"Let's forget about making friends. We're both businessmen, and profit comes first. Mr. Shen, why don't you get straight to the point?" Lu Zhiwei got up, walked to the sofa area, made Shen Jinmo a cup of tea, and invited him to sit down.
Shen Jinmo wore a dark blue suit with a subtle pattern today, which made her look elegant and aloof.
The pair of cat-eye cufflinks on her cuffs were a wedding anniversary gift she bought for him.
She excitedly presented it to him, but he was busy working and casually tossed it on the table. I've never seen him use it.
She thought he had thrown it away.
Lu Zhiwei placed the brewed tea in front of him, her legs crossed, leaning against the sofa, her mask still on.
"What's wrong with your face?" Shen Jinmo noticed that she was acting strangely today and looked at her face a few more times.
Shen Jinmo is an extremely perceptive person.
Lu Zhiwei cleared her throat and said in a deep baritone voice, "I have a pimple on my face, it doesn't look very nice. I hope Mr. Chen will forgive me."
"Does Mr. William have a girlfriend?"
"not yet."
“That means you have to be mindful of your image at all times. I’ve been quite conscious of my image lately too.” Shen Jinmo’s narrow eyes relaxed. He hadn’t had much contact with this William, but for some reason, he was willing to open his heart to him.
"I can tell. Does President Shen have a girlfriend or someone he wants to pursue?" Lu Zhiwei asked casually.
Today, he was visibly dressed more elegantly, shedding his usual black, white, and gray attire and adding a touch of color to his look.
It's very strange, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.
"Yes, I'm pursuing someone," Shen Jinmo said frankly.
In the quiet office, the man's cool, magnetic voice was amplified infinitely.
"Oh? Who is it?" Lu Zhiwei feigned curiosity.
"My ex-wife." Shen Jinmo didn't beat around the bush; the corners of his resolute lips turned up slightly, full of certainty.
The atmosphere became awkward for a few seconds.
Lu Zhiwei gave a mocking laugh, finding the person in front of her quite ironic.
"Mr. Shen, you should just give up on that idea. I know Lu Zhiwei too well; she doesn't have the habit of going back to an ex."
“Mr. William knows her, but he may not know me as well. I’m the kind of person who, once I set my mind to something, I’m sure I can do it.” Shen Jingmo curled his thin lips, looking determined.
Lu Zhiwei shook her head and sneered, laughing at his arrogance.
Stopping the pointless conversation, Lu Zhiwei changed the subject to work.
"What does Mr. Shen intend to do with the 500 million?"
When the topic turned to work, Shen Jinmo regained his serious expression. "Shen's plans to build an art museum in the western district, primarily focused on spiritual healing. People in modern society face a lot of pressure, and this art museum can be used by groups of different ages to heal their inner wounds and relieve psychological stress..."
After hearing his idea, Lu Zhiwei looked surprised.
His idea coincided with her plan.
"Does President Shen mean that the Shen family will build an art museum, and the paintings will be provided by our alliance of artists?" Lu Zhiwei asked.
“Yes, but I specifically want ROSE to draw it, which is Lu Zhiwei.” Shen Jinmo’s purpose was very clear; he was after him.
Sitting across from her, Lu Zhiwei clenched her fists. "The number of paintings in an art museum is too large. President Shen isn't afraid of exhausting her, but I am."
"There is no time limit. The museum will open whenever the painting is finished. Moreover, this project is only in the proposal stage. It will take a long time from construction to completion. I can give her enough time."
"Why don't you talk to her yourself? Why go through the alliance instead? Although all the alliance members obey my orders, they can take on private jobs at will without my permission." Lu Zhiwei couldn't help but wonder.
“If I go to her, she will definitely refuse me. If I go to you, you can help me conceal my identity. Mr. William also said that you are a businessman, and businessmen value profit. Why not take money that is offered to you?” Shen Jinmo grasped this idea.
But despite his meticulous planning, he hadn't anticipated this.
The William standing before him was none other than Lu Zhiwei herself.
He went around in circles and ended up talking to her directly.
Being rejected is certain.
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Mr. Shen. If you insist on her as the illustrator, there's no need for us to collaborate on this project. She's not in good health right now and can't take on this project. The company has other illustrators of the same type; you might as well look elsewhere."
Shen Jinmo remembered that Lu Zhiwei had a small tumor in her stomach, which seemed to make it unsuitable for her to draw for a long time.
He didn't think things through properly.
Following William's suggestion, Shen Jinmo got up and followed him outside.
Outside is the drawing area for aspiring artists. There are no fixed cubicles or restricted areas, so everyone can freely express their inspiration.
The news that Shen Jinmo was looking to select people to collaborate with within the company spread quickly.
Several ambitious young artists volunteered, handing a stack of sketches to Shen Jinmo.
"President Shen, our paintings are no worse than Rose's. She just joined the company earlier and has more seniority than us. Her skill level is just so-so. She has long since run out of ideas and can't paint anything new."
"Yes, Mr. Shen, our work is also very good. You made the right choice in choosing us. Rose's paintings are outdated. Who would use her paintings anymore? Only the older generation admires her."
Lu Zhiwei stood behind this group of newcomers.
The newcomers are all top students who have just graduated from art academies. They are young, confident, and full of enthusiasm.
They were unaware that William standing in front of them was Rose herself.
After all, ROSE was just one of Lu Zhiwei's earliest pseudonyms. She kept a low profile in the company, and apart from the founding members who co-founded the company, no one knew that William was Lu Zhiwei or the soul painter ROSE.
Faced with the pile of drawings, Shen Jinmo glanced at them casually. They were full of commercialism, superficial, and soulless.
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