Chapter 1890: Gao Changwen is selling paintings—no, is he targeting me?

"Gao Changwen, oh Gao Changwen, you truly are a peerless genius!"

"From zither and chess to calligraphy and painting, you are truly proficient in everything."

"Compared to my elder brother's 'Chick Pecking Rice' painting, isn't this one even better? It's vivid and lifelike—it's the chick itself!"

In the night.

Gao Changwen held a sheet of bamboo paper with ink that had yet to dry, admiring it with intoxication under the dim light.

"It's like it!"

"Too much like it!"

"My brother's 'Chick Pecking Rice' can sell for 100,000 taels; it wouldn't be excessive for me to sell mine for 90,000, right?"

Gao Changwen rubbed his chin, excitement flashing in his eyes.

At this very moment, he was already thinking about how to squander the 90,000 taels once he got his hands on them.

That look must be very dashing!

Just at this moment.

The main gate of the Duke Prefecture swung open, and a group of masked wealthy merchants filed out, each heading toward the carriages parked outside.

"These are all people who understand art; anyone will do!"

Gao Changwen felt a surge of heat in his heart and walked straight toward the most luxurious carriage.

Wang Baiwan walked toward his carriage, feeling wonderful inside.

"I made a profit! Although this glass cup cost 50,000 taels—a bit expensive—I got to see the Prime Minister and secured an invitation to dine with him."

"The Prime Minister's favor, plus this glass cup, for a mere 50,000 taels—that's a huge bargain!"

Wang Baiwan rubbed the jade thumb ring on his right hand, the corners of his mouth beneath the mask stretching to his ears.

But just then.

Gao Changwen arrived at his side with an eager expression, which nearly gave Wang Baiwan a fright.

"What the hell, who are you?"

Gao Changwen held a feather fan; although autumn had arrived, he was still wearing a thin robe, which fluttered noisily in the night's autumn wind.

And most ostentatiously, Gao Changwen gently waved the feather fan he held.

In Wang Baiwan's eyes, this appearance was practically carved with two large words on his forehead—'Mentally ill!'

"In this day and age, money is easy to come by, but a soulmate is hard to find!"

"Esteemed guest, you and I are fated today; how about we strike a deal?"

Gao Changwen waved his feather fan and walked over slowly.

Wang Baiwan was immediately amused.

In these times, he had seen many crazy people, but this was the first time he had seen one this crazy.

Therefore.

He stopped in his tracks and asked curiously.

"What kind of deal?"

Hearing this, Gao Changwen felt a surge of joy and immediately pulled out the bamboo paper.

"I am fated with you, so be it! I will part with this painting and sell it to you for 90,000 taels!"

Hiss!

90,000 taels?

Wang Baiwan was stunned.

When he looked up, he saw a 'Chick Pecking Rice' painting leaping off the paper in the night.

The chick was lifelike, and at the very top, the five large characters 'Divine Phoenix Painting' were written!

Wang Baiwan looked up.

He saw Gao Changwen looking as if to say, 'You kid are getting a huge bargain, why aren't you paying up yet?'

In such a short time, painting a 'Chick Pecking Rice' painting, and pricing it exactly 10,000 taels lower than Gao Yang's 100,000 taels.

Plus this ostentatious, clearly mentally ill appearance... who else could it be but the legendary second fool of the Gao family, Gao Changwen?

Wang Baiwan had thought the rumors were exaggerated; after all, they were born of the same mother. Gao Yang was the world's number one vicious strategist, so how could his younger brother be a fool?

He had even thought that Gao Changwen was likely playing the pig to eat the tiger, lurking in the shadows.

But seeing him today, Wang Baiwan felt the rumors were too understated.

The foolishness on Gao Changwen was natural and innate; it didn't look like something that could be acted out.

Wang Baiwan stared straight at Gao Changwen, his gaze as if looking at some indescribable object.

This made Gao Changwen's heart skip a beat.

This look... why does it seem like he's looking at an idiot?

"Think it's expensive? We're both people who understand art; the price is negotiable. I'll sell it to you for 80,000 taels!"

Wang Baiwan's mouth twitched.

Then, he shook his head and said, "Second Young Master, I cannot buy your painting."

"Why?"

"Do you still think it's expensive? We're both people who understand art; the price is negotiable!"

"I'm fated with you today. One price: not 66,666 taels, not 39,999 taels. I'll drop it to the bottom—how about 10,000 taels?"

"Look at this chick... no, look at this phoenix I painted; it's vivid and lifelike, it's just missing the pot."

Wang Baiwan: "..."

His mouth twitched. If it weren't for Gao Changwen's rather prominent status, he would have really wanted to slap him.

But there was no choice; Wang Baiwan could only say as politely as possible, "Second Young Master, your painting is missing something—it lacks a soul."

"If a painting lacks a soul, it cannot be considered art, let alone sell for a high price."

Wang Baiwan hinted.

What he was referring to, naturally, was power.

He felt that even if Gao Changwen were a block of wood, he should understand by now, right?

Gao Changwen fell silent.

This painting lacks a soul?

"Although what I painted might not be as good as my brother's phoenix, I'm selling it for less!"

"10,000 taels won't work? Then how about 1,000 taels?"

"1,000 taels is fine too!"

Wang Baiwan's mouth twitched, and he walked away directly.

"Don't go!"

"500 taels?"

"How about 100 taels?"

Gao Changwen panicked and kept lowering the price.

Wang Baiwan was numb.

Is this guy even human?

"Second Young Master, no matter how much you lower the price, it's useless. This thing lacks a soul; even for ten taels or one tael, it's worthless. I'd even find the bamboo paper too hard to use for wiping my ass!"

After saying this.

Wang Baiwan got into the carriage and said to the driver, "Drive fast!"

"What?"