Chapter 453: Show Mercy
Chapter 453: Show Mercy
In the place where the Nine Cats Painting was originally hung, someone had drawn a large number seven with lipstick and also sketched a heart.
Xu Xiangbei certainly knew what that meant. No matter how reinforced the security was for something that Little Seven wanted to steal, she would still be able to take it. And that heart was drawn for Xu Xiangbei.
This time, however, Little Seven was merciful and didn’t steal the three ink-wash landscape paintings of Su Xinyun.
Because the Nine Cats Painting was stolen again, the exhibition ended hastily, and Su Xinyun planned to return to Yanjing.
The lunch that day was tasteless for Su Xinyun because of the theft, so for her farewell, Xu Xiangbei arranged another meal at the Emperor’s Pavilion.
Xu Xiangbei had placed an order at the bar when he heard someone calling him. Looking up, it was Director Xu, Xu Xunqin from the Food Management Bureau, bringing his son Xu Xiaoxuan for a meal.
After not seeing him for a few months, Xu Xiaoxuan seemed slightly thinner. When he saw Xu Xiangbei, he ran over, looking very happy: "Uncle Xu, Uncle Xu."
Xu Xiangbei patted Xiao Xuan’s head: "Xiao Xuan seems thinner, but looks much stronger. Have you been good lately?"
Xiao Xuan raised his innocent, rosy face: "Xiao Xuan has been very good lately. I have good news for you, Uncle Xu."
"What good news?"
"I defeated a few people in my class who were bullying me, and now they don’t dare to bully me anymore."
Feeling the firm muscles of Xiao Xuan, Xu Xiangbei was rather surprised: "Have you been practicing the Dragon Tiger Divine Fist all this time?"
"Yes, Uncle Xu, I’ve been practicing it. Let me show you."
Xiao Xuan performed a few moves of the Dragon Tiger Divine Fist with impressive semblance and precise posture, astonishing Xu Xiangbei.
He had taught Xu Xiaoxuan a few moves of the Dragon Tiger Divine Fist just to entertain him, thinking children all love sports. Unexpectedly, Xiao Xuan became fond of martial arts and practiced almost every day.
Because of his diligent practice of the Dragon Tiger Divine Fist, his muscles became more toned, making him appear a bit thinner.
Witnessing Xiao Xuan’s disciplined movements, accurately gauging the strength and style, Xu Xiangbei was genuinely pleased.
As there was still some time before the meal, Xu Xiangbei decided to teach Xiao Xuan a few more moves of the Dragon Tiger.
Learning new moves, Xiao Xuan was overjoyed and practiced earnestly, carefully considering each form, angle, speed, and posture, always asking detailed questions.
With Xiao Xuan asking in detail, Xu Xiangbei also taught in detail.
Xu Jianxin watched this with a smile in his heart.
"Thank you, Dr. Xu. Xiao Xuan used to be frail and often caught colds, which worried us a lot. Since diligently practicing the martial arts you taught him, he’s had fewer colds and has grown stronger, as robust as a small calf."
"Boys should exercise more; it’s good for their health, helps their studies as well."
Looking at the pure and innocent Xu Xiaoxuan, Xu Xiangbei felt he was a good candidate for martial arts and suddenly had the thought of accepting him as a disciple.
"I feel Xiao Xuan has a knack for martial arts. If he’s available every Sunday afternoon, bring him to me, and I’ll teach him more. This way, when he ventures into society, he’ll have useful skills."
Xu Jianxin excitedly shook Xu Xiangbei’s hand: "That’s wonderful, thank you so much."
Shen Congru drove his fiery red Ferrari to the parking lot of the Emperor’s Pavilion, with Su Xinyun stepping out of the car.
She wore a pink fitted dress, looking like a pink fairy, glowing with radiance.
Shen Congru eagerly introduced some interesting stories about Earth Sea to her, and Su Xinyun smiled with a hint of reserve.
During the meal, Xu Xiangbei and Shen Congru toasted with her. Whether it was excitement or too much alcohol, all night, Su Xinyun’s face was a rosy color, accentuating her pink dress.
Su Xinyun tasted the Emperor’s Pavilion’s signature dish, the beef and seafood ball, and with a gentle bite found the taste delicious, praising the fusion of beef and seafood flavors.
Xu Xiangbei also prepared several large bags of frozen seafood as a gift for her to take back to Yanjing.
At the end of the dinner, with a hint of blush on her face and eyes full of tenderness, Su Xinyun gifted three ink-wash landscape paintings, including her favorite, to Xu Xiangbei.
Su Xinyun handed the ink-wash landscape painting to Xu Xiangbei: "The biggest gain from this trip to Earth Sea was meeting you. When I return to Yanjing and see my brother, I’ll tell him it was you who helped me recover the painting and saved my life."
Xu Xiangbei asked Ah Rong to put away the painting, then held Su Xinyun’s hand and gently kissed her soft and fair cheek.
"My beautiful painter, we’re good friends. However, I want to tell you, I am not exactly good friends with your brother, so it might be best not to tell him about us, as he doesn’t quite like me."
Su Xinyun laughed understandingly: "I mentioned you last time, and he seemed to show a look of disdain. So that’s how it is."
The two lightly clinked their glasses, Xu Xiangbei warmly said: "Thank you for the painting, I wish you a safe journey."
Su Xinyun also gifted an ink-wash landscape painting to Shen Congru.
Shen Congru had never imagined that the painting he planned to purchase for a great sum would be gifted to him by Su Xinyun, leaving him overjoyed.
Su Xinyun smiled at Shen Congru and said: "My paintings are not for sale; selling them would mar them with vulgarity. They can only be given to my most treasured friends."
He smiled and clinked his glass with Su Xinyun: "So that means I, Shen Congru, am your friend."
"Of course, Young Master Shen is also a man of romantic culture."
Shen Congru carefully rolled up the painting, placing it into a tube, fearing it might get dented, creased, or dirtied.
The three drank heartily into the night until midnight. Fortunately, Su Xinyun stayed at the Purple Gold Villa, making it convenient for her flight the next morning.
The next morning, Xu Xiangbei saw Su Xinyun off at the airport, where they embraced in farewell.
Xu Xiangbei placed the ink-wash landscape painting in his office, replacing a poorly made oil painting.
With the ink-wash landscape painting hung, the office’s ambiance was instantly elevated by several notches.
While Xu Xiangbei was admiring the ink-wash landscape painting, there was a knock at the office door.
"Please come in."
Shan Mingzhi pushed the door open, wearing a smug smile: "President Xu, we’ve finished the renovation of the office on the thirtieth floor, with those mechanisms replaced with a design based on the Ancient Moon Red Dust game theme."
"Oh, you’ve certainly worked hard. How long did it take to complete the renovation?"
Shan Mingzhi, with a look of seeking praise, said: "It took a little over a month to complete. To ensure you’d be satisfied, I’ve lost several pounds during the process."
Xu Xiangbei laughed heartily: "Just right, it’s a win-win. You’ve accomplished the task and successfully lost weight."
Shan Mingzhi chuckled: "I just hope I don’t eat it all back in the next few days of celebration."
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