Almighty painter

Chapter 872 Alexander's Life and Death Lottery (Part )

The atmosphere in the dressing room became stagnant.

Anna turned her head and looked at a jewelry box on the cabinet next to her. Various jewels were scattered in it. They looked quite bright, but in fact they were just colorful plastic and glass beads. They were all stage props that could only be viewed from a distance during performances on stage, and were difficult to appreciate up close.

She took out the gems one by one and placed them on the table. She seemed to be attracted by the stage props and deliberately avoided looking at Gu Weijing in the mirror.

Every time when Anna met Gu Weijing's eyes, she could not help but feel tender.

gentle.

It is both warmth and softness, two sides of the same coin. When ice melts into water, it loses its sharp edge.

She doesn't like this.

In some cases, Miss Elena would not stop until she had the upper hand. She was willing to be gentle in some matters, which was her own choice, but it would be a big mistake to think that she was naturally like that.

When Anna wants to, she is cold and hard in most cases.

Just like on the interview stage before.

At the end of the brief confrontation with Gu Weijing, that warmth still affected Anna. At the last moment, she chose to give in, but after stepping down, Miss Elena was very unhappy.

in other words.

She was "frozen" again.

Even Sir Brown couldn't make her give in, nor could he make the Elena family suffer this humiliation.

Alexander why.

Just because he is a clown?

In fact, what made Anna more unhappy than Alexander was Gu Weijing - you went against me just for such a clown!
Miss Elena would not listen to any theory that beating him would dirty her hands.

Anna hated being lectured by anyone. Before her aunt died, no one could talk to her like that. Even if it was Sir Brown, she would scold him in person not to use the tone of lecturing a young schoolgirl and ask him to be more professional and call her Editor Elena.

She thought that the so-called "leniency" that Gu Weijing talked about was just like the plastic and glass beads in his palm.

It can only be placed on the stage and viewed from a distance.

If you hold it closely in your palm, it will become mottled and its true appearance will be revealed.

After realizing that the atmosphere of this conversation was led by Gu Weijing and was about to develop in a gentle direction.

Anna stopped looking at Gu Weijing in the mirror. She used this method to get rid of the influence of the overwhelming warmth and to "erase" the other person's existence in this conversation.

"What's wrong? You don't want to talk anymore?"

Anna was pleased to hear that the other party did not respond, and pressed on.

She insisted that the young painter admit that although he was a talented painter, she was more capable in areas other than painting.

“None of this happened.”

Gu Weijing said softly.

"Kara's existence has been proven today, and this interview has achieved very good results. To the Elena family, what does Alexander mean to them?"

"But this is entirely possible. Isn't the injustice suffered by Elena's family unfair?" Anna retorted.

"What is also entirely possible is that if Alexander suffered a devastating blow today, it might be what he deserves, but it might also affect other scholars who are conducting research in related fields. Think about it, what about those scholars who are also gazing at the shadow of Impressionism? What about those scholars who are paying attention to the little-known figures in art history?" said Gu Weijing.

"What if there is another person who is also studying Camille? He wants to re-examine the role Camille played in Monet's life? Alexander doesn't care, but will they be affected by this? Let me say this, what if the painting "Old Church in a Thunderstorm" is really not painted by Miss Elena? Isn't this a possibility?"

Gu Weijing asked back.

“What are the chances that this is what you were saying on stage — if there are studies that bring new perspectives, I look forward to it and I appreciate it?”

Anna imitated Gu Weijing's tone.

"How noble, little painter. It seems that everyone's trip today was worthwhile."

she sneered.

"Yes, thank you for your recognition, Director Elena." Gu Weijing said seriously.

Miss Elena was so angry that she laughed.

"No, this is not a compliment, I'm mocking you." Anna pinched a pearl necklace with her palm and turned her wheelchair while speaking.

"Utopian fantasies are unattainable. There has never been absolute fairness in the world. The world is just the world." Anna looked at Gu Weijing: "Where is there a choice that will satisfy everyone? No, that is not something I can do, nor is it something you can do. That is the realm of God."

Her tone softened.

“There’s always injustice out there.”

Anna patiently said, "This is the helplessness of the world, Mr. Gu. Instead of indulging in fantasy, the brave should accept it all, right? The important thing is to make a choice, not to get entangled in a sticky way. Just like you said, if Monet's descendants are unhappy, they can sue Alexander. Is there nothing I can do?"

Gu Weijing thought for a moment.

He nodded.

"Yes, I agree with you. It may be difficult to achieve absolute fairness. What's important is to make a choice."

"Either it's a little unfair to Elena's family, or it's a little unfair to other researchers. Then..." Gu Weijing said: "If there are only these two situations, then of course I should choose the former."

That is, it is unfair to Elena's family.

"Because the Elena family should all go to hell?"

this time.

Miss Elena was really angry.

She stared at Gu Weijing coldly.

"Because you are stronger. I don't want any injustice to happen, but if you tell me that the nature of the world is unfair, and one of the strong and the weak must suffer unfair treatment, then you ask me what my choice is. Am I going to let ordinary people bear it all?" Gu Weijing answered seriously, "Compared to you and the honorable Miss Elena, most people in the world are weak in status. If unfairness really exists, shouldn't we stand with the weak? It's not because I am weak that I am right, but out of a gentle compassion."

"I'll say it again."

"I come from a place with a relatively chaotic security environment. I have seen the dark side of society. I have had a gun pointed at my head, and I have faced life and death decisions." Gu Weijing said softly: "You know, Miss Elena, there was a time when I felt that I was very strong, super powerful, had connections, had some money, and knew some big shots. I thought I was a different person, born different, and I could even refuse the solicitation of the underworld godfather. I felt that they were no more than that. I even felt that the suffering of ordinary people around me had nothing to do with me. Those shootings, kidnappings, and human trafficking would never, ever happen to me..."

