At that moment, Kuang Yunxian happened to walk in with another painter, and upon seeing Long Zhenghua standing there, holding a painting case in a daze, he couldn’t help but laugh and say, "What’s the matter, Zhenghua, can’t open it?"
Long Zhenghua was also a painter, and this time he was responsible for collecting and registering the artworks.
Coming back to his senses, and seeing that it was Kuang Yunxian and the Art Association’s Chairman Zheng who had arrived, he hurriedly said, "Chairman Zheng, Teacher Kuang, you’ve come at just the right time. Take a look at this, it just came in."
As he spoke, he passed the painting case over.
Kuang Yunxian took it and examined it carefully along with Chairman Zheng, nodding his head involuntarily.
"This painter has put thought into it."
"It seems that they take this competition very seriously."
Chairman Zheng, wearing glasses with thick eyebrows and spirited eyes, looked like a handsome middle-aged scholar and said, "We welcome such participants. Unlike before, I remember receiving several paintings that were directly drawn on things like cigarette cartons, wrapping paper, or the backs of calendars?"
Long Zhenghua couldn’t help but shake his head with a chuckle and said, "Exactly, we’ve received all kinds of submissions on all kinds of paper, and I’ve really broadened my horizons."
So, something done with such care, this is still the first one.
Kuang Yunxian untied the blue ribbon and opened the box, revealing a scroll of painting lying quietly inside.
He picked it up and slowly unrolled it on the table.
As the scroll was gradually unfurled, a beautifully picturesque mountain came into their view.
Lush layers of hills were stacked upon each other, deeply verdant in hue.
An expanse of greenery brought with it a faint sensation of coolness—of course, it was the coolness depicted in the painting’s environment. Above the mountain peak, there was a natural platform where several Orchid Grasses stood as serene gentlemen, quietly blooming in the gentle mountain breeze.
Because of the slight arch of the orchid leaves and the tilt of the nearby grass, they could "see" the wind clearly.
The breeze was neither too strong nor too gentle; the Secluded Valley Orchid was tranquil and elegant.
Just by looking at the painting, they all felt their minds settle down in an instant.
For a good while, the three of them said nothing.
After a moment, Chairman Zheng let out a gentle sigh and admiringly said, "What a beautiful painting, a truly outstanding piece of art!"
For a moment, he felt as if his vocabulary had failed him, and after much thought, that was the only way he could describe it.
Kuang Yunxian’s eyes shone as well, feeling as if his heart had been struck.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the mundane world, where everyone is busy with life’s hurried pace, such a place of peace in the mountains was truly what his heart desired.
He immediately said, "I really can’t bear to part with this painting, Chairman Zheng, if you don’t oppose, after the competition, I would like to speak with the painter first, to see if I can acquire it."
Why did he feel that the landscape painting in his office suddenly paled in comparison to this one?
"This painting..." Chairman Zheng smiled and said, "has spiritual energy. I quite like it too. How about this, Teacher Kuang, when the time comes, we both submit a sealed bid, letting the creator choose which price they prefer?"
Kuang Yunxian was taken aback. Chairman Zheng was usually quite easy to talk to, so why was he competing for this painting this time?
Just as he was feeling surprised, he heard Long Zhenghua at his side saying, "If you two don’t mind, since both of you are offering, do you mind if I also join in?"
"What, Zhenghua, you also want this painting?"
Long Zhenghua smiled, "I won’t lie to you both, I painting very much too. Didn’t I just buy a new house not long ago? My study is still empty, and this painting feels just right for it. Once it’s hung up, I believe it will help me maintain peace of mind whether I’m painting or reading."