fringe artist

Chapter 105 103. The city is a polyhedron

The world will always surprise you when you are not expecting it. Chen Li'an did not expect that after his behavior of painting on the square was published in the newspaper, it would also cause heated discussions.

During the National Art Exhibition, the artistic atmosphere in the capital itself was much stronger than before, and the actions of Chen Li'an and Bai Qing easily sparked discussions.

In the past, artists in Beijing often appeared in a negative image, and various incomprehensible performance art always made the public's perception of art biased. Chen Li'an and Bai Qing played some positive image publicity.

It's a little famous, but I don't know if there is someone behind it. Chen Li'an still remembers that Director Wang said that he wants to support young artists.

Perhaps this is a good opportunity. After all, the Yuanmingyuan Artist Village will be rectified and banned in the next year. At this time, it is necessary to show support for art.

This incident is a good thing for Chen Li'an. Some people in the circle are already asking when his new work will be exhibited, and they can't wait to see how shocking the work that was glimpsed in the newspaper will be.

Bai Qing looked at the gloomy Chen Li'an and comforted in a low voice: "It's not good to be famous, the higher ups intend to support you, it's not a bad thing."

Chen Li'an threw the cigarette butts in his hand into the soot beside the stove, and said with a wry smile, "Of course it's good to be famous, but Director Yang insisted that I hold an art exhibition, but in Ji Fa's plan, we have to go to Europe to hold an exhibition first." OK."

Bai Qing was also a little helpless looking at the news in the newspaper, wondering why he and Chen Li'an were painting in the square and suddenly became popular!Isn't it the combination of photos and oil paintings?

It's not a new art.

"Forget it, I'll reject Director Yang first." Chen Li'an was also quite helpless, such things as favors are inevitable, when Director Yang helped him hold a film exhibition in the art museum, he owed favors.

But now there is really no way to repay the favor, otherwise Ji Fa's efforts in Europe will be in vain, and the domestic artistic influence will still be smaller.

Now that Chen Li'an has signed the contract, he has to consider the manager's ideas and interests, and he can't be willful.

But soon the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival blew away Chen Li'an's depression, and he was very happy to set off firecrackers with a group of half-grown children.

Playing with children is more simple. You don’t need to consider human relations. You just need to contract them for a day of firecrackers and toffee. When you’re tired from playing, you can go home and eat.

The joyful atmosphere of the Spring Festival calmed Chen Li'an's mind a lot. On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, he and Bai Qing got on the plane and flew to Shencheng.

Chen Li'an, who had been to Xiangjiang once, went through the customs familiarly, and then met Zhang Guorong who had been waiting for him for a long time.

"Wow, I feel like you've gained a lot of weight since I haven't seen you for a few days." Chen Li'an looked at Zhang Guorong, who was wearing sunglasses and leaning against the car door, and said.

Zhang Guorong took off his sunglasses and glanced at Bai Qing next to Chen Li'an, then he slapped Chen Li'an angrily and said, "You're just getting fat!"

After speaking, Zhang Guorong smiled and said to Bai Qing: "You are Bai Qing, I am very glad to meet you."

Bai Qing smiled and nodded, "Thank you for coming to pick us up."

"You're welcome, we're all friends." Zhang Guorong said with a smile, then opened the car door and said, "Let's go, get in the car."

This time, Chen Li'an didn't go to stay at Zhang Guorong's house, but chose a hotel. After all, he brought Bai Qing with him, so it's not easy to stay at Zhang Guorong's place.

However, Zhang Guorong didn't intend to let Chen Li'an go so easily. He finally devoted himself to learning mahjong skills in Xiangjiang. How could he not take revenge!
"Come to play mahjong at night, tonight!" Zhang Guorong drove the car with one hand, the wind blowing in through the cracks in the car window made his hair flutter freely, as if he was filming a movie.

Chen Li'an looked at Zhang Guorong, whose aura rivaled that of the God of Gamblers, and couldn't help curling his lips. If your poker skills were the same as your looks, you wouldn't lose so badly!
However, Chen Li'an was still a little bit excited when he went to play mahjong at night. This thing is very strange, and he really enjoys the feeling of drawing cards.

Bai Qing saw what Chen Li'an was thinking, and took the initiative to say: "Go and play with yourself, I'll take a rest in the hotel, and stop by to see the night view of Xiangjiang, to find the feeling you mentioned."

"Okay, but don't go to some places, it's not safe." Chen Li'an reminded.

Zhang Guorong also took the initiative to say: "Yes, some places are still unsafe, I will find you a driver to take you there later."

"This is the best." Chen Li'an said immediately, then turned his head to look at Bai Qing and said: "There are some places where I will go with you when I come back tomorrow, so you can just stroll around tonight."

"Well, I see, I'm not a child." Bai Qing said calmly.

Chen Li'an thought about it too, how can a person who can persist in painting in Songzhuang for so long be a child.

In the afternoon, after Chen Li'an settled Bai Qing, he left with Zhang Guorong.

On the way to Mong Kok, Zhang Guorong couldn't help scolding: "You come here and bring a confidante, what do you make Zuxian think!"

"Partners in art, don't be so sensitive." Chen Li'an looked at something wrong with the direction he was going, so he frowned and asked, "Where are you going? Isn't it going to Mong Kok?"

