Gu Beixian's dark eyes flashed with a hint of starlight as he propped himself up from her. With his lips pursed, he silently stared at her for a while. He lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nose, muttering, 'You must keep your word.' Su Huan hummed in response. Gu Beixian was dissatisfied with her attitude, 'That's too perfunctory, say it again.' Su Huan wanted to laugh inwardly. Clearly, the initiative was in his hands. Yet he made it seem as if she didn't want him. After thinking for a moment, she raised her arm to climb onto his neck, her lips close to his ear, and said very softly, 'Many people like you because you are handsome, wealthy, powerful, and charming. But there are those who like you because they have seen your vulnerability and feel sorry for you. She sits silently by your side, wanting to offer you her shoulder and candy.' Gu Beixian's gaze hardened. Slowly cupping her head, he pressed his face against hers. After a long while, he spoke, 'I asked you to seduce, not to move me emotionally. Now, everything has reached my heart, and it can't reach my kidneys.' Su Huan was almost brought to tears by his difficulty. She could only speak such heartfelt truths from the bottom of her heart. Those explicit and fiery flirtatious words, she really couldn't say. She gently poked his waist and tentatively said, 'If it can't reach the kidneys, shall we go home?' 'No need, it's fine now.'

He lowered his head and kissed her lips, gently biting her soft petals. He was skilled in the art of kissing. Su Huan was kissed by him until she became soft and tender, charming as water. Although her skeleton was slender, it was well-proportioned. The most enticing parts were her delicate and soft waist and her graceful hip line. She appeared pure and untouchable on the outside, but in Gu Beixian's eyes, she was the most charming and alluring, stirring the heartstrings. Outside the car, the river wind was fierce, the tree shadows swayed, and the indigo clouds covered half of the moon. Inside the car, the atmosphere was rich and tender, intimate and charming. The next day. Su Huan's phone suddenly received a text message from the bank, informing her that one million had been deposited into her account. The remitting account was: Jingdu Zhengrong Arts and Crafts Import and Export Trade Company. This was the parent company affiliated with Zhengrong Auction House. Su Huan found Gu Jinyao's business card and dialed the number on it. After one ring, the other party answered. "Su Huan," he called her name softly. His voice was very manly, a pure bass. Somehow, every time she heard him call her name, Su Huan always had a strange feeling. She felt that those two short words seemed to be filled with deep affection. But women like to be sentimental, she thought she must be overthinking it. Su Huan said politely, "Mr. Gu, my account has just received one million from your company, is there a mistake in your finance?" Gu Jinyao laughed, "No mistake, I asked for the transfer." Su Huan was slightly puzzled, "We have already settled the money and goods for that painting, why do you still need to transfer money to me?"

Your painting was in my office, and before I had the chance to give it to my father, it caught the eye of a regular customer who wanted it. They offered thirteen million for it, a million more than what I paid you." Su Huan pondered for a moment and said, "Your auction house charges a ten percent commission, right? I'll transfer that extra million to you." With people she didn't know well, she preferred to keep things clear and not owe favors. Gu Jin Yao said indifferently, "Since it wasn't sold through the auction, I won't charge you a commission." Su Huan was troubled, "But..." "If you really want to thank me, treat me to a meal." The request was not unreasonable at all. If it were someone else, Su Huan would have agreed. But Gu Bei Xian said he didn't like her getting too close to him. Su Huan declined tactfully, "You've helped me so much, I should indeed treat you to a meal, but I'm a bit inconvenient right now. How about this, since your father likes the ink lotus painting by Bada Shanren, I'll make a copy for him. It won't take long, less than ten days, and I'll have it painted. However, I will only copy it, not forge it, so you'll have to figure out the seal yourself." Gu Jin Yao paused, "That's fine, I took a photo of the painting with my phone, I'll send it to you later." "No need, I've already memorized it in my head, I guarantee I can copy it exactly." Gu Jin Yao was silent for a moment, then said in an extremely soft voice, "You're still so smart." Su Huan's heart suddenly trembled, "What did you say?" Gu Jin Yao smiled, then raised his tone several degrees and said, "I said, you're smarter than I imagined." Su Huan felt she might have heard wrong again and casually said, "It's from practicing when I was a child, practice makes perfect."

"The seal on the painting, just use yours. I believe that you will become very famous in the future. Once your reputation skyrockets, the value of your ink lotus painting will naturally soar." "Thank you for your compliment." Although she said this, Su Huan felt very happy inside, a sense of being recognized. After hanging up the phone, Su Huan entered the study and hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. She ground the ink herself. Grinding ink is the first step in painting, which can cultivate the mind and bring tranquility. After grinding the ink, Su Huan held the brush and walked to the spacious desk. A piece of ancient rice paper was spread on the desk. Su Huan closed her eyes and slowly replayed in her mind the composition, brushwork, and artistic conception of the Eight Great Masters' ink lotus painting. His style is known for its bold ink washes and freehand brushwork, drawing inspiration from nature, with concise ink and a grand atmosphere, full of fresh ideas. Throughout her life, she has copied so many ink ancient paintings, and she feels that the paintings of the Eight Great Masters are the most difficult to replicate. Chinese painting does not emphasize three-dimensionality or focal perspective; it must be lifelike yet not identical. A painting that is identical is actually the lowest quality; the middle level is called a "wonderful work," and the highest is called a "masterpiece," also known as a "divine work." She believes that the paintings of the Eight Great Masters can be regarded as masterpieces. His paintings always convey a sense of desolation, loneliness, and sorrow, reflecting his bleak life and cold emotions. He was originally a descendant of the Zhu royal family, living a life of turmoil and displacement. In his own words, his paintings, "With few ink dots but many tears, the mountains and rivers remain the old. In a world of chaos, the coconut trees stand tall, leaving the literary world to ponder and copy carefully."

A week later. Su Huan painted two ink lotus paintings inspired by Zhu Da. The first one was slightly less inspiring, so she had it framed and hung it in her study. The second one she was particularly satisfied with; it captured the essence, spirit, and charm perfectly, with withered leaves and ink lotuses exuding a desolate loneliness and an chilling aura. After finishing the painting, Su Huan called Gu Jinyao and said, "Mr. Gu, the painting is done. Shall I send someone to pick it up, or would you like me to deliver it to you?" "Thank you for your hard work. How about this, let's meet at a restaurant for a meal, and you can hand over the painting then." Su Huan choked up a bit, "I..." Gu Jinyao was silent for a moment before saying, "Everyone has to eat, it's just a meal, it won't take much of your time." With that said, it would seem too unkind for Su Huan to refuse any longer, so she agreed. They agreed to meet at a private restaurant at six o'clock tomorrow evening. After hanging up the phone, Su Huan looked at the ink lotus painting spread out on the table, pondered for a moment, and then called Gu Beixian. After connecting, she said, "Do you have time at six o'clock tomorrow evening? I have a dinner engagement and would like you to accompany me." Gu Beixian thought for a moment and asked with a smile, "Whose dinner is it that you're making such a big deal about?" Su Huan replied softly, "Gu Jinyao." Gu Beixian paused, his grip on the phone gradually tightening, almost deforming the device.