Chapter 788: The Oil Painting Goddess, Madam Carter
Jin Yan had been pampered since he was young and had never felt so awkward. Although he did not take on the family’s business, he was the most favored young master in the Jin family. There were naturally many people who wanted to please him and the Tang family.
Qiao Xi was just about to leave when she was suddenly stopped by a man. That man’s tone was mocking. “So what if you’re talented? Someone like you who doesn’t respect your elders will never succeed! Look at Miss Tang. She’s only been studying for half a month yet she can already participate in the oil painting exhibition. This is called talent. Can you compare to her?”
Before Qiao Xi could retort, that person showed a disdainful expression. “Some people are arrogant and conceited just because they have some talent. Those who are truly capable should be like Miss Tang, humble and polite. Even Miss Tang can acknowledge Mr. Qi Zhong as her master, so why must you refuse?”
Qiao Xi glanced coldly at that person, then turned to look at Tang Ruge. She saw Tang Ruge smile helplessly as if she was saying that what others said had nothing to do with her. She was innocent.
Tang Ruge did not say those words, but the reason why everyone said that was all because of Tang Ruge. It had to do with her.
At this moment, there was a commotion outside the door. Then, Tang Lingyun ran in excitedly. “Sister Ruge! Aunt! Madam Carter is here!”
The entire venue was in an uproar. They did not expect Madam Carter to personally attend. She was one of the founders of the international oil painting exhibition and was also an outstanding figure in the oil painting world. She was talented and had learned how to paint at the age of seven. Her first painting was famous throughout the oil painting world. After that, her journey was smooth-sailing. She won the highest honor in the world oil painting exhibition and founded several international oil painting exhibitions.
Carter no longer painted, but she would go to various parts of the world every year to select talented painters and personally mentor them. As a result, she had nurtured countless outstanding oil painters and was called the oil painting goddess.
Previously, Madam Carter did not even participate in the oil painting exhibition. However, she suddenly appeared this time. Everyone found it really strange. What exactly attracted Madam Carter to personally come?
Madam Tang was extremely excited. “Lingyun, you saw Madam Carter with your own eyes? What did she say?”
“She said that she’s here to see a lady in her 20s. She heard that the lady is here for the oil painting exhibition, so she came over,” Tang Lingyun said with a smile.
The moment that was said, everyone’s gazes landed on Tang Ruge. A young lady in her 20s?
Among the painters participating in the oil painting exhibition, only Han Yin and Han Ye’s ages were unknown. The others were all above 40 years old, while Tang Ruge was in her 20s.
“Is Madam Carter here to look for Ruge?” Jin Yan asked in disbelief.
Everyone immediately widened their eyes in shock. The man who stood up for Tang Ruge just now also reacted and hurriedly praised, “I heard that Madam Carter looks for painting geniuses all over the world every year. She must be here to choose an outstanding painter to nurture. The person she’s looking for is a lady in her 20s who’s participating in the exhibition. Who else could it be but Miss Tang? Congratulations, Miss Tang!”
The few respected professors all looked at Tang Ruge. It was indeed rare for someone in their 20s to participate in an oil painting exhibition, but it was even rarer to be appreciated by Madam Carter.
It had to be known that Madam Carter was not called the oil painting goddess for no reason. It was because the artists she nurtured eventually became internationally famous.
If Miss Tang was really chosen by Madam Carter, she might become the next international oil painting goddess.
Jin Yan looked at Tang Ruge in admiration and said excitedly, “Ruge, you’re really too awesome. Even Madam Carter came to see you personally.”
Everyone’s eyes were on Tang Ruge. She was stunned for a moment, then she was overjoyed and almost laughed out loud.
Madam Carter was actually here to look for her? This was definitely a great honor.
“Yes, Madam Carter must be here to look for my sister!” Tang Lingyun also jumped up excitedly. “At the door, I heard that Madam Carter was looking for a 20-year-old lady whose work is being displayed at the exhibition. I immediately thought of my sister. I boldly said that the person she was looking for must be my sister.”
“Sister, Madam Carter said that she’ll look for you after a short rest. Hurry up and get ready.”
Hearing Tang Lingyun’s words, Madam Tang, who had always been calm, could not help but laugh. She held Tang Ruge’s hand and said excitedly, “Lingyun is right. Quickly prepare yourself. You must perform well later.”
Chapter 789: Which One Was Han Yin?
Tang Ruge smiled in embarrassment. “Actually, I’ve only been systematically learning oil painting for half a month. I didn’t expect Madam Carter to express her appreciation for my talent. It’s really my honor.”
