บท 72: Diamond in the Mud

Show the painting?

Feng Mian was hesitating. She knew that she wanted to become a painter, but she still hadn't finished her painting yet. Besides, showing it to Zhang Yi just made her feel even more nervous.

He wouldn't look down on her because she wanted to become a painter instead of a stable job, right?

Seeing Zhang Yi's sparkling eyes, Feng Mian decided to give in. it was just showing a painting, nothing much.

Little did she know that it was the one that would start her real career in paining.

But it was for the future.

"Alright."

Zhang Yi's smile turned wider. He had always been curious about Feng Mian's skill. Ever since he handed over the company to Zhang Liang, he had picked up some unusual hobbies. One of them was to appreciate paintings. Since one of his old friends had his career in arts, he came to learn a lot about it too.

Following Feng Mian to her art room, Zhang Yi realized that Zhang Liang had given one of the best rooms in the mansion just for her studio. He mused to himself. Did that brat truly have changed?

He could not remember just how many phone calls he had received in the past from his friends, complaining that his son stood up on the arranged blind date. Not just Zhang Liang, even Zhang Xue would not come to the date, making excuses that he was in the middle of inspiration for a new recipe. Sometimes, he would even get the urge to throw a basin to his son's head.

What inspiration? Aren't you just using it to escape?

When Zhang Xue finally introduced Lu Di La, he could feel his heart eased in happiness. After being lectured for the nth time, his son finally listened and found a worthy girlfriend. Afterward, Zhang Xue got married, but that brat still gave him a headache because of his work and many other matters.

His biggest worry now was Zhang Liang. Since this brat had finally decided to get married, he wanted to see how his marriage life is. At the same time, he wanted to get to know Feng Mian better.

Klek!

Feng Mian unlocked the door and pushed it open. The room was still the same as when she left it. She looked around, thinking which one would be better for her to show to Zhang Yi.

"I want to see!" Zhang Yi said as he entered the room. There were several canvases that Feng Mian had covered with cloth. He was sure that it must have contained painting inside.

"It's not that good, but please come in."

After contemplating, Feng Mian just decided to show the painting of the sunset that she had drawn before. As the cloth was removed, the painting of a wall was visible. The window in the middle was familiar to Zhang Yi because he had seen it numerous times when he visited Zhang Liang's mansion in City F.

If he didn't know this was actually a painting, he swore that he would mistake it for a real wall. The painting was so lifelike and the pattern on the wall was exceedingly similar. Not to mention, the sunset could only happen for a few minutes each day, yet Feng Mian had captured all the details so perfectly.

Internally, he was screaming: Zhang Liang, that brat, he was actually hiding his wife's skill?

With this skill, he was certain that Feng Mian would be able to make it big in art's world. Even though the value could not be compared to those renowned artists who had already made their big name, this would surely stir the newcomer's world.

"This…"

"Do you like it, Father?" Feng Mian smiled sheepishly. She only painted this to test her skill again back then. After all, it was already months since the last time she touched brush and canvas.

Like it?

He loved it!

Zhang Yi nodded his head and pointed to the other canvases that Feng Mian covered with cloth. "I want to see the other paintings too. This is surely not the only one you make here, right?"

Artists took different amount of time to finish their work. Sometimes, it depended on the inspiration needed to complete the art. At other times, it was simply because they paid more attention to the details, so they took more time to perfect their work before they could finish.

It has been more than one month since Feng Mian lived in Zhang Liang's house. She must have drawn more.

"I make three similar paintings," Feng Mian admitted. She pulled the cloth and showed the painting to Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi was stunned to see the similar painting. However, he could see the difference almost immediately. The position of the sun was completely different. At the same time, the shade of the wall color in the room was also different.

That was what drew him into the picture. It was so lifelike as if it was taken by a camera at that very moment.

If only it was possible, he wanted to hang this painting in the living room so that he could brag to his friend that in his family there's an artist now. And even though her name was still unknown, her works are really good.

This is truly a diamond in the mud! Still hadn't shown her brilliance yet.

"This is amazing!"

"Thank you, Father," Feng Mian beamed. She could see from Zhang Yi's expression that he truly liked her paintings. From the bottom of her heart, she felt elated.