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nThe art association was the home of all the painters and had a deep influence on the art world. Its power could not be underestimated.

nThis was also why Xu Fang had managed to suppress her so badly with just one sentence.

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nThe rest of the members also turned to look at Ye Li. Some of them were painters who had just graduated, and their faces had the look of a student. There were also some who had been in society for a long time, but most of them were filled with kindness.

nOnly a slightly famous and male painter with the alias Tea Leaves lifted his chin slightly and revealed a look of disdain. “Teacher Xu Fang is busy here. How can a painter who became famous overnight be more valuable than her?”

nXue Xi frowned. These words were too unpleasant.

nJust as she was about to retort, Ye Li held her hand. “Alright, we’re all in the same field. We still need to learn from each other going forward. Helping out is not a problem.”

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nHer generosity contrasted sharply with Xu Fang and the little artist’s aggressive attitude.

nStunned, Xue Xi looked at her in confusion, but she did not speak and followed behind Ye Li.

nXu Fang walked in front and asked Ye Li to follow her. After the small group entered the meeting room, Xu Fang started to issue the orders for today.

nThe art exhibition was meant to promote Chinese culture to international guests. It would be open for the next few days, and the preparation was indeed hectic. Xu Fang arranged for the rest of the people to go out and work.

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nXu Fang then turned to look at Ye Li and pointed at a box beside her. “Ye Li, send this box to Room 103. There’s a sink over there. Wipe the frames inside so that there won’t be any stains during the exhibition.”

nThis was the most important task, but it was tiring and dirty work.

nYe Li frowned. She was already in her forties. There were clearly strong young people in the association, but they wanted her to do it. They were clearly targeting her!

nSeeing that she was not moving, Xu Fang smiled. “I’m the president so everyone has to listen to me. Why? Don’t you want to do it? Or is our small Bin City Art Association intolerable to you?”

nYe Li took a deep breath and looked exceptionally angry, but she held it in. “Fine, I’ll do it!”

nAfter saying that, she went to move the box of items. After using some force, she realized that she could not move it.

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nXu Fang smiled. “It’s heavy, right? There are all kinds of paintings inside. You have to take it easy.”

nAfter saying that, she sat on her office chair and leaned forward slightly. “Ye Li, didn’t you use to disdain to fight for fame and fortune the most? Now, I’ll let you know the importance of being this association’s president. So what if you’ve received praise from Recluse? So what if you became famous overnight? In Bin City, as long as I’m the president, I can suppress you however I want. Recluse has already left and no one here will help you!”

nYe Li turned around and looked at her deeply.

nXu Fang’s expression was ferocious and her eyes were fierce. “Hurry up and do it. Once you’re done, we’ll do the rest.”

nYe Li bent down and was just about to move the box when Xue Xi walked to her side and easily picked it up. “Mom, let me help you.”

nSeeing how relaxed she was, Ye Li did not argue.

nThe two of them left Xu Fang’s office and walked to the end of the corridor. When they reached Room 103, Ye Li opened the door and Xue Xi placed the box on the ground.

nYe Li asked, “Xixi, are you tired?”

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nXue Xi shook her head. This bit of weight was nothing to her, but…

nShe asked, “What should we do next?”

nYe Li sighed. “Nothing much. These paintings were already wiped clean when they were delivered. She just wanted to find an excuse to make things difficult for me.”

nShe opened the box and took out a painting.

nDuring an art exhibition that lasted for several days, the paintings being exhibited changed every so often. Some of the paintings in the storage room would be switched for ones on display.

nYe Li took out three or four paintings and exclaimed, “This…”

nXue Xi hurriedly looked over and saw Ye Li taking out a long painting, but the painting had already been torn open! It had such a large hole.

nStartled, Ye Li took out the painting and placed it on the table.

nXue Xi frowned.

nThis was the “Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” from the Song Dynasty. It was an antique piece, but why had it been torn apart?

nYe Li took a closer look at the painting and heaved a sigh of relief. “This is an imitation.”

nXue Xi paused. “Huh? Are imitations allowed in art exhibitions?”

nYe Li pointed at the spot where a brushstroke had been placed. “The original painting is already an antique and is being displayed in the capital’s museum. It can’t be taken out casually, but we also want international guests to see it. Hence, there are all kinds of imitations. However, it’s been marked that this replica is very authentic.”

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nJust as they were speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open.

nXu Fang rushed in with Tea Leaves. When she saw the painting, Xu Fang exclaimed, “Ye Li, what did you do?”

nHer exclamation attracted the attention of the people from the art association outside. “What’s wrong?”

nWhen everyone saw that painting, they were instantly stunned. “How did this happen?”

n“This painting is the best among the imitations. This painting can be sold for millions! How can it be damaged? This is too careless!”

n“The main thing is that we have to use this for the exhibition tomorrow. Now that the painting is ruined, what should we do?”

nEveryone was anxious, but the topic did not go in the direction Xu Fang wanted. Xu Fang shot a glance at Tea Leaves, who immediately led the discussion. “Teacher Ye Li, what’s wrong with you? I know that you’re not happy with Ms. Xu Fang, but you can’t use this painting to vent your anger!”

nEveryone turned to look at Ye Li.

nYe Li frowned. “It wasn’t me. When I took out this painting, it was already damaged!”

n“How can that be?” Xu Fang said in surprise. “When this box of paintings was delivered this morning, we all checked the paintings together. There was definitely no problem!”

nShe looked at Ye Li sharply. “And you were the only one who touched this painting ever since the box was sealed this morning! Ye Li, I know that you hate me, but how can you do this? You must bear the responsibility!”

nYe Li asked, “What are you going to do?”

nXu Fang said, “You have to pay the value of this painting, which is about five million yuan, and return it to the owner. But that is secondary. You delayed tomorrow’s art exhibition. This is a huge matter!”

nTea Leaves said, “The art exhibition tomorrow has already been announced. The imitation of ‘A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains’ was going to be unveiled, but it’s ruined now. This will embarrass the entire Bin City’s Art Association tomorrow! Ms. Xu Fang, her actions are too much! No matter how good a person’s art is, if there’s a problem with her character, I think that such a person is not worthy of being an artist. Our art world should boycott her and make her seal her brush!”

nSeal… Ye Li clenched her fists. This must be Xu Fang’s real motive!

nXu Fang curled her lips. She was going to make Ye Li unable to survive in the art world!

nHowever—

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