"Yes, we didn't hear wrong, did we?" Secretary Meng exclaimed instinctively.
How ridiculous! A young man, in his early twenties, wants to compete in painting with the best painter in G province and his favorite student!
What's the difference between this and showing off one's limited skills before an expert?
Even if a person in their early twenties has great artistic talent, it's impossible for them to directly challenge an already famous master painter, right?
"No, no, you heard me right." Now that things have come to this, let's go all out! Gao Jianfei took a deep breath. "How about this, what do you think? This time, let's make the competition bigger and invite more professional judges. For example, renowned painters and connoisseurs from other provinces, let's invite them all and turn it into a salon. This will undoubtedly give the flower market a boost, undoubtedly increase its visibility! I don't know if this will have any potential help in attracting investment, but it's definitely a good thing, right? I'll personally sponsor this competition, is that okay?"
Amazing!
The shock that Gao Jianfei gave Secretary Meng and his team was just one wave after another!
A private individual is funding an exchange competition, inviting many experts, and claiming it's a contribution to the flower market!
Apart from Gao Jianfei himself, who was certain of the truth, everyone else thought that Gao Jianfei was having an epileptic seizure!
"Of course, I'm not just spending money for nothing. We can auction off the entries from the competition. The proceeds can then be used to offset part of the event expenses. How about that? I genuinely want to make this happen. If Teacher Ma and Teacher Ge look down on me, or, well, I say 'or' because I'm afraid of losing face if I lose, then I won't force you." Gao Jianfei smiled shyly.
Secretary Meng was the first to realize that these kinds of exchange competitions could genuinely increase the flower market's visibility. It had no downsides, only benefits, for the flower market itself. Besides, someone was willing to pay for it, so why not?
"Hmm. I basically agree. This idea is excellent. Very good." Secretary Meng nodded without further ado.
Ge Chunhou and Teacher Ma have now come to their senses. This whole affair, though strange, has had no impact on them. It's impossible that they're afraid of losing.
“Alright! It’s good that young people are willing to fight and strive!” Ge Chunhou laughed loudly. “I also agree to hold an exchange competition. In fact, it would be a good opportunity for old friends and colleagues from other provinces to get together. I can take care of contacting famous painters, connoisseurs, and critics in China. However, young man, I have some doubts about your personal sponsorship ability regarding the funding.”
"Oh, I have an uncle who runs a big business, so he doesn't have any problems with funding. He's always hoped I'd succeed, and I think he'd be willing to fund this exchange event for me. In other words, he'd take out a hundred or two hundred million to do this, and my uncle wouldn't hesitate. The main thing is, this has to be done well," Gao Jianfei said with a grin. He already had several hundred million in his account; money sitting idle would just get moldy, and he needed to use it when necessary.
If Gao Jianfei wins an exchange like this, regardless of how much his painting is worth, it will definitely be a socially recognized achievement! He can absolutely get the prestigious business card he desires!
"Oh? I see. One or two hundred million is more than enough, more than enough." Ge Chunhou nodded. "That's enough to invite several nationally renowned painters. Alright, how will the competition be conducted? I, Old Ge, will just be a judge. Young man, you and my apprentice Ma Junsheng will compete. Let's see whose work is better."
Gao Jianfei thought for a moment, "How about this, Teacher Ge, you set a topic, and then give Teacher Ma and me a week to complete the work based on that topic. A week later, the exchange competition will officially begin. At that time, Teacher Ma and I will each present our work to the judges for evaluation and scoring. How does that sound?"
Ge Chunhou and Ma Junsheng exchanged a glance. Then Ge Chunhou laughed and said, "Alright! That's settled. We don't believe you'd spend a fortune to organize an exchange and then have someone paint a work for you. If that were the case, you'd be incredibly bored. So, let's paint a landscape!"
After the negotiations were completed, Gao Jianfei confirmed with Secretary Meng that he and the Huashi Municipal Party Committee would organize the exchange meeting. Regarding funding, Gao Jianfei would handle the handover with Secretary Meng.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Jianfei and Qin Leshi left.
"Jianfei, you...you don't have a fever, do you?" Once they were on the street, Qin Leshi finally couldn't help but ask.
Gao Jianfei smiled. "No. I just want to achieve my first goal in life! Because I saw how respected Teacher Ge and Teacher Ma were. So, I want to become a painter!"
"Pfft..." Although surprised, Qin Leshi couldn't help but laugh out loud when she heard Gao Jianfei's words.
Meanwhile, Gao Jianfei kept muttering to himself, "Guiyi, whether this succeeds or not depends entirely on you! Damn, a level 2 ghost painter! I need a level 2 ghost painter next!"
Chapter 146 A Great Painter of the Ming Dynasty!
Chapter 146 A Great Painter of the Ming Dynasty!
Gao Jianfei and Qin Leshi left the so-called "top-tier traditional Chinese painting training class in G province, supported by the government".
