"This was written by He Jin’s grandfather, and his grandfather was quite a renowned scholar. He Jin’s calligraphy and paintings have also inherited much of his grandfather’s genuine skill—they truly have character," said Uncle Lee to Chiang Xiao after explaining all the way.
He Jin is the owner of Mingchen Studio, as Uncle Lee had been telling Chiang Xiao.
He mentioned that not only is He Jin a talented individual, but he is also a businessman. A fine old mansion with a garden was once requisitioned by the government. Later, with considerable skill, he managed to reclaim it. After spending a substantial amount of money on renovations, he turned it into an open calligraphy and painting gallery. He sells his own calligraphy and also deals in other people’s art. From time to time, he organizes poetry and painting events, turning the place over to the crowd. The garden has nearly lost its original charm.
The signboard of Mingchen Studio was originally from his grandfather’s study. He took it down and hung it directly over the main entrance; that’s how casually the gallery got its name.
After hearing all this, Chiang Xiao grew quite curious about He Jin.
She had imagined that He Jin would be a tall, thin young man with an air of unbridled enthusiasm. But when He Jin actually stood in front of her, she almost burst out laughing.
The man before her, nearly 1.9 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, long hands and legs—is this He Jin?
He Jin appeared to be no older than twenty-three or twenty-four, with a crew cut, a very high, straight, and prominent nose, and slightly full lips. His appearance was quite sunny. He wore a gray shirt and trousers, but his pants were rolled up to his calves.
Seeing Old Lee, he immediately quirked an eyebrow and said, "Old Lee, you don’t look too well. Is it because that what’s-it-called crap ’Flowers Bloom and Bring Wealth’ painting upset you?"
Chiang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Crap ’Flowers Bloom and Bring Wealth’?
The moment she made a sound, He Jin glanced at her, his eyes brightening. "Huh? My goddaughter? You’re really pretty! But you’re not dressed very well."
Chiang Xiao felt as if a row of crows had just flown cawing over her head.
This He Jin was indeed handsome, but his personality and way of speaking were really too uninhibited.
Uncle Lee glared at him irritatedly and said to Chiang Xiao, "I forgot to tell you, when I bought that painting that day, this kid kept telling me it was crap."
"Yeah, it was indeed crap, but I told you and you didn’t listen. You spent five hundred bucks to take home crap," He Jin spread his hands, then looked at Chiang Xiao again. "Sis, do you understand art?"
Otherwise, Old Lee wouldn’t have mentioned this to her or brought her here, right?
He Jin felt confident in his own judgment.
Chiang Xiao pursed her lips and said, "I can paint too. Uncle Lee said that visitors can paint on the spot here, and they can also consign their works for sale here, is that right?"
"Yeah, that’s right. Plus, if I like it, I can buy it too," He Jin grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, "and then sell it for a bit more money! But, sis, I don’t take kids’ doodles here."
Chiang Xiao felt as if she had been struck by ten thousand points of damage.
"Fine, I’ll bring some paintings by my teacher to sell later. That should be alright, right?" she thought it best to keep a low profile for the time being.
"That could work," He Jin nodded. "Bring something of quality, eh? Have you seen Old Lee’s ’Flowers Bloom and Bring Wealth’? Don’t bring anything of that caliber here."
Uncle Lee once again got annoyed by his remark.
It was like being stabbed over and over again.
However, Chiang Xiao really thought that Uncle Lee must be quite well off financially; his frustration wasn’t about the five hundred dollars, but truly because of that painting.