Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Raindrops trickled down the giant poster for the "Streetlight" art exhibition, blurring Old Zhou's painting, "The Beggar's Piano Dream," into a haze of colors. Lin Xiaofan stood under the eaves of the gallery, gazing at the bustling crowd inside the glass windows—businessmen in suits, reporters with cameras, and a few ragged homeless people, all crammed into the less than two hundred square meter space, pointing and discussing the artworks on the walls.
"President Lin!" A Long excitedly emerged from the crowd, paint smudged on his nose. "Three more pieces sold! That big boss said he wants to hang 'Mother and Son Scavengers' in his company lobby!"
Lin Xiaofan nodded, but his gaze was drawn to Old Zhou in the corner. The elderly man was unusually dressed in a dark blue suit today, his empty pant legs pressed neatly, surrounded by a group of reporters conducting an interview. Under the flashing lights, the knuckles gripping the wheelchair's armrest turned pale.
"Teacher Zhou isn't used to this kind of attention," A Long remarked, following his gaze. "The Zhao Foundation once said they wanted to support him, but in the end..."
"The Zhao Foundation?" Lin Xiaofan turned alertly. "When did that happen?"
A Long scratched his head. "About seven or eight years ago? I had just started learning painting from Teacher Zhou then. A big boss named Zhao bought several of his paintings and invited him to some charity gala." He lowered his voice. "But the next day, Teacher Zhou returned all the money and took back his paintings, which made him so angry he fell ill."
Lin Xiaofan's phone vibrated in his pocket. He stepped into the corner to check it, and a system notification flashed before his eyes:
[Project Completion: 98%]
[Cashback Multiplier Exceeded 300%]
[Special Reward: Goodwill Points +20]
[Note: Dignity is Priceless]
Suddenly, applause erupted from inside the glass window. Lin Xiaofan looked up to see Old Zhou being wheeled to the center of the exhibition hall, with a red tag reading "Sold for 100,000" affixed to "The Beggar's Piano Dream." The buyer was an elderly lady with silver hair, holding Old Zhou's hand and saying something to him. The tension in his shoulders gradually eased as a genuine smile appeared on his lips.
"Mr. Lin!" A female reporter suddenly blocked his path. "As the curator, why did you choose to focus on this overlooked group of street homeless people?"
The camera lens pointed at Lin Xiaofan like a gun. He opened his mouth, but the prepared public relations response got stuck in his throat. Through the reporter's shoulder, he saw the old man in the painting—ragged yet upright—and recalled the warmth of that bowl of porridge under the overpass.
"Because..." His voice came out hoarse. "Everyone deserves to be seen."
The reporter clearly found this bland answer disappointing and shifted to a more sensational topic: "I heard your father was also a miner? Does this relate to your support for Teacher Zhou?"
Lin Xiaofan's blood ran cold instantly. He had never mentioned his father's profession publicly, let alone any connection to Old Zhou.
"Who told you that?" He grabbed the reporter's wrist.
"It hurts..." The female reporter struggled back, nearly dropping her camera.
"Sorry." Lin Xiaofan released her hand. "My father's situation has nothing to do with this exhibition."
He hurried toward the restroom; even cold water splashing on his face couldn't quell the throbbing at his temples. His father and mining accidents, Old Zhou and Zhao Tianming, along with that mysterious 'system'... These fragments were like color blocks in Old Zhou's paintings—clearly visible yet impossible to piece together into a complete picture.
"Need a hangover remedy?"
Su Yuqing's figure appeared in the mirror. She wore light makeup today; her black dress accentuated her fair complexion as she held two glasses of champagne.
Comment 0 Comment Count