Wang Manni stared at the portrait, her eyes fixed on it, and said enviously, "Of course it's you. Forget how much the picture looks like her for a moment. Just look at the expression and the mood conveyed by the composition. It's as if the painting has captured your very soul."
Gu Jia had studied calligraphy and painting specifically to find her way into wealthy circles. Hearing Wang Manni's assessment, she looked at her in surprise.
She truly hadn't expected the materialistic Wang Manni to say something so perceptive.
Worried Wang Manni might get jealous, Gu Jia deliberately tried to smooth things over for Zhong Xiaoqin. "Ever since Manni got together with Mr. Wang, she's been speaking with more refinement than before.
"But that was very well put. This portrait really does capture Xiaoqin's personality. Mr. Wang must be an excellent painter."
It wasn't easy to distract Wang Manni. She looked back and forth between Wang Yue and Zhong Xiaoqin for a while, then asked suspiciously, "Are you really meeting for the first time? You seem almost like kindred spirits."
The reason she felt wary was that Zhong Xiaoqin's relationship with Chen Yu was in trouble. If they divorced, would Wang Yue want to take her in as a concubine?
Wang Yue was an ancient man, after all!
Wang Manni had to be on her guard!
Zhong Xiaoqin had been married, but she wasn't stupid. She caught the suspicion in Wang Manni's voice and quickly tore her gaze away from the painting, waving her hands as she explained, "I really am meeting Mr. Wang for the first time! I swear! I mean it!"
Seeing how flustered Zhong Xiaoqin was, Wang Manni realized she really wasn't lying. She sighed and said, "I was only joking with you. You don't have to