Ye Ning and Lin Xue arrived at the appreciation exhibition for Master Yinlong's works. The venue was packed with people—literary figures and top-tier tycoons from Xiaocheng alike.
When Ye Ning laid eyes on Master Yinlong's work, he was dumbfounded.
Seeing Ye Ning standing there in a daze, Lin Xue said smugly, "Well? Master Yinlong is hailed as the country's foremost master of Chinese painting today. This *Crane Painting* is his most famous work, which fetched a staggering one hundred million at auction. It is simply the highest-level masterpiece in the contemporary art world."
Ye Ning wore a peculiar expression, and he couldn't help muttering, "What masterpiece? It's just a little kid's doodle. Do you people have any appreciation skills at all?"
His voice wasn't loud, but quite a few people heard it and immediately glared at him with fury.
Everyone who came here considered themselves die-hard fans of Master Yinlong, which supposedly made them look like art connoisseurs. Naturally, they had to desperately defend Master Yinlong, though hardly anyone could actually explain what made the painting so good.
"You're calling Master Yinlong's painting a little kid's doodle? What gives you the right to say that?"
A cold voice rang out. A tall, beautiful woman dressed in professional attire stood there, her exquisite and pretty face full of anger.
The newcomer was none other than Han Ziyan.
At this moment, however, Ye Ning was staring straight at Han Ziyan's ample chest, which was truly impressive. He could guarantee that her future children would never go hungry.
Han Ziyan also felt Ye Ning's gaze, and disgust welled up in her heart.
She had originally thought this brash fellow might say something earth-shattering, but he turned out to be even more disgusting than other men.
"Watch your image, you're about to drool," Lin Xue reminded him quietly.
Seeing everyone's gazes turn toward her, she quickly distanced herself from Ye Ning and said, "Everyone, please don't misunderstand. I don't know him."
Quite a few people had already recognized Lin Xue, and looks of surprise immediately appeared on their faces.
"Wife, why are you saying you don't know me?" Ye Ning asked, bewildered.
An uproar instantly erupted among the crowd. This man was actually Lin Xue's husband?
When had the Lin Family's Little Princess gotten married? Not a single person present knew about it.
Lin Xue's face flushed instantly, and she had no idea how to respond.
Fortunately, at that moment, Ye Ning's attention shifted back to Han Ziyan.
"Are you Han Ziyan?"
Han Ziyan ignored his question and instead said, "You said Master Yinlong's painting is a child's doodle? I hope you'll apologize to Master Yinlong."
"I didn't say anything wrong," Ye Ning replied with an innocent look.
He recognized this painting; the creator was none other than himself.
Moreover, when he painted it, Ye Ning was only eight years old.
The purpose of painting those cranes was very simple: there was a flock of cranes on Lone Goose Mountain that he had been craving for a long time, but he could never catch them. Later, Ye Ning came up with an idea—he would paint a lifelike picture of cranes to lure them in, and then hide to the side and grab one.
And so, he painted this very piece.
Ever since then, that flock of cranes had met a tragic fate. It wasn't until he turned nine and the entire flock had been eaten clean that he finally tossed the crane painting aside.
Had he not seen it again today, Ye Ning would have forgotten the painting even existed.
"Idolizing nonsense! This painting was created by the contemporary master of Chinese painting, Master Yinlong, and bought by President Han for a hundred million. How dare you brazenly insult Master Yinlong's work!" a youth sneered.
*Slap.*
The moment his voice fell, Ye Ning lashed out and backhanded him across the face.
The youth staggered back, clutching his cheek. He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva containing two teeth.
Pointing at Ye Ning, the youth roared furiously, "You motherfucker, how dare you hit people?"
*Slap.*
This time it was the youth's other cheek, and his face instantly swelled into a pig's head.
Everyone was startled. Lin Xue's husband was far too tyrannical.
"Speak to me more politely. I don't like other people cursing at me," Ye Ning said coldly.
Only then did the crowd realize why the youth had been hit—it was actually because he had cursed at Ye Ning.
Knowing he was in the wrong, the youth, though resentful, didn't dare to argue any further.
"Enough. Even if you are the Lin Family's son-in-law, if you cause trouble here, please leave," Han Ziyan said coldly, disgust for Ye Ning reaching its peak in her heart. In her eyes, Ye Ning had become a lewd man with violent tendencies.
"Furthermore, do you have any evidence to say Master Yinlong's painting is no good? If you can't back it up, please leave as well. We don't welcome people here who insult Master Yinlong," Han Ziyan continued.
