"He’s somewhat well-known in the world of calligraphy and painting. His grandfather’s calligraphy is very famous, now a single piece of his writing is worth thousands. And He Jin’s calligraphy carries a bit of his grandfather’s style, but with more freedom and boldness. His reputation in the circle is very high. Plus, I heard that He Jin is quite generous and open-hearted. His ancestral home is open to the public, and from time to time people gather in his Mingchen Studio to drink, recite poetry, and paint. He’s quite an interesting character."
So he’s that kind of person.
Good-looking, has family property and an ancestral home, skilled in calligraphy, open-handed and hearty? Interesting?
Hmm, so what was Chiang Xiaoxiao thinking when she saw him?
That girl always says he’s a bully, could it be the person she truly likes and admires is someone like He Jin?
"Xinian, Xinian?" Kuang Yun Xian saw him zoning out and couldn’t help raising his voice. Meng Xinian zoning out? Now, that was truly unusual!
Meng Xinian snapped back to reality, "What did you say?"
"I said let’s look for Chiang Xiao again. I have something to discuss with her, like whether this painting of hers can be sold. Also, the prize money will be given to you. Once you find her, you can give it to her first."
In fact, what Kuang Yun Xian wanted to discuss with Chiang Xiao the most was who she studied painting with, how she learned to paint, and how at such a young age, she was able to create such astonishing artwork!
Of course, he also wanted to talk to her about joining the Painters Association.
They really had made an exceptional decision to approve her membership.
Once this news got out, it would certainly cause a sensation in the art world.
"I’ve found her and will bring her to you." The prerequisite was that he found her.
Of course, now he had a week’s holiday and could really focus on searching for her. Chiang Xiaoxiao, you’d better hide well, or if I find you...
However, the very next day Chiang Xiao might as well have delivered herself to his doorstep.
Early in the morning, Uncle Huo, who had gone down the mountain to make some purchases, came back with a newspaper and flourished it as he entered, "Today’s city daily has a piece of news. It says a thirteen-year-old girl prodigy Painter won the first prize in the provincial painting competition. Brother Songhai, didn’t you say Chiang Xiao likes to paint?"
After seeing this report, he immediately thought of Chiang Xiao, feeling how much it sounded like her.
Thirteen years old, named Xiao Chiang, from a remote small town.
Although the article didn’t reveal her real name or which small town she was from, the general details matched up with Chiang Xiao quite well.
This time when Chiang Xiao came by, she insisted on paying tuition to Aunt Ah Yu, even though they said they were just teaching her how to make tea pastries and tuition wasn’t necessary. But the girl was very insistent, even drafting a contract, and then paid a high tuition fee of five hundred yuan.
Aunt Ah Yu felt guilty about accepting so much money, but the girl seriously persuaded her.
"Aunt Ah Yu, don’t think your skills are worthless. I can tell you frankly, the tea pastries we’ll make later, maybe just three in a box, will sell for thirty-eight or forty-eight yuan each. Think about how much money I could make then. So paying five hundred yuan for tuition is really not too much."
It was the first time they’d seen someone willingly pay a high tuition fee and even persuade the other person to take it.
But just as Chiang Songhai confided to him privately, once Chiang Xiao made up her mind about something, there were very few people who could make her change it.
Chiang Xiao insisted on paying a high tuition fee of course for her own considerations.
Originally, her price was three hundred.
But this time she came to Tea Garden Villa, Aunt Ah Yu actually served her three more types of tea pastries, all made with tea powder but completely different flavors!