The black Maybach was driving in the traffic, its body reflecting the sunlight and its lines smooth.
Inside the car, Qin Mingyuan sat in the back seat, his elbows resting on the window, his fingertips resting on his chin, and his side profile looking at the scenery passing quickly outside the car.
He had just had lunch with his partners and drank two glasses of red wine. He had a faint aroma of wine on his body. Perhaps because of the alcohol, his sharp eyes had a misty color and looked much gentler.
But even so, Zhou Yang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, did not dare to turn around and talk to his boss. He sat there obediently, only occasionally replying to work messages on his phone.
There was an intersection ahead, the traffic light turned red, and the cars stopped. He lowered his eyes and concentrated on typing.
"Zhou Yang."
When the boss's voice came from behind, his fingertips trembled with fear, fearing that the other party would misunderstand that he was slacking off. He opened his mouth to explain, "Boss Qin, I didn't..."
"What's your schedule for the afternoon?" Qin Mingyuan ignored what he wanted to say, his eyes still fixed out the window, staring at the billboard on the roadside.
Zhou Yang was stunned by his sudden question, then he quickly replied, "I have a meeting at four o'clock."
Qin Mingyuan lowered his eyes and glanced at the watch on his wrist. "Two hours, that's enough."
Zhou Yang was puzzled. Just when he was about to ask what was enough, he met his boss's eyes in the rearview mirror and subconsciously fell silent.
"Find a place to stop after you pass the intersection." Qin Mingyuan didn't explain much. After giving the order, he continued to look out the window.
The driver responded, and as the light turned green, he stepped on the accelerator and the car slid out.
After finding a spot on the roadside and parking the car, Qin Mingyuan opened the door and stepped out. He straightened the wrinkles on his clothes caused by the ride. He turned his head and looked at his assistant who was about to follow him down. "You go back to the company first, and then ask the driver to pick me up."
"Ah?" Zhou Yang, who had pushed the door halfway, stopped and looked at his boss's face that did not allow for rejection. He did not dare to ask him where he was going and sat back in the car.
Watching the Maybach leave, Qin Mingyuan turned and walked towards the exhibition hall he had just seen. The roadside billboard had detailed information about the art exhibition. The one-week exhibition, including today, would end at six o'clock.
Visiting art exhibitions is one of Qin Mingyuan’s few hobbies, a habit he developed from his grandfather.
Although he can't paint, he always feels calm every time he goes to an art exhibition, and that feeling makes him feel comfortable.
Over time, no matter whether he was in a good mood or a bad mood, he would go and take a look whenever he had the chance, and occasionally he would buy one or two works that he liked and take them home.
The elevator door slid open with a "ding" sound, and Qin Mingyuan stepped out. His black coat covered his suit, and the hem of his coat lifted slightly when he walked, making his slender figure very eye-catching. Many people around him glanced at him inadvertently. He had long been accustomed to such stares, and walked through the corridor without looking sideways, and walked calmly to the entrance of the exhibition.
The space inside is large and the decoration style is very artistic. There are quite a few people, but it is very quiet. When talking, everyone gets close and lowers their voices.
Qin Mingyuan enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. He put his hands in his coat pockets, walked to the wall on one side, and looked at the framed works.
There were many paintings hanging on a whole row of walls. He looked at them one by one, walking very slowly.
All the works on display at this exhibition are from new artists. Since they do not belong to the same painter, the styles of the paintings are not uniform. After looking around, some are abstract and some are realistic, which can satisfy the preferences and tastes of different people.
Qin Mingyuan has no preference. He mainly looks at paintings based on his taste. If he likes one, he is willing to spend more money on it. If he doesn't like one, it is just a piece of waste paper in his eyes.
He loves someone very much and hates someone very much. My grandfather has said many times that this is a flaw in his character. As a businessman, he must never reveal his preferences and give his opponents the opportunity to defeat him.
Later, he even learned to take two bites of everything when eating, and always had a dull expression on his face, which made his grandfather very satisfied.
