Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Northwestern mountains…

Qiao Xiyan took the phone from his father and called Qiao Aiyun. He told her not to think too much and to take good care of her pregnancy before calling Yan Wangchuan.

“… It’s very chaotic right now, mainly because this organizer is too good at creating hype.”

“Only my father and I have seen our family’s designs. Why are they so similar?” Qiao Xiyan was puzzled.

“This has to start with when Wanwan went to the capital for tutoring.” Yan Wangchuan briefly explained what had happened.

Song Fengwan had learned to draw from Old Master Qiao, so she had imitated the drawings and paintings of the Qiao family. This was a common thing. These things were all passed down among family members. In fact, many of the designs of the Jade Hall of Spring had been drawn in the past, but they hadn’t been made into finished jade products and sold.

Unexpectedly, someone had taken advantage of this.

“How is Wanwan now?” As soon as Qiao Xiyan heard that this person was still slandering his cousin in school, he naturally cared about her first.

“She’s just a little down.”

“Uncle-Master, please accompany her. My father and I will be arriving in the capital soon.”

Qiao Xiyan hung up the phone and saw his father poking at a piece of chicken blood stone with his carving knife.

“She’s so arrogant. She even dares to be so ostentatious with someone else’s things. Shameless!” Qiao Wangbei suddenly exerted force with his fingers, and the piece of chicken blood stone became completely wasted.

“This person is holding a solo design exhibition in Beijing this weekend.”

“Heh.” Qiao Wangbei snorted coldly. “All these years, I’ve seen a lot of plagiarism. Those people all live with their tails between their legs. This is the first time I’ve seen someone as high-profile and arrogant as this woman.

“She’s utterly shameless!”

Qiao Xiyan chuckled. “Then why don’t we just…”

… slap her face hard.

***

Song Fengwan also received a phone call from Qiao Xiyan. After discussing it with everyone, they had already come up with a countermeasure. Even so, she was feeling so uncomfortable that she couldn’t eat.

No matter what, it was all because of her. Now, the entire Qiao family was involved, and even the Yan family was implicated for no reason.

However, the Yan family specialized in high-end custom-made products, so it didn’t affect their sales, but their reputation was inevitably damaged.

***

While the news of the Jade Hall of Spring’s plagiarism was spreading like wildfire, Gao Xue’s first solo design exhibition was about to be held on the weekend.

The invitation cards that no one originally wanted were instantly selling for sky-high prices because of this.

The day before the design exhibition, it was extremely difficult to get an invitation.

There were not many people who understood art. Most of them just felt that the matter was very popular and wanted to join in the fun.

Gao Xue looked at the Jade Hall of Spring, the Qiao family, and even Song Fengwan’s lack of response, and her heart gradually calmed down. Even if these designs originated from the Qiao family, could they prove it themselves?

They could only do so if they could prove that they had completed the designs before her. But designs were relatively private things, and sometimes, other than the designers themselves, no one else could see them. This was too difficult to prove.

Song Fengwan had gone to a classroom a few days ago and angered a few boys. If she really had evidence, she would have retaliated long ago. How could she have waited until now?

At the thought of this, Gao Xue gradually calmed down and accepted everyone’s congratulations, praises, and worship.

One night before the design exhibition, Gao Xue was applying a facial mask at home when she received a call from the organizer. “Teacher Gao, you’re completely popular this time. The international master Joe called personally and said that he would be coming to your exhibition tomorrow.”

“What!” Gao Xue jumped out of bed excitedly. “President Qi, are you joking?”

“How could I joke with you about this? We’re going to the airport to pick him up. Are you coming with us? Teacher Gao, if you become famous in the future, you can’t forget us.” The other party was overjoyed.

“Sure. What time is the flight arriving?” Her voice was full of uncontrollable joy.

“The flight arrives in Beijing at nine tonight. If you want to go, I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Gao Xue looked at the time. It was 7 p.m., so she still had time to dress up. “Okay.”

