Cui Xian and Qi Zhong were very famous in the oil painting world, but most of the credit went to Cui Xian. Qi Zhongâs current status was all thanks to Cui Xian.
Someone could not help but sigh. âMr. Qi, your apprentice has done so much at such a young age. Back then, I was only qualified to participate in the oil painting exhibition when I was 40 years old. Sheâs only in her 20s, but sheâs already qualified. The younger generation will surpass us in time!â
Qi Zhong smiled and said, âNot only is Ruge talented, but sheâs also humble and studious. However, donât praise her too much lest she gets arrogant.â
âMr. Qi, I heard that you took in two new apprentices. Whereâs the other one?â Everyone was envious when they heard that Qi Zhong had taken in two extremely talented apprentices at once.
Unexpectedly, Qi Zhongâs expression suddenly changed. âYouâre talking about Qiao Xi?â
Everyone replied, âWe donât know that ladyâs name either. We just heard that she drew a rose thatâs very lifelike. Itâs amazing. Is she here for the art exhibition today?â
Qi Zhong said unhappily, âShe doesnât have the right to attend the art exhibition!â
Tang Ruge, who was at the side, hurriedly explained, âActually, Miss Qiao didnât acknowledge anyone as her master. Sheâs too proud and arrogant, so Master didnât accept her in the end.â
Everyone understood what Tang Ruge meant. It turned out that Qiao Xi was unwilling to acknowledge Qi Zhong as her master. This 20-year-old woman was actually so arrogant?
âMiss Qiao is indeed a little talented, but she has a firm character.â Tang Rugeâs few words made everyone think that Qiao Xi was an arrogant and ungrateful person.
Everyone said, âEven if sheâs talented, she canât be so disrespectful to her elders. Itâs good that Mr. Qi didnât accept an apprentice with such character. After all, Mr. Qi already has such an outstanding apprentice like Miss Tang!â
âThatâs right! Being talented is one thing, but oneâs character is another. If the apprentice is too conceited, itâs better not to accept her. Otherwise, sheâll ruin her own reputation in the future. Now that Miss Tang is able to display her work for the exhibition while Qiao Xi couldnât even get to appear, itâs enough to explain everything.â
Qi Zhongâs expression was gloomy as he said, âQiao Xi is indeed talented, but sheâs not comparable to Ruge. Itâs expected that she canât participate in the exhibition.â
Everyone continued walking forward. Suddenly, Tang Ruge stopped in her tracks and said in surprise, âXi Xi?â
At this moment, Qiao Xi and Li Xingâer were walking arm in arm in the spacious corridor. They bumped into everyone, and Qi Zhongâs expression instantly changed. âWhy are you here?â
Li Xingâerâs temper flared up again. âAre you holding this art exhibition? Why do you care if she comes or not?!â
Before Li Xingâer could say anything, Tang Ruge tried to persuade her gently. âXi Xi, this is an exclusive resting lounge for exhibitors. How can you come in so casually? Are you here to look for Master Qi?â
Tang Ruge paused for a moment and continued to ask, âDo you regret rejecting Master back then? Did you hear that he was coming to the exhibition, so you followed him here?â
When Qi Zhong heard this, he instantly straightened his back with a proud expression.
Qiao Xi glanced at her. Was this person crazy?
She held Li Xingâerâs hand and continued walking forward, but Tang Ruge did not intend to let her off just like that. She said with a helpless expression, âXi Xi, youâre already here. Arenât you going to greet Master? Since you want to acknowledge him as your master again, you have to show your attitude. You canât look down on others just because you have some talent.â
Qi Zhong raised his head high, his eyes filled with disdain. He had long guessed that Qiao Xi would regret it one day, but he did not expect it to be so soon.
The atmosphere gradually became awkward. Qiao Xi remained silent, and the smugness on Tang Rugeâs face was almost impossible to hide. She pretended to be regretful and said, âXi Xi, we couldâve been friends with the same master, but youââ
âWho told you that Iâm here to acknowledge him as my master?â Qiao Xiâs voice was ice-cold. âMiss Tang, have you heard of a saying thatâs especially suitable to describe you?â
The corners of Tang Rugeâs mouth twitched slightly. She had a bad feeling. âWhat is it?â
The corners of Qiao Xiâs mouth curled up. âUgly people cause trouble! Since youâre ugly, you should talk less. Donât come looking for trouble! If you have nothing to do, go home and look in the mirror. Your face is almost in ruins!â
As soon as she finished speaking, she pulled Li Xingâer and quickly left.
Tang Ruge stood where she was. Her gentle face was ferocious. She was so angry that she was about to explode, but she still had to maintain her image in front of the painters.
However, Qi Zhong could not take it lying down and roared angrily. âQiao Xi! What right do you, a visitor, have to enter the lounge? Who else could you have secretly come in to look for besides me?â