"Bring me paper and brush," Ye Ning said calmly.
"What are you trying to do?" Lin Xue asked in a low voice.
"Didn't you say you don't know me?" Ye Ning glanced at her.
Lin Xue gave an awkward laugh; this fellow sure held a grudge.
"Give it to him," Han Ziyan said indifferently, wanting to see what Ye Ning was up to. Could it be that he intended to paint something to prove his words were true?
Everyone guessed this possibility, but found it utterly ridiculous.
Master Yinlong was universally acknowledged as the foremost master of Chinese painting today, comparable to the great masters of antiquity. For a punk in his early twenties to think he could outpaint Master Yinlong was laughable to the extreme.
All the painting tools were brought over. Ye Ning unfolded the drawing paper, pondered for a moment, and recalled the taste of cranes—no, he recalled the sight of that flock of cranes dancing.
In the blink of an eye, Ye Ning picked up the brush.
Everyone stared wide-eyed as strokes flowed from his hand.
Rolling mountains and dancing cranes in various postures appeared on the paper: some half-hidden in the clouds, others playing and chasing in the sky.
In a trance, a scene materialized before everyone's eyes.
Amidst endless rolling mountains bathed in rosy clouds, cranes danced under a setting sun as red as blood. The long calls of cranes seemed to echo in their ears, immersing them in nature.
Everyone was intoxicated, savoring this rare experience. Beneath Ye Ning's brush, their hearts seemed to grow completely tranquil.
"Master Yinlong!"
Han Ziyan felt an incomparable shock within her heart.
She was a die-hard fan of Master Yinlong, and from the way Ye Ning painted, she guessed his true identity.
The techniques of the two paintings were completely identical, except that Ye Ning's painting now showed greater maturity, giving off an entirely natural and seamless quality.
Master Yinlong had always been shrouded in mystery, and no one had ever seen him. Some speculated he might be an old man, while others said he was middle-aged.
Yet not a single person would have ever guessed that he was merely a youth in his early twenties.
That painting had appeared eleven years ago. Calculating based on his age, wouldn't that crane painting indeed be the doodle of a little child?
"I'll give this painting to you. It's much better than that so-called crane painting," Ye Ning smiled.
Over the past eleven years, his mastery of painting had only grown more refined. If Third Master were here, he would definitely praise him.
Ye Ning's words snapped Han Ziyan out of her stupor.
She immediately said, "Thank you, Master! Someone, put the painting away. Sir, could we step aside and talk?"
"Wait a minute, young brother. Why don't you sell this painting to me instead? I'll offer one hundred million," an elderly man suddenly stepped forward and shouted loudly.
"Elder Tan, you're going too far. With your discernment, surely you can see—are you trying to fool a child with one hundred million?" Han Ziyan said with displeasure.
Tan Qingshan was the chairman of the Yangcheng Calligraphy and Painting Association, as well as a contemporary master. Since she could see the truth of it, naturally he could too.
"My dear niece, your family already has one crane painting. Why not yield this painting to me? I'll offer two hundred million," Tan Qingshan said through gritted teeth.
"Old man, who do you think you are? This painting is a gift for my fiancée, what are you sticking your nose in for?" Ye Ning said with dissatisfaction.
"Isn't it for me?" Han Ziyan was also stunned. She glanced at Lin Xue—could it be that she was just being narcissistic?
"It's definitely for you. Lin Xue is my wife, and you're my fiancée," Ye Ning said with a completely straight face.
Everyone present was left speechless. They had seen shameless people before, but someone as shameless as Ye Ning was a first.
Han Ziyan was caught between laughter and tears, and just as she was about to refute him, Ye Ning produced a slip of paper and handed it over.
Han Ziyan took it, unfolded it, and trembled all over.
It was a marriage agreement bearing her name, and the signatory was none of than her father.
She could never mistake her father's handwriting.
However, what on earth was going on here? How could she not know she had a fiancé?
"Are you really my fiancé?" Han Ziyan's voice trembled slightly.
She had already confirmed that the person before her was Master Yinlong. Given Master Yinlong's stature, surely he wouldn't lie to her, right?
Yet why had she never known anything about this?
Lin Xue felt somewhat suspicious; Han Ziyan's reaction was completely different from what she had imagined. Shouldn't she have given Ye Ning a slap and stormed off? Was she really moved just because Ye Ning painted a picture?
"Anyway, this was given to me by First Master, so it's definitely real," Ye Ning said very earnestly. For the future well-being and sustenance of his children, he naturally wouldn't hesitate at all.
