Watching Hao Jian accept the painting, Xie Ping felt quite displeased inside. Looking at him, he suddenly recalled something and a cold smile spread across his heart. "Mr. Hao Jian, seeing how quickly you accept things, it seems you're no stranger to receiving gifts, right?" Pausing slightly, Xie Ping noticed everyone's eyes on him, and smiled faintly: "This painting of mine was appraised by Elder Feng and is worth over two hundred thousand. I think that's enough to save you a few years of hard work, isn't it?" In Xie Ping's eyes, Hao Jian was just an unemployed vagrant. Since he had no job, he had no source of income, so what he said wasn't wrong. Moreover, there was another layer of meaning in his words: the painting was a gift to Yuan Shanshan, not him, implying that if Hao Jian sold it, he would be a greedy, opportunistic person. Many others also sensed the strong undertone in this comment and were eagerly watching Hao Jian, curious about how he would respond. How could Hao Jian not catch the implication? With a cold and disdainful smile, he casually tossed the painting into a nearby trash can. Watching with open eyes as a painting worth over two hundred thousand ended up in the trash, some people present showed signs of regret, looking longingly at Hao Jian. If you don't want it, at least give it to us! We really need it! But Hao Jian ignored the gazes of these people and, before Xie Ping's stare turned more threatening, he spoke out with a sarcastic tone: "Mr. Xie Ping, you sure do think highly of me. But I, Hao Jian, never take things from people I don't like. Even though you only intended it for Shanshan, she's my woman, so I decide for her." "In my opinion, giving Shanshan this painting is a bit inadequate. Thinking one painting would save me a few years of effort must be a joke." Hao Jian smiled and shook his head, his laughter full of scorn, though many sneered, thinking he just did it for pride's sake. Many secretly shook their heads and glanced regrettably at the painting in the trash, meanwhile considering how to take it later without being noticed... "You're something else..." Xie Ping suppressed the anger inside him, gritting his teeth as he looked at Hao Jian. Watching his beloved painting end up in the trash, but unable to get angry, Xie Ping could only use normal means to teach Hao Jian a lesson. And he believed he could do this, as he saw Hao Jian as someone who, humiliated and infuriated, would want to reclaim his dignity. But this man was just an outsider. How much could an outsider know? Moreover, he hadn't forgotten that Yuan Shanshan had a substantial family fortune, indifferent to such a small amount. This guy is quite the schemer. With a cold curve on his lips and restraining his anger, Xie Ping looked at Hao Jian and smirked coldly: "I gave that painting worth more than two hundred thousand to Shanshan. Even if it's thrown away, I won't care; after all, I've gifted it." "But as her boyfriend, what will you give to Shanshan? Let's hope it won't be something so low-level..." Hearing this, everyone's eyes flickered. Many shook their heads and sighed, while others reveled in his misfortune. In their eyes, Hao Jian was just a fool wasting money for the sake of pride. Even more so, he seemed like a poor guy. You could tell by the way he dressed. How could such a person afford to give Yuan Shanshan something more valuable than that painting? Probably impossible, right? "I didn't know today was Shanshan's birthday." With an apologetic glance at Yuan Shanshan, Hao Jian felt a bit helpless. He was simply being honest; if he'd known the girl's birthday was today, he would have prepared a gift. Yuan Shanshan shook her head slightly, understanding Hao Jian's intent. But unfortunately, to others, Hao Jian's words implied something else, especially to someone who held a strong grudge against him. Having lost face to Hao Jian earlier, Xie Ping wouldn't miss this chance to regain it. Furthermore, when Hao Jian's words came out, the so-called artists showed disdain toward him, and many women mocked. Now, no matter how he acted, they all perceived Hao Jian as acting guilty, even if he spoke calmly, he lacked confidence in their eyes. It must be said, when you dislike or despise someone, everything they do seems annoying and unpleasant. Those with better manners would just glance lightly, while those less refined might gossip behind their back. "Tch, who would believe he doesn't know his own woman's birthday?" "I think he's just saying that because he doesn't have a better gift than Xie Ping's." "What