1120 It’s Just a Painting

There were a few reasons why Ronai had invited Shen Li over this time. Firstly, he really wanted to invite her to look at his collection of paintings. Secondly, she wanted to establish a connection between Shen Li and the other members of the association. Therefore, he had organized a small private gathering.

Shen Li understood what he meant and nodded.

“Thank you,” she said.

She really did like Ronai’s paintings.

In the previous exhibition tour, most of the paintings on display were of Ronai’s well-known works, but the ones in the collection here were more of his works that had never been made public.

It was a rare and precious opportunity to be able to visit.

Ronai did not seem to want to put her under too much pressure, so after chatting with her for a while, he went to entertain the other guests.

The entire gallery was very quiet. Occasionally, one could hear some softly spoken conversations, and the atmosphere was very good.

Shen Li felt her entire body relax.

Those thick and cold colors, the entwining lines, the intertwining of light and shadow, had always been able to calm her turbulent mood.

“It seems that you really like Mr. Ronai’s paintings.”

Lu Huaiyu, who was standing beside her, had looked at her for a while before saying that with a smile.

Shen Li nodded.

“Second Brother, don’t you like them?”

After all, Ronai was an internationally renowned oil painting master, and Lu Huaiyu liked to collect oil paintings, so she had originally thought that he would like them.

However, from the last exhibition and today’s visit to the private gallery, she could tell that Lu Huaiyu did not seem to be very interested in Ronai’s paintings.

Of course, this was normal.

Preferences were extremely personal, to begin with.

“I can’t say whether I like it or not.”

Lu Huaiyu smiled faintly.

“There’s no doubt about the level of Mr. Ronai’s skill. However, it’s just a painting to me.”

Shen Li was stunned.

Just a painting?

This really did not seem like an opinion that would come out of Lu Huaiyu’s mouth about this painting. After all, he had collected so many oil paintings.

If Mr. Ronai’s work was “just a painting” to him ..

“Then, what about mine?”

Shen Li asked subconsciously.

She did not quite understand what Lu Huaiyu meant.

He had taken so many of her paintings.

Lu Huaiyu paused.

To him, of course, her paintings were more than just a painting.

“Your…”

Before he could finish his explanation, there was a sound of exclamation from the side.

“Ronai, how come I’ve never seen you exhibit this painting before? It’s such a pleasant surprise!”

This voice was particularly clear in the quiet gallery. Lu Huaiyu paused and looked in the direction of the voice.

Shen Li also turned her head and saw a middle-aged man with long brown hair standing in front of a painting. His face was filled with excitement.

The painting had been hung at the end of the corridor. It was in a rather remote location, but one could see it clearly from here.

Shen Li was stunned when she saw the painting.

Ronai had been chatting with another guest elsewhere, but upon hearing this, she walked over.

As he walked closer, his gaze fell on the painting, and he immediately smiled and shook his head.

“Ella, this isn’t my painting.”

“What? It’s not your painting?” The man called Ella was surprised. “Then why is it hanging here?”

Ronai explained, “This is my collection, after all. I really like this painting, so I hung it here together with my own paintings. ”

In his private gallery, most of the paintings were of Ronai’s own works, and only a few of them were works from other people.

Usually, the artist’s name would be indicated next to those paintings, but there was nothing next to this painting. Thus, Ella had silently assumed that this was Ronai’s work.

“Then…” Ella hesitated.

As if he could read his mind, Ronai shrugged and said helplessly, “The reason it’s not marked is because I don’t know who the artist of this painting is.”

As soon as he said this, not only Ella, but the few people beside him also looked over.

Clearly, everyone was very surprised by this.

“You don’t even know who the artist is, yet you’re keeping it here?”

Ronai was clearly very concerned about his private gallery. It was obvious that the works that he had chosen and placed here were all classics of the industry.

It was only this painting that the artist’s name had not been listed because its source was unknown.

It was clear that Ronai really liked it.

“Yes,” Ronai nodded and looked at the painting with a rueful expression. “I chanced upon this painting a few years ago. I’ve thought of many ways to investigate the identity of the artist, but I haven’t managed to find anything.

It could be seen that he was also quite regretful about this matter.

“So that’s how it is… What a pity,” Ella sighed, “I was just saying that this painting is similar to your usual style, but the concept and drawing method are different. It’s very novel, but it turns out that it’s someone else’s painting.

The others nodded in agreement.

Among other things, this painting was truly brilliant.

The tall cold fir trees were connected to the mirror-like clear lake, and the vague reflection blurred the boundary, as if they were one.

In the distance, the sky was cold and white, and even the trees on both sides were dyed with a gloomy gray, black, and blue color. However, the closer they got to the center, the warmer the color became, gradually turning into a fiery orange-red color. Finally, at the center, it became as white as snow.

The lines of the cold fir were painted with color blocks and overlapped with each other, making it impossible to distinguish them. However, the overall outline was sharp and cold, straight into the clouds.

The water ripples were very faint, but they disturbed the cold and hard aura, making it blurry and ambiguous.

From a distance, it looked like a ball of fire had risen from the middle of the clear, cold water. Water and fire blended together, and the cold and heat collided. Even though it was still, it seemed to burn in the heart of the person, vividly displaying that extremely contradictory and moving sharp beauty.

“Ronai, I really like this painting. I wonder if you could let me have it? You can set the price.”

Ella said sincerely.

He had taken a fancy to this painting at first glance. It did not matter that the artist was not Ronai.

He just wanted to make it a part of his collection.

Ronai smiled and declined.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Ella. I don’t have any plans to sell this painting.”

None of the people here were short of money. Moreover, he also cherished this painting very much, so how could he agree to Ella’s suggestion?

Although he was smiling and his tone was gentle, everyone present could hear his determination.

Ella’s eyes were filled with disappointment, but he could not force such a thing.

“Alright, then. But do you really not know anything about the artist of this painting? Logically speaking, if it’s drawn so well, it shouldn’t be anonymous.”

If he could look for other avenues where he could buy any other paintings, it would be a good solution.

Ronai pondered for a moment, then said, “To be honest, there’s a string of letters on the back of the painting: MGYUB. Unfortunately, I still don’t know…”

“Mr. Ronai.”

A deep and lazy man’s voice suddenly sounded.

Ronai turned around. “Mr. Lu? ”

Lu Huaiyu’s gaze fell on the painting and he smiled.

“I’m also very interested in this painting. I hope Mr. Ronai is able to part with it.”

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