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Li Qiuchan looked at the two people in front of her who were arrogant at first but obsequious at second. Although she still had many questions in her heart, she remained calm on the surface.

She slowly sat down in the main seat, picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and asked calmly, "Vice President Zhuang, President Shi, let's not beat around the bush. I want to know, who caused such a drastic change in your attitudes?"

Zhuang Bifan and Shi Zhenxiang exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat embarrassed, but neither dared to reveal the real reason.

"Well... after we went back and reflected on it seriously, we felt that the way we handled things this morning was indeed inappropriate and unfair. The Chamber of Commerce is for the service of all its members, and we cannot let personal grudges affect our decisions. So we came to apologize and hope to make amends for our mistake."

Looking at Zhuang Bifan's evasive manner, Li Qiuchan already had some guesses in her mind.

She didn't press further, but simply nodded: "Since Vice President Zhuang and President Shi are so sincere, let's leave it at that for now. I'll have Secretary Zhou follow up on the contract renewal."

"Alright, alright! Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Li!" Zhuang Bifan nodded repeatedly, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon. After saying a few more polite words, he led Shi Zhenxiang and her group to take their leave.

As Zhuang Bifan stepped out of the Li Group's gate, he let out a long sigh of relief and took out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

Shi Zhenxiang followed behind him, her face still somewhat pale. She lowered her voice and asked, "Vice President Zhuang, who exactly is this Ma Fei? Why are you so afraid of him?"

Zhuang Bifan turned around and glared at him, then lowered his voice and said, "The Ma family is the head of the three major families in Jinling and the president of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce. The assets of the Ma Group are several times greater than the sum of yours and mine. Although his father, Ma Teng, has retired behind the scenes, he has deep connections, and even the mayor of Jinling has to give him some face."

"He just called me personally and gave me a severe dressing-down, saying that if I dared to touch a single hair on the Li Group again, he would make me the vice president for the rest of my life. Do you think I'm scared?"

Shi Zhenxiang shrank back, not daring to say anything more, and could only secretly lament her misfortune.

If he had known that Su Hao had the Ma family backing him, he would never have dared to get involved in this mess.

......

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Li family's home was peaceful and harmonious.

Li Zhongguo was sitting in a grand chair in the living room, personally brewing a pot of fine Longjing tea to entertain an elderly man with white hair.

The elderly man, dressed in a simple gray long gown and exuding a refined air, was none other than Bai Zihua, the chairman of the Jinling Painting Association.

"Old Li, your grandson-in-law is truly remarkable," Bai Zihua said, clicking his tongue in amazement as he held his teacup.

Li Zhongguo laughed heartily, his face full of pride: "If you hadn't come and told me this today, I wouldn't have known that Su Hao was an unknown master. Now you'd better coax me properly."

Bai Zihua put down his teacup and cupped his hands in greeting: "As long as you help me get a painting by an unknown master, I'll not only coax you, I'll treat you like royalty."

"You didn't ask Su Hao to draw it for you yesterday?" Li Zhongguo was taken aback.

Bai Zihua said with a wry smile, "I did paint it, but that girl from the Shen family snatched it from me at the art exhibition yesterday. I tossed and turned all night after that, and I couldn't sleep well. So today I had no choice but to swallow my pride and come to you for help."

Li Zhongguo asked in confusion, "Su Hao gave the painting to that girl from the Shen family? How did they meet?"

"I don't know. The girl from the Shen family paid for it, but Su Hao gave it to her as a gift."

"not good!"

Li Zhongguo sensed something was wrong.

His worst fears came true!

A woman is trying to interfere in her own granddaughter's marriage!

"What's wrong with it?" Bai Zihua was taken aback.

"Uh, what I mean is, Su Hao isn't doing this right."

Li Zhongguo covered it up by saying, "After all, you are my good friend and his elder. Logically, it should be given to an elder."

"Don't worry, I've already called Su Hao back. I'll put in a good word for you and ask him to paint another picture, but I can't guarantee it will work."

"Thank you so much!" Bai Zihua was overjoyed.

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Hao and Song Xiaoxiao walked in side by side.

As soon as Song Xiaoxiao entered the door, she saw Bai Zihua sitting in the living room and blurted out, "Huh? Isn't this the strange old man who wanted to add me on WeChat yesterday?"

