Chapter 791: Know Yourself
Madam Tang suppressed her anger and smiled with difficulty. “Madam Carter, it turns out that the person you’re looking for is Miss Qiao! We misunderstood. I’m really sorry, but it’s also because Miss Qiao didn’t explain herself, so Ruge…”
These words meant that all the responsibility was on Qiao Xi. It was Qiao Xi who deliberately schemed against Tang Ruge.
The corners of Qiao Xi’s mouth twitched, and her expression was indifferent yet filled with disdain. “Miss Tang, I didn’t know that Madam Carter was coming to look for me at all.”
Tang Ruge hurriedly said, “Xi Xi, I really don’t blame you. Actually, it doesn’t matter whether you knew or not. It’s already happened.”
Qiao Xi’s eyes were icy-cold as she sneered. “If I remember correctly, it was Miss Tang Lingyun who told everyone that Madam Carter was here to look for you. It was also your Tang family who spread the news later. This matter had nothing to do with me from the beginning until the end. Now that you’ve lost your dignity in public, isn’t it a little unreasonable for your mother to blame this on me?”
The exhibition hall was silent. Everyone knew in their hearts that the Tang family just wanted to find a way out. However, the weak Qiao Xi was unwilling to suffer any losses and dared to retort Madam Tang on the spot.
Carter glanced at the Tang family unhappily and said, “Miss Qiao isn’t to blame for this. I decided to come at the last minute. She didn’t know about it.”
If everyone had doubts just now, who would doubt Qiao Xi now that Madam Carter had personally stepped forward to explain?
Everyone would only think that Tang Ruge was too confident. When she heard that Madam Carter was here to look for a female painter in her 20s, she thought that it was her. In the end, she made a big mistake.
Tang Lingyun was unwilling to give up. “But my sister is also a female painter in her 20s. It’s not strange that she made a mistake.”
“Everyone knows that I’m very picky. Miss Tang, do you think I’d grow fond of just anyone?” Carter had always been gentle, but she did not have to be considerate toward someone like the Tang family.
Tang Ruge gasped when she heard this, and her expression was extremely ugly. Madam Tang, who was at the side, also suppressed the anger in her heart. Her daughter was the top socialite in the capital, but she was humiliated in public.
What right did Qiao Xi have to be so arrogant? Wasn’t she just a wild girl who relied on plagiarism to gain a foothold? Now that Madam Carter and Han Yin’s loyal fan, Jin Yan, were here, would they still show Qiao Xi any respect if they knew that someone had plagiarized Han Yin?
At that time, no matter how much Madam Carter liked Qiao Xi, she could not offend Han Yin for a newbie! She could not offend the loyal fans behind Han Yin either.
Madam Tang suppressed her anger. When she looked up again, she had already put on a faint smile. “I heard that Miss Qiao is also participating in the art exhibition. I wonder which painting it is? Since your painting was praised by Senior Cui Xian, it must be very good. Perhaps Ruge can learn more from you.”
When everyone heard Madam Tang say this, they were extremely curious about what Qiao Xi’s painting looked like.
Madam Carter had already seen through Madam Tang’s thoughts. In that case, she would bring them to see Han Yin’s paintings so that they could give up.
The person in charge invited Madam Carter to another exhibition hall while the others followed behind.
“Qiao Xi,” Tang Ruge suddenly said.
Qiao Xi’s expression was indifferent as she continued walking forward without stopping in the slightest.
Tang Ruge gritted her teeth. She kept reminding herself that she was a socialite and could not be angry, but when she thought about how Qiao Xi had taken everything that belonged to her and even embarrassed her in public, she could not control her anger.
“You’re deliberately making me look bad! How can you do this to me?”
Qiao Xi slowly raised her eyes and asked in surprise, “Why would you think that, Miss Tang?”
“You knew that Madam Carter was here to look for you, but you…”
“Miss Tang, I’ve already explained it. I didn’t know that Madam Carter was coming. Moreover, your Tang family mistakenly thought that Madam Carter was here to look for you. I wasn’t the one who said it. How can you blame me?” Qiao Xi said casually, and the corners of her mouth curled into a mocking smile. “One has to know one’s own limits. With your strength, you’re not worthy of becoming Madam Carter’s apprentice.”
With that, Qiao Xi walked past Tang Ruge and left.
Tang Ruge’s expression suddenly stiffened as she stared fixedly at Qiao Xi with resentment.
Ah!!! What right did she have to be so arrogant?!
At this moment, everyone had already arrived at another exhibition hall. The originally spacious exhibition hall instantly became crowded. Everyone looked at one of the paintings. It was Qiao Xi’s painting.
