Chapter 183 - 180: Which Art World Senior Is This?
Ling Xiaoru asked quizzically, "Boss, who is that old gentleman?"
Li You shook his head. "I don’t know either. Today was his first time eating at the restaurant. But he seems to know a lot about painting. He wanted to see you because he saw the painting you gave me. He said that while it has many flaws, the artist is very talented and has a certain spiritual quality. Maybe he wants to talk to you about art?"
Hearing Li You’s words, Ling Xiaoru was slightly taken aback, quite surprised, and very excited. She whispered, "Boss, could he be a senior figure from the Art World? If that’s the case, I should be the one paying him a visit."
Li You said, "I suppose so. I haven’t asked for his name yet. You can just ask him for it in a bit and you’ll know."
Li You didn’t know much about the Art World. Even if the old man told him his name, he probably wouldn’t recognize it.
He only knew the name of one artist: the number one figure in the Art World, known as the contemporary Painting Saint, Guyi.
Guyi’s accomplishments in painting were profound. He wasn’t just the top figure in the domestic Art World; he also enjoyed great fame and prestige internationally.
The number of Guyi’s works in circulation was very small, rumored to be no more than ten. Each one was worth a fortune.
They could even be called priceless treasures.
Because no matter how much money you had, you couldn’t guarantee you’d be able to buy one.
What if you offered an exorbitant price to commission a new piece from Guyi?
Sorry, but that would be even more difficult.
Rumor had it that someone once offered hundreds of millions of yuan to commission a painting from Guyi, but was unsuccessful.
It’s unknown if this story is true; there might be some exaggeration. But it was true that money alone wasn’t enough to obtain one of Guyi’s paintings.
That much was certain.
And as the contemporary Painting Saint, the number one figure in the Art World, Guyi’s name was naturally famous far and wide.
Many people who knew nothing about the Art World and paid it no mind still knew of Guyi.
And only knew of Guyi.
Just like Li You.
However, although everyone knew of Guyi, very few people knew what he looked like.
Including many people within the Art World itself.
Because Guyi rarely appeared in public and almost never accepted interviews or reports from any newspapers or media outlets.
Especially in the last ten or twenty years.
It was difficult to find even a single clear photo of Guyi’s face online.
And even if you did find one, it would usually be a very old photo.
The outside world actually didn’t know much about Guyi. There were only rumors that, aside from his interest in painting, he also had a special fondness for fine food and good wine.
Just rumors, with no way of knowing if they were true.
After hearing Li You, Ling Xiaoru said, "It might be a bit blunt to go up and ask for his name directly. But regardless, I should go and pay my respects. Boss, let’s go over."
Li You nodded.
The two of them walked over to the old man. Li You said, "Sir, I’ve brought Miss Xiaoru over."
Ling Xiaoru also greeted the old man, then added, "Thank you very much for inviting me, Sir. Really, I should have been the one to come and pay my respects to you."
The old man smiled faintly. He first thanked Li You, then invited the two of them to sit down.
Then he said to Ling Xiaoru, "You’re too kind, Miss Xiaoru. I became interested in you after seeing your painting, so I troubled the boss to ask you over. If anything, I’m the one disturbing you."
Ling Xiaoru quickly replied, "Oh, please don’t say that, Sir. It’s a great honor that you’re interested in my painting. It’s just that the piece has so many flaws. I’m embarrassed you had to see it."
The old man said, "To have reached your level at your age is already quite remarkable. You are very talented. More importantly, I can see your spiritual quality and potential in your work. Of course, that can also be attributed to talent. A talent like yours is rare, even looking across the entire country."
Hearing the old man say this, Ling Xiaoru was overjoyed and thrilled. But her words were filled with humility. "I don’t deserve such high praise, Sir. I really don’t."
The old man smiled again and said, "Miss Xiaoru, you’re here to eat as well, right? How about this: let’s eat first. After we’ve eaten, I have a few suggestions. If you’re willing to listen, I’ll share them with you."
At this, Ling Xiaoru became quite excited and thrilled.
’She could now be sure: this old man was definitely a senior figure from the Art World, and he might even hold a position of some renown.’
’His suggestions must be about the flaws in my painting.’
’In that case, his advice will be incredibly valuable. It will definitely be a huge benefit to me.’
’This is a great opportunity for me.’
’I can’t believe I got such an amazing opportunity just by giving the boss a painting.’
Ling Xiaoru was completely taken by surprise, feeling both overjoyed and thrilled.
At that moment, she really wanted to ask the old man for his name, but she was afraid it would seem too blunt. She was also worried the old man might misunderstand her intentions.
’He might think I’m just trying to find out if he’s famous.’
’If he is, I’ll listen to his advice.’
’If he’s not, then I’ll forget about it.’
So, asking for his name right now felt very inappropriate.
Therefore, Ling Xiaoru didn’t ask for the old man’s name. She just nodded eagerly and said excitedly, "I’m willing! I’m willing! Very willing! It would be my greatest honor to hear your suggestions, Sir!"
The old man let out a hearty laugh, clearly in a good mood as well. He said, "In that case, let’s eat first. Boss, could I trouble you to cook a couple more dishes? I’d like to treat you and Miss Xiaoru to a meal."
Hearing this, Ling Xiaoru quickly interjected, "My treat! My treat! Let me! Sir, you’ve come from afar, so you’re the guest, and you’re my elder. How could I let you pay for the meal?"
The old man waved his hand. "It’s no trouble. Miss Xiaoru, there’s no need to be so formal."
"But..." Ling Xiaoru looked at Li You.
Li You pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Since you insist, Sir, it would be rude to refuse."
The old man’s eyes lit up. He looked at Li You with great appreciation and said with a smile, "Good, good."
Seeing this, Ling Xiaoru had no choice but to thank the old man.
Li You told the two of them to chat for a bit, then got up and went into the kitchen. He stir-fried a portion of twice-cooked pork with green peppers, a portion of shredded potatoes, and made a tomato and egg soup.
He brought them to the table.
The old man thanked Li You and told him to hurry up and eat, saying that he had delayed Li You’s meal.
Li You smiled. "You’re too kind, Sir. How about I join you for a drink?"
The old man said, "Won’t it interfere with your work, Boss?"
Li You replied, "A little bit won’t hurt."
The old man was delighted, saying repeatedly, "Excellent, excellent. With you joining me for a drink, Boss, today’s wine will taste even better."
At this moment, Ling Xiaoru said, "Sir, Boss, I can have a little, too."
Li You looked at Ling Xiaoru and smiled. "So, Miss Xiaoru can drink."
Ling Xiaoru smiled a little sheepishly and said, "I can, but not much. So I usually don’t drink."
The old man was even happier. "Wine is a fine thing, especially a fine wine like the boss’s. It’s even better that Miss Xiaoru can drink as well! But, Miss Xiaoru, just drink as much as you’re comfortable with. Don’t force yourself."
Ling Xiaoru nodded. "Don’t worry, Sir. I know my limits."
The old man smiled and nodded. "Good, good."
His mood became even more cheerful.
Li You then asked Ling Xiaoru, "So how much for you, Miss Xiaoru? A shot? Or two?"
Ling Xiaoru said, "Two shots."
Two shots?
Li You was a little surprised. ’She can handle two shots? That’s not a low tolerance at all, is it?’
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