Chu Yuxuan quickly turned around and saw a graceful woman in a cheongsam with flowing waves of hair and a curvaceous figure. Her aura was reminiscent of a warlord's wife from the Republic of China era, though calling her a wealthy young matron would be more accurate today.
"Did you paint this?" Chu Yuxuan asked.
The young matron did not immediately respond. She looked him up and down, arms crossed as she leaned against the railing, and said with a smile, "I'm just a waitress; how could I have such skill? … Now it's your turn to answer. What do you think of it?"
Chu Yuxuan recalled that the waitresses he had seen while coming down from the third floor had all been wearing various styles of cheongsams, and their appearance and demeanor were all top-notch. He had no reason to doubt the identity of the woman before him.
If he had known that the seemingly ordinary cheongsam she was wearing was worth 1.2 million, he might have been more suspicious.
Chu Yuxuan looked at the ink wash painting. Normally, he wouldn't have paid any attention to a random waitress who appeared out of nowhere, but he was feeling quite bored, so he replied, "I understand a bit."
"Oh?" The woman lifted her chin slightly and said, "Tell me then, after looking for so long, what do you think of the painting?"
Chu Yuxuan smirked, "Do you want the truth?"
"Of course... You wouldn't be pretending not to understand, would you?"
Chu Yuxuan glanced at her and then looked back at the painting, saying, "Painting should be 'the idea precedes the brush.' But this painting is 'the brush moves while the idea follows.' Though the brushwork is delicate, it lacks spirit and force. Even with good technique, it can only be a mere imitation... Overall, this painting feels like a beautiful girl with a pair of overly wise eyes. What do you think, can it be beautiful?"
The woman bit her lower lip, her expression darkening slightly, "Is it really worthless? Can't you see anything else?"
Chu Yuxuan smiled lightly, "Since ancient times, people have admired orchids and disliked bamboo. Who paints bamboo without having a serious illness? Moreover, to highlight the desolate evening wind, the bamboo leaves are all over the place. I imagine the artist must have been troubled at the time."
The woman's lips slightly parted, and she looked at Chu Yuxuan with surprise. Her eyelids fluttered before she turned and walked away confidently.
Chu Yuxuan thought she must be going to attend to something and did not pay much attention. When he was about to leave as well, the woman returned, holding brushes and ink, and said, "Since you seem to know a lot, why don't you add a few strokes? It would help me learn."
Chu Yuxuan found it a bit odd and tentatively asked again, "Did you paint this?"
The woman hesitated for a moment and then nodded gently.
Chu Yuxuan felt something was amiss. How could a waitress have the time to paint?
"Who exactly are you?"
The woman seemed slightly displeased, "What? Are waitresses not allowed to paint? Hey, can you stop being so picky? Show me what you've got."
Chu Yuxuan didn't respond, instead, he scrutinized her thoughtfully. The woman was around his age, and her appearance, temperament, and figure were all of high quality, not falling behind even compared to female celebrities. It was unlikely she was just an ordinary waitress. He had been hasty to judge based only on her cheongsam.
"Didn't you say you were quite confident earlier? So, is it only talk?"
Chu Yuxuan considered that in such places, one's background should never be underestimated. Since he had already been rude, there was no reason to refuse further. He took the brush, thought for a moment, and wrote the character "静" (jing).
The woman looked at the character "静," which was in a neatly done Wei style script, revealing deep calligraphic skill. Unexpectedly, this seemingly rough and arrogant young master could write so well!
Indeed, in today's fast-paced era, it is rare to find someone who can calmly dedicate themselves to calligraphy. Whether it is one of the top ten national treasures or just a cultural relic, many young people view it as obsolete, which is truly sad.
And those wealthy or powerful people with offices decorated with calligraphy and paintings are often just putting on a facade of elegance.
"The brushwork is strong, and the spirit surpasses the form. It's a rare good character... For such a dismal and chaotic painting, you write a '静' (tranquility)? It has a unique artistic conception," the woman complimented, "Is this character a gift for me?"
Chu Yuxuan joked, "In your painting, I couldn't take it away even if I wanted to."
The woman smiled even more, gazing at Chu Yuxuan for a moment before saying sincerely or casually, "Thank you."
Chu Yuxuan smiled faintly, nodded, and returned the brush. At that moment, Chu Zhijing called, saying he was ready to leave. Chu Yuxuan answered the call while heading toward the lobby.
Soon, Chu Zhijing came down to the first floor, holding two recommendation letters, which he handed to a glamorous woman who seemed to be a manager at the front desk.
"Son, I've arranged for a membership card for you. From now on, you can come to the Red Tower whenever you like," Chu Zhijing said with a laugh.
Chu Yuxuan did not say much. He had no intention of frequenting such places, but having a membership card was better than not having one, in case it was needed. Just then, the woman who had discussed calligraphy with him earlier strutted into the lobby. The staff at the front desk all greeted her respectfully, indicating that she was some sort of leader at the Red Tower.
"Chu Yuxuan, I'm Situ Jingyao. Thank you for the character you gave me today!" The woman gave a charming smile and handed him a red card, "Here, this membership card is a return gift. Hee hee... Chu Yuxuan, I remember you. If you have time, come to the Red Tower and teach me how to write."
Chu Yuxuan took the red card without looking at it and stared directly at Situ Jingyao, asking, "How do you know my name?"
Situ Jingyao gave a peculiar smile, "You're the notorious playboy of Jiangcheng. Is there anyone who doesn't know you? Hee hee..."
Chu Yuxuan was somewhat speechless, but he sensed that this woman was not to be trifled with. It was better not to get too involved. He thanked her while holding up the red card and turned to leave.
Chu Zhijing followed closely, seemingly incredulous. He grabbed the red card from his son and looked at his own black card, muttering, "This red card is the highest level membership card at the Red Tower. I only have a black card... Son, Situ Jingyao is the general manager of the Red Tower with a deep background. She seems to have some interest in you. Why don't you... get to know her better? If you can win her over, it will definitely help you a lot."
Chu Yuxuan said irritably, "You're good at this kind of thing. You handle it yourself... Be careful not to die under her skirt!"
Chu Zhijing laughed and made no further comment.
Watching the father and son leave the Red Tower, Situ Jingyao leaned forward at the front desk, propping her chin on her hand, with a smile that was calm and sweet.
At that moment, a young man in a sharp suit came down the stairs and strolled to the front desk. He looked at Situ Jingyao and asked, "Thinking about spring?"
Situ Jingyao's face immediately darkened, "Get lost!"
The man sneered, "I saw you flirting with him on the balcony. I noticed everything."
Situ Jingyao snapped, "It's none of your business if I go to bed with him. Get out of my sight before you annoy me!"