Title: 不正经关系 (Improper Relationship)
Author：御小凡 (Yu Xiaofan)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists ：严海安 (Yan Hai’an – MC), 孙言 (Sun Yan – ML)
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Mo Yisheng was still in the studio. But what Yan Hai’an didn’t expect was that he actually had guests.
He Ling and Mo Yisheng were sitting on the sofa together. They seemed to be chatting happily. Seeing him come in, He Ling stood up and greeted him formally.
Yan Hai’an glanced at Mo Yisheng and said with a smile, “I hope Yisheng remembers to invite you to dinner.”
As soon as he said that, Mo Yisheng laughed embarrassedly: “I really forgot. Can you ask the front desk to order takeout? It was only when you brought it up that I remembered…”
“I was the one who came to visit. I don’t blame you.” He Ling kindly explained to Mo Yisheng, and looked down at his watch, “It’s already so late, so I won’t bother you. Now, I’ll go first.”
“I’ll see you off.” As long as it wasn’t in front of Sun Yan, Yan Hai’an had changed back to a good gentleman who had a modest advance and retreat. On behalf of Mo Yisheng, who did not know how to communicate with others, he sent He Ling into the car to leave.
Mo Yisheng sat on the sofa eating apricots, and handed him one: “He Ling asked someone to help bring this back from the previous village. It’s so sweet, come and try it.”
This person is really very caring, no wonder his popularity is so good. So, even if his level of painting is not very amazing, he is very pleasant in this circle. But we only can make friends on the surface with such a smooth person, we cannot connect deeply.
Yan Hai’an took the apricots, peeled them perfectly without any damage to the flesh, and handed them back to Mo Yisheng: “Have you thanked him well?”
“Ah, yes.” Mo Yisheng likes to eat these sweet and sour things, the taste is the same as that of a child. A bag of apricots is not enough for him to eat alone, “It’s just too few. Can we also ask someone to help bring some to me too?”
Even if He Ling brought back a box, it wouldn’t be much if everyone shared it so equally. Yan Hai’an didn’t know anyone there, so he could only make this trip in person: “Tomorrow I’ll buy some for you.”
“Mmmm.” Mo Yisheng’s eyes turned back to the drawing board, “This will be completed in half a month. Please tell Sun Yan about this.”
Yan Hai’an looked over and saw that this living room-sized painting was almost finished. The lines were complex and neat and the colours were bright and clean. It was the usual Mo Yisheng’s style. Although there are many characters, the facial expressions of each one of the characters are very expressive. Yan Hai’an set a high price for it in his heart.
Since Sun Yan privately asked Mo Yisheng to draw this painting, he is not going to go through the procedure with Li Qing. Regarding Li Qing’s matter, Yan Hai’an had a small dissatisfaction in his heart. But he did not question Li Qing, because it was of no use even if he did. Although Li Qing’s resources are very good, Yan Hai’an knows that they have to start to develop more channels, so as not to be caught by Li Qing. He had no intention of letting Li Qing keep Mo Yisheng in captivity.
Yan Hai’an leaned against the wall, looked at Mo Yisheng’s back against the drawing board, and rubbed his eyebrows. Chairman Wang was originally a good candidate to be a new channel, but Mo Yisheng was too disgusted with these things and it was not easy for him to handle this matter.
The vibration of his phone interrupted his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID. He then turned and walked out of the room before picking it up: “Hello? What happened at home? Did you receive the money I sent this month?”
The voice on the other side was a bit loud and it was spoken in the dialect of his hometown. After listening, Yan Hai’an said, “I’ve been busy recently, so I can’t go back.”
The opposite said: “An? Why don’t you come back? You always say something up. Our old man misses you very much. Why don’t you come back?”
Yan Hai’an said: “Something is really up.”
Li Qing’s exhibition is confirmed to be conducted by next month. Yan Hai’an has to follow the whole process so he can’t think of going back to his hometown at this time. And he knew exactly why his parents told him to go back.
He said: “Brother, tell our parents that they should not worry about my affairs. Anyway, it’s enough for the old Yan family to have you in the family. You also know that I can’t be with a woman, so don’t delay the girls from those good families.”
There was silence on the other end.
The atmosphere on the phone was really heavy so Yan Hai’an took the initiative to say, “When the summer vacation is over, you can come to City B to visit.”
There was a sigh on the other line. Yan Hai’an didn’t know whether it was an agreement or not.
The temperature in May is getting drier and it is no longer possible to wear long sleeves.
The theme of Li Qing’s oil painting exhibition at the end of the month is called “Ancient Sorrows”. She took advantage of Wang Yuhu’s convenience and invited many well-known people. She also put in various channels of media, including regular news reports and outdoor media planes. The advertisement is to make a lot of money to create enough momentum for this exhibition.
The art world is too out of reach for ordinary people. This is a huge disadvantage in the domestic market. Excessive taxes and immature audiences make Li Qing unable to do business with high and low profile. She must promote her gallery as a brand. It was done not only to earn the reputation of the industry. She wants to be a professional, but also a well-known person in the area. It sounds very good as a “cultural promotion”.
It’s just that this is her first big move and not everyone who wants to come can come. Her exhibition is not open to the public, unlike the last time it was just for popularity. The number of people was small but the quality of the people who attended went up.
Today’s Li Qing is even more energetic than she was on the opening day. She does not accompany anyone alone. She tries her best to be a good host who makes every guest feel at home.
