Jack chose a bronze wine cup to drink, unwilling to share the same cup with Lang Qingyun. Just as he poured the wine into his mouth, he heard Lang Qingyun saying leisurely, "This wine cup has a rich taste but can be intoxicating. I don't often use it."
Feeling uncomfortable, Jack almost spat out the wine, but he forced himself to swallow it down. Seeing Jack accept the wine, Lang Qingyun poured another cup for himself and Jack, then walked to the painting case, seemingly ready to continue his painting.
Jack felt that since he couldn't leave for the time being, he might as well talk to Lang Qingyun, hoping to learn more from the conversation. Lang Qingyun didn't seem as intimidating at the moment.
Lang Qingyun reminisced, "Ten years ago, I was in my prime and met Blaine at a gathering. Her charm fascinated me deeply, and I even divorced for her. But in the end, she didn't choose to spend her life with me, and our relationship has been maintained for ten years. Many authentic works of art in the museum are gone, replaced by carefully crafted imitations made by me. Isn't this ironic?" He picked up the brush while speaking but hesitated to put it down.
Jack became interested in painting and asked, "This painting looks difficult."
"It is indeed. I dare not easily put brush to paper when lacking inspiration or the right touch. A slight flaw means the failure of the entire painting, that's my principle. Like this Qibai Shi's 'Maple Leaves and Cold Cicadas', I always struggle with capturing the lightness of the cicada wings," Lang Qingyun said, ultimately setting aside the brush.
Jack carefully observed the 'Maple Leaves and Cold Cicadas' on the wall, then finished the wine in his cup, setting it heavily on the painting case. Before Lang Qingyun could react, he picked up Lang Qingyun's brush and accurately added the cicada wings on the paper.
Lang Qingyun intended to stop him, but it was too late. Holding his breath, he thought if Jack ruined the painting, he would surely explode in anger. However, Jack's technique left him stunned.
Jack seemed to be staring at the original painting on the wall, lightly adding a few strokes as if skimming the surface of the water. When Lang Qingyun looked at the paper again, the cicada wings appeared almost perfect, nearly identical to the painting on the wall, except for the lack of signature and seal.
Excitedly watching Jack, Lang Qingyun asked, "Are you also a student of painting? Who was your master?"
Jack replied honestly, "No, I just doodle casually. Seeing you working so hard, I just added a few strokes for you. How is it, is it okay?" He was now sober, realizing he might have been rash.
Lang Qingyun didn't believe it, knowing the difficulty of this painting, he asked, "You really just doodle?"
Jack confessed, "I studied computer science in college and know nothing about painting. Maybe it was the alcohol, and I acted impulsively."
Lang Qingyun understood, deciding to further investigate Jack's background. He carefully put away the painting, returned to the painting case, and said to Jack, "We're both men. You're with Blaine now, what benefits did she give you? Although I had a relationship with her in the past, that's all history. Now she's yours."
Jack didn't want to get involved in their past, he said, "Mr. Lang, I don't want to get involved in your affairs. My task is completed, can I leave now?"
Lang Qingyun proposed, "Although you're with Blaine now, what about the future? She's much older than you. Are you really willing to spend your life with her? Why not cooperate with me? Although I'm old, I'm not greedy. I'll give you double the benefits."
Jack felt helpless, he didn't explain, just said he would consider it and hoped to leave as soon as possible.
Lang Qingyun showed a cunning smile, warning Jack not to play tricks on him. Jack promised to consider it and then hastily left the museum.
Jack breathed a sigh of relief, feeling strange that despite drinking, he felt completely sober now. He drove back to the Shengshi Huating cautiously, only to find Blaine pacing anxiously in the living room.
Blaine's worry was not about what Lang Qingyun would do to Jack, but about Jack taking her car. Seeing Jack return, she immediately asked, "Where did you go? I couldn't reach you by phone. Do you know what time it is now?"
Jack took a sip of water, took a breath, and then said, "Don't mention it. Lang Qingyun is really cunning. He took me to his basement, where he paints. Have you been there before?"