Starry Sky was an internationally award-winning painting in Jiang Yu’s previous life. Without a doubt, this piece was exceptional in every way. What made it truly rare was how seamlessly it blended technique and artistic intent, the clarity of the night sky was so tranquil that it could calm the heart of anyone who gazed upon it.
When people first saw the painting, they were drawn in by its beauty. But soon after, a single thought took root in their minds, I want this painting so badly.
Mr. Shi was particularly captivated by it. The more he looked, the more he admired the artistic vision within it. Unable to resist, he offered a high price of 700,000 yuan to secure it. He believed this was an exorbitant amount for a painting by a newcomer, but to his surprise, someone else had bid even higher.
“This is impossible. The artist is just a rookie. How could anyone else offer more than me?” Mr. Shi instinctively rejected the idea.
Pang Yu smiled, unbothered by his scepticism. “I found it hard to believe too, but someone really did bid higher than your 700,000 yuan.”
Mr. Liu frowned. He, too, appreciated the painting and wished to collect it. However, a price exceeding 700,000 yuan seemed too outrageous.
“This isn’t some trick your gallery is pulling, is it?” someone questioned suspiciously.
Pang Yu’s smile faded slightly. “Our gallery never engages in such practices. Someone did indeed offer a higher bid… May I ask, which one of you is Mr. Rong Jue?”
A young man stepped forward. He was strikingly handsome, with snow-white skin and jet-black hair that was slightly long, tied into a loose braid at the back. His posture was elegant, exuding an effortless charm that was neither effeminate nor greasy but rather dangerously alluring. A single beauty mark beneath his eye acted as a perfect accent, adding a touch of devil-may-care charisma to his already flirtatious aura.
One look at him and it was clear, this man was born to be a heartbreaker.
“You are Mr. Rong?” Pang Yu was slightly surprised. She handed over the wrapped painting. “This is the piece you purchased. We’ve already packed it up for you.”
Rong Jue accepted the package with a smile. “Thank you. I really love this painting.”
The crowd stirred. Some seemed to recognise his name and began whispering amongst themselves.
“Rong Jue? As in the Rong family?”
“Yeah, I think he’s the eldest son of the Rong family.”
“The Rong family? Then this painting must truly be something special!”
“Damn, if I’d known, I would’ve studied it more closely. Now I won’t even get to see it again.”
All eyes fell on the tall and poised young man, filled with a mixture of reverence and admiration.
The Rong family was a special lineage. It had stood strong for over 300 years, with generations dedicated to the study and craftsmanship of traditional painting and calligraphy. Their brand, Rong Yan, was a prestigious name that sold high-end art supplies. Owning a set of Rong Yan painting tools was a dream for every aspiring artist.
Anyone who had ever used Rong Yan products would swear by their quality, worth every penny.
Eighteen years ago, the Rong family had also donated a vast collection of ancient paintings and calligraphy pieces to the nation, priceless treasures painstakingly preserved through times of war and turmoil. This act of generosity earned them deep respect, further cementing their esteemed status.
Unlike his ancestors, however, Rong Jue was not renowned for his calligraphy or painting. Instead, he had made a name for himself as a music producer, an odd divergence from his family’s traditional roots.
When Pang Yu first saw the name Rong Jue, she had suspected it might be that Rong Jue. Now, seeing him in person, she realised she had been right.
“I didn’t expect Mr. Rong to be interested in this painting as well,” Mr. Liu remarked.
Rong Jue smiled. “It’s an outstanding piece, in every aspect.”
Mr. Shi couldn’t help but ask, “If I may, Mr. Rong, what was your final bid? I thought my 700,000 yuan was the highest offer, but clearly, yours exceeded mine.”
Rong Jue’s smile deepened, the beauty mark beneath his eye almost twinkling. He raised two fingers and said, “Two million.”
The crowd erupted.
Two million yuan?!
This must be a joke! How could this painting be worth that much?
Rong Jue replied casually, “Didn’t Mr. Shi just say? Some things are priceless when they touch your heart. I feel the same way. To me, this painting is worth every yuan.”
Mr. Shi nodded in agreement, completely convinced by his words.
Still, he couldn’t help but sigh wistfully as he gazed at the painting in Rong Jue’s hands. His attachment was so strong that, without thinking, he blurted out, “Mr. Rong, if I offer you two million, would you consider selling the painting to me?”
The moment the words left his mouth, even he was stunned.
Two million? Am I crazy?
A part of him thought he was being absurd. But the other part, the one utterly captivated by the painting, felt no regret at all. He truly wanted it.
Rong Jue gave him an amused look before shaking his head. “No. I love this painting too much to let it go.” He then turned to the crowd with a polite nod. “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
With that, he walked away, leaving behind a group of dazed and heartbroken people, many of whom still felt like their souls were being carried away along with the painting.
“If I had two million, I’d buy that painting in a heartbeat!” someone lamented.
“Are you insane? That’s two million yuan!”
“But I just love it so much! I need it!”
Shen Zhitang, standing among them, was utterly bewildered. Please excuse this commoner, he thought, for I simply do not understand spending two million on a single painting.
Shen Zhiwei chuckled. “Just think of it this way, if that painting were a limited-edition sports car, maybe you’d understand their feelings.”
Shen Zhitang paused. He imagined spending two million on the sports car he had been dying to own.
Damn. Maybe I do get it now.
“She just sold one painting for two million yuan… Will she even consider working with me?” Shen Zhitang murmured, suddenly anxious. “Fame is supposed to be a way to make money. But if she’s already making money without fame, then why would she bother?” He let out a heavy sigh. “Come on, Shen Zhitang, don’t give up! Maybe Jiang Yu actually likes the spotlight. Look at my own sister, she’s rich but still ran off to play in the entertainment industry.”
