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nChapter 131: The Cold Mountain Picture

nEveryone turned around in unison and saw a young man walking over.

nHe was about 25 or 26 years old. He was wearing a pair of thin-framed spectacles, and his face was pale. He looked exceptionally cultured, slender, and refined. His light gray suit made his figure look even more slender.

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nHowever, after saying this, the man held up his handkerchief and coughed twice. He seemed to be in poor health.

nXu Fang was stunned when she saw him. “Mr. Fu?”

nThe person called Mr. Fu nodded and asked again, “What happened?”

nMrs. Li recounted what had happened unhappily. The man immediately frowned and looked at Xu Fang. “If you think there are too many people, you can just ask those queuing outside to not come in. Since these ones are already in, there’s no reason to chase them out, right?”

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nXu Fang’s face darkened. She wanted to say something, but she seemed to be afraid of the person in front of her and could only reply, “You’re right.”

nXu Fang looked at Ye Li indignantly with a vicious gaze.

nYe Li’s pen name was Night Li. Very few people knew about this. When Recluse had mentioned it, Xu Fang was shocked.

nLater, she heard that he admired her and wanted to invite her to help him draw landscapes. Xu Fang had an idea and came up with the lie that “Night Li has passed away.”

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nBoth she and Ye Li had studied landscape painting. Even though her work was not bad, only Ye Li was making a name for herself. Why did he have to remember Night Li and forget about her, Xu Fang?

nShe was now in the world of landscape paintings!

nShe had found someone who could recommend her to Recluse. Now that she had a chance to work with Recluse, why must Ye Li come to this art exhibition?

n“Hello, I’m Fu Yuanxiu.” Fu Yuanxiu turned his head and covered his mouth with his handkerchief. He coughed twice. “Are you Xue Xi?”

nXue Xi paused and nodded. “Yes.”

nFu Yuanxiu smiled. “My father is the person in hiding.”

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nXue Xi suddenly understood. So this is the son of Painter? She nodded.

nFu Yuanxiu continued, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, I can help explain.”

nThe moment he said this, Mrs. Li, who was beside him, was shocked. “Fu Yuanxiu, I know him. He is also an artist, right? But isn’t he an oil painter?”

nYe Li nodded blankly. Ever since she entered, she had been looking for an opportunity to ask Xixi who this Painter was.

nBut now, seeing Fu Yuanxiu… Was he the one who was in hiding?

nWhere did her daughter know these people from?

nFirst, the well-known pianist, Zhou Zhou, addressed her as Sister Xi. Then, Lu Chao addressed her as Sister Xi. Now, she even knew this national artist?

nBeside her, Mrs. Li felt that she had belittled the Xue family again.

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nWhen she first walked with Ye Li, she only felt that she was different from the rumors. Now that she saw that Fu Yuanxiu was being so polite to Xue Xi, how could this be just “different”? She was simply being too arrogant!

nThe Xue family actually knew such a godly person who could speak to everyone in the national art world.

nMrs. Li had just started to admire Ye Li, but now, she admired her even more.

nIn her shock, Xue Xi said, “No need. My mother will explain it to me.”

nShe then turned to look at Ye Li. “Mom, shall we continue?”

nYe Li nodded blankly.

nShe gathered her thoughts and shared them with Xue Xi and Mrs. Li again. Fu Yuanxiu had a good upbringing and listened attentively.

nWhile he listened to Ye Li, Fu Yuanxiu’s expression turned solemn.

nHe himself knew so much about the national art, but she was able to state aloud his own judgment with every painting. This person was not simple!

nHe looked at Ye Li in admiration and said, “Madam Xue, you’re quite knowledgeable about national paintings. I’ve just heard your explanation and I’m suddenly enlightened. Do you also paint?”

nYe Li smiled. “I’ve painted something similar, but it’s not very famous.”

nFu Yuanxiu was a little disappointed when he heard this. He casually asked, “Then what type are you good at?”

nYe Li: “Landscapes.”

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nAfter saying that, she thought of something and said, “Oh, I have submitted a painting for the exhibition called ‘Cold Mountain Map.’ Why didn’t I see it?”

nFu Yuanxiu immediately led the group to the corner of the art exhibition. “I have an impression of this painting. It’s here.”

nWhen she walked over, she saw that there were also many people standing there. Someone was praising, “This painting of the Cold Mountain seems pretty good!”

nFu Yuanxiu took two steps forward. He was taller and saw the painting. His eyes lit up. “I also think it’s not bad.”

nMrs. Li was a straightforward person and smiled. “Mrs. Xue, everyone is praising your painting!”

nYe Li’s eyes lit up as she smiled.

nShe did not see that Xu Fang, who had been on guard the whole time and kept close to them, was also following. When she heard this, she was instantly stunned and her sharp gaze landed on the “Cold Mountain Map.”

nSo this was actually Ye Li’s painting?

nShe suddenly recalled that Qing Tan was Ye Li’s pen name in university!

nJust as she was frowning, someone in front said, “Can someone help me explain this painting?”

nThere was a professional commentator in the art exhibition. When that person heard this, he was about to speak when Xu Fang suddenly took a step forward. “Let me do it.”

nWhen the commentator saw her, he instantly smiled. “This is Xu Fang. She is a leading figure in the country’s landscape painting scene. It’ll be perfect for her to explain.”

nWith that, the commentator passed the microphone to her.

nYe Li clenched her fists nervously.

nXu Fang first smiled and carefully gave her judgment. “This painting’s style is distant, and the structure is flat and far. The scenery is extremely simple. Using the brush to turn the center of the painting into the side, the side of the brush will be drawn…”

nShe first praised the work.

nMrs. Li gave Ye Li a thumbs up. “Mrs. Xue, you’re really amazing.”

nHowever, just as she said this, Xu Fang changed the topic. “…However, this painting is too flashy and lacks depth. Moreover, the artist seems to have not drawn for many years. The tip of the pen is a little sluggish. What a pity.”

nEveryone sighed.

nNational paintings were profound, and there were very few people who could truly understand them. Many people’s fame was created by hype, such as that of Xu Fang.

nHowever, she was now the most famous person in the country’s landscape painting scene. Her comments had weight!

nThe rest only knew a little and did not want to appear too ignorant. Hence, everyone echoed Xu Fang’s words.

n“I find this painting a little strange. Now that Xu Fang has said it, I see that it’s true!”

n“If that’s the case, how did this get chosen?”

n“Did the painter bribe the judges?”

nYe Li’s face turned pale and her body swayed. Xue Xi held her in time to steady her.

nXu Fang pretended to be unaware and looked at the staff. “This is not suitable for exhibitions. Take it down. Don’t embarrass yourself.”

nThe staff nodded. He took a step forward and was about to take it down when Fu Yuanxiu said, “I think it’s good, though?”

nXu Fang smiled. “Mr. Fu, you draw oil paintings. There is still a difference between oil paintings and national paintings. It’s normal that you can’t see through those problems.”

nFu Yuanxiu was silent for a moment before saying, “Why don’t I ask my father to evaluate it?”

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