56: Chapter 56 Okay, I admit it, I drew it.

With the thought of broadening his daughter's social circle, Bai Erru immediately said, "Xiao Zhao, if you're free now, why not come over to my house and have a look? You might be able to get some ideas. What do you think?"

This suggestion was exactly what Zhao Yang wanted.

Although Bai Erru didn't have much screen time in the show, his financial power was terrifying, and his connections were likely sky-high. Befriending him would be of great benefit to Zhao Yang's development in this world.

Moreover, he also wanted to try and change Bai Xiaohe's fate, helping her move on from that first love a bit sooner.

Thinking of Bai Xiaohe's first boyfriend, Zhao Yang felt it was a complicated story.

Was he great? From a certain perspective, yes—giving up love and a prosperous future to resolutely return to a small county town to devote himself to education, determined to change his hometown. Morally speaking, there was nothing to criticize.

But what about personally? Especially for Bai Xiaohe, was it fair?

As a top student from Shuimu and a grown man, was he really that blind in matters of the heart? Since he had decided to return home from the start, couldn't he have let Bai Xiaohe go sooner? He just had to waste five years of her youth, only to wave goodbye at the last moment and leave without looking back. It sounds so damn 'great,' but who does Bai Xiaohe turn to for her tears?

Wasn't this also a form of selfishness?

If one were to speculate with the worst intentions, that guy was clearly just greedy for Bai Xiaohe's tenderness, which was why he delayed making a decision.

Zhao Yang accepted the invitation.

The two designers, Huang Zhenhua and Zhou Shihui, naturally followed, and Huang Yimei, of course, stayed close to Zhao Yang's side.

Bai Erru couldn't help but look at Huang Yimei a few more times and smiled faintly. "Young lady, are you an art student?"

"Huh?" Huang Yimei was startled. "Uncle Bai, you have a sharp eye! I'm a student at the Central Academy of Fine Arts."

Bai Erru laughed. "I love art and have collected many famous paintings. When I look at you, there's a familiar vibe that only someone who loves art can recognize!"

"Uncle Bai, you're amazing!" Huang Yimei complimented him, but her eyes flicked toward Zhao Yang, and she muttered to herself—actually, this uncle's eye isn't that sharp; a great art master like Zhao Yang is standing right in front of him, and he didn't even notice.

...

Bai Erru's villa was in a European style, with Roman columns supporting the porch and arched windows accented with black carvings.

Standing at the gate of the courtyard, Zhao Yang couldn't help but remark, "Uncle Bai, your house is steady and grand; it has a sense of historical depth."

Bai Erru's eyes lit up. "Xiao Zhao, you have a good eye! The exterior style of this house was actually decided by my father. Please, come in, don't be a stranger."

As they entered, an elegant woman about the same age as Bai Erru came out to greet them. "Lao Bai, do we have guests?"

"This is Zhao Yang; he'll be our neighbor from now on. These others are Xiao Zhao's friends, here to help him look at house renovations." Bai Erru smiled. "Let me introduce you, this is my wife, Yang Jingqiu."

The group quickly greeted her, "Hello, Auntie."

Bai Erru continued, "Xiao Zhao is having a headache over how to renovate, so he's here for a tour of our place."

"Oh... then please come in." Yang Jingqiu made a welcoming gesture, poised and elegant. "I'll go get some fruit. What would you like?"

"Auntie, please don't trouble yourself," Zhao Yang smiled. "I already feel bad for intruding so suddenly; there's no need to be so formal."

"It's no trouble!" Yang Jingqiu laughed. "Xiao Zhao, you have no idea how quiet this neighborhood is. It's not easy to have a neighbor drop by. Let Uncle Bai show you around; I'll be right back."

"Everyone, please come in." Bai Erru smiled as he led them inside the villa.

As they entered, their eyes lit up—the living room was spacious and bright, with dark walnut wall panels and antique furniture creating a unique 'old money' atmosphere. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and books; the whole house was quiet and understated.

