"You." Che Xiaoxiao was so angry she was lost for words.
Hao Jian pulled Che Xiaoxiao aside and said with a smile, "What is there to be angry about? Your friend was just joking with me. Moreover, he wasn't wrong, I was dressed rather old-fashioned."
Seeing that Hao Jian was not only not angry but also showed enough magnanimity, it immediately impressed Che Xiaoxiao's friends.
Qian Shaohang, however, did not expect this reaction and snorted in dissatisfaction.
He had thought that Hao Jian would definitely get angry and storm off, which would have played right into his hands.
Seeing this, a warm feeling also emerged in Che Xiaoxiao's heart. She knew Hao Jian had done so for her, to avoid putting her in a difficult position between him and her friends.
"However, speaking of art, I do know a bit about it," Hao Jian said.
"You know about art? That doesn't seem likely,"
Qian Shaohang scoffed, and looking at his old-fashioned outfit, thought to himself, 'Like a nerd with no sense of art, and he dares to claim he understands art?'
Hao Jian nodded, "Judging by your outfit, you must be a painter, right? It just so happens I can paint too."
"You can?" Qian Shaohang could not help but laugh in disbelief, daring to say he could paint in front of him?
"You are hardly comparable to Qian Shaohang, he is a somewhat renowned painter in this city. One of his paintings was auctioned for a hundred thousand yuan," the fashionable woman said with a laugh, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Qian Shaohang.
Upon hearing this, Qian Shaohang raised his proud head, looking disdainfully at Hao Jian.
Heard that? My painting sold for a hundred thousand, and you dare talk about painting in front of me? It's simply showing off in the presence of an expert.
"This time in Che Xiaoxiao's birthday, Qian Shaohang, you surely can't be stingy," teased the bar owner at this moment.
"Of course, I've already prepared everything."
Qian Shaohang huffed, then handed a painting tube to Che Xiaoxiao, and said affectionately, "Just a small token, I hope you can accept it. Although it's only worth fifty thousand yuan, I spent a long time on it."
Clearly, Qian Shaohang was interested in Che Xiaoxiao, otherwise, he wouldn't have given such an expensive gift.
He tried to sound like the painting was not worth mentioning, but his face was full of pride.
"This..." Che Xiaoxiao seemed hesitant about accepting such an expensive gift, even glancing at Hao Jian subconsciously.
Seeing this, Qian Shaohang immediately frowned, feeling somewhat displeased.
"Take it, after all, it's someone's sincere gesture," Hao Jian said with a smile.
"Then thank you very much," Che Xiaoxiao nodded, then thanked Qian Shaohang.
If it hadn't been for Che Xiaoxiao's glance just now, Qian Shaohang might have been pleased, but now he managed only a strained smile, barely squeezing it out.
"Che Xiaoxiao, since you've accepted such a precious gift, why not show it to us? Let's also have Elder Qiu give his opinion," said the fashionable woman with a somewhat sour tone.
Che Xiaoxiao nodded, then pulled open the painting tube and unrolled the canvas, revealing a painting to everyone present.
The painting depicted a sea of flowers under a sunset, rendered with appropriate watercolors and strokes, integrating the sea of flowers with the sunset vividly. The primary colors were particularly vibrant, leaving everyone speechless.
The fashionable woman exclaimed, and although she was no connoisseur of painting, she could tell that the painting was outstanding, giving a refreshing feeling.
At that moment, an elderly man in his fifties with glasses approached and observed the painting seriously.
He was Elder Qiu, an art appraiser with a certain reputation in Hua City's industry. He could tell the quality of any artwork at a glance.
After looking, Elder Qiu also showed a smile, "Not bad, not bad, this painting is indeed worth fifty thousand."
Upon hearing this, Qian Shaohang's arrogance intensified, and he provocatively looked at Hao Jian.
However, at that moment, Qian Shaohang saw Hao Jian shake his head. Although he didn't say anything, his face revealed his disappointment with the painting.
Seeing this, Qian Shaohang was immediately filled with rage and asked, "What? Mr. Hao Jian seems not too satisfied with my painting?"
Hao Jian, feeling embarrassed, scratched his head. Not expecting that his unintentional action had been noticed by Qian Shaohang, he had no choice but to speak:
"Not satisfied wouldn't be the right term, it's just that I feel this painting could be better."
He really felt that Qian Shaohang's painting was still lacking, although it could be considered not bad, it was hard to qualify as truly elegant.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Hao Jian as if he were a freak. Even Elder Qiu hadn't said anything, and here was a layman passing judgment? Wasn't he taking himself too seriously?
Elder Qiu also snorted coldly, glaring at Hao Jian with dissatisfaction. By saying this, wasn't he implying that there was a problem with his own judgment?
"Oh? Is that so? It seems Mr. Hao Jian really understands paintings. Since that's the case, why don't you evaluate this painting for me, tell me exactly what's not good about it," Qian Shaohang said with a cold laugh.
Hao Jian opened his mouth, about to speak, when that fashionable woman interrupted him, saying sarcastically:
"You better not judge casually, if it's not ignorance masquerading as knowledge, then it's just humiliation."
Hao Jian smiled and then shut his mouth, choosing not to speak anymore.
"If the evaluation isn't good, I won't blame you. You just punish yourself with three drinks and leave, but if you don't evaluate, that means you really are feigning knowledge. In that case, you should still leave."
Qian Shaohang added, determined to make Hao Jian critique his painting today. If he couldn't do it, then he should just get out!
"Qian Shaohang, Zhang Qiuya, don't go too far!" Che Xiaoxiao was agitated, Hao Jian was invited by her, how could they drive him away?
"Che Xiaoxiao, you also see, it's not us trying to make things difficult for your friend, but he's deliberately picking faults!" Qian Shaohang said dissatisfied, yet his stance was still firm.
"Fine, since you want him to leave, I will leave too!"
Che Xiaoxiao, flustered, immediately grabbed her handbag and was about to leave.
This stunned everyone. They had never thought Che Xiaoxiao would leave her friends for a man. What was her relationship with this man?
"Hey, today's your birthday, you should be happy. Don't be ," Hao Jian suddenly grabbed Che Xiaoxiao's arm.
Che Xiaoxiao hesitated. She didn't know whether Hao Jian understood paintings. If he didn't, wouldn't that be humiliating?
"It's okay, it's just assessing a painting. It's not too late to leave after I've spoken," Hao Jian said with a smile, then looked at Qian Shaohang:
"Alright, I'll evaluate your painting."
Since someone was offering their face for a slap, why would he refuse?