Ye Xian put down her chopsticks, "The painting ’Wealth and Honor’ depicts peonies, with large and dignified blossoms and tender, swaying leaves, painted with a fine brush, exquisitely detailed, honest and natural, embodying a graceful and elegant artistic conception, with an extraordinary presence, representing people’s longing for wealth and prosperity. To most, it is a work of beautiful implications, worthy of aspiration, but for Old Master Bo, it seems a bit superfluous."
"Old Master Bo comes from a wealthy family and has been surrounded by luxury and glory since childhood, his horizons broad. Later, through his own efforts, he achieved remarkable success and established the illustrious Bo’s family, never lacking materially throughout most of his life. Therefore, he has no longing for wealth and prosperity, only pursuing things at a spiritual level."
When Ye Xian analyzed the painting and the psychology of its subject, she was expressive and well-reasoned, like a scholar full of knowledge despite her young age, shining so brightly that everyone was captivated by her.
Wen Yan and Bo Junfeng were nodding again and again, "What you said makes sense."
Bo Junfeng, "Then you mean to choose this ’Road’ instead?"
Ye Xian shook her head, "’Road’ is not a single painting but a set of four screen paintings, each depicting a stage in a family’s life from the perspective of the protagonist: the joy of childhood, the struggles of youth, the sorrow of middle age with the loss of a loved one, and the loneliness of old age in an empty courtyard. Although the brushwork is masterful and lifelike, the realism is too strong; the entire work exudes a faint sense of sadness and sorrow. Such paintings are only suitable for display in galleries to remind people to cherish the present and are not appropriate for the collection of the elderly, who easily recall past regrets and feel sad. Wouldn’t looking at such paintings just increase their melancholy?"
Bo Xiaoli nodded repeatedly, "Grandpa really enjoys reminiscing about the past, often pulling me aside to talk about people and stories from yesteryear and the regrets that remain. He would definitely be upset by this kind of painting. Brother Ye, you’re truly amazing!"
Bo Lishan looked at Ye Xian with undisguised amazement and admiration.
She didn’t expect that this young boy would have such deep insights into painting, being able to see the bigger picture from the smaller details—clear evidence of his excellent upbringing and education. Indeed, it’s like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law; the more she saw, the more she liked.
Luo Yuwei watched Ye Xian speak eloquently from the side, and she was somewhat astonished.
Ever since she saw him at the auction and the casting site, she became curious about him. Looking him up online, aside from the recent buzz and some past negative rumors, there was nothing outstanding.
An ordinary family, high school education, and likely a financial backer...
But meeting him today, the aura he exuded and his remarkable manner of speaking didn’t seem ordinary at all; rather, he appeared more like a gentleman from a distinguished family.
"You indeed have a point, but..." Bo Junfeng looked at her somewhat helplessly, "going by what you’re saying, neither of these options is suitable, which means Old Master Bo would have to choose again, which is even more troublesome."
Ye Xian smiled, "It’s not troublesome, I have a good idea. For someone like Old Master Bo who lacks neither fame nor fortune, and whose social status and personal cultivation are so high, of course, he should opt for a custom painting."
"Yes, Old Master Bo can engage Xia Hewan to create a painting exclusively for him."
Bo Junfeng, "It sounds simple, but Painter Xia is known to be aloof, rarely making public appearances and seldom interacting with high society. Even your Aunt Wen has never seen her. Seeking her out for a painting should not be easy."