Ye Ning stood up, bare-chested and wearing only boxer shorts. His muscular, streamlined physique was revealed, exuding a raw, masculine charm. He stepped directly into the bathroom, and the sound of splashing water followed.
"Wife, bring me some fresh clothes," Ye Ning called out.
Lin Xue teased, "Cousin, he’s calling for you."
Su Qingqing’s face darkened. "Get lost. He’s calling for you. I have to go to work." She hurriedly dressed and bolted from the room as if fleeing for her life, leaving Lin Xue giggling behind her.
After leaving Ye Ning’s clothes by the bathroom door, Lin Xue leisurely returned to her own room. By the time she finished washing up and entered the living room, she found that Ye Ning had already prepared breakfast.
Egg custard and Yangzhou fried rice.
Simple dishes, but prepared with exquisite care. Su Qingqing took a bite, and her eyes lit up. "It’s delicious! I never imagined you had this skill," she said, sounding surprised.
Ye Ning replied, "My three masters all loved fine food, but they were too lazy to cook. From the time I was five, they taught me how to cook and bought cookbooks from every major cuisine for me to study."
Su Qingqing was stunned. *What were his three masters thinking, teaching a five-year-old how to cook?* That explained why Ye Ning’s culinary skills were so refined; he could make even simple ingredients taste extraordinary. By his age, he had essentially been a househusband for fifteen years.
As the two were eating, Lin Muhua walked in. He wore a strange expression, staring at Ye Ning as if looking at a monster.
"Dad, what’s with that look?" Lin Xue couldn't help but interject.
Lin Muhua gave a bitter laugh. "Do you even know what your man did?"
Lin Xue was puzzled. Had Ye Ning done something shocking? Ye Ning scratched his head, equally confused.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Muhua said, "Your man killed Chen Hong last night."
"Who is Chen Hong?" Lin Xue asked.
"Fourth Master Chen."
Lin Xue gasped. She hadn't heard the name Chen Hong, but "Fourth Master Chen" was legendary. He was the undisputed king of the Small City underworld; even her father had to treat him with extreme respect.
Seeing her shock, Lin Muhua continued, "That’s not all. Your man took on over a hundred of his men single-handedly. The entire Small City is in an uproar."
Fighting a hundred men at once—wasn't that something that only happened in novels? Ye Ning shrugged. He had thought it was a bigger deal. *Is that all?*
"The underworld in Small City has changed hands," Lin Muhua noted, eyeing Ye Ning. "Li Biao has become the new king. Word is, he's your subordinate. Is that true?"
Ye Ning shook his head. "I just think he’s a decent guy, so I let him take Chen Hong’s place. He’s not my subordinate; we’re friends, at best. As for the underworld, I have no interest in it."
Lin Muhua sighed in relief. "That’s good. The underworld looks prestigious, but few ever get a clean ending. You did the right thing—you can influence them without getting dragged into the muck. Actually, the reason I’m here today is for something else."
Ye Ning and Lin Xue both turned to him.
"Ahem. Uncle Tan is hosting an art exhibition for Master Hidden Dragon at his home. He’s invited some of his old friends and wants to introduce you to them. I want you and Xiao Xue to go. It will be good for your future," Lin Muhua said.
Ye Ning didn't mind; he had nothing else to do. "Sure, we'll go once we're finished eating."
Lin Muhua exhaled, relieved. "Good. I won’t disturb you two any longer. Try to be humble at Uncle Tan’s house. The people coming are big shots; leaving a good impression will serve you well."
Lin Muhua truly saw Ye Ning as a son-in-law to be groomed and was already paving the way for him. Ye Ning felt the kindness in the gesture and didn't mind. Lin Xue, however, blushed at her father’s mention of "you two," her shyness making her look incredibly radiant.
After breakfast, they left in Lin Xue’s car. When they arrived at Tan Qingshan’s home and rang the bell, Tan Qingshan came to greet them personally. His face lit up with excitement when he saw Ye Ning.
"Hello, Grandpa Tan," Lin Xue said politely. Since learning of the connection between Tan Qingshan and her family, she naturally wanted to show respect.
"Ha-ha, you’re a lucky girl, finding such an outstanding husband," Tan Qingshan exclaimed. "Mr. Ye, please." Tan Qingshan gestured for Ye Ning to enter, not daring to be presumptuous. In the world of art, knowledge was everything, and he considered Ye Ning a senior regardless of age.
"After you, Elder Tan," Ye Ning said, offering a polite gesture of his own.
Eventually, they walked side by side. Tan Qingshan was beaming with pride; walking beside Master Hidden Dragon was an immense honor for him.
