Chapter 104 Xie Qingcen: It was all my selfishness from the beginning to the end
"This is the work of a new generation painter from a few years ago. That painter is also the only one who can be called a genius in recent years."
Wen Jiming looked at the painting in front of him with gentle eyes and described the origin of the painting in a gentle tone, but a hint of regret flashed in his eyes.
He frowned slightly, his eyes seemed to be filled with nostalgia, "I saw this work by chance at an auction abroad. The first time I saw it, I knew that the author of this painting would definitely have a place in the future art world."
"I also tried to contact the auction organizer and inquired about the painter's contact information, hoping to learn from him in the future. But I was only told a name. After returning to China, I also paid attention to the painter for a while, but unfortunately..."
Wen Jiming sighed slightly and shook his head with a look of regret. "Geniuses often die the earliest. Only two years after his appearance, the painter completely disappeared from the art world. It is said that he got married and had children."
"In this respect, he is very similar to my friend who is always in love. If my friend had not passed away long ago, I would have suspected that they were the same person."
Wen Jiming admired the painting in front of him with a smile, his eyes were gentle and his temperament was elegant.
Perhaps it was because he and Ruan Liuzheng hit it off at first sight, or perhaps it was because Ruan Liuzheng's personality and appearance evoked the deepest memories in his heart, and he spoke more unconsciously.
It is completely different from the respected Mr. Wen in the past.
This was the first time Ruan Liuzheng met Wen Jiming, so she might not understand much; but Xie Qingcen had known Wen Jiming for a long time, so he naturally noticed the difference in Wen Jiming today.
However, he didn't say anything.
Wen Jiming needed a way to vent. Even though he had never told Xie Qingcen what had happened, Xie Qingcen had already guessed it from his words and actions over the past few years.
He didn't want Wen Jiming to be stuck in the past.
Xie Qingcen's dark eyes dimmed slightly, and his palm unconsciously exerted force to tightly grasp Ruan Liuzheng's slender hand.
He glanced sideways with gentle eyes, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his thin lips.
Ruan Liuzheng was stunned.
She raised her eyes and looked steadily into Xie Qingcen's eyes, her light crimson lips slightly pursed, but she had already had some thoughts in her heart.
She turned her head, her eyes cold, "Uncle Wen, this is the third time you have mentioned your old friend to us. Since you miss him so much, I believe that your old friend must have been a wonderful person. But..."
Ruan Liuzheng changed the subject, her beautiful eyes flickering slightly, "The love-brain will eventually sober up. I believe that the artist of this painting will soon appear in the art world again, and by then, what you expect will surely come true."
Wen Jiming listened to Ruan Liuzheng's solemn assurance. His eyes paused and he smiled softly, "I hope so."
"You haven't told me what you think of this painting yet. Is it worthy of being Professor Wen's birthday present?"
The corners of his lips were slightly raised, and his eyebrows and eyes were elegant with a hint of warmth.
Xie Qingcen glanced at the work in front of him calmly. Whether it was the painting style, the outline of the lines or the emotion imparted, it was all impeccable.
He has always trusted Wen Jiming's vision.
However, before he could open his mouth, Ruan Liuzheng at the side suddenly spoke, instantly interrupting his unspoken words.
Ruan Liuzheng shook his head politely, "Of course I am qualified, but let's go outside and take a look."
"Didn't Uncle Wen invite many painters in the industry to submit their works for the exhibition he held this time? Professor Wen is a big shot in the entire art world. I think she would like the works of these new rising stars more. After all, the future of the art world can be seen in them."
The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and there was not a trace of disdain or perfunctoriness in her cold eyes, only seriousness.
Wen Jiming looked at Ruan Liuzheng steadily, his elegant brows slightly furrowed, trying to find something unusual on Ruan Liuzheng's face.
But unfortunately, he found nothing.
Ruan Liuzheng's pure and unworldly face was calm, without the slightest trace of guilt.
But it was this expression that made Wen Jiming feel a little doubtful. He raised his eyes, his eyes were clear and moist, "Indeed, but when those paintings were submitted, I observed them one by one. Some of them are really good, but they are not suitable as gifts, only suitable for collection."
"And, if I'm not mistaken, you should also be an art student, but you didn't seem to be surprised when you saw this work just now. Excuse me, why is that?"
Wen Jiming smiled slightly, his eyes gentle yet sharp.
Ruan Liuzheng's expression remained unchanged, and her beautiful eyes and eyebrows were as calm and indifferent as ever.
She said, "Indeed, Uncle Wen guessed right. I am also an art student. And there are paintings I drew in the exhibition outside, but I was not surprised just now. Why can't I have seen this painting in advance?"
"After all, Astrid is still a legend in the industry. She is like a meteor that appears once in a while, but she is forever engraved in the hearts of everyone in the industry, leaving behind an indelible achievement."
Ruan Liuzheng raised the corners of his lips slightly, and there was a calmness in his cold eyes.
Wen Jiming was stunned.