"I need some quiet time alone," Han Ziyan said, her mind in a whirl.
She had merely hosted an appreciation exhibition, yet somehow she ended up with a fiancé who most likely turned out to be Master Yinlong.
"Alright, I'll give you a day to consider. I hope you won't fail to appreciate what's good for you," Ye Ning nodded.
The onlookers were dumbfounded. *Fail to appreciate what's good for you?* Was this guy serious?
Tan Qingshan, however, was deeply convinced and chimed in, "President Han, this is your honor! Make sure you don't miss this opportunity."
With her mind in turmoil, Han Ziyan left, taking the crane painting Ye Ning had drawn with her. She needed to verify this matter with her father.
Tan Qingshan sidled up to Ye Ning with a flattering smile. "My friend, could you paint one for me as well?"
"Does your family have a pretty granddaughter?" Ye Ning asked.
Tan Qingshan froze slightly, then smiled bitterly. "No. I do have a grandson, though—should I send him to Thailand for a sex change?"
"Goodbye."
Ye Ning turned and walked away. Now that Han Ziyan had left, there was naturally no need for him to stay here any longer.
"What a pity," Tan Qingshan sighed in disappointment.
Someone uncomprehendingly stepped forward and asked, "Elder Tan, who on earth is that guy? You were even willing to spend a hundred million to buy his painting! Could his painting possibly surpass Master Yinlong's?"
"That's right. His painting is good, but surely it can't be better than Master Yinlong's."
Tan Qingshan cast them a cold, disdainful look and sneered, "A bunch of vulgar ignoramuses. What the hell do you know?"
He didn't reveal Ye Ning's identity. What if those other old fogies found out and rushed to snatch Master Yinlong's works away from him? His financial resources weren't as deep as theirs.
The crowd was stunned and looked at each other in dismay; they hadn't expected the usually refined Tan Qingshan to curse.
Tan Qingshan sneered inwardly and turned to leave. If he wanted to get his hands on Master Yinlong's work, starting through the Lin Family might actually yield results.
After he left, the rest of the crowd dispersed as well. These people only knew that Master Yinlong's paintings were valuable; as for why they were good or what made them so captivating, they hadn't the fogging clue.
Han Ziyan quickly tracked down her father, Han Zhen, and asked straight to the point, "Do I have an arranged marriage?"
Han Zhen was in the midst of making tea. Hearing this, he paused his movements and asked in mild astonishment, "How did you know?"
"Just now, a guy came over claiming to be my fiancé and even brought a marriage agreement." She handed the agreement to Han Zhen.
Upon opening it, Han Zhen's face immediately lit up with joy.
"My benefactor's disciple has arrived! Where is he? Bring him back quickly, and make sure nobody else beats us to it!"
Frowning, Han Ziyan stared at her father. What did he mean by "nobody else beats us to it"? Could that fellow have other fiancées besides Lin Xue?
Seeing his daughter standing still, Han Zhen read her thoughts and said directly, "My benefactor's disciple has three masters, and each of them gave him a marriage agreement. If you don't make your move, someone else is going to snap him up."
"That guy is total playboy trash," Han Ziyan said with displeasure.
Han Zhen let out a sigh of relief and said, "Then I'm relieved. We don't have to worry about him being snatched away by someone else."
Indignantly, Han Ziyan protested, "Are you actually willing to let your own daughter share a man with someone else?"
"That's not what I meant," Han Zhen shook his head, then said very seriously, "I'm just worried that you aren't good enough for him."
Han Ziyan instantly felt suffocated. Was she really his biological daughter? Where on earth was there a father who looked down on his own daughter like this?
Giving a cold snort, she abandoned her original intention of telling her father that the man was Master Yinlong. She glared at her father and said, "I can't be bothered with you. I'm going to work."
Watching Han Ziyan's retreating figure, Han Zhen's smile faded.
His expression grew grave as he muttered to himself, "My benefactor is a being akin to an immortal; how could his disciple be an ordinary person? This is your opportunity, and it's the Lin Family's opportunity as well."
With that, Han Zhen took out his phone and dialed a number.
"My benefactor's disciple has descended the mountain. You may begin."
"Understood."
...
Outside the art exhibition, Lin Xue cast a lingering glance at Ye Ning and asked, "Since you're so good at painting, why didn't you tell me?"
Ye Ning asked in surprise, "Is it that good? I think it's pretty average."
*Average?*
Average to the point where someone was willing to offer one hundred million to buy it? One had to remember that Tan Qingshan from the Painting Association had immediately offered a hundred million to acquire Ye Ning's artwork.
