Chapter 1077 I’m also a sailor

The Hague is also an old European city. Like other old cities, the roads here are narrow and there are many cars.

So a large number of people here choose to travel by bicycle, and the excessive number of bicycles further leads to traffic congestion. Driving here is more uncomfortable than driving in Paris, and parking is even more of a problem.

Basically, living in Europe, city life and rural suburbs are completely different experiences. For example, when Xiao Peng lived in Marseille, he lived in the sparsely populated La Ciotat suburb, but transportation was convenient. But when he moved to Marseille, it was a completely different story. The MINI really solves urban transportation problems. It's much more convenient than driving other cars.

When the MINI pulled up to the side of the road again, the two of them got out. "Xiao, this car is amazing! Why haven't I seen any for sale?"

Xiao Peng spread his hands and said, "Karl, I don't know how to explain it. Maybe no dealer has discovered this car yet. I brought this car from China."

Karl thought for a moment and then smiled, handing the car keys to Xiao Peng: "Xiao, thank you, you gave me a great driving experience. This car is really good. I will definitely buy this car."

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Well, it's very convenient to use."

Karl suddenly pointed to the roadside cafe next to him and said, “You let me drive your car, so let me buy you a cup of coffee.”

Xiao Peng didn't refuse. He smiled and said, "I'd rather drink juice."

"Juice?" Carl was stunned.

Xiao Peng sighed and said, "To be honest, I've just been in one place for three months. During these three months, I faced the same two faces every day, and there was no fruit to eat. I didn't like eating fruit before, but now I can't wait to sleep with a fruit."

"Haha!" Carl laughed. "You should protest to your boss! I used to have a similar experience. When I was young, I was sent to Aruba as a soldier and ate sand for three years."

Aruba is a Dutch overseas territory located in the Caribbean Sea, across from Venezuela. But this island is quite interesting. Despite being part of the Caribbean, its climate is exceptionally dry, with barely a single rain a year. Most of the drinking water is provided by desalinated seawater. The typical tropical plants of the Caribbean are hard to find, and instead, the island feels more like the American West: windswept sand and cacti.

Being stationed there for three years, what else could that be but 'eating sand for three years'?

"But you're worse off than me. I had fruits to eat and local beauties to keep me company during those three years!" Carl said with a wicked smile.

Xiao Peng was speechless. Men, no matter how old, are always the same: they become interested in women! He was just bragging. The two of them sat under a parasol on the side of the road. Carl drank a cup of coffee, while Xiao Peng had a glass of orange juice.

Karl suddenly laughed: “Xiao, I now believe what you just said!”

"Huh?" Xiao Peng adjusted his glasses: "What does this mean?"

Carl explained: "You sit here and keep looking at the people around you. You observe men, women, young and old very carefully. If you didn't come from a remote place, you wouldn't behave like this."

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Maybe. I understand now. Humans are social animals. If we stay away from people, we will easily develop psychological problems. But after this experience, I think I will love life even more!"

Carl laughed: "You are a very interesting young man. Aren't you curious about what I do?"

Xiao Peng shook his head: "Karl, even though we're happy to meet each other now, this might be the only time we meet in this life. So why should I waste my time on these useless social interactions?"

After hearing what Xiao Peng said, Karl was stunned for a moment, then he burst into laughter: "Just for this sentence, I have to think highly of you. You are different from the young people I know. But I think I can guess what you do."

"Oh?" Xiao Peng was a little bit unbelieving.

Carl laughed and said, "That's not hard to guess. Judging from your skin color and roughness, you must have been at sea all year round, right? A sailor, right?"

Xiao Peng laughed after hearing this: "Well, you guessed it right! I've spent more time on the ship than on land in recent years."

Carl said, "That's not hard to guess. In fact, I used to make a living at sea. When I was young, I worked in maritime transportation! It's a pity there is no wine here. Otherwise, we should have a drink of sailor friendship."

"Juice is fine too!" Xiao Peng picked up the glass and said, "Cheers to an old sailor!"

"Welcome a new sailor!" Carl raised his glass to him.

After taking a sip of coffee, Karl said, “What are you doing here?”

"Ah?" Xiao Peng answered honestly, "I was bored at home, so I went out to see some real people. I just happened to see a parking space here, so I came here to take a look."

"You live in The Hague?" Carl was stunned.

Xiao Peng nodded: "I've been living here recently."

Carl suddenly realized: "Oh, your ship is docked here! You're right, after guarding the ship for three months, I really need to relax."

Xiao Peng didn't explain, just smiled and nodded.

Karl said, "It seems I misunderstood. I thought you were still here to see the exhibition."

"Exhibition?" Xiao Peng was stunned for a moment before he understood.

The Netherlands is a typical "small country in terms of territory, big country in terms of art". The entire Netherlands including its overseas territories is only about the size of Sichuan Province, but it has produced countless artists. For those who study art and design, the Netherlands is a fascinating place.

The Netherlands has produced countless top painters throughout history, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, and Van Gogh—each a true master! Even today, the Netherlands boasts a vibrant artistic atmosphere, attracting countless young artists from far and wide.

Only then did Xiao Peng discover that there was a gallery across the street. There was a sign at the door with the words "Marlene Dumas Exhibition" written on it in chalk. If you didn't pay attention, you wouldn't be able to see these small words at all.

But he couldn't underestimate the name 'Marlene Dumas'. She's one of the most internationally acclaimed artists, currently living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where the art scene is much richer than in The Hague. This is her exhibition.

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Karl, I'll tell you the truth, I don't know much about these art matters. I have several paintings at home, and they are all fakes."

He said it modestly, but his "fake" was no ordinary fake. It was an old money imitation of a Pollock painting, so real that it was indistinguishable from the original.

Carl lowered his voice after hearing this. "Then I'll be honest with you. I don't understand art either. I just have a few paintings by Marlene Dumas in my collection, so I came here to check out the market!"