"Mr. Lu also said that a painter copying their own work isn't strictly considered a forgery." At this point, Wang Guan shook his head: "Besides, consider your father's status.

Without a legitimate reason, he wouldn't stoop to pressuring a minor painter, lest he become a laughingstock." "That's true..." Cai Peng pondered for a moment and nodded as well: "My father dealing with him head-on would simply elevate his standing." "Naturally. Perhaps precisely because he understands this point, he acts so flagrantly." As he spoke, Wang Guan shifted the topic: "Because he knows clearly that even if your father discovers the five paintings are copies, he still won't be able to challenge him.

Knowing your father can't do anything to him, he's probably gloating." "Hmph." Undoubtedly, Wang Guan was deliberately provoking him, but Cai Peng took the bait without suspicion. The anger that had just subsided flared up instantly, and he snapped hotly: "My father might not bother with him, but that doesn't mean I have no way to deal with him." "You plan to deal with him?" Hearing this, Wang Guan quickly shook his head: "It's just a trivial matter, why get so worked up.

Come, have another drink... Speaking of which, there were many wonderful things at the party.

Next time, I'll have Mr. Cai take you..." Cai Peng's attention was successfully diverted, and he began to press for details with an expression of longing.

"...After the exhibition concludes, there will be the formal auction." Wang Guan sighed, shaking his head again: "Relatively speaking, those treasures are quite cheap. It's a pity that many of the items are illicit and can't see the light of day, otherwise, I would have liked to bid on a few more.

But considering the difficulty of exporting them, I had to give up, watching others snap them up." "Oh, right..." As he spoke, Wang Guan grinned slyly: "Your father bought quite a few good things; don't miss out." "What good things?" Cai Peng was genuinely interested. "They are all treasures..." As Wang Guan recounted the details, dinner slowly concluded.

After eating their fill and allowing a brief moment for digestion, it was nearing midnight. Wang Guan let out a soft yawn, and Cai Peng, sensing the time, took his leave politely.

After seeing Cai Peng off, a faint smile touched the corner of Wang Guan's mouth before he returned to his room to rest. The night passed uneventfully.

The following morning, after Wang Guan finished washing up and eating breakfast, Cai Peng rushed over, unceremoniously dragging him out and shoving him into a luxury sports car before speeding away. "What's the rush?

What's so urgent?" Wang Guan fastened his seatbelt with a bewildered expression: "Where are we going?" "To settle a score," Cai Peng snarled fiercely. "What?" Wang Guan was surprised, then paused before realizing with sudden comprehension: "You're actually planning to cause trouble for Mo You." "Trouble?

Not at all," Cai Peng abruptly changed his tune: "I'm just going to buy something. But if the item I purchase has issues, surely I have the right to seek compensation through legal channels, right?" "Are you serious?" Knowing his provocation had succeeded, Wang Guan maintained an appearance of concern: "Just don't stir up anything that would make things difficult for your father." "Don't worry, I know my limits." As he spoke, Cai Peng sped off, weaving through turns until he finally stopped beside a gallery in the city center.

Alighting from the car, Wang Guan surveyed the gallery. The environment was quite pleasant; the storefront was spacious, and the décor was elegant yet possessed a certain tranquil atmosphere.

At Cai Peng's prompting, Wang Guan followed him inside. Upon entering, he saw oil paintings hanging on the walls.

These paintings were rather realistic—either landscapes or portraits—and looked quite good. For context, in Wang Guan's estimation, any oil painting that wasn't abstract was generally decent.

"Gentlemen..." Seeing the arrival of guests, a pretty young woman immediately stepped forward to greet them warmly. "Is your boss in?" For the sake of the beautiful hostess, Cai Peng restrained his temper and asked somewhat courteously.

"Are you gentlemen looking to commission a piece?" The young woman didn't seem surprised, as some clients preferred custom creations over existing works. These commissioned paintings commanded higher prices and were usually a significant source of income for the gallery.

"That's right, we want to commission a piece," Cai Peng played along, nodding directly: "I need to order a very large painting and need to discuss it with your boss." "Then you may have to wait a moment." The young woman apologized: "The boss is currently painting in the studio and shouldn't be disturbed..." "Go and check; perhaps he's finished." Urged by Cai Peng, the young woman reluctantly headed upstairs. "Are you really planning to buy a painting?" Once they were alone, Wang Guan asked curiously: "I thought you were just going to barge right in." "I'm not that violent," Cai Peng shook his head: "Besides, that brat has some reputation in Taiwan.

Using brute force against him would easily give people something to talk about." Although Cai Peng was a spoiled young master, he was certainly not foolish; he wouldn't willingly hand others leverage against himself. "Then what's your plan?" "Don't ask too many questions; just wait to enjoy the show," Cai Peng’s eyes darted around, clearly harboring ill intent.