Her entire heart was jumping in excitement.

Joe was from China. More than ten years ago, he had appeared overseas and pushed Chinese porcelain and jade vases into the international market. In terms of his status in the industry, he naturally couldn’t compare to the late Old Master Qiao.

But he was also an absolute benchmark and landmark. His works had been auctioned for more than a hundred million yuan, and he had extremely high international prestige. He was a top-notch master.

If I can obtain his favor…

Who cares about the Yan and Qiao families?

Thinking of her bright future, Gao Xue trembled in excitement.

***

Because the flight was late, the plane from M Nation slowly landed at the international airport at half past nine.

Gao Xue was standing together with many people from the organizer, looking forward to seeing the elegant bearing of this international master. In the past, on the news, they had only seen his side profile, but very few people had taken a frontal photo.

He was an extremely low-key person and had not returned to China for many years, let alone publicly praised anyone.

There were not many people on this flight. They were holding up a sign with the word ‘Joe’ on it. Soon, they saw a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses walking toward them.

Behind him was a young woman in her early-mid-twenties and a male assistant in his early thirties pulling a suitcase and carrying a briefcase.

“Joe?” President Qi spoke first.

“That’s me.” The man spoke fluent Mandarin with a slight southern accent.

“Hello, Master. We’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” President Qi smiled fawningly.

He was a businessman. In his eyes, such a master was an infinite business opportunity. F*ck, my art exhibition is definitely going to be a hit. I’ll definitely make a killing.

The man was in his forties and wearing an exquisite three-piece suit. He had an old and slightly faded fountain pen on his chest, and he was wearing a black coat. His footsteps were strong and lively.

The clothes looked a little old. They weren’t new, but they were well-maintained. Clearly, he was an extremely nostalgic person.

He walked to Gao Xue, took off his sunglasses, and sized her up with narrowed eyes.

Since he had called to greet the organizer personally, he had naturally seen Gao Xue’s resume and personal photos.

This man had a severe and thin face, and it was so pale that there was hardly any color on it. His eyes and eyebrows were long and slender, giving off a sharp and profound feeling. Although he was dressed refinedly, his entire person had completely abandoned the scholarly aura of a scholar.

He was cold and stern, and he even had an aggressive feeling. When he saw Gao Xue, his gaze instantly turned cold…

It resembled that of the fiercest falcon in the prairie.

His lips were also very white, making people feel that he was a little weak. But the cold and sharp aura around him made him look hale, hearty, and tough. At first glance, people could tell that he was smart and capable.

Gao Xue felt flustered under his gaze. Because for a moment…

She felt that the person in front of her wanted to eat her. She said timidly, “Hello, Master.”

“Dad.” The young woman patted his arm.

The man said slowly, “Are you Gao Xue?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen all your works. Are they all original?” The man’s voice was dry and hoarse, without any emotion.

Gao Xue’s fingers grabbed her skirt nervously. “Yes.”

“I didn’t expect you to have such high artistic attainments at such a young age. It’s rare.”

“Thank you for your praise, Master. I’m still far from you. If you have time, please guide me.” Gao Xue’s attitude was very humble.

An unusual dark glint flashed across Joe’s eyes. “Your work that won the Yuming Cup is very good.”

“Thank you.” Gao Xue was excited.

“Master, we’ve booked a private room at a hotel. Would you like to chat while eating?” President Qi and the group of people who came with him were extremely excited.

To people in this industry, Joe was like the Big Dipper, someone at an unreachable height.

What kind of luck did Gao Xue have? Even such a master praised her. It would be difficult for her not to become popular.

“Master, you must come to my exhibition tomorrow.” Gao Xue was so excited that her face was red. She even specially gave him an invitation card.

The woman standing behind Joe tilted her head and sized her up. She really doesn’t look like someone devoted to art. She’s a little worldly.

“I came back to China specially for you. Thank you for the invitation.” Joe reached out to take the invitation card.

