Pang shijie’s gallery was located on a well-known art street in B City. Of course, that wasn’t its official name, but since the area was filled with music stores and galleries, people jokingly referred to it as the ‘Art Street’.
This street was never particularly crowded, no matter the time of day. Now that winter had set in, the trees lining the street stood bare, with only a few lingering yellow leaves occasionally drifting down.
The art exhibition was set to start at 9 am. By the time Jiang Yu and Teacher Shen arrived, there was still about half an hour to go. Since neither of them had eaten breakfast, they decided to use the time to grab a meal at a restaurant on the opposite street.
Fried dough sticks, soybean milk and perfectly wrapped wontons!
The weather was freezing, so both Jiang Yu and Teacher Shen opted for wontons. Though they weren’t as large as homemade ones, the thin, delicate wrappers and flavourful filling made them quite delicious. The broth was especially rich and warm, just a single sip sent warmth spreading through their bodies.
Halfway through their meal, Teacher Shen’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and paused for a moment before quickly answering.
“Pang shijie… Mm, shimei and I have already arrived… We’re having breakfast across from Art Street. We’ll head over once we’re done…”
Listening to her conversation, Jiang Yu guessed it was Pang shijie calling. She lowered her gaze and took another sip of the savoury wonton broth, her eyes narrowing slightly in satisfaction. Chopped scallions floated on the surface, adding a vibrant green touch and an extra layer of aroma.
“It was Pang shijie. She wanted to know where we were,” Teacher Shen said after ending the call. She then picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a wonton and stuffed it into her mouth before mumbling, “These wontons are delicious, but they’re really… Well, anyway, let’s finish eating and head over. Pang shijie said the gallery is already open.”
By the time they finished breakfast, it was already 9 am. and the exhibition had officially begun. However, since it was still early and quite cold, there weren’t many visitors yet.
At the entrance, staff members were handing out booklets listing all the displayed artworks along with their titles and artists’ names, making it convenient for guests to browse. If someone found a piece they liked, they could even purchase it.
Standing at the entrance was Pang Yu, dressed in a fitted yellow sweater dress. She exuded a gentle yet capable aura. Upon seeing Jiang Yu and Teacher Shen, her face lit up with a sincere smile.
“The weather is so cold, you two could’ve just come at noon,” Pang Yu said, handing them each a booklet. “There aren’t many people inside yet, so feel free to take your time looking around. We’ll have lunch together later.”
Jiang Yu and Teacher Shen nodded. Not wanting to interrupt Pang Yu while she was busy, they quietly entered the gallery and began browsing.
Jiang Yu absentmindedly flipped through the booklet in her hands. The first painting featured was an oil painting titled Autumn Scenery, a vivid depiction of a maple forest ablaze with fiery red leaves. The ground was blanketed in thick layers of fallen leaves and towering maple trees flanked the path, their beauty resembling a roaring flame in the depths of autumn. It was breathtaking.
“This painting is quite good,” Jiang Yu commented.
Since it was placed on the first page, it was undoubtedly one of the best pieces in the exhibition. The colours were bold and vibrant, devoid of the usual melancholy of autumn. Instead, it radiated a striking brilliance. Both the technique and the artistic conception were exceptional.
Teacher Shen glanced at the artist’s name and suddenly realised, “Oh, this artist is a rising star. He specialises in painting maple trees. I remember his last piece, Maple, sold for 300,000 yuan.”
Of course, while this artist was skilled, Teacher Shen personally didn’t think he was that remarkable, he was merely passable at best. Compared to Jiang Yu’s paintings, he was far inferior. And this wasn’t just her bias as a senior; it was simply the truth.
“Ah?” Turning to the next page, Teacher Shen suddenly let out a surprised exclamation. Grabbing Jiang Yu’s arm, she said excitedly, “Jiang Yu, look! Pang shijie really went out of her way for you, she put your painting in the second spot!”
After the vivid red hues of the first painting, the next image was a vast expanse of deep black. Pang shijie had given Starry Sky a full-page spread, the booklet was designed like a book, with content spanning two pages, meaning Jiang Yu’s painting occupied the entire layout.
Because of this, the impact of the painting was even more striking.
The night sky was a pure, inky black, dark yet clean and profound. A single glance was enough to draw the viewer in. Across this vast darkness stretched a silver river of stars, shimmering brilliantly. Some stars shone brightly, while others were faint, but together, they formed a breathtaking galaxy, a luminous band crossing the midnight sky.
The starry night was tranquil yet stunning, a quiet beauty that moved the heart, even through a printed image.
Beneath the painting, a name was inscribed in golden letters: Jiang Yu.
“Jiang Yu? Who’s that? A new artist? I’ve never heard of them before.”
A discussion suddenly arose nearby. Jiang Yu looked up to see a group of middle-aged individuals holding booklets, their gazes fixed on Starry Sky.
A woman in the group spoke up, “I love this painting. Where is it displayed? Let’s go see it!”
Hearing this, Teacher Shen quickly scanned the booklet and found the location details. “Your painting is on the second floor. Let’s go check it out!”
The gallery had two floors and a decent amount of space. The staircase leading up to the second floor was lined with framed paintings. As soon as they ascended, their eyes were drawn to the artworks displayed directly ahead, and among them was Starry Sky.