Gao Jianfei, on the other hand, felt quite relaxed. He was smiling.
He was genuinely relaxed. He wasn't putting on an act.
I was looking for a good business card and was wondering where to start when two painters craned their necks and eagerly came over.
Gao Jianfei's reliance is on the Super Ghostly Instrument. According to the Super Ghostly Instrument's classification for Level 2 ghosts, if a Level 2 ghost specializing in only one skill reaches a relatively high level, like Feng Heng and Tang Long, their skill can reach a national-level level. Therefore, Gao Jianfei, a peak Level 2 ghost who only excels in painting, would likely also achieve a national-level painting specialty, right?
Ge Chunhou is merely a good painter in G province, equivalent to a provincial-level painting expert. If Gao Jianfei could reach the national level of painting expert, he could completely outshine Ge Chunhou and his apprentice Ma Junsheng!
Even if Gao Jianfei were to lose, he would simply be paying for the sponsorship of this art exchange for nothing. He wouldn't lose face. After all, losing in painting to Ge Chunhou's prized student isn't something Gao Jianfei, at his age, would consider shameful.
"If drawing doesn't work out, I'll find another way. Anyway, with the Super Ghost Instrument, I can do whatever I want!" Gao Jianfei smiled confidently.
Qin Leshi walked beside Gao Jianfei. She had been worried about him, but seeing that he seemed completely relaxed and had a charming, sunny smile on his lips, she felt relieved and carefree as well.
Qin Leshi didn't ask Gao Jianfei any questions. She simply walked happily beside him.
In the afternoon, the two strolled through the streets, enjoying the romantic sunshine of the flower market. Gao Jianfei had originally planned to invite Qin Leshi to dinner, but around 5 p.m., Qin Leshi's family called, asking her to come home for dinner. She wanted to invite Gao Jianfei along, but he felt a little embarrassed and politely declined. The two parted ways. As she was leaving, Qin Leshi blushed and whispered to Gao Jianfei, "Jianfei, I'll call and text you, please don't ignore me!"
Gao Jianfei smiled, then took a taxi back to Hushi.
Shanmu Residential Area. Gao Jianfei's home.
Chen Xian is now essentially a housewife; she has already bought the groceries and is preparing dinner in the kitchen. Xiao Xiao's leg injury has mostly healed, so she's also helping out in the kitchen.
Xiaoxiao exclaimed to Chen Xian, "Sister Xian, I feel you're so perfect! You're beautiful, have a great figure, and can even cook and do housework. You're so capable!"
Chen Xian smiled gently, "Little sister, I'm just an ordinary woman. I don't have any special talents or skills, but I can manage to do some housework."
Suddenly, Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up. "Sister Xian, you and Brother Fei are together?"
Chen Xian paused, too embarrassed to give a direct answer.
"Sister Xian, a couple of nights ago, when I got up to use the bathroom, I thought I heard you and Fei-ge making some strange noises from your room. What were you doing?" Xiaoxiao was almost too naive. She was completely innocent and naive. Well, that's true; she hadn't gone to school, practiced martial arts as a child, and helped her father run a late-night snack stall when she was a little older, so she hadn't really experienced society. She only had a superficial understanding of things.
Chen Xian's face flushed red instantly. She was truly speechless.
Just then, Gao Jianfei returned home. Chen Xian hurriedly made up an excuse and ran out to greet him.
Xiaoxiao stood there stunned... "Brother Fei and Sister Xian, what are they doing in the same room at night? Could it be..." Her own face turned red.
After dinner, Chen Xian was washing the dishes when Gao Jianfei ran into the kitchen, wanting to be intimate with her. Chen Xian said shyly, "Jianfei, in the future... in the future, if we're going to do 'that,' it's better to go to a hotel... Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao knows!"
"Huh?" Gao Jianfei was speechless.
So tonight, Chen Xian wouldn't sneak into Gao Jianfei's room in the middle of the night to be intimate with him, as she usually did. Gao Jianfei lay alone in bed, closing his eyes for a short nap, but not actually falling asleep. At 2 a.m., Gao Jianfei slipped directly into the haunted house!
In the den of ghosts.
"Dear user, welcome to your Ghost Den. The soul of the Level 2 Ghost Genius has been pieced together and is now waiting for you in room 2-11 of the Ghost Den! You can go find him at any time! Containing the Level 2 Ghost Genius will grant you a total of 300 experience points and 300 exorcism points," the AI program's voice said sweetly.
A Level 2 genius?
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Gao Jianfei's lips. He considered this Level 2 genius a complete nobody. Nothing more than a passing cloud! Taking him in was merely a side effect, a passive act. Gao Jianfei had already obtained the information he wanted from Cone. There was no way Gao Jianfei would ever meet this genius.
Seeing it won't make a difference.