Everyone hurriedly praised Tang Ruge for being outstanding. Even Madam Carter came for her. Only the person in charge looked at Qiao Xi with an awkward expression.
Of course, he knew that Tang Ruge’s painting absolutely did not meet Carter’s requirements. If Carter was here for a genius female painter in her 20s, then there was only one person in the art exhibition who matched her requirements—Qiao Xi.
Qiao Xi looked at Tang Ruge’s hypocritical face indifferently. A moment later, she looked away in disgust.
After a while, everyone in the oil painting exhibition knew that Madam Carter was here to look for Miss Tang. Everyone present knew Madam Carter’s international status. Anyone who could catch her eye was definitely a genius.
Everyone voiced their praises. Only Qiao Xi sat in the corner and drank her coffee comfortably.
Tang Ruge leaned over and smiled gently. “Xi Xi, you’re indeed very talented. If you don’t mind, I want to introduce you to Madam Carter.”
Qiao Xi did not want to pay attention to Tang Ruge, so she found a corner to quietly watch the farce. However, Tang Ruge still came looking for her and showed off in front of her.
Tang Lingyun leaned over and said in a low voice, “Sister, don’t forget how she bullied you yesterday. How can you still be thinking of helping her at a time like this?!”
Tang Ruge smiled generously. “It was all a misunderstanding. Xi Xi and I are friends.”
Tang Lingyun was still dissatisfied. “Qiao Xi thinks highly of herself and keeps suppressing you because she thinks she’s talented. Now that you’ve caught Madam Carter’s eye, it’s already good enough that you’re not suppressing her. Why are you still helping her?”
Tang Ruge smiled helplessly. “Lingyun, don’t say that. Xi Xi has a temper, but she doesn’t have any ill intentions.”
Everyone’s gazes landed on Qiao Xi with mocking expressions. What right did she have to look down on Tang Ruge? Tang Ruge was an artist who had caught Madam Carter’s eye!
“Sister, you’re just too kind. You’re always so magnanimous. With Qiao Xi’s conceited appearance, Madam Carter will definitely hate her. How could she possibly be willing to mentor her?!”
When Tang Ruge heard Tang Lingyun’s words, she pretended to be an elder and gently mediated things. “Xi Xi, Lingyun said something wrong. Don’t take it to heart.”
At this moment, everyone felt that Miss Tang was even more kind-hearted, tolerant, and magnanimous. Facing such an unreasonable woman, she could still deal with her so indifferently without the slightest anger. She was indeed a daughter of a noble family in the capital.
“Madam Carter is here!” At this moment, a shout came from outside the door. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
Tang Lingyun pulled Tang Ruge forward excitedly. “Sister, Madam Carter is here to look for you!”
Jin Yan was also excited. “Ruge, I really admire you!”
Tang Ruge blushed. “I’m not as good as you say. I’m just lucky to be appreciated by Madam Carter.”
Madam Tang looked at her daughter affectionately. “Ruge, you don’t have to be humble at a time like this. If you don’t have the ability, how could you have caught Madam Carter’s eye?”
Madam Carter’s footsteps were getting closer and closer. Everyone craned their necks and saw a fashionable middle-aged woman appear in front of everyone. Her eyes were dignified, but there was a faint smile on her lips.
Madam Carter was already in her 60s, but the woman in front of them had taken good care of herself. Her skin was fair and smooth, and her figure was curvaceous. She was wearing a long fishtail dress.
Carter glanced around. After a moment of silence, she frowned.
Which one was Han Yin? She came in a hurry this time and only heard that Han Yin was here, but she had never seen her photo.
Han Ye was really too much as well. He was always so mysterious that she could not catch sight of him. The couple were both masters of the oil painting world. It was good enough to just meet one of them first!
She had heard from Han Ye that his wife was wearing light-colored pants, but there seemed to be two young women wearing light-colored pants. Which one was it?
Carter hesitated for a moment before walking toward Qiao Xi.
The expressions of the Tang family froze. Tang Lingyun hurriedly shouted, “Madam Carter, the artist you’re looking for is here!”
Carter stopped in her tracks. She was afraid that she would get the wrong person and make Han Yin unhappy, so she quickly turned around.
Tang Lingyun gently pushed Tang Ruge. “Sister, go over quickly! Madam Carter is already here. Hurry up and greet her.”
Chapter 790: The Person I’m Looking For Is Miss Qiao
Tang Ruge went forward shyly.
