Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s

Chapter 2391: Chapter 2327: Seeking a Painting

"Oh, a big businessman, a wealthy merchant." Liu Guoying nodded slightly towards Hu Xiangyong, with a hint of that intellectual disdain for merchants.

If Chiang Xiao were here, she would certainly think this old man had a flair for acting.

After all, if he truly looked down on businessmen that much, how could he agree to let her open a tea house while still in school, and even have his wife help watch the shop?

"This is Master Liu Guoying, a renowned painter in our country, known for landscapes, and his teaching skills are also quite high. As you see, Chiang Xiao is now under his tutelage and is a rising star in the art world with a promising future."

"Master Liu, it’s a pleasure." Hu Xiangyong stood up and extended his hand to Liu Guoying.

Liu Guoying seemed to casually shake hands with him.

For a moment, he felt as if his hand was pricked by something, leaving a slight numbness in his fingers.

But once he let go, it felt normal again.

So he soon dismissed it from his mind, but he did notice that Hu Xiangyong wore a unique ring on his index finger.

The ring was black, but it was hard to tell if it was metal or stone. It was large and intricately carved with patterns.

This ring intrigued Liu Guoying a little.

But since it belonged to Hu Xiangyong, he naturally wouldn’t meddle by asking to see it.

"I’m merely someone lifted by others, given this little fame," he said as he sat down.

Hu Xiangyong replied, "Master Liu, you’re being modest. Not only Master Liu, but even your student Miss Xiao Chiang has gained a significant reputation internationally. I won’t hide it; I had the chance to meet Miss Xiao Chiang in Country Y. By fate, we were on the same flight back, though I didn’t know her identity then; if I had known..."

If he had known, what would he have done?

Liu Guoying felt a slight shock.

He realized that Hu Xiangyong was indeed quickly steering the conversation towards Chiang Xiao.

What does this man really want with her?

Hu Xiangyong continued, "However, not only I but even Yuzhi had a connection with Miss Xiao Chiang. When Yuzhi came back and told me about it, we realized that Miss Xiao Chiang is actually an art student."

"Hehe, my student does have a bit of spiritual energy, but after all, she’s still young and not quite accomplished yet, not quite accomplished."

"Teacher Liu, don’t say that," the principal interjected, in fact, he was a bit puzzled by Liu Guoying. Normally, when talking about his students, he couldn’t help but sing their praises, so why was he being so humble today? This was quite unprecedented. He feared Liu Guoying didn’t know what Hu Xiangyong was up to, so he explained right away: "Mr. Hu specifically came because he heard that Chiang Xiao had previously painted a fine piece for a hotel, so this time he came to invite Chiang Xiao to paint for his new residence and new shop."

Paint?

Liu Guoying was taken aback.

He quickly understood, "There are many in the art world whose style seems more mature and grand than Chiang Xiao’s. Why would Mr. Hu think of approaching Chiang Xiao?"

Hu Xiangyong laughed.

"Mature and grand? I don’t think so. I’ve carefully looked at Miss Xiao Chiang’s paintings. You can’t tell at all that they’re done by an eighteen-year-old girl. Her style is already quite mature and grand, yet with youthful vitality, which is rare. Most importantly, from what I’ve gathered, Miss Xiao Chiang’s paintings are very meaningful."