Chairman Zheng and Kuang Yun Xian exchanged a glance and both burst into laughter.
"Well, we shall discuss this after the competition ends," one of them said, "who knows, maybe the creator of this painting isn’t even willing to sell it. Here the three of us are, already grappling over it."
Kuang Yun Xian nodded and added, "Exactly. Furthermore, after the competition ends, the award-winning paintings must be displayed in the gallery for a week. I’m worried that by then, many discerning eyes will recognize its value."
Long Zhenghua glanced at him and couldn’t help but ponder.
Hearing Kuang Yun Xian speak so definitively about the painting winning the prize, he was certain of the outcome. However, he had no doubt about this most probable result, as his vote was also cast for the Secluded Valley Orchid!
Because the packaging of the painting was done with such care, Kuang Yun Xian hadn’t considered Chiang Xiao as the artist. Moreover, the painting’s skill was mature, deeply impressive, and imbued with Spiritual Energy. He speculated that the creator must be a woman. But in his mind, she had to be at least twenty-five years old; without a decade of experience and sufficient talent, it would be impossible to create such a piece!
So, even after he saw the signature ’Xiao Chiang’ on the painting, he didn’t associate this Xiao Chiang with that Chiang Xiao.
Moreover, he didn’t think Chiang Xiao could have sent the painting out so quickly.
After sending out her painting, Chiang Xiao wasn’t in a hurry because she knew the deadline hadn’t arrived yet, and it certainly wouldn’t yield immediate results.
These past few days, she had been trying to persuade her grandparents to accompany her to the provincial city to learn how to make tea snacks from Aunt Ah Yu.
After several days of persistence, Chiang Songhai and Ge Liutao were finally persuaded by her.
Chiang Songhai thought, "Those tea snacks really are delicious. Even if we just learn to make them exclusively for Little, that’s worthwhile. Look how she’s been talking about them these past days."
"Yes, not just Little. Isn’t Xiao Tong also always talking about them?" Ge Liutao nodded, "Not to mention the girls, we ourselves find them very tasty."
Thus, persuaded by her, they agreed to accompany Chiang Xiao to the provincial city, to Huali Tea Garden, to learn how to make tea snacks.
Chiang Xiao had also decided that since she now had Tyrant Meng’s five thousand yuan, she might as well use it as startup capital, considering it an investment by him, and give him a share of the profits later.
However, before heading to Huali Tea Garden, Chiang Xiao wanted to ask Hu Xibing if he wanted to join them, or if there was anything he wanted her to bring for him.
But as soon as she stepped into Hu Xibing’s teashop, she found him despondent and listless, sitting there without any Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
"Brother Hu, what’s wrong with you?"
"Sister-in-law," Hu Xibing sighed, tormented by the thoughts in his head that were ruining his appetite and sleep these past few days.
Meng Xinian hadn’t called back at all, and after holding back for two days, he could no longer resist and dialed the Xinying District. He was told that both Meng Xinian and Zhao Xin had left the district for special training.
It just didn’t feel right to inquire about such matters with a Supervisor Guard he didn’t know, so he had no choice but to hang up feeling helpless.
If Meng Xinian had gone for special training, he surely wouldn’t be writing to Chiang Xiao, right? So, she must still be unaware of the situation.
What did Zhao Xin say that day?
He mentioned that other people were egging Meng Xinian on, suggesting he should just go ahead and submit a marriage proposal too!
Hu Xibing was genuinely worried about this situation.
If Meng Xinian submitted a marriage proposal before informing Chiang Xiao, that would truly be unfair to her.
Hu Xibing’s perspective was different from Zhao Xin’s, as Zhao Xin had hardly interacted with Chiang Xiao, whereas Hu Xibing was quite familiar with her. Hence, Hu Xibing was completely on Chiang Xiao’s side.