Chapter 792: Gold Will Shine
“Oh my God! Is this Miss Qiao’s painting? It’s actually so fresh and refined. No wonder Madam Carter came specially for her!”
“To be honest, Miss Tang’s painting is too different from this painting. They’re not on the same level at all. No wonder Madam Carter doesn’t like Miss Tang!”
“Looks like Tang Ruge has never seen Miss Qiao’s paintings. If she knew that there was such an outstanding female painter in the exhibition hall, she wouldn’t have mistakenly thought that Madam Carter was looking for her.”
Hearing the crowd’s discussion, Tang Ruge’s face alternated between red and white. She wished she could find a hole to hide in. Her face gradually turned ferocious.
She had to endure it and absolutely not flare up in front of everyone. Before long, Jin Yan would notice that something was wrong with this painting. With his straightforward character, he would definitely question Qiao Xi in public.
At that time, everyone would realize that Qiao Xi had copied Han Yin’s work. They would also know that the genius painter they were now praising was actually a plagiarist. Who would still praise Qiao Xi then?
Madam Tang clenched her fists and looked at Jin Yan anxiously. “Young Master Jin, you’ve been learning oil painting since you were young. What do you think of this painting?”
Jin Yan was still immersed in the painting and was unable to extricate himself. When he heard Madam Tang’s words, he gradually came back to his senses. He really could not believe that this painting was actually done by Qiao Xi. Such a perfect painting was actually done by a young woman in her 20s. No wonder Madam Carter took a liking to Qiao Xi.
However… this painting looked a little familiar as though he had seen it somewhere before.
“Young Master Jin?” Madam Tang reminded him impatiently.
Jin Yan could not help but sigh. “Miss Qiao’s painting is perfect. I’m really not qualified to comment.”
Then, he asked in confusion, “But why is this painting in the corner of the exhibition hall? A high-quality painting like this should be placed in the front hall.”
Qiao Xi said indifferently, “Gold will always shine. Even if it’s placed in a corner, it’ll still be noticed by others. Some paintings won’t catch everyone’s eye even if they’re placed in the front hall.”
The moment that was said, everyone subconsciously looked at Tang Ruge.
Tang Ruge was angered to the point her face flushed red. Qiao Xi was clearly mocking her painting for being too ordinary and not worthy of being displayed in the front hall.
“But…” Jin Yan suddenly looked puzzled. “I keep having the feeling that Miss Qiao’s painting looks very familiar. I think I’ve seen it somewhere before.”
Tang Ruge’s heart suddenly jumped. As long as Jin Yan told the truth in public, it would prove that Qiao Xi had plagiarized Han Yin. At that time, even if Madam Carter was biased toward her, Qiao Xi would not be able to clear her name.
Jin Yan pondered. If he remembered correctly, he seemed to have seen the sketch of this painting in Senior Han Yin’s residence. He had admired Han Yin for many years. He visited her several times before he could enter her house. Unfortunately, he did not see Han Yin in person and only visited her studio.
This painting was very similar to Senior Han Yin’s sketch. It was simply a product that refined Han Yin’s work. However, everyone said that this painting belonged to Qiao Xi. What exactly was going on?
Jin Yan was silent for a moment before he could not help but ask, “Miss Qiao, may I ask if you completed this painting yourself?”
The atmosphere instantly fell silent, and everyone looked at Jin Yan in confusion. Could it be that Qiao Xi was not the only creator of this painting?
Qiao Xi smiled indifferently and said casually, “It’s my artwork.”
Unexpectedly, Jin Yan’s expression instantly changed, and his voice became serious. “Miss Qiao, I don’t want to embarrass you in front of everyone. I hope you can answer truthfully. Did a senior help you finish this painting?”
Everyone gasped and looked at Jin Yan and Qiao Xi with dumbfounded expressions.
Although Jin Yan had a young master’s temper, his character was indeed fine. He would not malign Qiao Xi for no reason. Could it be that Qiao Xi’s painting was indeed completed by someone else? After all, she was just a young lady in her 20s. How could she paint such an exquisite painting?
Qiao Xi looked at Jin Yan’s questioning gaze and understood in her heart. She subconsciously glanced at Tang Ruge and replied coldly, “I’m sure I did it myself.”
“Miss Qiao!” Jin Yan frowned with a serious expression. He shook his head helplessly. “I’ve already given you a chance, but you still refuse to admit it. Do you have to embarrass yourself in public?”
Qiao Xi’s expression was indifferent without the slightest nervousness.
