As it turned out, the three of them still ended up going to the pottery art exhibition together.
But on their way there, the two women did not shy away from slinging mud at each other, practically cursing each other out.
In response, Hao Jian could only express his helplessness, wanting to keep his distance from these two crazy women to avoid being accidentally hurt by them.
However, no matter where he went, the two women followed, sticking to him like a plaster, impossible to shake off.
At the art exhibition, it was crowded with people each admiring the pottery, but the two women seemed uninterested and kept taunting each other with cold sneers and mocking remarks.
"Teacher, how come you're here?" Just then, a voice came from behind Hao Jian.
Hao Jian turned around and immediately saw Zhang Jia, Zhao Yating, and others approaching, accompanied by a middle-aged man.
"Teacher Qin." Zhang Jia seemed somewhat fearful of Qin Bing, timidly greeting him.
"Hmm." Qin Bing returned to his usual icy demeanor, responding indifferently.
Seeing Shu Ya and such a beauty as Qin Bing by Hao Jian's side, for some reason, Zhao Yating felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Dad, this is the Teacher Hao Jian I told you about," Zhang Jia hurriedly introduced the middle-aged man to Hao Jian.
Zhang Deqi was a famed contemporary pottery artist who, having heard of the pottery art exhibition, decided to check it out.
He was surprised to see how young Hao Jian was: "Teacher Hao truly shows great promise for his age. Not only is his medical skill profound; his Kung Fu in pottery also reaches a master level. I definitely must learn from you when we get the chance."
"You know pottery too?" Shu Ya looked at Hao Jian in surprise. She had only recently learned about Hao Jian's medical skills, and now someone was calling him a pottery master?
Even Qin Bing looked at Hao Jian in surprise. Did this guy have this skill too?
Hao Jian, slightly embarrassed, touched his nose and modestly said, "Don't say that, you are the senior here. I've only been studying for a few years; how can I compare with you? If there's any learning to do, it ought to be me learning from you."
Seeing Hao Jian's humility and politeness, Zhang Deqi also smiled satisfactorily:
"You don't have to be modest. Art requires experience accumulation, but it needs inspiration even more, and in that respect, you surpass me, so I should learn from you."
"Let's learn from each other." Hao Jian still replied humbly and politely.
"Teacher, with your discernment, you shouldn't bother with this level of pottery art exhibition, you came over because..."
Zhang Jia couldn't understand. If it weren't for his dad being specially invited by the media, they wouldn't bother attending such a low-level exhibition.
Hao Jian forced a smile: "My friend mentioned there was a pottery master holding an art exhibition here, so she wanted to check it out, and I accompanied her."
"What master, him?" Zhang Jia suddenly showed disdain:
"He's just a second-rate pottery artist, merely a former apprentice of my dad's. Arrogant and conceited, he didn't respect my dad and insulted him when he left, alleging my dad misleads his disciples."
Zhang Jia snorted and said, "They claimed he went abroad to polish his skills, and now that he's just returned, he's pretending to be a master, even challenging my dad to prove who is the first pottery artist of Hua City. Clearly, he's out to tarnish our family's reputation. He's nothing but an ungrateful wretch, not recalling how my family once looked after him."
The more he talked, the angrier he became. How dared such a shameless person pretend to be a master? And what was more outrageous, the public believed it?
This was also because the media hyped him up. After all, not many people understand art; if the media says he's a master, then the public will subconsciously believe he is one.
Hao Jian and his companions did not know how to respond; they could only keep wearing forced smiles. They were unaware that this pottery master and Zhang Jia had such a past.
"Zhang Jia, stop talking," Zhang Deqi noticed the awkwardness of Hao Jian and the others and immediately scolded his son.
Zhang Jia then reluctantly shut his mouth.
"Oh, isn't this Teacher Zhang? I didn't expect to see you here too."
Just at that moment, a man and a woman walked over. The man was quite handsome with a refined dress sense that made him look every bit the artist.
Seeing this man, Qin Bing behind Hao Jian was instantly speechless.
Is that him? When did he return? Why didn't he tell her he was back?
"Junyan, who is that?"
At this time, the woman beside the man spoke up. She was also quite attractive with a proud demeanor, giving off the aura of a wealthy heiress.
"Him? Isn't he our Hua City's recognized leading pottery artist, Zhang Deqi? But, after I challenge him, I wonder if he'll still be able to hold onto that title, haha."
Situ Junyan laughed somewhat proudly and then provocatively looked at Zhang Deqi: "Teacher Zhang, I assume you wouldn't mind teaching me a thing or two, would you?"
At this, Zhang Deqi frowned.
"What are you bragging about? If it weren't for my dad teaching you pottery, you'd still be a second-rate pottery artist today!"
Zhang Jia immediately got excited, unable to stand Situ Junyan's arrogant demeanor. If it weren't for his father's painstaking mentorship, would he have achieved today's success?
"Stop joking. He kept all his unique skills to himself and taught me only some useless basics. He teach me pottery? All my achievements today come from studying with a true master, not related to your dad at all!" Situ Junyan retorted coldly.
At this, Zhang Deqi also huffed aggrievedly: "I've already told you, your basics are unstable and need intense practice. Once your foundations are solid, I will naturally teach you the real skills. You didn't even learn to walk before you wanted to run, unwilling to start from the beginning step by step, and now you blame me?"
"Start from the beginning? Does a talent like me need to start over? Are you blind or what? Now you want to lecture me, wait until you beat me first!" Situ Junyan retorted arrogantly.
Upon hearing this, Hao Jian couldn't help but frown; he didn't want to meddle in other people's affairs, but Situ Junyan was indeed overstepping.
The other was well-meaning, and not only did he not appreciate it, he even insulted him with disrespect. If this were ancient times, this would certainly qualify as the grave crime of disrespecting one's mentor and destroying one's ancestors.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Deqi and his son's faces turned exceedingly grim.