After dinner, they rested for two hours before they headed to Country X’s International Art Museum.

  The exterior of the Art Museum was i a scroll shape, which looked extremely artistic.

  There were many participants in these types of international painting competitions. After a round of competing, there were only 20 plus participants remaining.

  The finals were split into three different rounds. Ten participants will be eliminated in the first round, five participants in the second round, and the finals will have three participants remaining.

  There was no competition today and everyone who went had a casual attitude. Dou Xiangling was acquainted with many people there and had greeted quite a number of people on the journey from the parking lot to the entrance of the art museum.

  Every single individual who greeted her would ask in shock, “Dou, who’s that pretty lady beside you?”


  Following that, Dou Xiangling would proudly introduce Zi Yi to them. “She’s my cousin and just like me, she’s here to participate in the finals.”


  Her words had immediately attracted waves of praises.

  Of course, most of their praise was on Zi Yi’s appearance.

  From their point of view, Zi Yi’s name sounded too unfamiliar and she should have managed to get into the finals due to luck. Therefore, compared to Zi Yi, they believed that their opponent was Dou Xiangling.

  Everyone politely chatted and just then, a voice sounded from behind which called out to Dou Xiangling. “Dou Xiangling, long time no see.”


  Everyone subconsciously turned around to take a look.

  The man who greeted Dou Xiangling was obviously also Chinese and he wore a long, dark-colored shirt with a wide belt, which accentuated his slender figure to the fullest.

  He had his hair combed back, revealing his smooth and fleshy forehead. He had soft facial features and by right, he should be described as someone who looked feminine. However, due to the aggressiveness revealed from his confident gaze, it was easy for others to ignore his appearance.

  Dou Xiangling furrowed her brows indiscernibly at the sight of the man and returned his greeting. “Meng He, long time no see.”


  When Meng He walked over towards her, people around them could not help but discuss in a low voice.

  “Sure enough, Dou Xiangling and Meng He have entered the finals. I heard that when they were studying in M.Uni’s School of Fine Arts, they would often compete for first place. Now that they have both advanced to the finals of the International Painting and Calligraphy Competition, I wonder whose skills are superior.”


  Individuals who are well-known in the industry were basically known by everyone.

  It just so happens that Dou Xiangling and Meng He were both new and upcoming stars of the industry.

  “Dou Xiangling’s paintings would often reveal characteristics of China whereas Meng He had stayed abroad for several years. His painting style has changed.”


  “It’s more interesting this way.”


  Zi Yi stood right beside Dou Xiangling and listened to their whispers. In the end, her gaze landed on Meng He’s face.

  Meng He just so happened to look towards Zi Yi at the same time and asked Dou Xiangling with a surprised expression, “This should be Zi Yi who had advanced to the finals with you?”


  “That’s right.”


  Meng He’s eyes were just like X-rays as he sized her upside down and left to right before his gaze fixed on that pretty face of hers. He did not know of the young lady before him, but he knew that those who could advance to the finals were no easy opponents.

  Meng He intended to do a deep investigation on Zi Yi when he returned.

  He then shifted his gaze to Dou Xiangling and said, “By right, we should have gathered together as old classmates, but since we have both advanced to the finals, we would be opponents from now on. Classmate Dou, we shall each rely on our abilities and I hope that you will do your best.”


  Dou Xiangling met his gaze and revealed the same confidence. “Of course.”


  After they finished chatting, they headed to the Art Museum separately.

  It was not surprising to others that they had not made their way inside together. After all, they were opponents now and it was not necessarily a good thing that they were close, especially when they were classmates from the same school.

  “You don’t seem to like this person very much?” Zi Yi glanced at Meng He who headed inside the Art Museum before them and suddenly said that.

  “I won’t say I dislike him nor do I like him.” Dou Xiangling said, “He’s too competitive and is always worried about other people stealing his inspirations. Even though we are classmates, we’re merely acquaintances that would nod at each other even if we met.”


  Zi Yi nodded her head in response and did not continue this conversation.

  After they made their way inside the Art Museum, everyone first toured around the museum that was arranged by the organizer. Following that, the Chairman of X Country’s Painting and Calligraphy Association and the Chairman of the International Painting and Calligraphy Association explained the competition timing and rules for tomorrow.

  After they were done with the explanation, it was free time for everyone to have conversations and mingle around.

  However, many of them could not be bothered to converse with others and had directly left.

  Dou Xiangling was also about to leave with Zi Yi to visit the people she had brought up previously. Yet, a blond-haired man with blue eyes called out to her. “Dou.”


  He then extended his arms with the intention to give Dou Xiangling a hug. However, she rejected him with a polite smile. “Mr. Abel, shaking hands will do.”


  Abel wore a flowered shirt and did not even bother to button the top two buttons as he revealed his bronzed skin. He had sideburns and his eyes looked extremely aggressive. Instead of looking like a painter, he looked more like a rogue artist.

  Abel looked disappointed at her response. “Dou, you people from China are too reserved and shy.”


  “This isn’t being shy. It’s just that the way we greet others is different.”


  The two of them shook hands.

  Abel turned to look at Zi Yi the next second and there was an undisguised surprise in his eyes. His tone of voice revealed naked teasing. “Beautiful lady, are you an angel sent by God? At the very first instance, when I saw you, I felt that my heart was shot by something.”


  Zi Yi looked at him with a cold expression.

  Dou Xiangling said to Zi Yi, “Yiyi, Abel is someone from the circle.”


  She then said to Abel, “Mr. Abel, my cousin Zi Yi doesn’t like jokes. Please refrain from joking with her.”


  Abel’s expression was slightly exaggerated. “I’m not joking around. Zi is really very beautiful. She’s so beautiful to the extent that I have fallen in love at first sight.”


  Abel’s voice was pretty loud and everyone who had yet to leave the museum looked over in their direction.

  Abel revealed a smug smile at that moment and pointed out. “I’ve never heard of Zi’s name before. I’ve seen your preliminary and semi-final works. They are as amazing as your appearance. I hope that I can see your amazing performance in the finals.”


  He then used his thumb to wipe his lips and winked at Zi Yi. “I believe myself to know about all the various great painters from all around the world. Zi should be the strongest dark horse this year in the circle. I’m looking forward to Zi’s competition tomorrow.”


  After Abel had said that, some of the gazes looking towards Zi Yi had changed.

  The preliminary and semi-finals were assessed based on the artworks sent over and there was no need for the participant to be present. Someone whom they had never heard of before had unexpectedly advanced to the finals and received such high praises. No matter how they looked at it, it appeared to be somewhat strange.

  Dou Xiangling noticed the strange gazes from the surroundings and was just about to flare up. Just then, Zi Yi pulled her hand, revealed a confident look, and said with a smirk, “Cousin, what Mr. Abel said is right. I’m a dark horse in the circle and since a casual painting of mine is capable of letting people feel amazed, he should indeed look forward to tomorrow’s competition.”


  Dou Xiangling looked at Zi Yi’s indifferent expression and felt that she had been too impulsive. She then put away her anger and nodded in agreement.