Zhao Yang let out a breath and praised, "This is truly the style of a prestigious family. I feel like my idea of renovating like a five-star hotel is a bit tacky now."

Bai Erru was amused. "Actually, if you go with a palace-style hotel renovation, it's not bad to look at, but living in a home that feels like a hotel isn't very comfortable."

"Uncle Bai is right," Zhao Yang smiled. "Actually, I don't have much of a clue right now. Luckily, I have Old Huang and Old Zhou helping me. Both of them are senior engineers from the Architectural Design Institute!"

Bai Erru quickly nodded to the two. "My apologies for the oversight; you both are pillars of society!"

"You're too kind," Huang Zhenhua quickly said modestly, then asked tentatively, "Uncle Bai, should we start by touring the first floor?"

Zhou Shihui chimed in, "We'd like to look at the exterior wall design first."

"Sure!" Bai Erru laughed. "Go ahead, make yourselves at home."

Huang Zhenhua looked puzzled and whispered, "Old Zhou, what's there to see outside?"

"You don't understand, just come with me." With that, Zhou Shihui pulled Huang Zhenhua out the door.

...

Not long after they left, Yang Jingqiu brought over some fruit. "Have some fruit; it's all freshly picked."

"Auntie, please don't be so formal, we'll help ourselves." Zhao Yang took the fruit plate and placed it on the coffee table, then sat down on the sofa. Huang Yimei sat beside him, curiously examining the various paintings hanging on the walls.

Suddenly, her gaze froze, and she showed a look of surprise and suspicion.

Bai Erru followed her gaze and smiled. "Looking at those two paintings? See anything interesting?"

Huang Yimei asked tentatively, "Uncle Bai, were those two paintings bought recently?"

"Eh? How did you know?"

"I was there during the Qingting auction."

Bai Erru realized, "No wonder! Sigh, if I had known there were such good works at that auction, I would have gone myself. I would have definitely bid for all four paintings! Now... I could only get two. Given this painter's skill, a conservative estimate is that in less than ten years, these paintings will be worth at least ten times as much!"

Huang Yimei couldn't help but nudge Zhao Yang. "You sold these paintings too cheaply!"

"Hmm?" Bai Erru was taken aback. "Niece Huang, what did you say?"

Huang Yimei suddenly remembered that Zhao Yang had sold the paintings anonymously; she shouldn't have said that in front of Bai Erru. Her face fell, and she quickly shook her head. "Uncle Bai, I... I didn't say anything."

Zhao Yang almost gave her a flick on the forehead—she spoke so loudly, did she think Bai Erru was deaf?

Seeing Bai Erru looking at him, he smiled frankly. "Uncle Bai, to be honest, those four paintings are my work. I commissioned Qingting to auction them."

"Oh my! Oh my!" Bai Erru's eyes lit up immediately, and he became so excited he was almost incoherent, losing his dignified air. "What a coincidence! Xiao Zhao... uh, no, Teacher Zhao! I wonder if you have any new paintings coming out?"

"Uncle Bai, please don't call me that. I'm young and a Junior; please just call me by my name." Zhao Yang gave a wry smile. "I don't have any new works recently."

"Oh..." Bai Erru turned into a curious child. "Then may I ask, why didn't you sign the paintings? Not even a pseudonym."

"It's really just that my identity makes it inconvenient," Zhao Yang said. "I'm within the government system; signing them could lead to suspicions of disguised bribery."

Bai Erru laughed. "You're overthinking it. Actually, those restrictions are only strict for department heads and important officials. I suggest you sign them in the future. That way, your paintings will have higher collectible value. It would be a shame if a high-level painter like you couldn't leave a name in history."

Zhao Yang intentionally looked embarrassed. "Uncle Bai, I really can't sign them, unless I don't want to be the Chief of the Information Section anymore."

"What?" Bai Erru was stunned. "Zhao Yang, how old are you?"

"Twenty-three by traditional reckoning."

"A section chief at twenty-two?" Bai Erru and Yang Jingqiu looked at each other, both feeling waves of shock in their hearts.