The two paintings were displayed in front of the public at the same time. Lin Tingting started learning Chinese painting at a young age. It has to be admitted that she has a good foundation and is proficient in various techniques. The plum blossoms she painted have different shapes and are exquisite in every detail.
On the rice paper is a picture of a beauty dancing in a plum forest. Red plum blossoms are falling, and the beauty is dancing in the sea of flowers, which is lifelike.
Elder Sun examined it carefully and nodded in approval, "It's clear that the girl from the Lin family has a solid foundation and is very skilled in her brushwork. She must have practiced a lot."
Lin Tingting was overjoyed. "Thank you, Mr. Sun, for the compliment! I've been learning Chinese painting since I was young, and I never dare to slack off. I only hope that one day my paintings will catch your eye. You have always been my idol."
Old Sun smiled and nodded: "You are a good child, diligent and well-behaved."
Everyone only heard Mr. Sun praising Lin Tingting, which made them even more certain that Lin Tingting was undoubtedly the winner.
Lu Anning overestimated his own capabilities and gambled his marriage, so he deserved to lose.
After Old Sun finished speaking, he walked over to Lu Anning's painting. Compared to Lin Tingting's entire red plum forest, Lu Anning's painting chose to leave large expanses of white space. The three or two branches of vibrant red plum blossoms on the rice paper seemed to stand alone amidst the white snow.
Several Chinese painting masters, led by Mr. Sun, looked at the painting in front of them and did not react for a long time.
Some people saw that there was no joy on Mr. Sun's face and could not help but mock him.
"As expected, someone who came from an orphanage. Even their plum blossom painting is so petty, with only two or three branches. How can it compare to Miss Lin's magnificent red plum blossoms? The several Chinese painting masters remained motionless, probably trying to find some merit in it so that the Tang family wouldn't lose too badly."
"Ms. Lin will definitely win."
Everyone in the crowd was saying that Lin Tingting's painting was far superior to Lu Anning's and she was sure to win.
Lu An Ning looked straight ahead, not caring about the noises at all. He accidentally caught a glimpse of Ji Yan's inquiring gaze and looked away in the blink of an eye.
After a long moment, Master Sun clapped his hands, laughed heartily, and said, "Good!" Several other masters who had come to the exhibition with him also applauded. They exchanged glances, their minds already clear on the winner.
Elder Sun cleared his throat. "We've all seen both paintings, and we have a clear idea of which is stronger. The two red plum blossom paintings each have their own strengths. If I had to choose the better one, I would choose... Lu Anning's painting of winter plum blossoms."
"Hahaha! Great minds think alike. This painting reminds me of a few plum blossoms blooming alone in the cold corner. I know it's not snow because of the subtle fragrance. If you don't mind, could I write a poem beside it?"
The person who spoke was the calligraphy master Mr. Yang, and Lu Anning was flattered for a moment.
"Mr. Yang is so kind to me. I couldn't ask for more."
Old Yang happily wrote a poem for Lu An Ning's painting of winter plum blossoms. Everyone was stunned watching this scene. They were even more shocked when they saw that after Old Yang finished writing, he stamped his personal seal on it.
Lu Anning was an unknown person, and his painting of plum blossoms was only so good. But with Mr. Yang's handwritten poem, wouldn't this painting be able to sell for hundreds of thousands?
Who would have thought that an orphan girl could be appreciated by several masters of Chinese studies.
Lin Tingting stood aside with a dark face, unable to accept such an outcome.
How could she lose to an orphan girl!
Just as Lu Anning was about to express his gratitude, Lin Tingting rushed over and pushed Lu Anning away, demanding loudly, "How is that possible! Lu Anning's paintings can't possibly be better than mine. Mr. Sun, you just praised my skillful technique, but her brushwork is clumsy and it's obvious she hasn't been learning for long. How could she possibly beat me?"
Elder Sun nodded in approval. "In terms of technique, Lu Anning is indeed not as skilled as you. It's obvious that she's only been learning for less than a year. However, in Chinese calligraphy and painting, spirit is more important than resemblance. You've focused too much on technique and ignored the spirit of the object. Therefore, what you've painted is just a lifeless object. The plum blossoms painted by Lu Anning are completely different."
Mr. Sun gave careful examples, explaining one by one the ways in which Lin Tingting was inferior to Lu Anning. If a painting loses its charm, it has no soul, and no matter how exquisite the technique is, it is still garbage.
After hearing this, everyone suddenly realized what was going on, but Lin Tingting said she didn't believe it at all.
"I don't believe it! You must have been bribed by Lu Anning."
Lin Tingting was so angry that she spoke without thinking. It was too late for Lin Guodong to stop her.
Master Sun cares most about his reputation. Being insulted by a junior in public, his expression immediately changed, and he and several other masters showed anger.
Lin Guodong quickly grabbed Lin Tingting and said, "My little girl is spoiled and speaks without thinking. I hope Mr. Sun will not take it personally."
Elder Sun snorted coldly, "Mr. Lin, I was giving you a chance because you sincerely wanted to find a disciple for your daughter. Now it seems there's no need to prepare Miss Lin for the exam. Her character alone makes her unqualified to be my apprentice. Painting requires state of mind and spiritual energy. Miss Lin has no talent, so it would be best if she changed her career sooner rather than later."
Lin Guodong was struck by lightning and stood there in a daze.
Lu Anning stood quietly by the side without saying a word. It was already obvious who would win and who would lose.
Old Sun turned around and walked towards Lu Anning with a smile: "Miss Lu has beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and she is full of spiritual energy. The person who taught you has good vision."
He pointedly glanced in Tang Jingyuan's direction with a smile and said, "If you have time in the future, Miss Lu, you can come and have a discussion with us old men if you don't mind."
Lu Anning quickly thanked him: "It is my honor to receive guidance from Elder Sun."
As they were chatting and laughing, a pink figure was quietly walking towards the back of the crowd. Lu Anning was sharp-eyed and called out to her, "Ms. Lin, where are you going?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