this gentleman says is true, I don't think he has anything good to give." With such whispers, most people believed Hao Jian didn't have anything good, while Zheng Rou beside Yuan Shanshan looked at Hao Jian with a doubtful gaze. The man favored by Yuan Shanshan must have some exceptional qualities, but what puzzles Zheng Rou is why this man doesn't know Yuan Shanshan's birthday. What's going on here? Hao Jian was unaware of Zheng Rou's confusion. Even if he knew, he might just chuckle bitterly. After all, Shanshan has never mentioned her birthday! Today, suddenly arriving at this gathering and announcing it's Shanshan's birthday party was quite a shock for Hao Jian. However, he had already anticipated something happening. Hao Jian wasn't bothered by everyone's whispers; instead, he touched his nose with a light laugh, exuding confidence: "Well, I might as well gift this girl Shanshan a painting..." His voice seemed to carry a certain charisma, and as it spread, the place gradually quieted down. However, the silence only lasted for about five or six seconds. "Haha, did I hear that right? This guy plans to give Shanshan a painting? If it's not as good as the Mountains and Rivers Painting, won't he be embarrassed?!" "Tch, it's just like showing off in front of an expert. How could he find a good piece with his eyes? If he ends up with a fake, wouldn't he be utterly humiliated?" "Hehe, maybe he can't even afford to buy a fake..." "May I know which painting Mr. Hao Jian intends to gift?" Everyone, including Xie Ping, believed that Hao Jian had bought a painting to give to Yuan Shanshan, regarding this with disdain, thinking it's just imitation. Hao Jian shook his head and said with a light laugh, "Today, I'm planning to paint one myself as a gift for Shanshan." Hearing Hao Jian's plan to paint himself, Xie Ping couldn't hold back and laughed out loud. Even the anger he felt when Hao Jian discarded his painting lessened a bit; this man was simply too amusing, amusing enough to not even stay angry. In their eyes, Hao Jian was an amateur. How much could a piece by an amateur be worth? Moreover, this person had no reputation, so the painting would be useless. "What painting tools do you need? I'll get them for you..." It was rare to see such a spectacle, especially one involving a rival's embarrassment, so Xie Ping volunteered, looking down at Hao Jian with pride. After all, he was a top-tier secondary writer and painter, well-versed in various painting tools. Besides, as a calligrapher and painter, he carried his tools with him. After all, you never know when inspiration might strike as you walk along, and if it does and you can't capture it without the right tools, how heartbreaking is that? However, he had no intention of letting Hao Jian speak. In his view, Hao Jian might not even know the names of those tools, so he was about to turn around and fetch the painting tools for Hao Jian, which were just across the chair, only a few steps away. Hao Jian stopped Xie Ping, glancing vaguely at the nearby wine cabinet, and with a slight smile, said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Xie Ping, but today I plan to paint without using traditional tools. I'll just need a sheet of paper from anyone present." "The paper size should be as big as this table." As he spoke, Hao Jian pointed to a coffee table nearby. The table was two meters long and one meter wide, and the paper used would be quite large. The crowd was puzzled but said nothing. Even if this person was an amateur, during the painting process, they cooperated, partly for Shanshan's sake and partly to enjoy the spectacle. Soon, the coffee table was cleared, and a large, almost fully table-covering piece of white paper lay quietly on top. Once a person's painting skills reach a certain level, the paper used is no longer confined to a fixed format but is quite casual. Some even specifically use triangular paper for their paintings. And these papers need to be cut by themselves, but coincidentally, many people present were involved in painting. While everyone was confused, Hao Jian walked over from afar, carrying more than ten bottles of beverages of varying colors, including brandy, wine, and medicinal liquor. "Is he planning to paint with alcohol?" Many people saw the drinks in the basket in Hao Jian's hand and looked puzzled. They had never heard of someone using alcohol to paint... Some speculated it was for drinking, but that was quickly dismissed. With so many people here, how could he do such a thing? Wouldn't that just be a slap in the face?