In fact, the other party didn't know until his death that Qin Mingyuan had never changed. He only learned one thing, which was to hide.
He keeps things that cannot be said in his heart, and does not allow things that he likes to be placed in his house. He can remain calm in the face of people he dislikes, and no clues can be seen on his face, but he is only criticizing the other person in his heart.
"Hello sir, are you interested in my paintings?"
Perhaps his thoughts drifted away and he stayed in front of a painting for too long, a young man who looked to be about 27 or 28 years old walked up to him. His hair was down to his neck and slightly curly, and he was wearing a camel jacket and ripped jeans, looking very fashionably dressed.
"I can talk to you about my creative inspiration and insights."
While he was talking, Qin Mingyuan glanced at the painting in front of him. It was an abstract work, with messy lines and shapes piled together. There was no artistic atmosphere at all. It only made him feel dizzy. He frowned and said, "No need."
He had no intention of paying any more attention to the other person and walked away.
Generally, all the painters of the works on display will be present, especially for this kind of exhibition by new artists who are not yet very famous. They can use this opportunity to show their faces and find buyers for their paintings.
Not all artists are detached from the world. While pursuing beauty and dreams, they also have to think about how to survive. Paintings are undoubtedly the best commodities. If they meet the right audience, they may be able to sell them at a better price.
The young man next to him who was persevering in following Qin Mingyuan was obviously one of them. After all, he exuded the word "noble" from head to toe.
"The artistic conception of this painting may be a little difficult to understand. I have other works in the exhibition. Would you like to take a look, sir?" The young man felt that his vision of people was as sharp as his vision of paintings. He should be able to negotiate a business deal with this man with a distinguished temperament.
Qin Mingyuan stopped and the young man's eyes lit up. He didn't look at him, but his gaze fell on a painting on the wall.
The picture was not complicated. It was a small dark room, black in the literal sense. He even wondered if the painter had used up a whole tube of black paint to create such a rich color.
Right in the middle of the black is a small window. Light shines in from outside, leaving a small spot of light on the ground. Lush shadows of trees can be seen outside the window.
It is a work with a very strong contrast between light and dark. It is hung in an inconspicuous corner, and some people passing by may not even notice it.
Seeing his eyes fall on other people's paintings, the young man followed suit, curled his lips in disdain, raised his hands and clasped them in front of his chest, "The artistic conception of this painting looks average, too ordinary, and the composition is not perfect. It should be the work of a completely newcomer..."
"You're noisy." Qin Mingyuan was finally willing to give the other person a look, feeling impatient, "Are you a product salesman?"
Qin Mingyuan didn't care how angry he was. He turned around and looked at the painting again. His eyes scanned the painting for a few times and landed on the signature on the corner: Siyu.
It sounded like a woman's name. He blinked slowly, a little curious about the state of mind the other person was in when she painted this picture.
"Do you like this picture?"
A questioning voice sounded beside him. Qin Mingyuan turned around and saw a woman about thirty years old, wearing a gray formal dress, standing two steps away.
He didn't say anything, thinking that the other person was the author of the painting and wanted to sell her work to him like the young man just now, until his eyes moved down and fell on the work badge on her chest.
The woman let him look at her, showing a very decent smile, "Do you need me to introduce you?"
Qin Mingyuan raised his eyebrows without comment, then turned to look at the painting again.
Knowing that he meant by tacit agreement, the woman took another half step closer and said, "This painting actually has little interest to anyone. Its composition is too simple and the artistic conception is almost obvious at a glance. Many guests who advocate profound thoughts do not appreciate it. Moreover, although its meaning is beautiful, the picture is too bleak and the colors are too monotonous. Most people do not like it."
"It's clear at a glance?" Qin Mingyuan tilted his head slightly to look at her.
"Yes, the light in the darkness." The woman raised her hand and placed it in front of the painting, indicating the light. "If you have light in your heart, you won't be afraid even if you are in darkness. This is the view of most people."
Qin Mingyuan listened to her quietly until she finished speaking, and smiled, which was rare for him. "I think it's just the opposite."