"That Master Yinlong's painting only sold for three hundred million, and you don't even have any fame—one hundred million is already an astronomical price," Lin Xue said.
She didn't understand painting, but she could still tell that Ye Ning's painting was no worse than Master Yinlong's, and perhaps even faintly superior.
Ye Ning glanced at her and said, "I am Master Yinlong."
"What?!" Lin Xue was dumbfounded.
"I painted that piece when I was eight years old. There was a flock of cranes where I lived with my three masters, and I painted it to lure them down so I could catch and eat them."
"And then?" Three dark lines appeared on Lin Xue's forehead.
"I succeeded, of course! Those cranes were too stupid; I ate every single one of them. I even chopped up Third Master's ancient guqin for firewood—the roasted crane tasted amazing."
At this, Ye Ning wiped a drop of saliva from the corner of his mouth.
Burning the zither and cooking the crane? No, burning the zither and roasting the crane.
She speechlessly stared at Ye Ning. At this moment, the shock of learning that Ye Ning was Master Yinlong had been completely overwritten by his "atrocious deeds."
"How could you do that? Cranes are so cute, how could you eat them?" Before Ye Ning could speak, Lin Xue licked her own lips and added, "Next time, remember to bring me along."
Ye Ning: "..."
Recovering, Lin Xue looked at Ye Ning and asked, "Are you really Master Yinlong? How come it feels like you didn't even know you were Master Yinlong yourself?"
With a dark face, Ye Ning said, "Well, you'd have to ask my Second Master that. I always wondered when I was little where the scrap paper I used as padding under my mattress went—she definitely stole it, took it down the mountain to sell, and even slapped the title of Master Yinlong on it. It was just a gimmick to trick some sucker into spending more money."
Dawning realization hit Lin Xue, and her admiration for Ye Ning's Second Master reached its absolute peak. Her exploitation of her own disciple truly went right down to the bone.
...
The two of them got into the car and headed toward the Lin Family estate. As they drove along, Ye Ning suddenly shouted, "Stop!"
Subconsciously stepping on the brakes, Lin Xue looked at Ye Ning in confusion, wondering what had happened.
Ye Ning got out of the car, crossed the street, and went over to the other side.
A crowd had gathered there, with an old woman lying on the ground.
The people around were pointing and whispering, but not a single person stepped forward.
Ye Ning frowned. He could see that the old woman's condition was extremely perilous. If she didn't receive treatment promptly, her life would be in danger at any moment.
"Make way, I'm a doctor," Ye Ning called out. An invisible surge of energy welled up within his body, gently pushing the people in front of him aside.
By this time, Lin Xue had also parked the car and hurried over. Seeing Ye Ning's actions, she was somewhat surprised—was he planning to save someone?
Ye Ning squatted beside the old woman, took her pulse, and his expression grew increasingly grave.
"Young man, we've already called an ambulance. Don't bring trouble upon yourself, just leave it to the paramedics," a middle-aged man advised.
"That's right. If you cure her, fine; if you can't, be careful she doesn't scam you."
"Young man, don't ruin your whole life just because of a momentary impulse to do good. There are plenty of bloody lessons like this..."
...
The crowd offered advice, admiring Ye Ning's courage. But over the years, everyone had been worn down by unscrupulous elderly people and dared not touch anyone.
Ye Ning smiled faintly and said, "Thank you, everyone. A doctor has a benevolent heart; my Second Master taught me that. If she tries to scam me, that's her business, but when I encounter a situation like this, I must act."
"Well said, young man! Don't be afraid, we'll be your witnesses," the middle-aged man declared.
The crowd nodded in agreement, expressing that should anything happen, they would all testify for Ye Ning.
By now, however, Ye Ning had already gone into action.
Three silver needles appeared in his hand and were inserted into the top of the old woman's head.
The crowd watched this scene in astonishment, holding their breath. Only then did they realize this young man before them was actually a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
*Can Chinese medicine cure illnesses?* A question mark popped up in many people's heads.
In about three minutes, the sound of an ambulance siren wailed in the distance, and Ye Ning withdrew the silver needles.
The old woman had suffered a sudden cerebral infarction, which was extremely dangerous. Once bleeding occurred, it would be difficult to save her. Using the silver needles, Ye Ning unblocked the elderly woman's blood vessels while simultaneously channeling a wisp of true Qi through the needles into her body to clear away the thrombi.
At that moment, the old woman's physical condition was even healthier than it had been before the attack.