Bai Zihua's face instantly turned bright red, so embarrassed he wished he could disappear into the ground.

Li Zhongguo immediately put on a stern face, pretending to scold, "Xiaoxiao! Don't be rude! This is Chairman Bai of the Jinling Painting Association, a highly respected senior. What strange uncle? No respect for elders!"

Song Xiaoxiao stuck out her tongue, realizing she had said the wrong thing, and hid behind Su Hao, not daring to say another word.

Li Zhongguo shook his head helplessly and turned to Su Hao, saying, "Su Hao, this Chairman Bai is an old friend of mine. He came here today specifically to visit you. He wants to ask you for a painting. As for the price... we can discuss it."

Bai Zihua quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Su Hao: "Master Weiming, I was blind to your greatness yesterday and offended you greatly. I hope you will forgive me. I have come to visit today because I admire your painting skills and would like to request a piece of your calligraphy. I wonder if you would be so kind as to grant my request?"

Su Hao glanced at Li Zhongguo and saw him nod slightly, so he knew that the relationship between Chairman Bai and the old man was unusual.

He pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Since Chairman Bai is Grandpa's friend, then I will make a fool of myself."

Bai Zihua was overjoyed and quickly took out his brush, ink, and paper.

Su Hao walked to the desk, spread out the Xuan paper, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, concentrated for a moment, and then put pen to paper.

The moment the brush tip touched the rice paper, his entire demeanor changed abruptly.

Focused, composed, with a restrained sharpness, yet exuding an indescribable confidence and aura.

The brush dances across the paper, sometimes swift as thunder, sometimes gentle as flowing water, the ink spreading and blurring on the rice paper, outlining the contours of mountains, the ethereal clouds, and the vigorous pines and cypresses...

Li Zhongguo stood aside, watching him paint intently, and the more he watched, the more alarmed he became.

Although he didn't understand painting, he could still see that Su Hao's brushwork and artistic conception were beyond the reach of ordinary painters.

No wonder this kid is called the Unknown Master, he truly lives up to his reputation!

About fifteen minutes later, Su Hao put down his pen.

On the rice paper, a landscape painting has already taken shape.

In the painting, majestic mountains rise amidst swirling clouds and mist, while a waterfall cascades down a mountain stream, creating a spray of mist.

At the mountain peak, an old man in white robes stood with his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering, like an immortal.

The face of the old man in white was none other than Bai Zihua.

Bai Zihua stood in front of the painting, completely motionless as if frozen in place.

His gaze lingered on the painting, his lips trembled slightly, and his eyes even reddened a little.

"This...this is me?"

"Hmm." Su Hao put down his brush and nodded slightly.

"Chairman Bai's refined and elegant demeanor perfectly matches the artistic conception of this painting."

Bai Zihua remained silent for a long time, then took a deep breath and bowed to Su Hao again.

This time, the bow was even deeper than before: "Master Weiming, this painting... I consider it priceless, but... I simply cannot afford a reward commensurate with it..."

Su Hao thought for a moment and looked at Li Zhongguo: "Grandpa, you can handle this painting. Whether to sell it or give it away is up to you."

"Well... okay..."

Li Zhongguo appeared hesitant, but was actually overjoyed.

He was just wondering how to handle Bai Zihua, and Su Hao had just delivered the opportunity.

"Grandpa, the painting is finished. If there's nothing else, Su Hao and I will be leaving now." Song Xiaoxiao pulled Su Hao, looking like she was about to leave.

Li Zhongguo was taken aback: "Where are you going?"

"Xiaoxiao asked me to go with her to Jinling University; she wants to meet a classmate," Su Hao said helplessly.

"Oh, okay. Then drive carefully and be safe."

Li Zhongguo watched the two figures disappear into the distance, then looked at the landscape painting on the table that could be described as a masterpiece, and clicked his tongue in approval.

"Old Bai, this is a portrait commissioned by the unnamed master; it's one of a kind on the market!"

Bai Zihua glanced at Li Zhongguo's ambiguous smile and couldn't help but laugh and cry: "You rascal, are you trying to trick me again?"

"How could that be? You've been a friend of mine for decades."

"So you're going to give it to me?"

"So we have to pay more!"

"..."