Shen Zhiwei kicked him lightly. “Why are you mumbling to a potted plant?”
“Nothing!” Shen Zhitang jumped up, his determination reigniting. With a confident grin, he declared, “I was just thinking through my next plan!”
At this moment, Rong Jue walked straight to the parking lot with the painting in hand, opened the door of a car and got in. As soon as he entered, he tossed the painting over and said, “Here’s what you wanted. Honestly, I don’t get it, if you wanted to buy it, why didn’t you just do it yourself? Why make me do it?”
Lu Mingshen reached out, unfolded the painting and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. “If she knew I was the one buying it, she definitely wouldn’t have sold it to me at this price.”
Rong Jue replied, “Isn’t that a good thing? You got it cheaper and saved quite a bit of money.”
Saying this, he leaned in for a closer look at the painting, his eyes filled with admiration. “I have to say, this painting is really well done. It looks alive rather than lifeless. That’s exactly the kind of art that moves people the most. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a painting with such spirit.”
Hearing this, Lu Mingshen’s expression showed a hint of pride. “Her painting skills are indeed excellent. She’s highly talented and extremely hardworking.”
“Isn’t hard work a given?” Rong Jue glanced at him. “It’s rare to hear you praise someone like this. What, do you like her?”
Lu Mingshen frowned. “You’re spouting nonsense again.”
Rong Jue lazily leaned back in his seat and asked, “How’s your health these days?”
Lu Mingshen lightly traced the stars in the painting with his fingers and said, “Not bad. No recent flare-ups. The doctor also said my condition is stable.”
Hearing this, Rong Jue felt somewhat relieved.
The doctors had said that Lu Mingshen’s illness was rooted in his heart. Whenever it acted up, it would cause him unbearable headaches. This illness had also made him increasingly irritable. He used to be a gentle person, but now he had become harder to approach.
“I like this painting a lot too. How about you give it to me?” Rong Jue suggested.
Lu Mingshen calmly placed the painting back into its case and said, “Let’s go.”
Rong Jue: “…Look at you. Don’t you know the artist? Just ask her to paint another one for you.”
“No. She’s busy with her studies. Next year, she’ll be a senior in high school. I can’t disturb her.” Lu Mingshen refused outright.
Rong Jue raised an eyebrow, then suddenly froze. “What did you say? Senior in high school? You’re telling me the artist of this painting is still a high school student? No way!”
He grabbed the painting again and carefully examined it. His expression turned serious. “A high school student could never paint something like this. With these skills, the artist should be at least thirty years old, even if they are exceptionally talented.”
Even for a thirty-year-old, this level of mastery was astonishing.
Lu Mingshen replied, “She really is a high school student, seventeen this year, turning eighteen after the new year. I’ve seen her other works. There’s no doubt this was painted by her. Oh and you know her Master too, Master Cui Guosheng.”
Master Cui Guosheng?
Rong Jue leaned back in his seat again and asked, “She’s really only seventeen?”
Lu Mingshen nodded firmly.
Rong Jue’s expression turned strange. He wiped a hand over his face and said, “If that’s true, then this girl is a once-in-a-lifetime genius.”
For the artists of her generation, having someone like her among them, was it a blessing or a curse?
“Introduce me to her sometime.”
Lu Mingshen nodded. “If there’s an opportunity.”
,
The art exhibition ended and Pang Yu left the remaining matters to the gallery staff. She then took Jiang Yu and the others out for a meal. Originally, Shen Zhiwei and her younger brother were supposed to join them, but upon learning that it was a gathering of Jiang Yu’s fellow apprentices, she declined.
“As an outsider, how could I intrude on something like this?” Shen Zhiwei smiled and pulled Shen Zhitang away.
Before Jiang Yu could say anything, Shen Zhitang clearly didn’t want to leave. As he was dragged away, he turned back and waved, saying, “Sister Jiang, if you make a decision, call me!”
Jiang Yu couldn’t help but chuckle at this.
Today’s gathering was indeed for Jiang Yu and her fellow apprentices. Since she was returning to S City the next day, both Ning shixiong and Han shixiong had cleared their schedules to meet her properly, after all, they had never actually met this new shimei before.
Jiang Yu was the youngest among them, not even an adult yet. To the others, she was still a child, so their attitudes naturally carried a hint of fond indulgence.
Ning shixiong had a cold and aloof demeanor, like an ice-cold beauty. Seeing him in person, Jiang Yu found it hard to believe that he was the same person who casually handed out five-figure red envelopes in their group chat and had such an explosive aura.
“Ning shixiong’s family is super rich,” Teacher Shen whispered in her ear. “GJ is their brand!”
Jiang Yu knew about GJ, it was a famous luxury brand known for clothing and jewelry.
Compared to Ning shixiong, Han shixiong had a much gentler presence. He wasn’t as strikingly handsome, just an average-looking man, but he exuded warmth.
Seeing Jiang Yu, Han shixiong smiled and said, “So this is our shimei. Master has mentioned you to us several times, saying you’re exceptionally talented, more so than any of us.”
Jiang Yu felt a little embarrassed. “Compared to you all, I still have a long way to go.”
Ning shixiong spoke in a calm tone, “I’ve seen your paintings. They’re very good.”
“Huh? Zhiyuan, when did you see shimei’s paintings?” Han shixiong asked in surprise.
Ning shixiong curled his lips, a rare expression for him that made him seem a little more human. “Every time I talk to Master, he always mentions her and even sends me her paintings. I know her work very well.”
Hearing this, Teacher Shen and Jiang Yu: “…”
Master really liked to brag about his students, so much so that even Ning shixiong had been roped into it!
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