The entire venue was silent as everyone looked at Qiao Xi in shock. Qiao Xi actually rejected Master Qi Zhong’s invitation? Shouldn’t she feel honored? Why were her eyes filled with disdain?

Qiao Xi’s expression was indifferent as she said casually, “Why would I be willing?”

“You!” Qi Zhong was angered to the point his face flushed red, and his fingers trembled as he pointed at Qiao Xi.

With his qualifications and achievements, there were many people who he was unwilling to accept as his apprentices. Now, he wanted to accept Qiao Xi as his apprentice. He agreed to hold a banquet for her to acknowledge him as her master, and he would even give her an independent studio so that she could create in peace. He had never treated an apprentice so meticulously, yet she was actually unwilling?

He admitted that he had taken a liking to Qiao Xi’s creative talent, but Qiao Xi was a painter without any background. How many years would she have to endure the difficult path ahead of her before she could make a name for herself? Now, as long as she acknowledged him as her master, she could save herself a lot of trouble and become famous in one go. She would be envied by everyone, yet she did not know what was good for her.

Qiao Xi’s eyes were filled with disdain. “Mr. Qi, I’ve already made myself very clear. I won’t acknowledge you as my master. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving first.”

She turned around and was about to leave when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her gaze landed on the rose garden. “My husband and I completed this painting together. Since it’s my painting, I can take it with me, right?”

Without waiting for Qi Zhong to answer, she picked up the painting.

Qi Zhong’s expression was as dark as ink. “Miss Qiao, I’ll give you another chance. Think about it carefully. If you offend me in the oil painting world, will you still be able to remain in the industry?”

Qiao Xi raised her eyes and glanced at him as if she was looking at an idiot. “I never intended on continuing to walk down this path. Painting is just a hobby to me. I don’t treat it as work, and I don’t care about my future in this industry.”

Qi Zhong was so angry that he almost fainted.

However, on second thought, Qiao Xi did not want to be an artist at all and did not care about her future in this industry. Such a person was just right to work for him. He would give Qiao Xi money, and Qiao Xi would paint for him. Wouldn’t it be good for the two of them to take what they needed and form a mutually beneficial relationship?

When Qiao Xi left, she heard everyone discussing. “I’ve never seen such an ungrateful person. Mr. Qi was willing to take her in as his disciple, but she actually refused?”

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“I want to see how capable she is. She doesn’t even take Mr. Qi seriously.”

Qiao Xi found a clean white cloth to cover the canvas and returned to the lounge with the painting. She had just returned to the lounge when a wave of hurried footsteps came from outside.

“Qiao Xi! Why are you doing this to me?! Are you satisfied now that you’ve seen me lose my dignity?!” Tang Ruge finally revealed her true colors. Her previously gentle demeanor had long since vanished and was replaced by a ferocious one.

Tang Ruge’s breathing was rapid, and her eyes were bloodshot. Flames of anger burned in her eyes as she questioned, “How did I offend you? You embarrassed me in public! You exposed me in front of the teacher and made me lose all my dignity. I even lost the chance to become an apprentice. You’re too vicious!”

Qiao Xi rubbed her ears with an impatient expression.

Tang Ruge was about to break down. She knew that from today onward, she would become the laughing stock of the entire high society. Those people would laugh at her behind her back.

Ever since she was born, the Tang family had been nurturing her as a socialite. Of course, she had never disappointed them. She had always been the top socialite in high society who was elegant and dignified. However, she had now become a thief.

What was even more infuriating was that after Qi Zhong gave up on her, he wanted to take Qiao Xi in as his disciple. This almost made her go crazy.

At this moment, Tang Ruge was no longer pretending. She roared angrily at Qiao Xi. “Are you very proud now? Not only did you ruin my apprenticeship banquet, but you also became Qi Zhong’s disciple. You’ve become a talented woman who everyone is envious of while I’m a thief!”

Hearing Tang Ruge’s crazy roar, Qiao Xi only replied indifferently, “I rejected Qi Zhong.”

Tang Ruge’s expression froze.

Qiao Xi said casually, “Miss Tang, not everyone will want what you want. I never wanted to be Qi Zhong’s apprentice, nor have I ever thought of ruining your apprenticeship banquet. If you want to blame someone, you can only blame yourself for doing something wrong. You should have some principles. Even if you managed to become Qi Zhong’s disciple with my painting, you’d still be exposed one day.

“This is my private lounge. Please leave.”

Tang Ruge’s eyes almost popped out from anger, and she was jealous to the point of going mad. She knew that Qiao Xi looked down on her. Qiao Xi was Young Master Luo’s younger sister, Gu Zheng’s wife, and the boss behind Fragrance Hotel. However, what right did Qiao Xi have to look down on her?