Yan Hai’an glanced at her from a distance, turned around, and congratulated He Ling, “Mr. He’s painting must be very popular.”
In terms of selling well, Yan Hai’an’s words are not a compliment. He Ling spent so many days in that ancient village and painted a small scene – a pond of nine-tailed fish, named “Nine-tailed Xiang Yu”. In terms of technique and creativity, there is nothing good to say, but this is called a Feng Shui painting in the industry. The carp is also a mascot of Feng Shui. Nine carps are gathered in the same place, which means that nine and nine are one.
From the name to the meaning, it is very pleasing. Many people here are doing business, so they pay attention to this.
He was polite and He Ling was also polite: “Where can I compare? Yi Sheng’s paintings still have the aura. There should be many people asking for it with high prices, right?”
But this time, Li Qing didn’t set a price. She was going to use charity auctions to sell paintings. She made a name for charity and thus, reduced taxes.
Their chats did not involve any painting skills, but rather like two businessmen. When Mo Yisheng came back from the bathroom, he changed the subject again.
The exhibition lasted all afternoon. Li Qing asked the guests to move. She had already booked the high-end banquet hall on the top floor of the commercial centre. She did not make it into a traditional auction ceremony, but it was more like a banquet. When everyone was chatting and laughing accompanied by the food and wine, the auction was held on the stage at the same time.
In the exhibition, everyone has fully looked at the paintings, and they understand what they should know. It is estimated that the host does not need to say more at the auction, and they know which one to start with.
Yan Hai’an and Mo Yisheng found a place with few people to stand. Yan Hai’an only held a glass of low-alcohol sparkling wine while his other hand helped Mo Yisheng to hold the juice. Meanwhile, Mo Yisheng held a plate full of food, watching and eating.
This time, because of the name of charity, everyone is more generous in their shots. Every painting is above five digits. For example, He Ling’s painting sold at ¥120,000.
Mo Yisheng looked at him and said, “The layout of He Ling painting is too small. And…”
He didn’t seem to be able to describe it, he just frowned and shook his head: “There was no emotion at all.”
Yan Hai’an knew that what he said had no malicious intentions. He was simply talking about painting: “Don’t tell He Ling about what you said.”
Mo Yisheng’s plate was about to bottom. He poked the last piece of steak, his mouth bulging like a squirrel: “Why? Do you think He Ling will be angry? I don’t think he is that kind of person. He is different from those people.”
This is one of the reasons why Mo Yisheng doesn’t like to associate with certain professional painters. He hates each other’s praises very much. No one can listen to other people’s opinions. Just listening to those people complimenting each other is like putting each other’s paintings in the Louvre to be worthy of only broken paintings.
In fact, this is not necessarily mutual flattery. Some of them can only be regarded as ordinary compliments in social life, but Mo Yisheng is always straightforward. Many times Yan Hai’an is very worried about this. So he hopes that Mo Yisheng can quickly gain a firm foothold in this circle. He can take care of Mo Yisheng, but if something bad happens, he may not be able to protect him.
Yan Hai’an suppressed his worries: “I’ll go get you some more food?”
“I’ll go get it myself.” Mo Yisheng was completely unaware of his worries and walked towards the food counter with his plate in hand. Yan Hai’an frowned and looked at him when his shoulder was caught off guard by someone.
He shivered in a complacent manner and looked to the side.
Sun Yan tilted his head to look at him and the cup in his hand touched the one in his: “Yo.”
Yan Hai heaved a sigh of relief. It had been more than half a month since the last time he saw Sun Yan. Now, he felt a little uncomfortable seeing him again. Rather than being unhappy, he asked awkwardly, “When did you come?”
“I’ve just arrived.” Everyone present was dressed more formally. However, Sun Yan dressed casually, as if he was just visiting a supermarket. In his glass was red wine, and he shook it, “Arriving just in time for Yisheng’s?”
Yan Hai’an didn’t care to talk to him, so he looked at the stage. It turned out that Mo Yisheng’s painting came on stage.
The painting depicts the dusk of the ancient village. The original deep and shallow green is dyed by the flame-like sunset, spreading from the village to the mountains and forests, depicting the building complex with a long history committed to the quiet scenery. It conveys a gentle tranquillity. The wonderful perspective treatment makes people feel like they are there in person.
The bidding quickly broke through five figures and quickly reached six figures.
Yan Hai’an listened to the bid and was very pleased. Sun Yan seemed to be looking at the stage, but he kept watching Yan Hai’an distractedly. Hearing that the bidding price had reached ¥300,000, he raised his hand and raised his voice: “¥500,000.”
It’s a good thing to be raised by someone and the host asked: “There are guests who have quoted ¥500,000. Is there anything higher than this? ¥500,000 once. Paintings are for people who have fate. If you like it, don’t miss it.”
When he was long-winded, Sun Yan chuckled and whispered to Yan Hai’an: “Otherwise you will ask for another price? I will continue to ask for ¥200,000 more?”
“It’s ¥500,000 twice. Are you still willing to pay more than ¥500,000?”
Someone raised their hand, and the host immediately said, “¥510,000 once.”
Sun Yan also looked at Yan Hai’an who was staring at him with a smile and raised his hand: “¥700,000.”
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Next update: 2022.05.06
*Translator’s Note: ‘Nine carps are gathered in the same place, which means that nine and nine are one’= these numbers bring luck.
Sun Yan was obviously interested in Yan Hai’an so he tried to impress him by bidding Mo Yisheng’s painting at such a high price lol.