The living room was already full. Upon entering, Tan Qingshan lingered half a step behind Ye Ning before inviting him to sit. The six men in the room, ranging from their fifties to their seventies, looked on in surprise. They had never seen Tan Qingshan treat anyone with such deference, not even when they had arrived. *Who exactly is this young man?*
***
**Chapter 23: Ye Ning is Master Hidden Dragon**
Lin Xue sat beside Ye Ning, unfazed by the dozens of eyes on them. The Lin Family was not a common household, and such scenes were routine for her.
"Who are these two?" asked one of the men in his fifties.
Tan Qingshan smiled slightly. "These are my honored guests. Mr. Ye here possesses painting skills far beyond our own."
The man in his fifties looked skeptical. "Old Tan, it’s not that I don't trust you, but Mr. Ye is so young—I find it hard to believe his skills surpass ours."
"Brother Zheng, you’re mistaken this time," Tan Qingshan said, unfazed. "Mr. Ye’s level is truly above us. I will provide proof in a moment."
Zheng Le, Vice President of the Jiuzhou Calligraphy and Painting Association, was a man of high standing in the city’s official circles. His own painting skills were nearly on par with Tan Qingshan’s.
Ye Ning remained silent, offering only a faint smile, which caused the others to look at him with renewed interest. Even at their age, they couldn't match his composure.
Zheng Le looked Ye Ning over and remained unimpressed. He assumed Ye Ning was just a junior Tan Qingshan brought along to gain exposure. Tan Qingshan’s claims, however, were so outlandish that they were starting to irritate the others.
Tan Qingshan knew exactly what they were thinking. He smiled and said, "Everyone, I invited you here today because I have acquired a painting by Master Hidden Dragon, and I want to invite you all to view it."
Zheng Le’s eyes lit up. "Master Hidden Dragon’s work? Which piece? And since when are you rich enough to afford his paintings, Old Tan?"
"A piece none of you have ever seen before," Tan Qingshan said proudly.
"You old goat, stop beating around the bush and show it to us!" Zheng Le laughed. The others chimed in, urging him to reveal it.
Tan Qingshan didn't hesitate; he brought out the painting Ye Ning had done for him. Zheng Le impatiently unrolled it. When they saw the contents, everyone was stunned.
"Is that... Old Tan? Have you actually met Master Hidden Dragon?" Zheng Le asked, breathless. His eyes were turning red with envy. Master Hidden Dragon’s works were worth hundreds of millions, but a portrait done by his hand was priceless. Zheng Le would gladly trade half his collection for such a piece.
"I have," Tan Qingshan said, casting a glance at Ye Ning.
"Is Master Hidden Dragon as ethereal and otherworldly as the legends say?" Zheng Le asked with admiration.
Another old man mused, "I believe he must be the reincarnation of the Painting Saint, Wu Daozi."
"Indeed, no one in this world could compare to him. He must be a celestial being," the others agreed.
One of the elderly men looked at the painting and asked, "Old Tan, how about selling this to me? I’ll offer three hundred million. Even though staring at your face every day is a bit much, it’s still a work by Master Hidden Dragon. I won't mind the subject."
"Get lost! Even if you offered me a billion, I wouldn't sell it," Tan Qingshan retorted. This was his treasure.
"What a pity," the old man sighed. "I’ve wanted a piece by Master Hidden Dragon my entire life and never had the chance."
Seeing his disappointment, Lin Xue couldn't help but speak up. "Sir, if you really want a painting, you could ask Ye Ning to paint one for you."
The old man laughed dismissively. "Little girl, you’ve misunderstood. I want a painting by Master Hidden Dragon, not just any random painting. I appreciate the offer, though."
It was clear the man looked down on Ye Ning’s art. Lin Xue felt indignant, seeing that these people didn't recognize Ye Ning’s value, and she fell silent, annoyed.
Tan Qingshan laughed heartily. He looked at Ye Ning and said, "Old Wu, I hope you don't end up slapping yourself in the face later."
"Why would I do that?" Old Wu asked, bewildered.
Zheng Le added, "Old Tan, you’re acting strange today. Why would Old Wu regret anything?"
Tan Qingshan smiled. Seeing that Ye Ning had no objection, he said, "Do you know who Ye Ning really is?"
"What identity? Don't tell me he’s Master Hidden Dragon, or perhaps his disciple?" Zheng Le said dismissively. He didn't care for Ye Ning, feeling that Tan Qingshan was placing him on too high a pedestal. *Has Tan Qingshan finally lost his mind?* Everyone wondered.
Tan Qingshan saw their doubt and said, "Ye Ning *is* Master Hidden Dragon."
Silence descended on the room. Everyone was stunned, assuming he was joking.
Zheng Le offered a bitter laugh. "Old Tan, this is no time for such jokes."