Carter sized her up. Everyone said that the person she was looking for was this lady, so it should not be wrong. However, this lady seemed to be different from what Han Ye had described!
Han Ye said that his wife was young, beautiful, pure, and cute. However, although the woman in front of her could be considered young and beautiful, she lacked innocence. She was not cute at all.
Could it be that in Han Ye’s eyes, his wife was an innocent and cute young lady?
Carter had always been looking forward to seeing Han Yin, but she was very disappointed to see her now. She did not like the woman in front of her at first glance, but out of courtesy, she still smiled gently.
Tang Ruge could not suppress the excitement in her heart. The Tang family also raised their heads proudly.
Because of what had happened yesterday, Tang Ruge had lost her reputation in public. Now, it did not matter even if Senior Cui Xian liked Qiao Xi. After all, Tang Ruge had an even stronger backer now.
From now on, Qiao Xi could only be trampled under Tang Ruge’s feet. Qiao Xi would be forced to watch Tang Ruge become a top figure in the oil painting world.
Tang Ruge was so excited that her entire body was trembling. As long as she became Madam Carter’s apprentice, she would be the true number one socialite in the capital. No one would be able to compare to her anymore.
She admitted that Qiao Xi was better-looking than her, but what was the point of just being good-looking? The most important thing was talent and identity!
Tang Ruge walked in front of Carter and said respectfully and gently, “Madam Carter.”
Carter nodded slightly, but she still felt that the woman in front of her was different from what Han Ye had described. However, her expression was still calm. She did not reveal any doubts, nor did she reveal Han Yin’s identity. This was because Han Ye had long said that Han Yin did not want to expose her identity in front of everyone.
“Hello, Miss Qiao. As the founder of the oil painting exhibition, I’m very happy that you’re here for this art exhibition. Have you thought about what we previously discussed?”
Miss… Qiao?
Madam Tang’s expression suddenly stiffened as she subconsciously looked at Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi seemed to be the only one with the surname Qiao in the entire exhibition hall.
Tang Lingyun also asked with a puzzled expression, “Madam Carter, did you call her by the wrong name? My sister’s surname is Tang.”
Tang Ruge lowered her eyes. She had a bad feeling, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
The air was silent for a few seconds. Carter said in confusion, “I didn’t get the name wrong. The person I’m looking for is Miss Qiao.”
Madam Tang took a deep breath and asked unwillingly, “The Miss Qiao you’re talking about is…”
Carter said without hesitation, “Is there anyone else here with the surname Qiao? Of course, it’s Miss Qiao Xi!”
With that said, Tang Ruge’s face turned pale as her body trembled violently.
The person Madam Carter was looking for was actually Qiao Xi? How could it be her?
However, when Tang Lingyun entered, she said that the person Miss Carter was looking for was a female painter in her 20s who was also participating in the exhibition. Among everyone present, only Tang Ruge matched the description!
After reacting for a moment, everyone suddenly realized something and looked at Qiao Xi in shock. Could it be that her work was also displayed in the exhibition hall?
“Qiao Xi, are you doing this on purpose?! You clearly knew that Madam Carter was here to look for you, yet you hid it and didn’t say anything. You’re deliberately embarrassing my sister!” Tang Lingyun criticized loudly as she glared at Qiao Xi with resentment.
Everyone could not help but be stunned.
Yes, Qiao Xi had long known that Miss Carter was looking for her, but she did not tell everyone. Tang Ruge had misunderstood and was embarrassed in front of everyone. If Qiao Xi had reminded Tang Ruge, such an awkward situation would not have happened.
Tang Lingyun roared, “You’re so sinister! You’re deliberately embarrassing my sister!”
Qiao Xi, who had been silent all this while, finally raised her eyes. Her eyes were clear, and her voice was weak but carried a trace of laziness. “I’m such a weak woman. How would I dare to say anything?! If I say anything, the Tang family will eat me up!”
Weak? Afraid to say it?
Tang Ruge was angered to the point of almost fainting! Qiao Xi still had the cheek to say that she was weak?
Gu Zheng, who was in the corner, could not help but laugh when he heard Mrs. Gu’s words.
Tang Lingyun was furious. “You’re weak? My foot! You clearly did it on purpose!”
Only then did Carter realize that the young lady standing in the corner was the real painter, Han Yin. It was indeed as Han Ye had said. His wife was pure and cute, just like a teenage girl.
That was right! With Han Ye’s taste, how could he choose a scheming woman to be his wife? He would never like someone like Tang Ruge.
Tang Ruge’s eyes turned red as she bit her lip. “Xi Xi…”