Chapter 35: At the Most I Will Have You Barking Like a Dog!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“That’s right. I also feel that Cousin Kexin was set up. I will make sure that the responsible pay a terrible price when I find out who did it!” Chu Linger also stood up. Her domineering manner was in contrast to Zhen Xueyan’s demure posture.
“Next, I will do a drawing for everyone. I hope you will all like it and offer me pointers.” Zhen Xueyan quickly changed the subject as she tried to divert the audience’s attention from Zhen Kexin.
As scornful as the crowd was toward Zhen Kexin now, since the princess herself had spoken up for her, they naturally just kept their mouths shut. As for Zihou, she just shrugged and looked nonchalant…
Zhen Xueyan had her maid prepare ink and paper before she went on stage, so she immediately commenced her drawing.
As the most beautiful and talented female at last year’s Spring Pageant, Zhen Xueyan’s skillful drawing was indeed inspiring. As she started drawing, everyone sat up straight with expectant expressions.
After five minutes, Zhen Xueyan drew back her brush and stood up. She then gestured at her maid to display her drawing to the audience.
It was a drawing of a sea of begonias. Some were bright red, some pink, and some a pale purple. There were dozens of begonias each at different stages of bloom. The uniqueness infused into each and every single flower fully portrayed the depth of the artist’s skill.
Meanwhile, two spring swallows soared above the sea of begonias. The swallows were spirited and energetic, looking very life-like.
It was a rare masterpiece!
There was no lack of cultured, talented art aficionados, and art experts in the audience. After looking at Zhen Xueyan’s “Spring Swallows and Begonias” artwork, everyone was full of praise for it.
“It’s just a piece of drawing. It’s alright to look at, but there’s nothing special about it!” Unlike the others, Qi Shaoyang turned up his nose at Zhen Xueyan’s art. She was such a pretentious woman that he was absolutely disgusted by her. Her so-so art skills were still nowhere near what his Third Uncle could do! Was this what they called a first-class talented female?
1She completely didn’t deserve such a title!
Zihou glanced at the so-called “Spring Swallows and Begonias” and a light flashed across her pupils. She shifted her gaze onto Qi Shaoyang and smiled. “Why, does she offend you? Do you want to piss her off?”
“Yes, of course I do!” Qi Shaoyang didn’t hesitate. He hated pretentious people the most! His face brightened as he turned toward Zihou. “Boss, do you have an idea?”
“Just wait and see. Let me show you what is called ‘pissing off a white lotus’!” Zihou patted Qi Shaoyang on the shoulder like she was his big sister. His eyes lit up in response as his heart filled with anticipation.
Boss was personally taking action—what happened next would definitely be an eye-opener!
Pissing off a white lotus was his favorite activity!
“It’s just a common and meaningless drawing of spring swallows and begonias. The level of the so-called most talented and beautiful female is just like that?” A lackadaisical voice with traces of scorn and ridicule sounded out. Zhen Xueyan could barely maintain her gentle smile when she heard that.
“Wei Zihou, what do you mean by that?” Zhen Xueyan’s face now held a chilly expression as her voice turned strident.
“What do I mean? I mean exactly what I said. Or can’t Miss Zhen understand such simple language?” Zihou had a special method when dealing with white lotuses. The first step was to peel off Zhen Xueyan’s pretentious mask and reveal her ugly side.
As expected, Zhen Xueyan’s face turned malevolent at Zihou’s words.
“I may not be any art prodigy, but this drawing has garnered the recognition of the audience here. Are you disputing everyone’s taste?” She was indeed a well-trained white lotus and was very skillful at handling tricky situations.
At Zhen Xueyan’s statement, the faces of those cultured, talented art aficionados and art experts who had praised her drawing earlier all turned grim.
1“Miss Wei, Miss Zhen’s drawing is an amazing and rare masterpiece. What did you mean by your earlier words?” A dashing gentleman holding a fan was the first to speak up.
“I know that Miss Wei is not an art expert… are you trying to stir up trouble and create a scene?”
“If you are so talented, then draw something even better for us. Let us see what is called special and meaningful!”
“…”
Zhen Xueyan was secretly very pleased with the crowd’s unhappy reaction. Her face gradually recovered its white lotus expression.
“Is Zihou making a joke? Don’t make such jokes if you don’t understand art and don’t know how to draw.” Zhen Xueyan spoke up extra gently as she put on a gracious front. But the disdain in her eyes was clear.
“If I say I do know, what will you do?”
“What?” Zhen Xueyan instinctively asked in shock. By the time she recovered, the corners of her lips curled up derisively.
Wei Zihou didn’t know how to draw at all. She was well aware of that. At the previous Spring Pageant, Wei Zihou had attempted to draw but ended up with an atrocious and unsightly piece of artwork!
“If you really do, then draw something for us.” Zhen Xueyan smirked. Don’t blame her if Zihou ended up producing a terrible drawing!
“I don’t like to do meaningless things.” Zihou left her seat and walked up to the stage. She then looked at Zhen Xueyan and spoke out in a clear voice, “Why don’t we have a bet. If I draw better than you, then you must take off all your clothes and run around naked…”
“What?” Zhen Xueyan exclaimed out loud. She had never heard of such an appalling bet in her life.
It was not just Zhen Xueyan. Everyone in the audience had widened their eyes in revulsion at such an abhorrent bet!
“That’s impossible…” Zhen Xueyan was in shock, and Zihou gave a wicked smile before adding, “How can I possibly let you go running around naked? At most I will have you barking like a dog!”
Pffft~
Qi Shaoyang burst out laughing. He found it exceptionally funny how easily Zihou was able to provoke Zhen Xueyan and push her white lotus facade to the breaking point.
“What if you lose?” Zhen Xueyan narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth.
“If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me.” Zihou waved her hand nonchalantly, looking very amenable. Anyway, she wouldn’t lose, so there was no harm in making grand claims.
Zihou’s nonchalant attitude had Zhen Xueyan hopping mad. Her sense of caution was completely wiped out by her anger.
“Sister, agree to her bet! She has such lousy skills herself but dares to denounce your work—she is acting way too big for her boots!” Zhen Kexin shouted out confidently.
“Yes, cousin, agree to her bet. How can she be a match for you! Since she’s asking for it, you should accede to her request!” Chu Linger was also very much in favor of this bet.
“Alright, I agree to your bet!” Having heard the opinions of those two ladies, Zhen Xueyan gritted her teeth and made up her mind to agree.
Just you wait, Wei Zihou. I will have you lose terribly!
“To save ink and paper, as well as my precious time, I will just add on something to Miss Zhen’s drawing. Miss Zhen, what do you think?”
“I have no objections. I’m just worried you will regret it!” Zhen Xueyan smirked scornfully. Drawing on her artwork—unless Zihou was much better than her, she would just end up being a dismal foil to Zhen Xueyan’s talent…