Madam Tang pretended to be surprised. “Young Master Jin, you can’t spout nonsense. You can’t malign Miss Qiao for no reason.”
Chapter 793: Miss Tang Is Also Han Yin’s Fan!
Seeing that Qiao Xi had no intention of repenting, Jin Yan hurriedly rushed in front of Carter and said indignantly, “Madam Carter, I have to expose Miss Qiao in public. Her painting wasn’t completed by her!”
After that, he looked at Qiao Xi and said angrily, “You keep saying that you completed this painting alone, but I clearly saw the sketch of this painting in Senior Han Yin’s studio three years ago. These two paintings are almost identical. It’s just that your painting has been refined, while Senior Han Yin’s work was just a sketch then. Do you still dare to say that you completed it yourself?”
Boom!!!
The entire venue was in an uproar as if a thunderclap had struck everyone’s hearts.
Tang Ruge was extremely excited, but she still pretended to be surprised. “Brother Jin Yan, you mean that Senior Han Yin helped Xi Xi complete this painting? Does that mean Xi Xi knows Senior Han Yin?”
Jin Yan frowned. “I admire Senior Han Yin very much. With my understanding of her, she won’t complete paintings for others. Moreover, she has never taken in an apprentice.”
“Then where did Xi Xi get this painting? After all, this is Senior Han Yin’s painting!” Tang Ruge sighed, then looked at Qiao Xi in disbelief. “Xi Xi, did Senior Han Yin give this painting to you? Of course, everyone will be happy that you brought Senior Han Yin’s painting to the exhibition, but you shouldn’t have registered it under your name!”
Jin Yan still had a serious expression. “Miss Qiao, I hope you can give everyone an explanation for what happened today. Why is Senior Han Yin’s painting in your hands? Moreover, your name is on it. You’re disrespecting your senior and the international oil painting exhibition!”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone revealed disdainful gazes. What genius painter? Now, it seemed that it was all a joke! Qiao Xi was clearly lacking in strength, so she brought Senior Han Yin’s painting to the exhibition.
“Qiao Xi, why did you have to steal Senior Han Yin’s painting? She has so many fans in the oil painting world. Aren’t you afraid that someone will expose you?” Tang Lingyun instantly became confident and criticized loudly.
The two professors had long noticed that Qiao Xi’s painting style was very similar to Han Yin’s. They originally thought that Qiao Xi was deliberately imitating Han Yin’s style, but who knew that this painting was Han Yin’s? This young lady was actually so bold to bring her senior’s painting to the exhibition!
Tang Ruge pretended to be an elder and tried to persuade her. “Xi Xi, if you really want to participate in the art exhibition, study hard for a few years. After all, you’re still young and will have a chance to participate in an art exhibition. However, you shouldn’t have used Senior Han Yin’s paintings. If she finds out, she’ll definitely be unhappy.
“Previously, I advised you to acknowledge Mr. Qi Zhong as your master with me, but you looked down on him and rejected him in public. Now… Sigh!”
Tang Ruge shook her head helplessly as if she really felt pity for Qiao Xi.
“But you’ve offended Mr. Qi Zhong. And if Senior Cui Xian finds out that you stole someone else’s painting to attend the exhibition, he probably won’t speak up for you anymore. I heard that Senior Han Yin will also be attending the exhibition. What should we do then? Madam Carter, you should know Senior Han Yin, right? Can you help explain and get Xi Xi to apologize? She’s still young, so I hope Senior Han Yin can forgive her.”
Carter remained silent with a strange expression.
Qiao Xi did not even bother to look at Tang Ruge.
Tang Ruge’s expression froze as she continued to patiently persuade her. “Xi Xi, actually, I admire Senior Han Yin very much too. She’s my idol. I treat her as my lifelong goal. I can’t tolerate you stealing her paintings, so you have to apologize in public!”
When Qiao Xi heard these words, she finally raised her eyes and asked with a faint smile, “Miss Tang… you admire Han Yin a lot? You treat her as your lifelong goal?”
The corners of Tang Ruge’s mouth twitched slightly, then she sighed. “Xi Xi, I know you look down on me. My standard is indeed far inferior to Han Yin’s, but I also have the right to pursue my idol. I might not be able to reach her standard in my life, but I can work hard to get closer to her.
“Perhaps you admire Han Yin very much, but you shouldn’t use such a method to express your feelings. If you want to surpass Han Yin, you can rely on your own efforts. You shouldn’t steal her painting and use it to participate in the exhibition!”
Qiao Xi’s beautiful eyes shifted as she blinked. “I really didn’t expect this! So, Miss Tang, you’re also a fan of Han Yin. Then what do you think I should do?”