Gao Xue was so excited that she almost fainted. Could I have the chance to enter the international scene soon?

This was a dream opportunity for many people.

“Master, let’s talk while walking…” President Qi invited him again.

The male assistant immediately went forward and said, “No need. We’ve already booked a car and arranged to meet an old friend.”

“An old friend?” Ever since this master became famous, he had never returned to China. How could he have an old friend? But this was his homeland, so there might really be an old friend.

“In that case, it’s not convenient for us to disturb you. Master, you have to be there tomorrow.” President Qi was also very excited.

There was another publicity stunt.

“I’ll be there.” Then Joe’s phone vibrated. He said goodbye to Gao Xue and the others and left.

“Let’s send you off.” President Qi was a businessman after all, so he was very good at bootlicking and flattery.

“No need. You stay here.” The male assistant immediately stopped them.

It was said that these masters in the arts had some quirks and bad tempers. Even if they wanted to get close to him, they didn’t dare to be too rash and maintained a distance that was neither too far nor too close.

Seeing the three of them walking away, President Qi patted Gao Xue’s shoulder.

“Teacher Gao, you’re really popular this time. Even Joe came back to support you. Go back quickly and have a good sleep. Be sure to dress up nicely tomorrow.”

Gao Xue nodded with a red face.

At the thought that she might be entering the international scene next, Gao Xue was so excited that her entire body was trembling. If she could get the praise and guidance of such an international master, her future…

… would definitely be smooth all the way.

***

At this moment, Joe and his group had already arrived at Exit 1 of the airport. It was cold and deserted outside, and there was no one…

The woman beside him was wearing thin clothes. When the autumn wind blew, she couldn’t help shuddering. “Dad, are you sure Uncle-Master will come pick us up?”

“Yes.”

“Which terminal and exit did you tell him?”

“Is there a need to say this?” The man coughed twice. “He should have checked my flight info and come straight to pick me up.”

The woman rubbed her glabella and felt a sense of inexplicably powerless. Where do you get this confidence from?

About five minutes later, a black car slowly stopped in front of them. A man got out of the car and gave Joe a deep look.

“Hello, Uncle-Master Yan.” The woman greeted the man in front of her with a smile.

The person had a sparse expression and only nodded lightly. It was Yan Wangchuan.

“Okay, get in the car first.” Yan Wangchuan took the car key, opened the trunk, and let them load their luggage.

Joe sat in the front passenger seat and tilted his head to size up Yan Wangchuan. “You married Little Junior Sister? After so many years, your wish has finally come true.”

“You didn’t attend.”

“I was busy at the time…”

“You didn’t give us any gifts either,” Yan Wangchuan said.

“I’m your senior brother. You should speak more politely. I’ll definitely make up for this gift.”

“Back then, you were beaten the most by Master.” Yan Wangchuan stabbed him unceremoniously.

“Yan Wangchuan!”

“Look at this…” Yan Wangchuan passed his phone to him. “Do you know Chinese?”

The man snorted coldly and looked down at the news. It had only been ten minutes since he met Gao Xue.

The news about Top Master Joe’s full support of the new and promising designer Gao Xue occupied the headlines of the night news.

“The news in China came out so fast? Does this little girl really think that I’m here to support her…”

“Since you’re not, why did you contact the organizer?” Yan Wangchuan asked.

“I just wanted an invitation. Now, this invitation is between fifty to sixty thousand yuan. It’s too expensive.” Joe lowered his head and flipped through the news. “I also want to see what Gao Xue looks like. The plagiarism matter of the Qiao family has become international news.

“It’s mainly to step on Master. Master said that I’m a good-for-nothing and that I’m not allowed to use the Qiao family’s name to go out and deceive others. Up until now, I haven’t dared to mention his name because I’m afraid of tarnishing his reputation.

“But this person…”

The man tightened his grip on the invitation card, a grim look in his eyes.