Chapter 374: Zi Yi Getting Acknowledged, Dinner Party Invite

The top five contestants would advance after the second round, but six contestants ended up advancing.

As usual, Zi Yi was the first. In second place were Meng He and a man called Allen who was from Country F. The third place belonged to Dou Xiangling.

No one dared to come out and dispute the fact that Zi Yi obtained the first place as the facts had already been laid out in open.

As for Dou Xiangling’s third place…

It was not that her painting was bad. Instead, her heart was filled with goodness and happy thoughts. Therefore, she was unable to draw out the heart-wrenching pain like Meng He. The other guy named Allen was also very skilled.

At this conjecture, the discussion over the internet has reached an all-time high.

“I have to admit that Zi Yi’s painting is full of soul.”

“At first glance, her painting is very shocking. But when I took another look, it made me cry.”

“It was clearly full of desperation and the sun she added at the end made people feel hopeful again. However, the thought of crying was even more intense.”

“If this kind of painting can’t win the first place, then I can only say that other people’s work is unworthy.”

“In the past, some master’s paintings were sold at sky-high prices. I’m pretty curious. If this painting were to be put up for sale, what price would it fetch?”

“I can confirm that normal people are unable to afford it.”

…

When the judges announced the results, the other contestants were already impressed by Zi Yi as they viewed her in a new light.

One of the female painters from Country F walked over to Zi Yi and said sincerely, “Zi, I apologize for holding contempt towards you previously. Your painting is really good.”

She then held out her hand and said, “Can we have a hug?”

The female contestant came in sixth place and did not manage to advance to the next round.

Zi Yi was not fond of having too close contact with strangers and she merely held out her hand.

“Shaking hands will do.”

The female contestant was stunned at first before she smiled and held out her hand to shake hands with Zi Yi.

“I will stay until the end of the competition before I leave. I hope that I can see you coming in first.”

“Okay.”

Zi Yi took back her hand and looked towards Dou Xiangling.

She was currently chatting with an acquaintance who did not successfully advance to the next round. Throughout the entire conversation, her expression was gentle and unassuming. Even if she had won third place this round, she did not reveal the slightest unwillingness.

Zi Yi was just about to look away when she saw Meng He standing alone out of the corner of her eye.

Meng He was a proud guy. It was to the extent he disdained conversing with anyone. However, his appearance was considered very attractive to women from western countries. Right now, there were already two contestants who had been eliminated from the first round heading in his direction.

However, he did not pay them the slightest attention as his gaze was locked on Dou Xiangling throughout.

Looking at this, Zi Yi revealed an indiscernible frown.

Just then, Meng He ignored the two women who came up to him and walked towards Dou Xiangling’s side.

Zi Yi had also tagged along.

“Dou Xiangling.”

Dou Xiangling was currently conversing with her acquaintance and she looked up upon hearing someone call for her.

Meng He stared at her closely and said, “There’s one last round left. I will definitely win against you.”

Dou Xiangling calmly nodded and said in a lukewarm manner, “Okay, all the best.”

She then continued to chat with her acquaintance.

Meng He looked at Dou Xiangling who was not taking him seriously in the slightest. He was so angry that a fierce fire burned in his chest.

Clearly, they had always been rivals and he paid so much attention to this, yet she did not take it seriously at all.

How can she do this?!

Meng He stared at Dou Xiangling in great rage.

Seeing this, Zi Yi stepped forward to Dou Xiangling and called out, “Cousin.”

When Zi Yi had reached where Dou Xiangling was at, Meng He’s aggressive eyes looked at her.

Zi Yi tilted her head and returned his stare with a gaze of her own.

Dou Xiangling was just talking to Hank about Zi Yi and when she saw that she was making her way over, Dou Xiangling smiled and proudly said, “Yiyi is my cousin.”

Hank was first surprised for a moment, before he nodded in understanding. “The Dou Family not only produces capable people but also beautiful women.”

Hank then smiled and invited Zi Yi. “Zi, your painting is superb. I feel that I’m still lacking compared to you. I wonder if you would mind if the three of us were to have dinner tonight to discuss painting?”

Just as Zi Yi was about to reply, Country X’s Association Chairman loudly said, “Ladies and gentlemen, please tone down momentarily. I have something to announce to everyone.”

Thus, everyone present fell into silence.

The Chairmen of Country X and the International Painting and Calligraphy Association stood side by side and there was a smile on their faces.

Country X’s Association Chairman said, “As the topic of the second round is rather unique, the organizing committee will be adjusting the topic of the third round. Therefore, tomorrow’s competition will be postponed by one day.”

He then added, “Tonight, the organizing committee will be holding a dinner party. I hope that everyone present can attend it. The dinner will be held at Count Alistair’s house. Our staff will send the detailed address to your phones.”

When everyone heard the venue of the dinner party, they were all surprised.

“Isn’t it a dinner party held by the organizing committee? Why would it be held at Count Alistair’s house?”

“Didn’t you see the list of members of the organizing committee? Count Alistair is an art enthusiast and an honorary member of the committee.”

“No wonder. But to be able to visit Count Alistair’s house for a dinner party is surely exciting.”

There were many people looking forward to the dinner party. In addition, such events could also promote communication between various artists.

Most importantly, many of them planned to befriend Zi Yi and so, they were even more willing to attend the dinner party.

It was already 6 p.m now and they still had to return to their respective hotels to change their clothes and do their makeup. Therefore, they did not continue to linger as they left one after another.

Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling left together and unsurprisingly, they were surrounded by the group of reporters again.

Zi Yi could not be bothered to answer the reporters’ questions and Dou Xiangling did not wish to comment much this time around. Under the protection of the bodyguards, the two of them got in the car and left.

As soon as they left, Meng He came out from the art museum.

Two bodyguards came up to him and said, “Mr. Meng, Miss Feiya ordered us to pick you up.”

Meng He recalled the unpleasant interaction he had in the afternoon and gave them a cold gaze before he stepped aside.

The two bodyguards looked at each other and hastily followed after him.

The reporters were feeling disappointed, as they did not manage to interview Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling. The moment they saw Meng He walking out, they surrounded him with all their microphones.

Meng He simply gave them a cold glare before he left.

The reporters were unhappy with his attitude.

“What’s there to be arrogant about? Didn’t he only come in second place in the second round of the competition? Perhaps he might drop out of the first three in the next round. Does he honestly think he’s all that great?”

“That’s right. Miss Zi is the one that’s really skilled. Miss Dou’s painting is also rather good. I feel that he can only come in third place at best.”

…

Meng He clenched his fists in anger when he heard what they said. He had the urge to turn around and give them a beating.

He would never let Dou Xiangling surpass him!

…

Just as Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling got in the car, they received the address for tonight’s dinner party from the organizing committee.

Dou Xiangling smiled and told Zi Yi about Count Alistair. “Count Alistair is a fanatical fan of paintings and he is fond of collecting famous paintings from all around the world. My friend previously said that Count Alistair’s house is full of painting and it looks like an art gallery when you enter.”

She thought about it for a moment and added, “Precisely because he is a fan of paintings, Count Alistair might ask you for a painting when the time comes. He has a rather good reputation in the circle and can be befriended.”

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