He nodded in agreement. "You're right. So why did you refuse to take the painting to Professor Wen? To most people in the circle, Astrid is considered a rising star."
"What do you think, Qing Cen?"
Wen Jiming quietly observed Ruan Liuzheng's expression. He suddenly changed the subject and threw the question to Xie Qingcen.
It was obvious that he wanted to drag Xie Qingcen into the water.
Xie Qingcen saw through Wen Jiming's thoughts at a glance. He smiled gently, "When a wife sings, her husband follows. I listen to Liu Zheng."
"Uncle Wen, this painting is indeed very good, but since Liu Zheng wants to look for it again, let's go for a walk outside."
Seeing this, Wen Jiming had no choice but to nod, call his assistant again, and take the painting back.
But when Xie Qingcen and Ruan Liuzheng were about to leave the lounge, Wen Jiming suddenly asked Ruan Liuzheng a strange question.
This was the doubt that had arisen in his mind since the first time he saw Ruan Liuzheng.
He sat upright on the sofa, his eyebrows and eyes elegant, "Liu Zheng, your last name is Ruan, so I wonder if you have heard of Ruan Lichu from the Ruan family in Yuncheng?"
Ruan Liuzheng turned around in disbelief when he heard this, his cold eyes full of surprise, "Uncle Wen, how do you know my mother's name?"
Wen Jiming's pupils shrank, and his gentle eyes carefully looked at Ruan Liuzheng's eyebrows and eyes. He suddenly laughed, and his laughter was comfortable and joyful.
No wonder he felt Ruan Liuzheng was familiar, it turned out to be her child... This world is really small.
After so many years, he didn't expect that he would still meet someone related to her.
For them, could this be considered another kind of fate?
Wen Jiming closed his eyes slightly to hide the complexity in his eyes. He slowed down his breathing, then opened his eyes and looked at Ruan Liuzheng, "Because your mother is my old friend."
Ruan Liuzheng's clenched palms suddenly loosened, her brows relaxed, and the guess in her heart was completely verified.
She frowned, "Uncle Wen, can we add each other's contact information? If you have time, can you let me know more about my mother?"
Wen Jiming nodded happily. He took out his phone and displayed the WeChat page. "Of course. Today's time is a bit wrong. Let's make an appointment next time when we have time."
His voice was light, but the look in his eyes when he looked at Ruan Liuzheng became increasingly gentle, as if he treated Ruan Liuzheng as his own child.
Ruan Liuzheng nodded, "Okay."
…
On the way back, Xie Qingcen and Ruan Liuzheng sat side by side.
There was silence in the carriage for a moment.
Just now, after Ruan Liuzheng and Wen Jiming added their contact information, they went to visit the exhibition area outside. Finally, Xie Qingcen followed Ruan Liuzheng's advice and chose a work by a relatively famous painter.
The style of the painting is somewhat different from his previous works, which is very eye-catching, but it is completely inferior to the painting brought by Wen Jiming.
Xie Qingcen lowered his eyes slightly, and his eyes darkened slightly when he thought of Ruan Liuzheng's expression when she just rejected Wen Jiming.
He raised his eyes and looked at Ruan Liuzheng, "Why did you reject Uncle Wen? You clearly know that the painting is suitable to be given to Professor Wen."
Xie Qingcen stared at Ruan Liuzheng with his dark eyes. His eyes were deep and his handsome face was filled with a domineering look that brooked no room for questioning.
Sharp and shrewd.
Ruan Liuzheng pursed her lips, her brows calm, "I know, but if I give the painting to the teacher, the teacher won't be surprised."
"That would go against your original purpose."
Xie Qingcen raised a faint arc at the corner of his lips, and raised his eyebrows, "How do you know that Professor Wen will not be surprised? You seem to know Astrid too well."
Ruan Liuzheng rubbed his brows with a slight headache, and his beautiful eyes were filled with a hint of helplessness.
It was her teacher who introduced her into the circle, and she came up with her pen name in front of her teacher.
What's more, that painting was created by her a few years ago.
How could the teacher feel surprised?
She would put more effort into painting a picture on the spot now than giving that painting as a gift.
Ruan Liuzheng sighed softly and raised her eyes, "You seem to be too obsessed with that painting. Is there a reason?"
"Because I thought you would like that painting. I chose it especially for you. It was not a gift for Professor Wen."
Xie Qingcen did not hide anything. His handsome face was serious and earnest. "Professor Wen, I have already prepared for this."
"Ruan Liuzheng, regarding this art exhibition, it was all my own selfish motive from the beginning to the end. I wanted to be alone with you, and I wanted to prepare a surprise for you."
Ruan Liuzheng was slightly stunned.
She stared at Xie Qingcen steadily, and a ripple finally appeared in her cold eyes.
Xie Qingcen's answer was completely beyond her expectations. She didn't expect Xie Qingcen to be so attentive, and she didn't expect Xie Qingcen to break his principles for her.
Everything seemed to be off the track.
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