84: Chapter 84 If you're going to do something, do it seriously.

After briefly discussing the subsequent pick-up details, the handling of Yang Bai's batch of illicit goods was completely settled.

"By the way, ten days from now is my old man's 70th birthday. If you have nothing else to do, come over for a meal."

Gu Sichao opened the Divine Domain Network and sent over two invitations via email.

"Since Class Leader Gu is inviting me, I definitely have to give you some face."

Yang Bai nodded and agreed with a smile. However, seeing the two red dots in the email, he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Class Leader Gu, why are you giving me two invitations?"

Gu Sichao patted Yang Bai on the shoulder and said solemnly:

"The scale of this banquet will be quite large, and the identities of the guests are not simple, so the option to bring a partner has been removed from the invitations; they are all issued individually."

"Yang Bai, you are handsome, have a friendly temperament, can fight, are wealthy, and are also the rookie king and a recommended student of Jinghai University. If someone like you doesn't even have a female partner..."

"You tell me, isn't that a bit unjustifiable?"

Yang Bai raised an eyebrow and silently pressed the "Read" button. "What you said makes perfect sense; I can't find a single fault with it."

The two of them enjoyed the evening breeze by the lake for a while, then got into the car and drove toward the bustling city ahead.

— — — — — —

The next day.

Yang Bai was wearing a decent black Tang suit. According to the business card Gu Sichao gave him, he found the [Olais Art Gallery].

As soon as he entered, the attendant standing behind the counter noticed Yang Bai, then walked up and said respectfully, "Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?"

Yang Bai took out the black and white business card and said, "I am looking for Ms. Xu Yawen."

The attendant looked at the business card in Yang Bai's hand, heard the name [Xu Yawen], nodded, returned behind the counter, picked up the phone, and made a call.

Three minutes later.

A tall woman wearing beige fashion walked out of the art gallery and came in front of Yang Bai.

When Xu Yawen saw Yang Bai, her eyes lit up. She reached out her hand and said politely, "Hello, I am Xu Yawen. Welcome to my art gallery. I am Xu Yawen."

Yang Bai did not reach out, only nodded slightly and said seriously, "Show me your business card. Of course, it would be even better if you had an ID card."

Hearing Yang Bai's words, Xu Yawen's expression stiffened. She withdrew her hand, "Haha, Mr. Yang Bai really likes to joke."

As she spoke, Xu Yawen tapped her finger in the air. The holographic lights on the art gallery wall began to change color, and Xu Yawen's gallery owner information was projected onto the wall.

Xu Yawen pointed to the wall and smiled, "Is this acceptable?"

Yang Bai briefly looked at the projected information on the wall and said, "It's fine. However, I am quite curious. A god of the technology side is actually the owner of an art gallery."

Xu Yawen covered her mouth and chuckled, "Everyone has the freedom to pursue art. Mr. Yang Bai, do you like art?"

"Since yesterday, I have fallen in love with art," Yang Bai replied politely.

Xu Yawen was a bit curious and couldn't help asking, "Why?"

Yang Bai glanced at the oil paintings in the art gallery and said seriously, "It's the first time I've known that art can be exchanged for money."

"Huh?" Xu Yawen was a bit confused.

Yang Bai handed over the black and white business card and said, "2.6 million, commission is up to you."

Seeing Yang Bai's actions, Xu Yawen was stunned for two seconds, then sighed and said, "Understood, please follow me."

Xu Yawen made a gesture of invitation, like a robot, and led the way for Yang Bai.

Arriving at a studio, stacks of drawing paper were locked in the wall cabinets, various paints were piled in the corner, and dazzling arrays of paintbrushes were arranged in several rows.

"This is Studio No. 8. Drawing paper, oil cloth, paints, and tools are all available. If you need anything, you can press this button, and I will prepare it for you."

"This studio is connected to a holographic projection. You can choose any environment you like; you can even simulate painting the Earth on the moon. This is the remote control."

Xu Yawen placed a silver remote control on the table and introduced the details of the studio to Yang Bai.

"This is good. It's my first time in such a high-end studio. It's really nice. Can you sign me up for a membership?"

Yang Bai looked at the painting tools, then touched the huge sandalwood painting table in front of him and nodded with satisfaction.

Xu Yawen frowned slightly, then said, "As for membership, it belongs to long-term cooperation with the studio, and the minimum registration fee is 300,000 star coins."

"Deduct it from the card... wait."

Yang Bai rubbed his chin, suddenly realizing that as long as he hadn't paid taxes on those 2.6 million star coins, they were illicit. If he used them casually, trouble would arise.

And a one-time expenditure of 300,000 star coins might just lead the bank to come knocking for an audit tomorrow.

Yang Bai waved his hand and smiled, "Forget it, let's talk about it next time I come."

"Very well, please enjoy your wonderful painting time."

Xu Yawen bowed and then quietly left the studio.

Yang Bai picked up the remote control and set the studio environment to a landscape of mountains, waters, and forests covered in misty rain.

At the same time, the humidity, temperature, and freshness of the air in the studio changed.

Yang Bai took a deep breath and exhaled comfortably, as if he were truly in the forest.

"Time to get down to business."

Yang Bai opened the painting cabinet, took out a sheet of high-grade four-foot full-size (138×69 cm) Xuan paper, placed it on the large painting table, and flattened it with two white jade paperweights.

Then, he took out some Toujin Huimo ink, a black mysterious jade inkstone, and various types of brushes from the painting tool stand and set them aside.

After doing all this, Yang Bai began to grind the ink seriously.

Yang Bai didn't know how to paint ink wash paintings, but just because he didn't know, it didn't mean the people under him didn't.

[Red Dust Samsara] could allow Yang Bai to experience another person's life and inherit all their cultivation methods, martial arts, and abilities.

Yang Bai had used [Red Dust Samsara] on a total of 4 people, and among them, there were two painting masters: Chu Gehang and Chen Jianfeng.

Although Gu Sichao told him that he just needed to dab some paint around casually and finish ten paintings to complete the job, Yang Bai understood that the person buying his paintings would definitely be Gu Sichao.

Since he was already here, and he had inherited the painting abilities of Chu Gehang and Chen Jianfeng, he might as well do it seriously.

After grinding the ink, Yang Bai picked up the brush, took a deep breath, and then used his Qi to guide the brush, moving like a dragon and a snake.

In the blink of an eye, a misty mountain forest appeared on the paper.

Yang Bai's expression was serious as he meticulously embellished the drawing paper in front of him with ink marks.

Two hours later.

Yang Bai pushed open the studio door, looking a bit tired between his brows, and holding a mahogany box in his arms.

Xu Yawen had been waiting at the door for a long time, holding three red and blue receipts in her hand.

Yang Bai handed the box to Xu Yawen, took the receipts, and said, "Here are my works. Please give my regards to Young Master Gu."

After speaking, Yang Bai left.

After Yang Bai left, Xu Yawen opened the mahogany box, which contained ten jade-axled scroll paintings neatly arranged inside.