95: Chapter 95: Conquering Qian Zhaodi

Chen Hao smiled wryly and said,

"It’s a relief that you don't blame me for borrowing the chicken to lay the egg."

"How could I? I was originally worried about what I would do to repay your kindness if the training fees couldn't be recovered. Now it's perfect, we are even."

After Chen Hao finished peeling the apple, as he handed it to Zhuang Hua, his mind was filled with the image of Qian Zhaodi offering an apple just now.

Zhuang Hua was just about to reach out to take it.

"Thank..."

Chen Hao, driven by some impulse, retracted his hand and took a bite out of the apple.

"Hmm."

Zhuang Hua’s expression fell.

Chen Hao grinned and handed the half-eaten apple to her.

"Here, LOG."

She didn't seem to mind and took it, starting to bite into it.

Chen Hao stood up and said,

"Since you don't blame me for taking the initiative, I will proceed as planned. Once you are discharged from the hospital, I will hand over all authority and take the Internet Celebrity class for practical training."

Chen Hao left. Zhuang Hua kept staring at his retreating figure until he completely disappeared.

At this moment, she had only one thought: after this training was completely over, she wanted to follow Chen Hao and no longer rush to the front lines alone.

Changing from a 'Commander' to an ordinary soldier didn't seem so bad after all.

Because she suddenly felt that only by staying behind Chen Hao could she have a sense of security she had never experienced before.

...When Chen Hao walked out of the hospital, Qian Zhaodi was leaning against the maserati with a mischievous smile.

"I’ll treat you to dinner."

After they got into the car, Chen Hao said while driving. The effort to secure investment the previous night hadn't been very fruitful.

"Everything is as I expected. The path you chose is very difficult at the beginning."

Qian Zhaodi said nonchalantly.

"Anyway, as long as you are here, I’m not worried."

"You trust me quite a bit."

"I have foresight. I’m clinging to this big tree of yours."

Having listened to Chen Hao’s two lectures this week, Qian Zhaodi was completely conquered by him. This man was talented, capable, rich, and handsome—what woman wouldn't love him?

If Chen Hao didn't have a girlfriend, she would have wanted to marry him. But alas, he was taken, so she could only be a third party.

When Qian Zhaodi invited Chen Hao to dinner, she actually took him to her private room.

She lived alone, and her place was a bit messy. The living room and bedroom were filled with painting supplies, plaster statues, easels, and paintbrushes everywhere. Even the walls were covered with various oil paintings.

"Whoa, yours is the messiest home I’ve ever seen."

Qian Zhaodi changed into a pair of slippers and said while walking into the kitchen.

"Why do you sound like my mom?"

Chen Hao retorted.

"If one or two people say that about you, haven't you ever considered looking for the reason within yourself?"

Qian Zhaodi opened the refrigerator and was stunned.

"I forgot to buy groceries."

Chen Hao questioned her.

"Then why did you say you were treating me to dinner?"

"We'll order takeout. Just wait."

She took out her phone to order takeout. Chen Hao glanced at the kitchen; sure enough, it was as messy outside—full of leftover takeout containers.

Chen Hao shook his head and sighed.

"You said you were treating me to dinner, but clearly, your real intention lies elsewhere."

Qian Zhaodi flopped onto the sofa, ordering takeout on her phone, and said,

"If you see through it but don't say it, we can still be friends."

Chen Hao wandered around her house again. It was a one-bedroom, two-living-room layout. Besides the bedroom for sleeping, the other bedroom had been completely converted into a walk-in closet.

An entire room full of high-end designer clothing showed that besides her love for painting, her only other flaw was vanity.

Chen Hao returned to the living room. As he looked at Qian Zhaodi, a beam of sunset light shone through the window onto her body, creating a hazy beauty due to the Tyndall effect.

Chen Hao had a sudden inspiration. With the easels and brushes all ready, he decided to create an impromptu piece on the spot.

Qian Zhaodi finished ordering takeout and put down her phone. When she saw Chen Hao painting, her eyes went wide.

She quickly walked over and stood behind Chen Hao. Seeing the person in the painting, she smiled and said,

"You’re actually painting a portrait of me?"

Chen Hao replied,

"I won't paint it for free. I plan to trade this painting for all your discarded drafts."

Qian Zhaodi happily skipped over to the bookshelf and pulled out a stack of paper, totaling over a thousand sheets.

"Discarded drafts, right? They’re all yours!"

Chen Hao’s eyes widened.

Was obtaining a goddess token this easy? So many! How many points was that worth?

However, Qian Zhaodi immediately added a condition.

"Let's set the ground rules first. Your painting must satisfy me. Otherwise, forget the discarded drafts; it’ll be a sign of my good temper if I don't kick you out."

She even added a limiting condition.

"What counts as satisfying you?"

She stated frankly, "I don't like abstract art. The more realistic, the better."

Chen Hao thought seriously. Since that was the case, he would take a gamble—turn a bicycle into a motorcycle.

He had unlocked painting before, but only at the Proficient level. Unlocking it to Master level by spending 1000 points should satisfy her, right?

These past few days, thanks to Wang Lichun's bra token, Sun Nana's underwear token, and Zhang Menglu's stockings token, he had just saved up 1000 points. He had too many points to spend anyway, so he immediately unlocked it.

"Painting Master Level has been purchased."

"Current available points: 11978."

After gaining the Master Level painting ability, Chen Hao's understanding of painting reached a new height, especially concerning brushwork, which he now understood on a deeper level.

He painted with complete confidence, easily achieving the desired effect on paper with just a few strokes.

Qian Zhaodi ignored Chen Hao and set out the takeout on the dining table. She walked behind him, intending to call him to eat, but she was stunned when she saw the painting.

The oil painting was incredibly realistic, subtly revealing a master's touch.

As someone who majored in fine arts, seeing this painting made her feel inferior.

If the last time she saw Chen Hao paint, she felt his skill was similar to her own, now she found it unbelievable.

Chen Hao was definitely not a beginner painter. This level of master brushwork and painting technique must have been honed through years of practice.

A complete novice couldn't achieve this!

Qian Zhaodi was completely engrossed, and before she realized it, a masterpiece was born—a level of artistry comparable to masterworks, not falling short of some world-famous paintings.

"It's finished. Are you satisfied now?"

Qian Zhaodi was speechless, staring fixedly at the artwork, unable to look away.

"How much did you lie to me?"

This sentence left Chen Hao somewhat confused.

"What did I lie to you about?"

"You are clearly not a beginner who has never learned to paint; you are clearly at a master level. If you were to die, the value of this painting would certainly not be less than the Mona Lisa."

"Come on, I plan on living a few more years."

Chen Hao walked over to the pile of papers, tapped them, and received a system notification. Chen Hao smiled.

"If you are satisfied, all these discarded drafts are mine now."

"Take them. Trading a pile of drafts for a masterpiece is worth it!"

She took the oil painting into her room, and when she came out, she called Chen Hao to eat.

At the dinner table, neither spoke much. Mainly, Qian Zhaodi stared intently at Chen Hao, her gaze infatuated, as if she wanted to devour him.

Chen Hao was just about to speak.

"Ding"

"Qian Zhaodi's Favorability has reached one hundred."

"Rare Reward has been issued."

"Obtained Super Brain."

"Note: Intelligence +10."