Gao Jianfei casually opened the virtual display screen and scanned it...
"The Exorcist: Gao Jianfei"
Age: 22
Level: 2
Exorcism Point: 520/8205
Experience: 8200
Experience required to upgrade to Level 3 Exorcist: 91800
Gao Jianfei only glanced at the experience points needed for software upgrades; after all, a large amount of experience points were still required. The meager experience gained from containing level 2 ghosts like Concealer and Genius was truly a drop in the ocean! Gao Jianfei mainly focused on checking the recovery status of the exorcism points.
Not bad. After taking in the genius and replenishing it over a period of time, the exorcism points have returned to "520".
Let's take a look at the other virtual display screen in the ghost's lair. The progress bar on it represents the repair progress of the Super Ghost Device and the task system.
32%
Extremely slow!
Gao Jianfei could only ignore this for the time being.
At this moment, the intelligent program spoke to Gao Jianfei again, "Dear user, how can I help you? You currently possess '520' exorcism points, which is enough to exorcise level 2 ghosts. Would you like to do so immediately?"
"By the way, what I need next is a level 2 ghost with drawing skills. However, I don't think I have enough exorcism points right now." Gao Jianfei lit a cigarette and took a puff. "Here's what we'll do: you go into the database and look for it for me. Once I have enough exorcism points, I'll get it directly."
"No problem! Dear user, please state your specific requirements," the intelligent program's voice replied faithfully.
Gao Jianfei pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Here's the thing, I'm looking for a Level 2 ghost who specializes in painting. Traditional Chinese painting. He doesn't need to have any other special skills, just painting. And his painting skills must be at least at the national level." After a pause, Gao Jianfei added, "Ideally, a renowned master of landscape painting."
The requirements are simple... just a painting skill at the national level. One additional requirement: landscape painting.
Because Gao Jianfei and Ge Chunhou, master and apprentice, had agreed to compete in landscape painting!
"Alright, esteemed user. I fully understand what you mean. I will now access the database and filter for you!"
Gao Jianfei started smoking and waited.
One minute; two minutes; three minutes...
In the past, Gao Jianfei would only wait 3 minutes at most for the intelligent program to enter the database and filter ghosts for him. But this time, Gao Jianfei waited a full 6 minutes, and the intelligent program still hadn't responded!
"No way? Is it malfunctioning?" Gao Jianfei's heart tightened slightly. He immediately blurted out, "Damn! What's wrong? Can't find it? The database doesn't have the Level 2 Ghost Painter I need?"
At this moment, the AI program's voice sounded slightly dejected as it said, "Dear user, it's not that we can't find them, it's that there are too many! So many that it's difficult for me to filter them!"
"Too many? What... what does that mean?" Gao Jianfei asked, puzzled.
"Dear user, there are simply too many ghosts in the Level 2 ghost category who have reached the national level of painting skills! Your country had dozens of ancient painters alone; and quite a few modern painters as well. They are all skilled in landscape painting. Moreover, their painting skills are all excellent. I really find it difficult to select one for you. There are just too many!" the intelligent program said, troubled.
There are many painters in the Level 2 Ghosts community. Quite a few have even reached the national level!
Gao Jianfei thought about it and realized it made sense... There were so many literati and poets in ancient China, many of whom were skilled in painting, poetry, and calligraphy, and quite a few were highly accomplished. Selecting from them would indeed be difficult!
A happy kind of trouble struck Gao Jianfei.
Gao Jianfei laughed and said, "Then you can randomly pick two painters with high skills for me. Pick one ancient Chinese painter and one modern Chinese painter."
Gao Jianfei also made two preparations.
One from ancient times and one from modern times, please!
Hearing Gao Jianfei say this, the intelligent program seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. After a minute, the intelligent program said, "Dear user, I have made the selection for you!"
"One of them is a famous painter from the Ming Dynasty in Z country. He was born into a craftsman family, working as a lacquerer and painting buildings for others in his early years before turning to painting. In his youth, he became acquainted with many contemporary masters through his painting skills. He excels at painting figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, and architectural paintings, and is especially skilled at copying. If you want his work, you will need to pay '1000' Ghost Exorcism Points! His works could fetch tens of millions at auction in your modern Earth!"
"The other one is a modern painter from China. He is also a master of landscape painting. If you want him, you will need to pay '800' exorcism points."
"Okay, I understand." Gao Jianfei nodded. "Alright then, I don't have enough exorcism points right now. But I estimate I'll replenish them by tomorrow. I'll come over tomorrow then!"
After leaving the den of iniquity, Gao Jianfei set his sights directly on the Ming Dynasty painter!
After all, that guy would have to pay "1000" exorcism points to do it.
This means it's a level 2 ghost at its peak!
His painting skills are undoubtedly at the national level!
Chapter 147 Qiu Ying, one of the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty
Chapter 147 Qiu Ying, one of the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty