The Versatile Master Artist

It was clearly a signal for them to come over.

”Why is it him again, and what’s the matter?”

Gu Weijing recognized him as Brother Hao’s trusted underling, slightly frowned, ”Uncle Ah Lai, let’s stop the car anyway, we can’t avoid it.”

This guy is just like a fly; if I don’t pay attention to him, Bald might just end up at the family shop.

You can escape, but the place won’t move.

With Uncle Ah Lai by my side, it might actually be safer now.

The car stopped next to the BMW.

The other party gently knocked on the car’s rear window, waiting for Gu Weijing to roll it down before a shiny bald head leaned in.

”Mr. Xiao Gu, off to the orphanage to paint again! I heard the kids there all like you, who would’ve thought you’re so kind-hearted. No wonder you look down on bad guys like us.”

Bald licked his lips, watching Gu Weijing with a half-smile.

”Following me?” Gu Weijing took a deep breath.

”Following you? No need, Mr. Xiao Gu. Anything that happens in this city, from the files on the mayor’s desk to stray dogs mating by the roadside, only depends on whether Brother Hao wants to know.”

Bald chewed on his cigarette, blew out a smoke ring, looking smug.

He came with a mission, but didn’t mind showing off Brother Hao’s omnipotence a little in front of Gu Weijing.

”Anything Brother Hao wants, he always gets, without exception.” Bald said quietly.

This trusted henchman of Brother Hao used a pun, looked at Gu Weijing, and emphasized, repeating one word at a time: ”Never.”

Gu Weijing’s eyebrow twitched slightly, his body feeling a bit cold.

He understood the underlying meaning of that sentence.

Brother Hao is omnipotent; whatever he wants, he gets. This is the confidence of an underworld magnate; his will is law and dictates the city’s dynamics, naturally, including dragging me into it.

Gu Weijing looked worriedly towards the driver’s seat in front, noticing Uncle Ah Lai was also watching him through the rearview mirror.

Different from what he imagined.

Tangled with Bald,

This tall, dark-skinned gatekeeper showed neither the nervousness of encountering trouble just when starting work, nor the nonchalance of ”I’ve seen many big storms, what does the underworld count for.”

He was very calm.

Uncle Ah Lai was expressionless, his lids barely blinked, as serene as a deep, mirror-like pool.

Facing Uncle Ah Lai’s calm gaze, Gu Weijing inexplicably felt at ease.

”No offense to Brother Hao meant, but I think there might be exceptions to everything.” Gu Weijing steadied himself and said softly, ”What do you want?”

”Good attitude, I like it. Has anyone told you that with such courage, you’d have a bright future in the underworld?”

Bald was surprised by this high schooler’s composure, lightly giving a thumbs up.

”Are you here just to compliment me? Or continue persuading me to work for Brother Hao? Haven’t we discussed this many times? If I ever change my mind, I believe I’ll call Brother Hao.”

Gu Weijing wanted to end the conversation quickly.

”Don’t be so tense, Mr. Xiao Gu, I’m not here to cause trouble today.” Bald waved his hand, ”The boss was worried about what happened with Miao and how it scared you, affecting your painting, so he specially sent me to apologize.”

”Apologize?”

This answer genuinely surprised Gu Weijing.

Bald scratched the back of his head, ”Brother Hao’s admiration of you makes me a bit jealous. If I hadn’t followed him for so many years, I’d almost suspect you’re his illegitimate child or something.”

”Brother Hao said Miao Angwen’s incident was an accident, and hopes you can peacefully prepare for the exhibition; he really thinks highly of you. Since it’s an apology, he instructed me to bring a gift to calm your nerves.”

Gu Weijing was about to refuse when he saw Bald open the trunk, pulling out the apology gift, which was... a mango platter and a carton of high-calcium milk.

Indeed, it’s a calming gift.

”Brother Hao’s wishes? Sorry, I didn’t bring anything to reciprocate today.”

Gu Weijing looked at the fruit and milk.

The gift indeed wasn’t heavy, but he still didn’t want any ties with Brother Hao’s crew.

”No need to reciprocate.”

Bald seemed genuinely helpless, ”Mr. Xiao Gu, you can look down on me, but please consider my role. It’s not flattering, but for a hooligan, at least I’m a big shot in the underworld. If I were to use a fruit platter to coerce others as a favor, it’d be way too embarrassing.”

”Please accept it, it really is just a gift, no other meaning.”

”Since Brother Hao specifically instructed me to apologize, I must prepare a gift. If you’d prefer a more expensive apology, that’s actually better.”

Bald chuckled, pulling out an envelope from his pocket.

”Look, on my way here I also prepared a check for seven million five hundred thousand Myanmar Kyat from the Central Bank of Myanmar, but I figured you wouldn’t want it, so I never took it out.”

”Check or fruit, choose one.”

Bald said softly, ”Considering my sincerity, Mr. Xiao Gu, please understand the difficulties of those of us working under the boss. I need to report back to Brother Hao. Even letting me treat you to a milk tea would do?”