Tan Qingshan said, slightly annoyed, "I am Master Hidden Dragon’s biggest fan. Do you think I would joke about his identity?" He pointed to the painting on the table. "And this piece was painted by Ye Ning himself. Can’t you tell by the brushwork that it’s the master’s own hand?"
Everyone present was an expert in art. With their own eyes, they could now see the truth. The painting was indeed the work of Master Hidden Dragon. The young man named Ye Ning was the legendary artist himself.
*Slap.*
Old Wu slapped himself across the face. How foolish had he been just a moment ago to turn down a portrait offer from the master? He could have died of regret. Zheng Le was dumbfounded. The legendary Master Hidden Dragon was barely twenty years old? If he was this young, he must have painted his masterpiece, *The Crane*, before he was ten.
*What a monster of talent,* they thought. *The Jiuzhou art world is about to be turned upside down.*
***
**Chapter 24: I’m Very Short on Money**
Instantly, everyone swarmed around Ye Ning, pushing Lin Xue to the side. They stared at him with burning eyes, as if he were a priceless treasure.
"Master Hidden Dragon, could you tell me how you achieved such a level of skill at your age?" Zheng Le asked, his voice trembling.
The others leaned in, hoping to glean some secret to improving their own craft. Ye Ning scratched his head. How did he improve? He had studied with his third master for two months before she told him he was finished. *Should I tell these old geezers to go and become her apprentices?* That was absolutely out of the question.
"Actually, I’ve barely painted since I was ten," Ye Ning said seriously. "My three masters told me it was a waste of time. They said it was fine as a hobby, but one shouldn't let it distract from more important things."
*A hobby? A waste of time?*
The old men felt like cursing. What they spent their whole lives trying to achieve, he considered a trivial hobby. Then, it hit them: if he stopped painting at ten, that meant the masterpieces they worshipped were created by a child. They felt ashamed; they had lived their lives in vain.
"If I may ask, Master, what is your main profession?" Zheng Le asked cautiously.
Ye Ning thought about it. "My martial arts are quite good, my medical skills are decent, and I’ve dabbled in strategy, music, chess, and painting. I’m not sure which one counts as my main profession."
Everyone was stunned. Could one person really master so many fields?
"Actually, painting is probably the thing I’m worst at," Ye Ning added.
The group felt like they had taken a mortal blow. They were speechless. If they didn't know for a fact that he was the legendary master, they would have assumed he was bragging.
"I can verify that," Lin Xue said. "Ye Ning’s medical skills are incredible. My father was so ill he was near death, but after Ye Ning treated him, he was able to get out of bed that same day and was completely recovered by the next."
The crowd was shocked, unable to find the words to react. Just then, Zheng Le’s phone rang. After answering it, his expression changed.
"I apologize, everyone. There’s an emergency at home; I must return immediately," Zheng Le said with a pained look.
"What is it? Is your father’s illness acting up again?" Tan Qingshan asked. He knew Zheng Le’s family situation well. Zheng Le was successful in every way except for his father’s condition—a mysterious illness that turned him into a wild person, though he only harmed himself.
Zheng Le nodded bitterly. "I don't know what kind of curse is on us. Ever since we visited the Coconut Country, my father has been like this. None of the experts can find the cause, and it’s not mental illness."
"Hurry home," Tan Qingshan advised. "Why don't you take Mr. Ye with you? He said his medical skills are excellent."
Everyone turned their eyes to Ye Ning. Zheng Le hesitated. Ye Ning was simply too young. Even if he were talented, how high could his medical expertise really be?
Tan Qingshan chuckled. "You’ve already been proven wrong once today, haven't you? Mr. Ye is a genius; perhaps his medicine is just as extraordinary as his painting."
Zheng Le realized he was right. If a legendary master believed his medical skills were *better* than his painting, that was saying something.
"Master Ye, would you be willing to come with me? If you can cure my father, money is no object," Zheng Le said earnestly.
Old Wu interjected, "Zheng Le, you're being tactless. Do you really think Master Ye cares about your money?"
"I *do* care," Ye Ning said, glaring at Old Wu. "I’m very short on money. If I cure your father, how much will you pay me?"
Everyone looked awkward. A single painting by the master could sell for hundreds of millions—how could he be short on money?
"Master Ye, are you really that pressed for cash? Tan Qingshan gave you a hundred million earlier..." Tan Qingshan trailed off, surprised.
"I gave that to another one of my wives," Ye Ning said matter-of-factly. "I have several wives to support, which costs a lot. A man shouldn't let his wives suffer."
*Several wives?* The onlookers twitched. They glanced at Lin Xue, but seeing her expression remained calm, they sighed in relief. It seemed she already knew.
"If you can cure my father, I’m willing to offer fifty million as a fee," Zheng Le said. It was a massive sum, but a small price for his father's life.