Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Ms. Night Li?” Xie Yingying still remembered what Li Zixia had said last time. “Is it the teacher whose daughter Xiao Xia said she wants to be friends with?”

Gu Peng nodded. “That’s right. Her daughter must be very talented in art. We’ve always wanted to meet her.”

Xue Xi: “?”

She blinked. After being interrupted last time, she did not continue asking. She did not expect that it was really her mother!

However, this painting…

Xue Xi stood under the painting and looked up. The entire painting was not bad and was basically completed in one go. However, wasn’t this painting the one that was auctioned at Mrs. Xia’s charity organization in Bin City?!

She remembered that the Recluse had spent money to buy it. Why was it here?

Moreover, why did she feel that this painting was drawn by her?

Two paintings had been done at the same time as she was learning landscape painting from Ye Li back then. She did not have any attachment to it, so she’d completely copied Ye Li’s painting.

It was as though she had printed it out with a printer. The only difference was that the tip of the pen was different, and…

Xue Xi tilted her head and stared at Night Li’s seal for a while.

She was very focused as she was looking at the painting, making people subconsciously shut their mouths. It was as though they were afraid of disturbing her. When Gu Peng realized that he had been affected by her, he returned to his senses and asked casually, “Ms. Xue, what do you think of this painting?”

Xue Xi: “…Not bad.”

She could not possibly praise herself here.

However, it was actually alright. There was no problem with the quality, but it was much weaker than Ye Li’s original painting.

However, artists valued emotions.

Even an artist could not draw two identical paintings, let alone a painting machine like her.

Gu Peng: “?”

He raised an eyebrow and found it ridiculous.

He had originally intended to bring the two of them to have a look so that they could know the difference between them and Xiao Xia. However, this person was really overestimating himself. It was Teacher Night Li’s painting, yet she actually only said that it was alright?

Gu Peng sneered. “If this painting is considered alright, then what kind of painting is suitable for Ms. Xue?”

Xue Xi was just about to speak the truth when she saw that because they had been in front of this scene for too long, Li Zixia’s high school classmates who had arrived early had all gathered.

She paused and did not speak.

Although Xue Xi’s EQ was low, she knew that the Li family would lose face if she pointed out that this was the wrong painting under such circumstances.

Hence, she paused and said, “I want to look for Li Zixia.”

Seeing that she had changed the topic, Gu Peng let her off. After all, she was Li Zixia’s classmate. If she embarrassed herself, it would also make Li Zixia lose face.

Although Gu Peng was very unwilling, he still said, “Follow me.”

The two of them followed behind Gu Peng and arrived at Li Zixia’s door. After he knocked on the door, they heard Li Zixia’s voice. “Come in!”

Gu Peng then opened the door and brought the two of them in.

Li Zixia’s room was huge and it was a suite. There were several gowns scattered on the sofa in the living room. She was wearing a blue dress and looked exceptionally pure. She was currently doing her hair.

Today, she had to match this blue dress and have curly hair, so the styling took a longer time. At this moment, the curly hair was half burnt.

Seeing Xue Xi and Xie Yingying, she instantly started complaining. “Ah, Sister Xi, you guys are here! I’ve been sitting here for the whole afternoon. I’m so bored! Fortunately, you guys came early to accompany me!”

Xie Yingying paced back and forth in her room, exclaiming in surprise, “Li Zixia, I won’t say that you’re being unreasonable anymore! No wonder you always say that the dormitory is so small when you live in a room fit for a princess!”

Li Zixia waved her hand.

Xue Xi looked around and said, “I have something to tell you.”

These were very private-sounding words.

Li Zixia said, “Sister Xi, this stylist is under our family’s control. His mouth is very tight. And from Xie Yingying, you don’t have to hide anything. Brother Gu Peng too… unless he speaks ill of you, in which case, kick him out. Hehe.”

Xue Xi: “…Oh, then there’s no need.”

She stood behind Li Zixia.

Xue Xi did not know that Li Zixia’s birthday party was so formal, so she symbolically wore a black dress. It could be said to be a dress or a casual outfit. Her red hair was draped behind her and she had a black collar around her neck. She looked exceptionally dashing and neat.

Her eyes were huge, as though they were covered in a layer of mist. She appeared a little natural and in a daze. She stared straight at them and said, “The painting of the Cold Mountain that you guys have hanging is fake.”

The room fell silent.

Xie Yingying immediately shut her mouth and did not dare to speak.

Li Zixia widened her eyes in shock and instinctively looked at Gu Peng.

Gu Peng was furious because he was the one who’d bought the painting!

Although the Gu family and the Li family did not announce it to the public, the two families were basically already engaged. Hence, on Li Zixia’s birthday, Gu Peng had spent a huge sum of money to buy this painting for Li Zixia.

After hanging outside for a while, it had already spread in Li Zixia’s high school class chat group!

Moreover, when he bought it, he found a professional to make a comparison. It was exactly the same as the painting that was spread out in the auction. How could it be fake?!

This Xue Xi is really pretending to be an expert!

Gu Peng’s face turned cold.

From the moment he accepted Xue Xi and Xie Yingying, his good upbringing had made him maintain goodwill. However, at this moment, he felt humiliated.

Gu Peng said, “Ms. Xue, what do you mean? You’ve only been learning national paintings for a month. Do you know how to paint?”

Li Zixia waved her hands awkwardly. “Brother Gu Peng, Sister Xi doesn’t mean that. Don’t misunderstand…”

No matter how much Gu Peng pretended to be experienced, he could not pretend any longer. He said angrily, “Then what does she mean? Xiao Xia, I really don’t understand. What kind of friend are you making?! Don’t you know that you can’t criticize others when you’re their guests?!”

Xue Xi frowned.

Afraid that she would get angry, Li Zixia explained, “Sister Xi, don’t blame Brother Gu Peng. He gave this painting to me.”

Li Zixia was anxious.

She did not expect Sister Xi to say this to her. If she had known earlier, she would have made Brother Gu Peng go out! Now, the two of them were simply at each other’s throats.

She then turned to look at Gu Peng. “Brother Gu Peng, let me be honest. If you’re targeting my friend, I’ll be angry!”

Gu Peng was furious. “Xiao Xia, you’re still protecting her at such a time? Fine, if you don’t want me to say it, then let her say it. Why would she say that the painting is fake?”

Xue Xi’s eyes were sharp as she slowly replied, “Because that painting was drawn by me!”