing his artwork, their eyes frozen without a flicker, like clay statues rooted to the spot! This rigid atmosphere,

lasted for a full minute until it was shattered by the roar of a long-haired man with a big beard... "My God! This is Master Zheng Banqiao's style!

The likeness is striking, the spirit is captured! A portrait so vivid — it's as if it has come to life! These lines, these contours, the spirit... My heavens! I, Li Qing, have spent a lifetime studying Master Zheng Banqiao's works, toiling in obscurity for decades, only achieving likeness in form, but now... a genius! To encounter such a talent in my lifetime, it is truly..."worth it!"

At that moment, a white-haired old man used a magnifying glass to scrutinize every line, every brushstroke. As he observed, he exclaimed, "Excellent, absolutely brilliant!" "Hmm! Mr. Wang, would you consider parting with this painting for me?"

The old man's beard bristled with excitement. "Mr. Wang, I am willing to offer 300,000 yuan for this portrait! It is a symbol of the emergence of a genius painter in our country!" The lifelong painter, willing to spend 300,000 yuan to acquire this painting for his collection, (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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