Being trapped in a pitch-black gloomy space, being able to see the light but not be able to catch it, is more terrifying than having nothing at all.
"What?"
His voice was not loud, and the woman did not hear it clearly, so she asked in confusion.
Qin Mingyuan didn't explain to her, his expression returned to calm, "I want to meet the author of this painting."
"I'm sorry," the woman shook her head, "Siyu's paintings are fully entrusted to the exhibition agent. He didn't come to the scene, so you may not be able to see him."
Qin Mingyuan was a little surprised. Young and unknown painters always cherish every opportunity. It is rare for them to be so indifferent. It is quite interesting. "Are there any other works of hers in the exhibition?"
The woman shook her head again in apology. "This is the only one."
This time Qin Mingyuan was not surprised, nor did he care much. He just mentioned it casually, "Can I buy this painting?"
The woman smiled and nodded this time. "Of course. Do you want me to wrap it for you now, or do you want to see other works?"
"Let's wrap it up first." Qin Mingyuan raised his wrist to check the time. It was just past three o'clock, so there was still plenty of time. He was in a good mood as he had made an interesting discovery.
The woman put on gloves, took the painting down and packed it up. He walked away and looked around again. He saw the young man from before from afar. It seemed that he had found someone who could "appreciate" art this time. The two of them had a very pleasant chat.
Qin Mingyuan didn't walk in that direction, but turned and went in another direction. The cell phone in his pocket vibrated at this time, so he stopped and took it out.
Tsk, he licked his back teeth impatiently. Why is it this lingering protagonist again
I answered the call and put it to my ear. His voice was even colder than his expression. "Hello."
"Brother Mingyuan, I got a chance to audition for Director Li's play!" The person on the other side obviously didn't feel his emotions and sounded excited.
It would be strange if he was not chosen. Qin Mingyuan sat down on a very stylish stool next to the wall and said calmly, "Congratulations."
"This time it's all thanks to Brother Mingyuan. If it weren't for you, how would I have the opportunity to audition for Director Li's play. Thank you so much." The young man's voice was lively and cheerful, and his words of gratitude were sincere.
There was no fluctuation on Qin Mingyuan's face. He was just thinking in his mind that the role had been decided and the time for the opponent to meet the protagonist would soon be up.
It was a good thing for him, but in the novel it was the beginning of a heart-wrenching tragedy for the original person.
Before he could say anything, Yun Yuexian continued, "I had planned to treat Brother Mingyuan to a meal, but I may not have time for now. The crew is in a hurry, so I need to pack up and join the crew tomorrow. I'm really sorry."
Don't apologize, it's best to stay in the crew and love the protagonist and don't come out. Qin Mingyuan cast his eyes on the painting opposite with boredom, and said, "It doesn't matter, there are plenty of opportunities."
"Brother Mingyuan..." After talking about the happy event, the person on the other end of the phone hesitated for a long time before saying, "My father said..."
"Sir, your painting has been packed. Would you like to pay now?" The staff member who appeared at the right time stopped the voice on the phone. Qin Mingyuan was in a good mood and raised his eyebrows slightly. He said without hesitation: "I have something else to do here. I'll hang up first."
After saying this, he hung up the call without waiting for the other party to respond and put the phone in his pocket.
Seeing him nod, the woman walked in front of him with the paper bag containing the paintings and took him to pay.
Qin Mingyuan followed behind the man with his hands in his pockets, thinking that the plot of the book would only officially unfold after the two protagonists met, and his presence as a supporting role would instantly diminish.
The original body had visited the set several times during the filming, but in order to prevent Yun Yuexian from getting into trouble by spreading rumors that she was being kept by a wealthy sponsor, he didn't even tell her. He just looked at her from a distance in a low-key manner.
So when he saw the interaction between the two protagonists, he realized something and was in a gloomy mood for a long time.
Qin Mingyuan scoffed at this and said that he was hopelessly stupid. He just wanted to take this opportunity to completely distance himself from him.
(End of this chapter)