Cultivating with Bragging System

Chapter 718 358: Please, Young Master, Begin Writing_1

Just as Wang Xiu expected, a formal invitation soon arrived from Cao Mansion. It expressed their wish to formally visit Wang Xiu and inquired about his availability.

Wang Xiu set the time for half a month later.

"Why half a month later?" Nie Linglan asked, puzzled.

Wang Xiu replied, "Cao Xiu is an influential figure in the Dao of Painting in Huangzhou. If I utilize his appearance well, it could elevate my reputation in these circles to its peak. Now is not the time..."

Nie Linglan nodded, still not fully understanding. She then pulled out another invitation and said, "Then should I also turn down this invitation from Zhuang Mocheng's granddaughter-in-law on your behalf, Young Master?"

Wang Xiu raised an eyebrow. "Zhuang Mocheng... granddaughter-in-law?"

Nie Linglan nodded. "Yes. Zhuang Mocheng's granddaughter-in-law, Gao Ruotong, claims she was so impressed by your statements that she felt compelled to meet you at any cost. She's waiting outside right now."

Wang Xiu swept the area with his Divine Sense. Indeed, there was a new presence in the courtyard: a mature and stunningly beautiful woman. Her skin was delicate and moist, her legs long and slender, her figure voluptuous, and her eyes full of mature allure.

"Isn't that President Zhuang highly dissatisfied with me? I heard he even declared in public that if my painting were to appear in the Cold Mountain Pavilion, he'd make it disappear. So why... is his granddaughter-in-law not of the same mind?" Wang Xiu said with a faint, unreadable smile.

Nie Linglan shook her head. "I heard that this Mrs. Zhuang hails from the Gao Family, one of the eight great families of White Jade City. She holds a lofty status and has a very powerful background. She's also one of the few in the Zhuang Family who doesn't fear Zhuang Mocheng. In fact, she often publicly contradicts him! Zhuang Mocheng is rather helpless against her."

Wang Xiu's expression grew more meaningful. "Interesting. Show her in."

"Yes."

...

Soon, Gao Ruotong was shown in.

She was tall and slender, yet curvaceous, and exuded an air of mature charm. With each swaying step, her snow-white legs were faintly visible, a true feast for the eyes.

"Mrs. Gao, please have a seat." Wang Xiu, still clad in a robe whiter than snow, sat behind the tea table. His movements were gentle yet swift as he poured two cups of tea.

A peculiar glint flashed through Gao Ruotong's eyes as she gracefully sat down. Her red lips parted. "I've been married for many years, and most people call me Mrs. Zhuang. I'm afraid you're the only one who dares to call me Mrs. Gao, Young Master."

Wang Xiu smiled calmly. "Mrs. Gao, you came here in your own right, as an independent woman, completely separate from the Zhuang Family. Naturally, I must address you respectfully as Mrs. Gao."

Hearing this, a complex emotion surfaced in Gao Ruotong's eyes. "Separate? The ancients said, 'When you marry a rooster, you follow the rooster; when you marry a dog, you follow the dog.' Since I have married into the Zhuang Family, I am their daughter-in-law for life. Unless I get a divorce, how could I ever make a clean break?"

Wang Xiu said, "Whether or not it's a clean break is just a matter of perception in the eyes of others. One lives for oneself and must do things for one's own sake... As long as your heart is clear and you know what you are doing, what do the thoughts of others have to do with you?"

Gao Ruotong savored his words, a new light gleaming in her beautiful eyes. "Is this what you meant, Young Master, by 'nothing exists outside the mind' and 'no principles exist outside the mind'?"

Wang Xiu replied, "If you wish to interpret it that way, Mrs. Gao, then it is so."

Gao Ruotong said, "Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. Both the Gao and Zhuang families are great, prestigious clans that value their reputation above all else. If I were to propose a divorce, neither family would agree!"

Wang Xiu chuckled lightly. "Then, that is your own affair, Mrs. Gao."

Gao Ruotong froze for a moment, then gave him an exceptionally coquettish eye-roll. "You are truly wicked, Young Master Wang! Stirring up a woman's desires, only to offer no solution. Who even does things like that?"

