Chapter 458 - 281: Thus, the Art is Complete

Chapter 458: Chapter 281: Thus, the Art is Complete

Lin Chu said nonchalantly.

Dongnya was completely dumbfounded, her pupils constricting and her mouth hanging open as she stared at Lin Chu in disbelief. "So I was right! Huh?"

Lin Chu gave a wry smile.

"That’s not quite right. There’s no Prince. I just have a bit of money, that’s all."

She was speechless, but her curiosity visibly piqued. "How can you be so rich at such a young age? I noticed you said... ’managing’? Is it a family business, or an inheritance, or something? Uh, I don’t mean anything by it, I’m just curious."

"No, I’m self-made. My father was just a farmer."

Dongnya...

She was dumbfounded once again.

She couldn’t help but pat her own cheeks. When two pats didn’t seem to be enough, she added two more before taking a deep breath and scratching her head.

Watching her reaction, Lin Chu couldn’t help but find it amusing.

’Men lust after beauty, and women lust after wealth. That’s an undeniable truth.’

’Even if money isn’t what initially attracts her, it becomes a crucial factor as you get to know each other.’

’This sort of superficiality is the same the world over.’

’Take Bai Weiwei, for instance. During that chat in the car, her first reaction upon finding out was to pull away, thinking a relationship between us was impossible. Fundamentally, that was just another form of being hung up on it.’

’While that’s a step above being a "gold digger," she still placed too much importance on it.’

’Still, even so, I don’t need to lie. It’s not a crime to be rich. If they can’t handle it, that’s their problem. They just aren’t blessed with the good fortune for it.’

As he thought this, a good ten or so seconds passed before Dongnya finally calmed down, fully accepting this new "character setting."

’This is all so surreal,’ she thought.

’I just hit on an incredibly handsome man in a coffee shop, and it turns out he’s also super rich!’

’This is a scene straight out of a rom-com!’

She’d read plenty of those "overbearing CEO" novels, but experiencing it firsthand felt like a dream. The steam in the sauna seemed to turn a shade of pink, with imaginary bubbles floating in the air.

"Can you say something to me? You know, that line."

"That line... ’Woman, you have caught my attention.’"

"You have to say it in a certain way. You know, pin my arms, lift my chin, your eyes all aggressive but with a hint of resignation."

Dongnya said with a laugh, fluttering her big, beautiful eyes.

Lin Chu: ?

’What the hell?’

’What is this nonsense...’

However, after a moment’s thought, a smile touched his lips. Lin Chu started walking toward her, deliberately slowing his pace to close in on her, creating a sense of theatrical menace.

Dongnya caught on in an instant, her inner actress taking over. She clutched the towel at her chest, drew her feet up to hug her knees, and put on a pitiful look, like a lamb to the slaughter. Her wide eyes feigned terror.

Lin Chu...

’What the hell is this cringey role-play!’

’Whatever, I’ll indulge her.’

A cold smirk played on his lips. Lin Chu strode forward, suddenly reached out, and yanked off her towel. He then threaded his fingers into her hair, pressing her head gently against the wooden wall behind her. His eyes filled with haughty disdain as he looked down at her.

But he just couldn’t bring himself to say that cringey line.

After they stared at each other for a few seconds, they both broke into laughter.

"You’re crazy. I told you to read fewer novels. You have some seriously twisted tastes."

Lin Chu said with a laugh, patting her thigh.

Dongnya, however, nodded vigorously. "Yes, that was it! That’s exactly the feeling I got from the novels... Your acting was a little stiff, but you totally nailed the vibe."

"And the other one... ’Name your price, woman. Cash or check? Because love is the one thing I can’t give you.’"

She was still reveling in the thrill of the "performance."

That line, however, did stir something in Lin Chu.

’So even the old-school "overbearing CEO" novels were this insightful?’

’Those female authors really had it all figured out. Quite prescient of them.’

Of course, Lin Chu didn’t say the line. He patted her on the head, rolled his eyes, and walked out of the sauna.

Dongnya wrapped the towel around herself and quickly followed him out, still feeling as if she were in a dream.

’A young, handsome, fit Chinese man with a six-pack who’s also loaded... Am I insane? What am I doing?’

’But... it doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong with it, either.’

’Isn’t youth all about being a little crazy?’

...

Painting.

Photography.

These two "jobs" were completed that very night, sealed with a flirtatious, knowing glance between them.

Compared to him, she was clearly the more eager one.

You had to hand it to the girls from the "Fighting Nation." Once she was into it, she was decisive and relentless, almost like a moth drawn to a flame.

Lin Chu found it mind-blowing, and admittedly, incredibly satisfying.

’That’s how it should be.’

’Attraction should be just like this.’

’Be bold, go for it, and get it done!’

’It’s the purest, most natural, primal instinct!’

It was as natural as the earth and sky, a flash of brilliant color, like the legendary conception of Confucius in the wild.

In the hotel’s luxurious presidential suite, Lin Chu played the part of photographer for the first time, shooting her in all sorts of poses and outfits for a private boudoir session. A white Hanfu set was particularly stunning—a classic case of a local flower being most appreciated abroad.

At that moment, Lin Chu even felt that, in global terms, the status of women in China was shockingly high.

This Russian girl, in contrast, was gentle and agreeable, without any of the drama, the coyness, the inhibitions, the constant worrying... none of that messy emotional baggage or incessant second-guessing.

If she liked something, she liked it.

If she didn’t, she didn’t.

She’d never been "civilized" by so-called Confucian culture.

Of course, from his perspective, it was a thoroughly pleasant experience.

After the photoshoot, it was time for Lin Chu to fulfill his promise.

The heat was cranked up in the room, so Lin Chu didn’t feel the least bit cold. He lay on his side on the sofa like a slumbering prince while Dongnya set up her easel, her brush sweeping across the paper with relish.

She’d done nude drawings before, but only in class. The sight before her now, however, she still found... breathtakingly beautiful.

She found her mind wandering from time to time.

But she always quickly pulled her focus back.

On Lin Chu’s end, even after holding the pose for over two hours, the experience felt unique. ’Who would’ve thought I’d see the day I’d be sacrificing my body for art,’ he mused. ’Hey, where are her eyes wandering? And she keeps licking her lips... so shameless.’

Until... the painting was finished.

The finished work left Lin Chu quite satisfied; it fully captured his grandeur and impressive size.

It was a little embarrassing, sure, but mostly he felt pride. And a bit of swagger.

"I’m keeping this painting. I’ll hang it up at my place later."

Lin Chu said with a wide smile, looking at the artwork.

And with that, the art was complete.

"No way! I’m keeping it! This is my first real piece, it has great sentimental value. It’s the work I’m most satisfied with in years."

"Your body is really incredible! And... well..."

She raised her eyebrows, lightly bit her lip again, and casually glanced downwards.

She’d definitely seen her share of art films.

And what she’d just seen, compared to what she remembered from those films, had left her with a powerful, inexplicable sense of awe.

This man before her was perfect in every single way.

Utterly perfect!

Seeing the look in her eyes, Lin Chu couldn’t help but smile. He threw on a bathrobe and walked over to the liquor cabinet. He grabbed a bottle of Aoaogao that Xue Xiaojun had given him in one hand and a bottle of red wine in the other. "Drink? Do you prefer baijiu or red wine?"

"Baijiu, of course."

"Yeah, I like Fenjiu. I love it. After vodka, it’s the best liquor there is. My dad and my brother love it too. But others are fine. Red wine is too soft. It’s got no kick."

"Let’s get some skewers too, and we can drink and eat meat by the window."

She said enthusiastically, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.

...

...