When have I, Xie Ping, ever suffered such humiliation?! Xie Ping's gaze was fixed fiercely on Hao Jian, but eventually softened. However, his next words automatically drew the attention of several people who were chatting among themselves to Hao Jian. "If Mr. Xie hadn't mentioned it, we really would have forgotten about this matter." "Haha, no matter how you say it, this guy is Miss Shanshan's boyfriend. Attending his girlfriend's birthday party, yet dressed like a beggar." "Maybe it's his artistic style?" "Tsk, people dressed in such an artistic style are usually not good people." Eventually, one person's words made several people present look embarrassed and glare fiercely at the man talking. These few people usually dressed the same way at home. Now, wasn't this guy just using one statement to knock many people down with one blow?! "What are you looking at…" The man who spoke suddenly noticed someone staring at him. He instinctively intended to curse, but after seeing the owners of those gazes, his expression changed drastically, cold sweat dripped down his forehead, and he hurriedly shut his mouth. These people were the highest-ranking individuals among them, all over fifty, first-rate artists enjoying fame both domestically and abroad. And he was merely a second-rate, low-level artist; how could he compare to them? For example, his artwork might sell for tens of thousands at best, but these elderly men's works might fetch millions. Xie Ping observed these matters but didn't mind; he had achieved his goal anyway. He merely wanted to use the crowd's power to overpower this rival in terms of momentum. After all, based on the relationship that this man is Yuan Shanshan's boyfriend, his momentum was already weaker than this man's. Naturally, he needed to leverage others. However, using others' influence is not easy. If Hao Jian was dressed appropriately today, he might really have had no chance. But coincidentally, this man's attire became his point of attack. And next was his second step… "Although in our group of artists, some like to dress in a style similar to yours, I know that you aren't in the same world as them or us. They are artists and dress that way to seek inspiration." "But from you, I don't see the pursuit of inspiration that artists possess. Instead, I see more casualness. For us who work in art, the key is rigor—the rigor in handling any matter. Only then can we create works that make ourselves proud." "Therefore, you and we do not exist in the same world. We pursue a higher spiritual realm, while you, in my view, are merely ordinary in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation…" Xie Ping laughed as he rendered Hao Jian worthless, while also carefully distinguishing him from those first-rate artists to avoid offending them. This pleased them greatly, leaving no objections. After all, everyone loves to hear praise, especially these artists. They highly treasure their reputations. Of course, not everyone was influenced enthusiastically by Xie Ping's speech. Some remained clear-headed but chose to eat quietly, not wanting to cause trouble. But Zheng Rou, who was beside Yuan Shanshan, glared fiercely at Xie Ping. As Yuan Shanshan's long-time classmate and close friend, Zheng Rou naturally knew Yuan Shanshan wasn't someone who idolizes vanity. Yet Xie Ping's speech had a hint of such meaning, which he might not even have noticed. Since college times, she'd known Yuan Shanshan to be exceedingly proud. Ordinary men wouldn't catch her eye. Even the school-recognized heartthrob pursuing her was flatly rejected. She simply said he wasn't qualified, and that was it. The heartthrob never sought her again, probably hitting a huge wall here at Yuan Shanshan. Back then, Zheng Rou, amidst a passionate relationship with her boyfriend, wasn't interested in paying attention to these things, merely aware of the matter. But it was this that made her understand Yuan Shanshan's character. She definitely wasn't the person Xie Ping described, the kind who would consider ordinary people as lovers. The sweetness and happiness on Yuan Shanshan's face couldn't possibly be faked. In other words, this seemingly poorly dressed man, lacking any apparent virtues except perhaps his appearance, had a layer of mist that she couldn't see through. And Yuan Shanshan was precisely the woman who cleared this mist and brought herself together with this man. What secret does this man hold that entranced Yuan Shanshan so deeply? Though curious, Zheng Rou was no longer the naïve person fresh out of college. "Haha, isn't he just a hillbilly? Why does Mr. Xie Ping need to say so much?" "You