Even Teacher Shen was taken aback. There was no doubt about it, this was a prime exhibition spot. As visitors reached the second floor, the first thing they saw was the set of paintings directly in front of them. These works were protected behind glass, ensuring a clear view and without a doubt, Starry Sky was the most eye-catching of them all.
Its deep night sky effortlessly pulled viewers into its tranquil realm. The pristine silence of the cosmos contrasted with the shimmering galaxy, creating an atmosphere of serenity. The entire painting exuded a quiet stillness, so profound that it seemed to calm everything around it.
It was a fascinating sensation. In a fast-paced city where people lived according to a relentless rhythm, many had forgotten what it felt like to slow down.
Yet, in front of this painting, they suddenly felt it. Everything seemed to decelerate, grow silent. Even their restless emotions settled.
Teacher Shen had always loved Jiang Yu’s artwork, but now, with other paintings as a backdrop, Starry Sky stood out even more, its depth and technical brilliance undeniable.
A small crowd had already gathered around it. Teacher Shen leaned in, eavesdropping on their discussion. As she listened to their words of admiration, satisfaction swelled within her.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yu remained as composed as ever. She listened to the praise directed at her painting without the slightest change in expression, as if she were hearing compliments about a stranger’s work.
Not even a hint of embarrassment!
Teacher Shen muttered inwardly.
The art exhibition ran from 9 am to 4:30 pm and lasted for three days. The gallery’s primary revenue came from selling paintings, with high-quality works fetching millions and even the less expensive ones selling for tens of thousands. The gallery took a 15% commission on each sale.
In the morning, there were only a few visitors, but as noon approached, the crowd grew and the atmosphere became lively.
Pang shijie had a keen eye for art. Her gallery housed works from renowned artists, but she also displayed paintings from newcomers. Fresh artwork always brought novel sensations, as different artists had distinct styles. If a gallery showcased the same few names repeatedly, people would eventually grow bored. Including new artists not only provided variety but also introduced fresh perspectives that many visitors appreciated.
Additionally, new artists’ paintings were often quite affordable, making them great choices for home decoration. By featuring their works, she also helped struggling artists financially. After all, not every painter achieved fame and many remained unknown, facing financial hardship.
Initially, Pang Yu included Jiang Yu’s painting in the exhibition mainly out of her role as a senior sister and as a favour to their Master. She wanted to give Jiang Yu a chance because, in the art world, reputation and experience mattered greatly. Having her painting showcased in an exhibition was an excellent stepping stone if Jiang Yu wished to establish herself as an artist.
However, before receiving Starry Sky, Pang Yu had little expectation. After all, Jiang Yu was only seventeen. No matter how talented, how good could her work really be?
That thought persisted, until she laid eyes on Starry Sky.
In that moment, Pang Yu suddenly understood why their Master had chosen to accept Jiang Yu as a pupil. She was a true prodigy. It was hard to believe that a seventeen-year-old had created such a masterpiece. The painting’s technique and artistic depth were exceptional, leaving no room for criticism.
Realising its potential, Pang Yu took a rare step of favouritism and gave Starry Sky a prime exhibition spot. She was confident that the painting would captivate viewers at first glance.
Of course, while she wanted to support Jiang Yu, her decision was primarily based on faith in the painting itself. Pang Yu, as the old man’s student, had a sharp eye for art. Though her own paintings were good, she had not reached the highest level. However, she was skilled at recognising great works. The moment she saw Starry Sky, she knew it deserved the best placement, it was bound to attract admiration.
Others in the gallery were puzzled and even disapproved of her decision. But now, as a growing number of visitors inquired about Starry Sky, they couldn’t help but marvel.
This was exactly why Pang Yu was the boss and they were merely employees.
Her eye for art was simply unmatched!
As the gallery owner, Pang Yu had a network of VIP clients. One of them, Mr. Liu, was a well-known collector with a deep passion for paintings. He was also very wealthy. Although he hadn’t purchased many pieces from Pang Yu’s gallery, every piece he did buy was worth at least a million.
Mr. Liu especially loved paintings by Master Cui, but the elderly master had long ceased to release new works. Every time he visited, he would sigh and lament:
“I really love your master’s paintings, but it’s been so long since he’s put out a new piece!”
Pang Yu smiled. “You know my Master is getting old. His health and energy aren’t what they used to be. He still paints occasionally, but only simple pieces. According to him, those works are so ugly they aren’t worth sharing.”
Mr. Liu understood but still felt a sense of regret. For an art lover, finding a favourite artist was rare and seeing them stop creating was always disappointing.
“By the way,” Mr. Liu asked, “do you have any promising new artists? I just bought a new villa and need some paintings for decoration.”
He generally wasn’t interested in newcomers’ works, but occasionally, a fresh piece would carry a certain charm. While he wouldn’t collect such paintings, they made excellent decorations.
Hearing this, Pang Yu’s eyes gleamed. She replied, “I do have a few newcomers whose work I really admire. Their styles are very refined. But there’s one in particular, I promise you’ll love it. In fact, you might even be amazed.”
Her words piqued Mr. Liu’s curiosity. “You’re talking it up quite a bit. This artist must be something special. Alright, take me to see this so-called ‘amazing’ painting!”
Pang Yu smiled knowingly and led him upstairs.
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