Reborn as a great painter, with a system, you can be willful

In midsummer, cicadas chirp.

The sycamore trees outside the gallery door curled up their silvery-white leaves in the heat wave.

The sunlight shines through the trees, casting spots of light on the red brick wall, like irregular gold foil.

Jiang Zhe just returned to the capital. He asked his parents to stay at home to rest and followed Wang Zhen to the gallery.

Seeing the door that had doubled in size from a distance, he asked Wang Zhen, "When was it expanded?"

Wang Zhen said, "Half a year ago. The last time you came here was already a year ago?"

Jiang Zhe nodded. During his three years of studying abroad, he only had a few short-term opportunities to return to China, and those were for art exhibitions and research.

In three years, great changes have taken place in the country.

Wang Zhen pushed open the glass door of the gallery, and cool air wrapped in a unique sandalwood scent blew in his face.

Several staff members came over to greet Wang Zhen. They recognized Jiang Zhe and were very enthusiastic.

In the gallery's two-story main exhibition hall, several large oil paintings are extremely eye-catching under the spotlights.

Jiang Zhe saw a group of young people, who looked like students, gathered in front of his work, "Hudson River in Summer". The cobalt blue river surface in the picture was emitting the metallic luster unique to New York, and the rusty fire hydrants on the shore were plated into Van Gogh-style gilding by the sunset.

"This is almost your exclusive exhibition hall." Wang Zhen whispered. In the past three years, Jiang Zhe's fame has continued to rise. By being able to exhibit and sell Jiang Zhe's works, the gallery has attracted many high-quality customers.

Jiang Zhe saw that even if the works created in recent years had been sold, exquisite replicas could still be found here.

His eyes swept across the works and stopped on a piece called "Subway Portrait".

In the painting, there is a hidden mark deliberately left on the shabby violin case of the wandering artist.

Wang Zhen took Jiang Zhe to see the gallery's newly expanded west wing exhibition hall first, where more than twenty abstract oil paintings were vibrating slightly under the constant temperature system.

Walking to the second floor exhibition hall, I stood in front of one of Jiang Zhe's own works. This was a work from last year. The brushstrokes of cobalt blue and titanium white interweaved on the canvas were like waves in a storm. Next to it was his work for the Kassel Documenta, of course, a print.

"What would you like to drink?" Wang Zhen motioned for his assistant to push over a beverage cart. In the gilded ice bucket were Perrier and craft beer. "I also have Blue Mountain coffee beans and some cigars."

Jiang Zhe waved his hands and wiped his sweat with a tissue: "Drinking soda is still more refreshing."

Wang Zhen smiled and nodded to the waiter.

The waiter immediately brought a few bottles of soda.

Jiang Zhe picked up the soda, and the condensation on the glass bottle soaked his fingertips. He took a big sip. The cool feeling took away the heat.

Wang Zhen asked, "What are your plans? I found a studio for you. It's 300 square meters and you can set up a new studio at any time."

Jiang Zhe said: "Thank you, I'll go take a look first."

Wang Zhen asked again: "Are you interested in being a nominal consultant in some institutions? You don't have to do anything. There are no registration fees, and it won't interfere with your creation." She took out a document: "The Contemporary Art Center would like to invite you to be a nominal consultant. You don't have to work in the office, just attend a few events every year."

Jiang Zhe has received some similar invitations, but he doesn't want to get involved too much.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Wang Zhen took out a stack of invitations. "There's a cocktail party tonight. In addition to people in the art circle, some people who are looking to attract investment will also attend. Someone heard that you're back and wanted me to introduce you to them."

She knew that Jiang Zhe had accumulated some money in the past few years, and the key point was that he had made considerable gains from several investments. She even invested in it once, and ended up making a lot of money.

Therefore, although Jiang Zhe is not engaged in business, he is also the target of investment for some people.

Jiang Zhe knew these things, but he couldn't tell Wang Zhen that his investments were all guided by the system.

He stroked the gold-stamped wave pattern on the invitation with his thumb. "Tell them I'm adjusting to the jet lag." He tilted his head back and took the last sip of soda. "I plan to go back to Binhai to rest for a while."

"Last month, Polaroid Auctions contacted me. You should prepare to send your works to the autumn auction." Wang Zhen led him to the VIP room, where auction catalogs were scattered on the pop-style sofa set. "But you should take a look at this -"

She turned on her computer and showed the email from the New Museum in New York: "They want to use your Urban Rhythm series for the opening exhibition next year. You were busy returning to China and didn't reply."

Jiang Zhe understood that even though he had returned to China, for future development, he would have to visit major art markets around the world.

After hearing Jiang Zhe's agreement, she immediately scrolled to the next page: "Chaoyang Cultural Center has an international young artist residency program."