That eye-roll was utterly captivating. Had a man with a less stable Dao Heart been sitting here, he likely would have been unable to resist taking the woman then and there.

One had to admit, married women really knew how to play the game!

Fortunately, Wang Xiu's mind was clear and placid. This small provocation was not enough to make him lose his composure.

He simply smiled slightly and did not reply.

Seeing this, Gao Ruotong sighed faintly. "After hearing your speech, I really thought I might find my answers here."

Wang Xiu said, "The answer has always been within your own heart. Your desire for others' approval is simply a search for someone to bear the responsibility for the bold action you plan to take. You want someone to give you courage, so that even if you fail, you'll have a scapegoat. You can tell yourself that someone else incited you, which will make it much easier to bear."

Hearing this, Gao Ruotong suddenly propped an arm on the table, tilted her head, and stared at Wang Xiu. The movement caused her already loose collar to gape open even more wantonly. What an enchanting snowy vista. The twin peaks rose and fell.

She seemed completely unaware of this, gazing deeply at Wang Xiu as her red lips moved slightly. "It seems Young Master Wang truly understands a woman's heart, doesn't he?"

Wang Xiu smiled. "I know a little."

Gao Ruotong sighed faintly. "If my husband were half as considerate and attentive as you, Young Master, I could die content. But sadly, he has never once tried to understand what I'm thinking..."

Wang Xiu fell silent again.

After a moment, Gao Ruotong sat up straight, composing herself. "I hear you have an 'Only Love Alliance' under your command?"

Wang Xiu replied, "Your information network is quite impressive, Madam."

Gao Ruotong asked, "And what are the conditions to join this organization?"

Wang Xiu replied, "There is only one: to have enough self-confidence and an unyielding desire for freedom."

Gao Ruotong subtly pursed her lips. "I seem to be lacking in that confidence. I wonder if you could help me, Young Master?"

Wang Xiu asked, "And how would you have me help you, Madam?"

Gao Ruotong said, "I hear your skill in the Dao of Painting is godlike, that it can make a woman radiate a beauty greater than she ever possessed before?"

Wang Xiu replied, "You are already exceptionally beautiful, Madam. There is no need to gild the lily."

Gao Ruotong shook her head and stood up. "No woman ever feels she is beautiful enough." As she spoke, her fair hands suddenly moved to her sash.

In the next instant, the room was filled with a boundless, beautiful sight.

Gao Ruotong stood tall, chest out and head held high, exposing her long, slender neck. "Please, Young Master. You may begin."

...

「A quarter of an hour later」

Gao Ruotong left with her new painting in hand, her face aglow with satisfaction. Before she departed, she cast a meaningful glance back in the direction of Yuxuan Pavilion, murmuring, "What an interesting man... A pity he doesn't belong to me."

Inside the room, Wang Xiu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, positioned under a large, circular window, admiring the plum blossoms in the courtyard.

Nie Linglan appeared behind him with a peculiar expression. "Young Master, just now, she..."

Wang Xiu waved a dismissive hand, plucking a plum blossom from a vase. He sighed, "She is merely a pitiful woman, so lonely she is on the verge of madness."

Nie Linglan giggled slyly. "I thought you were going to take her, Young Master. Was it because she's already married?"

Wang Xiu shot her a glare. "Do you think I'm that indiscriminate?"

Nie Linglan rolled her eyes playfully.

Wang Xiu's eyes narrowed. He suddenly grabbed Nie Linglan, pulling her into his arms and eliciting a delicate cry from her.

"And now," he growled, "I am very worked up!"

...

「Meanwhile, that night at the Zhuang Residence」

"Where did you go today?"

"Where else? Out seeing another man, of course."

"You... Stop talking nonsense, will you?"

"Who's talking nonsense?" Gao Ruotong rolled her eyes again. She took out a scroll and slowly unfurled it. "That Young Master Wang from Yuxuan Pavilion is so handsome and talented. I simply couldn't help myself."

When the contents of the scroll were revealed, the blood rushed to Zhuang Feiwu's head.