Hao Kaixin was spinning around anxiously.

"Hao Bian."

"Oh, my little ancestor, you are finally here!"

Seeing Wen Xi, Hao Kaixin finally stopped spinning and walked quickly towards her.

"Don't be in a hurry, I want to tell you something."

"good."

"The publication of 'Shan Hai' may change."

"Something changed?" Wen Xi raised her eyebrows slightly. "What happened?"

"Just this morning, Xue Ziqi officially announced... You know Xue Ziqi, right? She's the artist who's become a bit famous in the calligraphy and painting world in recent years, hailed as a rising star. Her grandfather is the president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, isn't she?"

"I know." Wen Xi nodded.

How could she not know? She knew it too well.

He Tingyan's mother insisted on giving him the peach blossom, and he regarded her as his love rival. The two of them had confronted each other face to face more than once or twice.

"What happened to her?"

"She's also going to be publishing a picture book. It was officially announced this morning!"

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Originally, it wouldn't matter. Picture book publishing has been booming these past two years, with tons of titles released year-round. But the problem is that the subject matter of her picture book just so happens to be the same as yours, and it's all about mythical beasts from the mountains and seas. She even simply named it 'Classic of Mountains and Seas.' Isn't that infuriating?"

"There's nothing to be angry about." Compared to Hao Kaixin's anger, Wen Xi looked calm.

"You are quite steady, little girl." Old editor Xiao put on his glasses and looked at her a few more times.

"There have been countless people who have painted this subject throughout history. She paints hers, I paint mine, each based on their own abilities."

"If it was just the same subject matter, I wouldn't be so angry!" Hao Kaixin puffed out his cheeks. "Even her style is similar to yours, and she even posted it before you. It's a serious homogeneity. Even if you draw better than her, there's no way you won't be affected!"

While explaining, Hao Kaixin pointed to several pictures on the tablet in his hand and showed them to Wen Xi. These were all pictures released at the time of the official announcement. Although the content was not exactly the same as what Wen Xi had posted on Weibo before, some shadows could still be vaguely seen.

The painting styles are all beautiful and delicate, and the colors are bold and bright.

"The subject matter and style are all similar, and she got the upper hand. Even if your drawings are better than hers, it's impossible for everyone to be discerning. You might even be mocked as a mere copycat when your picture book comes out. You don't know how powerful her fans are. It would be troublesome if they came out to boycott her."

Wen Xi looked through the pictures carefully one by one.

Oh.

You know what, these paintings that Xue Ziqi posted on Weibo do look a bit like hers.

To accuse her of following the trend? That's certainly possible.

But so what?

She is not afraid.

Style can be imitated, but soul is unique and no one can steal it.

This painting may fool some people, but it is just a facade.

"What did the president say?"

"The response plan hasn't been finalized yet. I'm currently discussing it with the person in charge of publicity and promotion planning."

As Hao Kaixin finished speaking, the tightly closed conference room door opened.

The heads of several departments came out one after another.

"Xiao Hao, Xiao Wen, both of you come in." President and editor-in-chief Kang Zhi stood at the door and waved to the two.

The conference room still smells of cigarette smoke.

After Kang Zhi opened all the windows, he sat down opposite the two of them.

"Xiao Wen, you know all the relevant information, right?" Kang Zhi sighed, and the wrinkles on his forehead wrinkled into a ball.

"I understand." Wen Xi nodded in response.