"Because that's what ordinary people would endure. They're too weak and don't have the ability. And me, I'm not ordinary."

Gu Weijing shrugged.

"Later I found out it was all bullshit."

"FUCK——"Beep"

Gu Weijing uttered an extremely vulgar slang.

From the time Miss Elena first met the young man, her impression was that Gu Weijing was always a very quiet person. His facial features were not particularly three-dimensional, but he had quite a sense of atmosphere. His black hair was tightly attached to his forehead, and his brows were often slightly furrowed.

It does not have the solemnity and severity of ancient Roman sculptures, but it has a unique poetic temperament.

Anna secretly called it "Holy Melancholy".

When they first met each other, seeing Gu Weijing holding a collection of poems in his hand, Anna felt that this man was pretending, just like the countless people who had appeared in her life, who tried their best to attract her to look at them more.

The longer the contact.

The more Anna felt, the more she felt that Gu Weijing was different. He was the kind of person who you would think could stand in front of ancient ruins and slowly recite ancient poems.

He stood before the Sphinx with its nose missing, or the remains of the Pantheon in Rome.

No matter how huge or ancient the monument is.

You also don't feel that the composition of the picture will be unbalanced because of the inclusion of such a young man. The sunlight will paint him into a ball of light and shadow that is everywhere.

Even when Rosings accused him of fraud, or when Alexander was aggressive, you would always hear him speaking gently, like an elegant gentleman.

But now.

A vulgar raccoon word came out of his mouth.

He spoke so calmly that it didn't sound like he was cursing at Anna. Instead, a desolate feeling that was very inconsistent with his age came out of the man's voice.

"In a disordered and chaotic society, people are very powerless. Often, you will have fantasies, thinking that you are awesome, like a superman, that you can be the big brother or godfather in gangster movies, bullying men and women, forcing good girls into prostitution, and being respected by everyone, or that you can just shoot a gun like John Wick, and everyone will respect you. How cool would such a world be? No, no, no, the vast majority of people in this world are ordinary people."

"Like me, I'm just an ordinary person."

"If there is any unfairness in this world, it is always much harsher on ordinary people than on the strong. If there are so-called Godfathers in this world who represent 'decent and reasonable gentleman's entertainment.'" Gu Weijing said the classic lines in "The Godfather" where Tang Wei defended the brothel and casino business.

"Ordinary people will never be the ones who make a fortune by opening a casino. No, they will always be the ones who lose everything in the casino and their families are destroyed. Ordinary people will never be the ones who get rich by opening a brothel, nor will they be the gentlemen who have "reasonable entertainment" in the brothel. You think it's fun there, take out money and play however you want. But it's not true. If sexual exploitation exists, ordinary people are the ones who are sexually exploited. They themselves, their wives, and sisters. Their childhood sweethearts are the ones who sleep with others in the brothel for $20, the ones who are whipped because they don't want to engage in prostitution, and the ones who cry, not laugh."

"If this world is a world of killers, John Wick is strong, he can kill for a dog. But what about the other people whose dogs were killed, and the other people whose families were killed. Ordinary people are not John Wick, they are not villains, they are just people in the corner of the world who died because of a stray bullet."

"They bully men and women and force good people into prostitution. They are the men who are bullied, the women who are taken advantage of, and the good people who are forced into prostitution."

Gu Weijing said in a gentle voice.

"Brother Hao, Ms. Editor, do you know the counterfeiter who launders money from art?"

"Don't laugh at me, but if society is a boxing match, he only punched me once with some seriousness, and that was when he rarely showed such 'mercy' due to special reasons. I still fell down immediately, without resistance, struggle, or dodging... and... without any other options."

"The world is so helpless. The key is to make a choice."

Gu Weijing nodded: "Ms. Elena, I really, really, really agree with what you said. It's very well said."

"I've thought about this many times in my mind, but this is the first time I'm saying it out loud."

"Miss Elena, you come from a wealthy family. The stories of your family fill up an entire book of art history and half of European history. So, the things I just told you will never happen to you in your lifetime. To you, it is just a distant story. I am different. Such things have happened to me. They have happened to me."

"People always sympathize with the strong and put themselves in their shoes. This is not wrong, but if possible, I hope to sympathize with the weak. I have said the same thing on the stage about Henry IV and the 30,000 peasants in the snow."

"I'll say it again."

"Of course I can put myself in the shoes of Henry IV, but that is a distant story. In this story, I have never been an emperor, I am a peasant."

“So, between the powerful Elena Family and Carol. I don’t want to choose the Elena Family.”

Gu Weijing said.

"Isn't the story about Kara that you mentioned also about this matter?"

Anna lowered her eyes.

She remained silent.

"Ms. Elena, I understand your unhappiness. But I am willing to say these words not for Alexander, but because I want to believe that you are a person with a warm heart. I am grateful for everything you have done for me. I am grateful for the 3 million euros you gave me."

"You are free to punish Alexander as you please."

"But if there is a way to have the best of both worlds," Gu Weijing said softly, "Editor-in-Chief Elena, I would be very, very grateful."
-
Five minutes later.

Secretary Elliot opened the door, followed by Alexander.

Very strange.

Alexander was at least a head taller than Elliot, and he didn't really stoop or hunch in the physical sense when he walked in. But perhaps the stoop in temperament made him look shorter than the stoop in body.

He followed the secretary like Elliot with a dog.

"Do you like detective novels?"

When he pushed the door open, he happened to hear the person inside speaking.

(End of this chapter)