don't get it, do you? We are all artists, naturally superior. Ordinary people simply don't understand our world, and this man doesn't understand either. Mr. Xie Ping spoke so elaborately only for this bumpkin to understand." "Seems like you have a point. Let's discuss art later, shall we? Recently, I've been inspired by a piece, but every time I make it, it feels slightly unsatisfactory." "Alright, then during free activities later, let's have a proper discussion!" Some people whispered among themselves, their gazes on Hao Jian filled with disdain and contempt, with many laughing outright. This change happened in just a few sentences. Hao Jian's gaze remained indifferent; he didn't bother to speak and simply cast a bland glance at Xie Ping before turning away, unwilling to engage with such a person. A writer of art nearing first-rate wanted to belittle him, Hao Jian? This type of person wasn't even on par with Zhang Gui, who, at least, was a significant person. As for Xie Ping, he reckoned he had assets worth only a million or two. Such a small fry, Hao Jian really couldn't be bothered. Nonetheless, Hao Jian choosing not to mind didn't mean others wouldn't. Just as he turned his head away, Yuan Shanshan's voice reached his ear, forcing him to turn back again begrudgingly. "Xie Ping, what did you say?! Say it again for me?!" Yuan Shanshan's pretty face showed anger as she looked at Xie Ping, snorting coldly; Hao Jian was her boyfriend, and Xie Ping's veiled insults toward Hao Jian were no different from insulting her. Insulting her was one thing, but cursing Hao Jian genuinely infuriated her. She used to merely harbor some discontent toward Xie Ping, but now a sense of disgust arose in her heart. "My man isn't like you said!" Xie Ping dared not offend Yuan Shanshan too much, yet seeing her get angry for Hao Jian inflamed a jealous fire in his heart, which began to blaze increasingly. Yuan Shanshan snorted coldly, clearly loathing Xie Ping, and said, "My man is talented in both arts and sports, a match beyond imagining compared to you, Xie Ping. Even if his clothes today are shabby, he's still my boyfriend. What gives you the right to comment on him?!" Indeed, today was Yuan Shanshan's birthday party. By rights, she was the focal point, and since she was, deciding what her boyfriend wore was her concern. Why were these people interfering? Momentarily, Yuan Shanshan's words woke some of them up, but upon seeing this beautiful flower already belonging to a man of a different world, they felt a bit disgruntled. Yuan Shanshan, involved in the arts, should naturally be with someone from the arts rather than choosing someone who knows nothing. For a time, the flame of envy flared in many hearts. Yet, most were young men; those already settled or middle-aged found it inconsequential and continued drinking and chatting. The world of young people should be dealt with by the young. Even many of the women looked at Hao Jian with contempt; being artistic themselves, they hoped to find a companion who shared their interests. They used to respect Yuan Shanshan and were even fans, but seeing her now with such an unworthy man, they felt as though their idol had succumbed to a pig. "Oh? Talented in both arts and sports?" Xie Ping sneered, turning to Hao Jian, sneering as he spoke, "Then I wonder if Mr. Hao Jian is as talented as Shanshan says, in both arts and sports?" "But let's just skip the sports part; we in the arts dislike you muscle-bound fighters who brawl all the time." "What is your occupation, could you tell us?" In fact, Xie Ping's request was excessive; even among good friends, discussing one's job wasn't customary, and Hao Jian and Xie Ping weren't friends but rather rivals. Upon hearing this, Hao Jian shrugged indifferently, reached out to ruffle Yuan Shanshan's hair, and looked at Xie Ping, saying, "Well, there's no job. I'm currently unemployed." Xie Ping, expecting Hao Jian to boast about some high-status position, was taken aback when this guy turned out to be unemployed, feeling a sudden urge to laugh. Was this guy really an idiot? Even without a job, why not make something up? Did they actually expect to confront him? Secretly amused by Hao Jian's foolishness, Xie Ping didn't notice the loathing in Yuan Shanshan's eyes, smugly smiling at her, as if saying, "This guy's not right for you; I am." "Haha, this is hilarious. No wonder he's wearing rags today; turns out he's unemployed. I thought he was really into the arts!" "He's really not in the arts? Really not from the same world as us?" "It's actually true!" "Tsk, tsk, tsk, this guy has really lost face big time!"