Chapter 23: Pointed Daggers Drawn

  It has to be admitted that Bi Qi's craftsmanship is really good. There was no terrible bombing of various strange flavors and ingredients being thrown together just because it was a nutritious meal, Su Yifan had the most comfortable lunch he'd had in recent years - of course, not counting those few times when Su Xiaqing took him out to eat.

  Su Yifan didn't dare to ask Beiqi how much money he had spent on this meal, just the rent for this temporary kitchen was already making him not want to think about it too much.

  After dinner, Bi Qi drove to take Su Yifan to the Binhai International Convention and Exhibition Center. The literary club's organizational structure is loose, and the president requires everyone to show their skills twenty minutes before the event in the afternoon. Su Yifan watched Bi Qi busy for almost half an hour before eating, and when they arrived at the exhibition center, they saw Cheng Shuiying counting heads among several people.

  The International Exhibition Center looks grand, but in reality, it mainly receives Koreans looking for policies and cheap labor. The huge glass house is usually empty and idle under the sun, except when there are some exhibitions or real estate fairs.

  As expected, Chen Xin did come, bringing those two school team hangers-on. Anyway, Chen Shao can get pricey tickets and also found welfare for everyone. Many people still have a very polite attitude towards Chen Xin.

  Bei Qi threw Su Yifan out of the car at a distance from the Literature Society team and drove away, leaving Su Yifan to walk alone. Just then, he saw Chen Xin and two followers chatting and laughing next to his Jaguar.

  As soon as Su Yifan appeared, Chen Xin immediately put away the happy smile and replaced it with the usual calm mask she wore when facing Cheng Shuiyan, casting a sideways glance at Su Yifan.

  Chen Xin is not stupid at all. Since the school's attitude changed and Chuan Ge ignored him, he has understood that Su Yifan must have a background that he doesn't know about.

  It was because of this that Chen Xin ran to find Zhai Yufei to pour out her troubles and tried to shift the conflict towards Yang Bingbing. Zhai Yufei had always been arrogant, but his gaze lingered on Yang Bingbing for a long time, which many people noticed.

  Yang Bingbing probably sensed it too, she politely maintained a distance from Di Yufei, as if the halo on top of the student council president's head had no effect on her.

  Chen Xin had reason to believe that his loss of composure today would seem like a joke to Zhai Yufei, and in this joke, Zhai Yufei would notice Su Yifan.

  That always dull and unremarkable, silly good man in a girl's mouth.

  Chen Xin felt that he had no chance of losing in his confrontation with Su Yifan, and the current situation seemed to be just that - Su Yifan was using all his might just to withstand Chen Xin's casual probing. It was just a provocation at the school gate, but Chen Xin estimated that Su Yifan had mobilized many connections in order not to be punished by the school.

  There's also Guan Gong's side, the only way to make him ignore this matter is if someone with more weight in their words speaks up. As for what price Su Yifan pays for this, it's hard to say.

  Seeing Su Yifan walking over, Chen Xin deliberately turned back to open the trunk and pulled out the drinks that had been prepared in advance for the Literature Club members.

  Having a car and being able to give welfare to classmates, in comparison Su Yifan really doesn't have much value.

  A fairly expensive Thai brand of fruit juice, one bottle per person. Chen Xin and his two followers didn't have any, nor did Su Yifan.

  "Sorry about that, the supermarket only has a few bottles left." Chen Xin said apologetically to Su Yifan, "We'll just have to make do with this."

  If Chen Xin wasn't being deliberate, Su Yifan dared to swallow this Jaguar in front of him. Upon further reflection, it turned out that Chen Dashi, who had always shown an extraordinary demeanor, was now like a little girl, making herself uncomfortable over such a small matter, which was quite interesting.

  Su Yifan ignored Chen Xin and pulled out a bottle of Pocari Sweat from her backpack to take a sip.

  This level of disdain was more powerful than a verbal counterattack. Chen Xin pretended not to see it, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

  Cheng Shui Xin was busy verifying the number of people at the entrance, didn't have time to look over here. Su Yi Fan put the drink back in her backpack and gently stroked the injured area on her face, staring at Chen Xin with a ambiguous smile for a while.

  Chen Xin found that Su Yifan's behavior today was very unusual. He saw that the injuries Su Yifan had sustained yesterday were much lighter today, and estimated that they would be completely gone in a day or two. After going through that kind of thing, Chen Xin felt even more convinced that his decision to get someone to take care of this kid was correct.

  Cheng Shui Xian's social skills are not to be underestimated, and in a short while, the problem of entering the venue was solved. After everyone stored their personal belongings, they followed Team Leader Cheng into the International Exhibition Center. The huge glass house felt a bit cold in winter, but the sunlight shining on the beautiful glass building made it look quite futuristic.

  The paintings of Alai Duvek are worth millions each, and they wouldn't be placed in a hall with direct sunlight exposure. Inside the glass house, behind the wavy walls, there is a corridor specifically for art exhibitions. Cheng Shuiying led the way in, and suddenly, a spider web-like structure of a corridor was illuminated by the lights, coming into everyone's view.

  Each painting has strict security measures, it's hard to imagine why these priceless exhibits would travel across the ocean and condescend to appear in such a small city. Su Yifan followed at the end of the group, not letting Cheng Shuijin notice him, nor did he pay attention to Chen Xinti's occasional glances. When they really arrived at the place where art was appreciated, he collected his emotions and focused on appreciating the art.

  In the afternoon, there were still many people coming to see the painting exhibition. In these three days of exhibition, it is estimated that anyone in Binhai City who has the ability to come will come. What a wonderful topic this is! To tell others that you have seen the works of French painting masters, the living miracle of the art world, Alain Ducasse... If you're lucky, you might even see him in person... Almost everyone who could bring a camera brought one, and then was stopped at the security check outside. Even Su Yifan's iPhone was asked to be stored away.

