Her words silenced the entire room.
Even the stylist was holding the curly hair and looking at her in shock.
Xie Yingying could not help but gulp. Although Sister Xi’s words were ridiculous, when she recalled how she had casually commented that the painting was “not bad,” she thought of how she had scored full marks for herself in the IMO and in the college entrance examination. She suddenly felt that her words were a little believable.
Li Zixia’s eyes widened.
When she was in the dormitory, she had indeed underestimated Sister Xi. Logically speaking, she should not have doubted it this time, but national paintings needed time to be mastered.
Ye Li was in her forties and had experienced the ups and downs of life. She heard that her husband had recently gone bankrupt and that she had such rich experience to be able to draw the loneliness and desolation of the painting.
The concept of this painting was not something an 18-year-old girl could draw.
Gu Peng found it even more ridiculous. He directly asked, “How long did you say you’ve been studying national art for?”
Xue Xi: “One month.”
Gu Peng turned to look at Li Zixia and said, “After studying for a month, she can already draw a painting that is fake but looks real. How truly amazing! Xiao Xia, don’t you think your friend really knows how to brag? Or does she think we’re all idiots? Did she conquer you by bragging in the dormitory?”
Li Zixia’s face turned cold. “Brother Gu Peng, I told you not to attack others personally. Sister Xi must have her reasons for saying this.”
Gu Peng frowned.
Li Zixia shot Xue Xi a glance. Although she did not believe that Xue Xi could draw this painting after studying for only a month, she recalled everything that had happened in the dormitory and decided to believe Sister Xi this time.
She was very calm and said, “Call the butler over and ask him to take down the painting first. The banquet is about to start. Don’t wait for others to see it. If it’s really fake, our Li family will be too embarrassing!”
Gu Peng’s face turned cold. “Xiao Xia! How can you just listen to her and do that?”
Li Zixia said sternly, “Brother Gu Peng, I believe that if this matter were to be placed on you, you would do the same. It’s never wrong to be more cautious.”
After she said this, she stopped the stylist from hot-ironing her hair. She stood up and walked out.
Seeing her like this, Gu Peng glared at Xue Xi. “I’ll go. Hurry and iron your hair.”
Li Zixia nodded.
After Gu Peng left the room, Li Zixia turned to look at Xue Xi, intending to wait for her to explain everything.
Unfortunately, there was a commotion outside.
Li Zixia frowned and urged, “Hurry up.”
She then said to Xue Xi, “Sister Xi, you guys go ahead. Let’s talk after the banquet is over.”
The makeup artist hurriedly put on a silver crown on her head. This coupled with the blue dress made her instantly light up.
Li Zixia put on her blue high heels and walked out.
When she pushed open the door, she heard the commotion outside.
Gu Peng was speaking. “Uncle, since Xiao Xia is worried that this painting is fake, let’s take it down first. Otherwise, she will be angry if it’s not taken down.”
Li Zixia’s father said, “A person who has only been learning national paintings for a month dares to boast shamelessly here. Kids nowadays are too confident! Gu Peng, you dote on Xiao Xia too much. Since this painting has been verified by a professional, I believe you. You’re not allowed to take it down! This is Gu Peng’s show of intention, so how can we take it down?”
The butler stood at the side, looking embarrassed.
Li Zixia walked over and asked, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
Mr. Li was a middle-aged businessman with a beer belly. When he saw her, he poked her head. “Our family has really spoiled you. How can you believe the words of a little girl? Gu Peng found so many people to identify it. How can this painting be fake?”
Li Zixia: “But what if it’s fake?”
Mr. Li burst out laughing. “It’d mean it’s Gu Peng’s intention to give us a forgery. You’re still too unreliable. Even if it’s a fake, we still have to accept it! What’s there to be embarrassed about? Who hasn’t bought a few fake pieces for their home? Moreover, I think this painting is very good. Let’s hang it.”
Just as Li Zixia was about to speak, Mr. Li said, “Moreover, Fu Yuanxiu will be coming later. He is the son of a national art master who lives in seclusion. He’d also bought this painting with Recluse at the auction back then. Wouldn’t it be fine if he can help you verify it later? Moreover, we even invited Teacher Night Li over. If this painting is real and Teacher Night Li personally pointed it out, it can be considered a good story!”
Li Zixia: “…”
In the end, this painting was still left hanging up.
When Xue Xi and Xie Yingying left Li Zixia’s room and saw the painting, Li Zixia was a little embarrassed and explained in a low voice, “Sister Xi, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but this is a gift from Gu Peng. If we don’t hang it up, the Gu family will lose face.”
Xue Xi: “…Suit yourself.”
Forget it.
This painting had been imitated very well. If she was not the painter in question, it would probably be hard for her to distinguish if it’s original. Only a professional could do so. Nothing should happen, right?
Seeing how calm she was, Li Zixia could not help but ask, “Sister Xi, did you really draw this painting?”
Xue Xi nodded.
Li Zixia: “…You’re amazing. Do you know Ms. Night Li?”
Xue Xi: “?”
She nodded again.
Li Zixia: “Wow. Then are you guys on good terms? Teacher Night Li will bring her daughter over later. I’m a little worried. Everyone says that artists are very aloof. Will she look down on people like us who have such a strong smell of copper?”
Xue Xi: “…No.”
Li Zixia continued to sigh. “Then tell me, is her daughter good-looking? Is she the kind of person who is poetic and elegant?”
Xue Xi patted Li Zixia’s shoulder. “Look at me.”
Li Zixia looked at her.
Xue Xi: “Night Li’s daughter looks like me.”
Li Zixia: “?”
Xue Xi continued calmly, “My mother is Night Li.”