"Let's not talk about that for now." Jiang Zhe asked, "Have the series of works I painted in New York last month been shipped?"

"It's already here." Wang Zhen led Jiang Zhe to the storage room. In the room with a constant temperature, five unopened paintings were sleeping. She put on white gloves and touched the packaging film: "The curator of the Shanghai Biennale came to see the electronic manuscript and said that your works have played with loneliness in a new way."

After finishing these things, the two returned to the VIP reception room.

Wang Zhen said, "I have a friend who opened a painting supplies store. When he heard that you were coming back, he bought all the colors of the old Dutch brand of paint overnight."

"Thank your friend for me." Jiang Zhe had to buy new painting materials when he returned to China. It would be much easier if someone delivered the materials to his door.

Wang Zhen opened the hidden display case, and three palm-sized oil painting studies emerged under the spotlight - they were Jiang Zhe's sketches in New York's Central Park.

"You still keep these paintings?" Jiang Zhe said, "I thought they were pretty good at the time, but now it seems a bit restrictive."

"Yesterday, the president of an auction company came to see these in person." Wang Zhen lowered his voice, "But I said these are not for sale."

Jiang Zhe said: "Yes, they cannot be sold. I can see some problems with these works."

After saying that, he looked at his watch.

Wang Zhen asked: "Is there anything else?"

"Meng Xi asked me to go and see the company's development."

Wang Zhen said, "You should go and have a look. Who would have thought that you invested in this company and it has now become a big comic entertainment company? She is a little girl and can make a small company so big. I'll send a car to take you there."

"No, he sent a car over."

An Audi A6 was parked in front of the gallery.

The rear window rolled down and Meng Xi waved at Jiang Zhe.

Jiang Zhe sat in the back seat.

After the car started, he said to Meng Xi: "This car doesn't look like yours."

"This is the company car. We often go out to discuss business, so we need a more dignified car." Meng Xi whispered. "Brother Jiang! The hundreds of thousands you invested are now worth this amount!" She spread out her five fingers, and the commemorative watch on her wrist shone with a golden glow.

……

In the two-story office space, hundreds of comic manuscripts are densely pinned on the walls.

Jiang Zhe looked at the slightly yellowed manuscript of "Mechanic Warrior", and there were still coffee stains on the edges of the pencil lines.

"This is the first version of the setting map. Now the annual sales of peripheral products from this IP alone exceed tens of millions." Meng Xi introduced to Jiang Zhe.

The company now occupies an entire floor of office space. The number of employees is several times more than before, and the business volume is incomparable.

Walking into Meng Xi's office, there are many comic figures displayed in the glass display cabinet at the corner.

Meng Xi pointed out a few of them that were of commemorative significance and introduced them to Jiang Zhe: "Last year, a Japanese studio begged us to acquire it, and insisted on using the overseas copyright of Midnight Subway as a token of its allegiance."

The accountant in a floral dress handed over a report with a gilded cover: the sunlight cast a spot of light on the number "annual net profit of 3700 million."

Seeing that an investment has turned into a huge return and will continue to bring returns gives people a sense of satisfaction.

"Your dividend this year is enough to buy a car and a studio."

Passing through the noisy typesetting workshop, several painters who were tracing saw Jiang Zhe, stood up and came over, wanting to take a photo with Jiang Zhe.

Jiang Zhe did not refuse. Through a simple chat, he learned that they were all students who were about to graduate from the Academy of Fine Arts and came here for internship. Meng Xi's office also had a large balcony, which was also arranged as a space for meeting guests and relaxing.

After checking the company's business, Jiang Zhe and Meng Xi sat on the rattan sofa, looking at the scenery and enjoying tea.

Jiang Zhe sighed. "You have found the right direction and have a successful career. People envy you."

Meng Xi said: "You envy me? Your life is what many people envy. Don't you really plan to move to the capital? There are more opportunities here?"

She pointed out the window and said, "As the company grows bigger, I am exposed to more information, and there will be more opportunities here in the future."

Jiang Zhe looked at the city scenery outside the window and the huge Olympic rings.

Understand, this is an opportunity to rise.

"In fact, I don't know where I should move to. I calculated that even if I return to China, I still have to participate in some activities every year. The capital, Shanghai, Lin'an, Guangzhou, New York, Paris... I may have to travel to many places every year, for a few days or more than ten days each time. How much time can I really spend at home? Where do you think I have settled down?" Jiang Zhe complained and said, "I miss the life before the college entrance examination and when I was in college. I may not have been rich then, but I was devoted to painting and selling paintings, and my life was simple."

Meng Xi smiled and said, "You can just say these words to yourself, but don't tell anyone else, or you'll get beaten."

As night fell, Jiang Zhe returned to his house in the capital.