  The impact of the electronic age on art is intense, and anyone with a slight understanding knows it. Since hand-painting and computer graphics started conflicting in different fields, many traditional artists' rejection of electronic products is almost indescribable.

  After looking at several works, Su Yifan had to admit that the works of this Master Duvek still have a strong infectivity, with rich colors and a strong nostalgia for the old era in the irregular picture. This is exactly what contemporary collectors like the most, and it can be understood that they can appreciate in just over a decade to become today's miracle.

  Cheng Shui Xin somehow managed to bring her phone in, secretly hiding it in her sleeve and constantly posting Weibo updates. Apparently, even at a time like this, Cheng Shui Xin couldn't resist the urge to show off, as the wealth represented by these works was simply too astonishing.

  Cheng Shui Xin didn't forget her own responsibilities, she secretly used her mobile phone to go online while taking out the homework she had done well and showing it off, introducing to her classmates the origin of this work's creation and the interesting stories behind its auction.

  Cheng Shui Xin was indeed a talented and knowledgeable young woman, her explanations were clear and interesting, full of wit and humor. Her classmates in the literature club listened with great interest, even Chen Xin's two unenthusiastic followers were drawn in.

  There were many men and women around who came to watch, seeing such a beautiful woman speaking so wonderfully, they unconsciously gathered around. Not long after, with Cheng Shui'an as the center, a not-so-small circle was formed, everyone's eyes focused on this beautiful and intelligent girl.

  "Everyone knows that France is a romantic country, so romantic that even their president would find a nude model as his girlfriend..." said Cheng Shui'an in front of Duvet's artwork.

  The crowd erupted in a benevolent roar of laughter, apparently delighted that the beauty could speak so freely.

  "Let Duvek Ale's works were initially experimental in nature, considered a kind of avant-garde art. After nearly ten years of testing, they became part of the country's artistic treasures. We are fortunate to see these works today, each with its own unique qualities."

  Among the crowd, a young man who was excited to see the beauty shouted loudly: "I think I can also paint these things, why can he sell them so expensive?"

  Cheng Shui Xin smiled slightly: "It's only when I see his work that I feel like I can paint it out, and when others don't think of it, the creation is different, right? A bicycle saddle is a waste product in our hands, but in Picasso's hands, it becomes an ox head."

  Cheng Shui-xin's dialogue is obviously the best interpretation of avant-garde and exploratory art, and has won a lot of applause.

  Looking at the girl who exuded infinite charm, Su Yifan began to understand why Cheng Shuiyan felt that the school's circle was too small. A girl with such a carefree smile must have her own heart full of ideals too?

  Looking at the literary society, Li Peiran's performance was really comical. He actually took a pencil and a notebook and was desperately recording something. The art exhibition provided pencils and small notebooks, and Li Peiran probably picked them up casually. This good student-like behavior made Su Yifan want to laugh when he saw it. He thought that Li Peiran's habit of showing off had already become second nature to him. Since there were no teachers around, who was he trying to show off to? Cheng Shuijin, who didn't follow the rules anyway, could appreciate this act?

  Looking at Su Yifan with his hands in his pockets, looking around nonchalantly, Chen Xin felt a surge of discontent and anger rising up from her chest.

  After some thought, Chen Xin took a step closer to Su Yifan and suddenly asked in the midst of Cheng Shuiyan's introduction: "Have you seen Lantian Duwei? Do you know that there will be his farewell dinner party the day after tomorrow? I can get an invitation, and at that time, I'll invite Cheng Shuiyan to attend the dinner party. Do you think she'll decline?"

  At this level of provocation, it's nothing for Su Yifan. He turned his head to look at Chen Xin, who had a bright smile on his face. Although he was talking to himself, his eyes were still fixed on Cheng Shuiyan.

  "I think you don't understand at all." Su Yifan said in a low voice, "What are you relying on? You're spending your dad's money and using your dad's social connections. What do you have yourself? Even those literature classes you crammed for, aren't they just bought with money? Do you really like them deep down? When you can't get others to help you, when you can't use the advantages that don't belong to you, are you brave enough to fight me?"

  Chen Xin couldn't imagine that a young man could become a warrior through repeated introspection. Chen Xin definitely couldn't understand the path Su Yifan had taken in his heart, and he didn't want to either. Su Yifan's calm and composed demeanor made Chen Xin feel uncomfortable; he thought this composure should be on him instead.

  At this time, Chen Xin still maintained a smile on his face and asked in a low voice with a hint of sarcasm: "How come I heard a stray dog barking? With these advantages, why wouldn't I take advantage of them? Do you want to talk about fairness and justice with me? If you have the ability, go invite Shui Xin to attend tomorrow's dinner party too."

  Chen Xin deliberately bit his tongue and called Cheng Shuiying intimately, just to provoke Su Yifan. Su Yifan's calm demeanor since yesterday noon made him feel a little uneasy, and he hoped this kid would lose his temper and shout at him like he did.

  What made Chen Xin regretful was that Su Yifan didn't follow his wishes.

  "I think you're quite ridiculous today." Su Yifan seriously helped Chen Xin analyze his problem, "My appearance here has already proven that those methods of yours have no effect on me. I don't know how you forced yourself to believe that you can still easily deal with me, but you must be thinking that way in your heart now?"

  Su Yifan, who usually didn't like to speak out, once he brought out his hidden sharp observational skills, finally pierced through the problem that Chen Xin had been secretly worried about but didn't dare to face.

  Chen Xin's face finally fell cold: "You really think highly of yourself."

  Su Yifan still maintained a smile: "If I don't even respect myself, who else will?"

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  Work hard to collect red tickets and collectibles, thank you everyone for your support!