At that moment, the young woman reappeared with a charming smile: "You're in luck; the boss just finished a painting and asked you to come up." "Such airs," Cai Peng muttered softly, then walked straight upstairs. Wang Guan followed, ascending the staircase and passing through a hallway until the space opened up into a large hall—or rather, the entire hall served as the painting studio.

Wang Guan looked around. The space was clean and bright, with several Aspidistras placed in the corners.

The walls were adorned with simple yet profoundly mystical lines drawn directly with paintbrushes. In short, it was a space full of elegant refinement and artistic atmosphere.

At this very moment, in the center of this space stood a young man clad in loose clothing and wearing a small cap. His left hand held a palette tray, and his right gripped a paintbrush as he concentrated on rendering lines on the easel before him.

Approaching, Wang Guan naturally focused on the easel. The painting was nearly complete.

It depicted a radiant, youthful girl with dark hair, fair skin, and eyes brimming with clarity and spirit. She stood gracefully amidst a bed of flowers, like an exquisite, beautiful sprite of the blossoms.

Seeing the subject of the painting, Wang Guan had a sudden thought, immediately recalling the 'Tulip Girl' he had seen at the Cai family villa a few days prior. Based on posture and expression, the Tulip Girl and the girl in this painting appeared to be the same person.

He then scrutinized the girl in the painting again; the feeling of familiarity intensified. In an instant, Wang Guan suddenly realized: he actually knew the girl in the painting...

"Didn't you say you were already done?" At this moment, Cai Peng bellowed, clearly doing it on purpose. Generally, when one enters a studio and sees an artist painting, any person with basic etiquette would maintain silence.

However, Cai Peng did the opposite, shouting suddenly in hopes that Mo You would be startled, accidentally making an extra stroke, ruining the entire painting, and negating all his effort. But Cai Peng's calculation was destined to fail.

Mo You's wrist remained steady. After adding one more small flower to the clump of grass in the corner of the composition, he finally set down his brush with satisfaction and turned around to face them.

Instantly, Wang Guan closely observed the man’s demeanor. If he were truly an accomplice of Mr.

Zhu, he would surely show an expression of shock upon seeing Wang Guan, perhaps even instinctively trying to retreat. However, under Wang Guan’s intense scrutiny, Mo You showed no particular reaction.

He glanced at the two of them with the detached arrogance of an artist, his gaze extremely cold, filled with an air of transcendent sophistication—as if he were a lofty immortal looking down upon two mortal beings mired in the mundane world, unwilling to concern himself with them. "Speak," Mo You finally said, his tone very flat: "What kind of painting do you want?" Frankly, with Mo You's attitude and tone, Wang Guan expected Cai Peng wouldn't be able to tolerate it and might seize the opportunity to cause a scene.

Yet, surprisingly, Cai Peng seemed to have changed his tune and exhibited no unusual reaction. "Has he turned over a new leaf?" Wang Guan was naturally a bit surprised and couldn't help turning to look at Cai Peng.

It was at this moment that Cai Peng casually asked: "Can you paint anything?" "Yes, anything at all," Mo You replied with a casual air, examining his own work: "Portraits, landscapes, realistic or abstract—no problem." Hearing this, Wang Guan was one hundred percent certain that Mo You was definitely bluffing, or perhaps preparing to hoodwink some wealthy fool commissioning art. After all, as is widely known, mastery requires focus.

For someone as young as Mo You to rise to prominence as a new generation famous painter, he must excel in specific genres. In Wang Guan's view, Mo You was far from the stage where he could draw from all schools and forge his own path.

Yet, now he claimed he could paint anything, clearly intending to fob them off with mediocre work. Perhaps in Mo You's mind, the two men requesting a painting were nothing more than ignorant rich dandies who wouldn't know quality if they saw it, so any painting would suffice.

It was no wonder Elder Fang described this person as rather materialistic; he spared no regard for integrity when chasing profit. Wang Guan mused internally, subtly shaking his head.

"Good, excellent," Cai Peng exclaimed happily at the same time, clapping his hands: "Since you can paint anything, then paint me a scene of Heaven." "Heaven?" Mo You paused briefly, then nodded: "Fine. Pay the deposit first, and you can collect the painting in a week." "No rush, I haven't finished explaining yet." Cai Peng continued excitedly: "It can't just be Heaven; it must include Hell too...

Oh, and make sure God, the angels, Satan, and the devils are all in there." "That's a bit demanding..." Mo You frowned slightly: "But it's doable, though the price will certainly be higher." "Money is not an issue," In an instant, Cai Peng transformed into a grand tycoon, waving his hand: "If the painting is good, I'll reward you handsomely... But first, listen to what I have to say.

After all, we are of Eastern descent; we cannot forget our ancestors..."