My parents were tired from the journey and had taken a rest.

He turned on his computer and looked at today's emails.

I dealt with matters related to selling paintings and focused on reading the work emails I received.

Many companies and cultural institutions have sent him invitations.

He sorted through the invitations, first eliminating those that he would never accept, and then screening them.

There are three jobs that make him feel a little excited. One is to be a special painter at a certain painting academy, a researcher at a certain art gallery, a researcher at a certain museum, and invitations from two universities.

After a long consideration, Jiangzhe removed the option of special painters. He had learned about the art academy and knew that special painters must take on tasks. If people without jobs and income had this option, they would naturally accept it, but he didn't seem to need it.

The other invitations, whether for research or university teaching, are all special invitations or guest positions. You don't have to take regular classes or attend full time, and there are only a few things every year.

It will not interfere with your own creation and life, and it will also provide you with more channels to contact the society.

Among them, Binhai Art College, the school where he graduated from undergraduate school, sent him multiple options, such as visiting professor or formal associate professor. The department head and Professor Qin also called him successively, saying that if he chose the position of associate professor, then he would be the head of the oil painting major. In addition, there are many favorable conditions.

Jiang Zhe opened the system again and found the reward project.

Because we have received more invitations, the system has given us a clear direction for future choices.

Jiang Zhe narrowed down his choices again.

……

In the summer in Binhai City, there are always a few days when the sticky, salty and humid sea breeze blows.

Jiang Zhe and his parents quietly returned to Binhai, planning to enjoy a few days of peaceful life.

His parents have been living in the villa for the three years he has been studying.

Jiang Zhe drove to the gate of the villa's cast iron courtyard, where locust flowers were falling on both sides of the road.

When the car drove into the iron gate, the sound of dogs barking could be heard.

Xiao Ka jumped out from under the grape trellis and stared at Jiang Zhe's car for a moment. After recognizing its owner, its yellow and white tail shook like a propeller and it rushed over quickly.

Jiang Zhe got out of the car with a smile, without dodging the mud claws flying towards him.

The parents looked at their son playing with the pet and walked into the villa with a smile on their faces.

In three years, the villa was kept very clean and the plants grew more lush.

Go back to your room.

The layout remained unchanged, only a small number of daily necessities were replaced with new ones.

He came to the studio in the villa.

It hasn't changed at all since I left three years ago.

While studying in New York, I moved to three studios. Some were bigger than this one, some were more luxurious than this one. But none of them made me feel at ease and warm like this one.

The movers delivered the custom-made painting materials and installed them.

As time goes by, painting tools are updated more and more quickly.

Jiang Zhe unpacked the paint cabinet and found more than a hundred grids arranged in gradient colors.

As his research deepened, his habit of using pigments gradually changed. Some pigments were eliminated, and some pigments entered his palette.

When Xu Li came back, she saw her son adjusting the easel in the sunset. Xiao Ka was squatting beside the window sill, supervising, flapping his tail rhythmically.

"You should take a few days off." She shook the Spanish mackerel in her hand. "Your father insisted that we cook for ourselves today. Now that you're home, we feel relieved."

Jiang Zhe put down the work in his hands. "Mom, let me help you."

A few days later, Professor Qin, Teacher Hu and Jiang Zhe were strolling around the campus of Binhai Academy of Arts.

Jiang Zhe decided to accept the invitation of Binhai Academy of Arts to serve as a visiting professor.

Professor Qin and Teacher Hu were both very happy. The only regret was that Jiang Zhe did not choose a formal university teaching position.

In three years, there have been no changes on campus, only personnel changes.

Professor Qin and Teacher Hu told Jiang Zhe about their recent situation and school matters all the way to the parking lot.

Jiang Zhe left the Art Academy, picked up Chen Yan first, and rushed to Wang Zhen's gallery in Binhai.

Chen Yan had been working at the gallery. She was the first person to know that Jiang Zhe had returned to Binhai. The two enjoyed a few days of peaceful life.

When we arrived at the gallery, Fu Min, Mou Xing, Lan Xin and other classmates and friends had already arrived.

A few years later, everyone returned to Binhai. Everyone had their own success and failure. When they met again, they had endless things to talk about.

……

When it was late at night and everyone was asleep, Jiang Zhe turned on the desk lamp.

First check today's work and make sure it has been completed. Click on the system.

Among the options for future path choices, check the four options of professional painter, art history researcher, painting restoration researcher, and visiting professor.

Pause briefly and click Submit.

The system prompts that if you select four options, the challenges you will face in the future and the chances of triggering tasks will increase exponentially. Please confirm your choice.

Jiang Zhe clicked confirm without hesitation.

Reborn once, with a system, of course I have to live a more exciting life.

Tomorrow is another new day.

(End of this chapter)