Chen Li'an turned around Xiangjiang last time, and he was still very familiar with the route, and he could tell at a glance that this was not the direction to Mong Kok.

"I'm going to pick up Zuxian, her afternoon flight will be here soon." Zhang Guorong was still a little annoyed after explaining something, and cursed again: "Partner in art, you have the nerve to say so."

Chen Li'an pursed his lips and didn't refute anything. Zhang Guorong, who was on the upper body of his old father, was a bit off-putting, so it was better to pretend to be obedient.

"Don't think you'll be fine if you pretend to be a good boy, if you make Zu Xian sad, I will definitely not let you go." Zhang Guorong scolded angrily.

"I know brother."

"."

Zhang Guorong glanced at the well-behaved Chen Li'an, sighed, forget it, after all, he is just a child, so stop scolding him.

The plan has taken effect! Don't listen to Zhang Guorong's nagging, Chen Li'an couldn't help but smile.

At Xiangjiang Airport, Chen Li'an watched Wang Zuxian come out of the aisle with her long legs. Just as she was about to go up to greet her, Zhang Guorong stepped forward and smiled like an old father.

Chen Li'an stood there with his hands folded, not fighting with Zhang Guorong. He had already seen through the direction of the story.

Wang Zuxian on the other side saw Chen Li'an and Zhang Guorong at a glance, trotted over with a suitcase, and then shouted: "Brother, thank you for coming to pick me up."

Then he jumped over Zhang Guorong and flew towards Chen Li'an, and threw his own box to Zhang Guorong by the way.

Zhang Guorong watched Wang Zuxian jump over him and throw himself into Chen Li'an's arms. His whole body was not well. The cold wind blowing from the huge air vents in the airport made him feel a little bleak, and the world was not worth it.

There is no love in this society. Zhang Guorong, who was full of resentment on the way back, didn't talk to Chen Li'an or Wang Zuxian.

Sitting at the back, Wang Zuxian hugged Chen Li'an's arm excitedly and said, "I've been waiting for you for a long time, how long will I stay this time?"

"One week or two weeks, not much time." Chen Li'an glanced at Zhang Guorong who was furious, and whispered in Wang Zuxian's ear: "Brother is angry, you coax him."

Wang Zuxian turned her head and glanced at Zhang Guorong, then leaned forward and said to him, "Brother, I specially brought you a gift from Wanwan."

As soon as Zhang Guorong heard that there was a gift, Zhang Guorong's expression immediately became lively, and he glanced at Wang Zuxian through the rearview mirror before saying arrogantly: "I don't want to be like others."

"It's different." Wang Zuxian immediately said with a smile, "I'm only bringing you a gift."

Hearing that he only brought a gift for himself, Zhang Guorong immediately became visibly happy.

Chen Li'an asked Wang Zuxian in a low voice: "Don't I have a gift? I even brought you a gift."

Wang Zuxian turned her head and blinked at Chen Li'an, then turned to Zhang Guorong and said, "Brother, can you skip playing mahjong tonight, I'm a little tired from the plane."

Zhang Guorong raised his eyebrows and just wanted to say no, Wang Zuxian said coquettishly: "Brother, let's fight again tomorrow, I'm really tired today."

"Forget it, I don't know what you're thinking yet." Zhang Guorong was a little helpless, then looked at Chen Li'an in the rearview mirror and said, "I'll let you go today, and I'll show you my new tricks tomorrow!"

"No problem, just prepare the money!" Chen Li'an said indifferently.

"Hmph, don't lose all the money in your account to me then."

"It's up to you."

The two quarreled all the way until the car stopped at the gate of Wang Zuxian's house, and then they each said a naive sentence of cruelty.

At the entrance of Wang Zuxian's villa, Chen Li'an watched Zhang Guorong's car disappear around the bend, and couldn't help but said, "Why is he like a child."

Wang Zuxian couldn't help laughing and said, "You too!"

"I was originally a child, I was only 21 years old, oh, Chinese New Year is 22, but I am still a child." Chen Li'an said, holding Wang Zuxian's hand.

"Yes, yes, little one, why don't you go home with your sister? There's delicious food at my sister's house." Wang Zuxian followed Chen Li'an's words.

"Are there any bamboo shoots that are long, thin, white and straight?"

"Yes, there are also black ones, do you want to come?"

"Must come!"

More than an hour later, Chen Li'an came out of the bathroom wiping his wet hair. Looking at Wang Zuxian's luxuriously decorated villa, he always felt that it was not as good-looking as Zhang Guorong's villa.

Hmm. It may be that there are too few works of art. Many decorations in Zhang Guorong's house are works of art bought by him. The taste is very good, and he can be an art connoisseur.

Maybe it would be good to pull Zhang Guorong to open a gallery or art collection in Xiangjiang in the future.

A strange idea popped into Chen Li'an's mind, he felt that this was much better than being an actor.

At least you don't have to make those controversial movies, and you can avoid being hurt again.

After resting at Wang Zuxian's house for a night, Chen Li'an rushed back to the hotel early the next morning. This time Xiangjiang didn't have much time, so he had to finish his work as soon as possible.

In the lobby of the hotel, Chen Li'an saw Bai Qing sitting alone on the sofa reading a magazine. The artist's temperament on his body was incompatible with the magnificent hotel.

In the impetuous social atmosphere of Xiangjiang, Bai Qing's image and temperament are very attractive, and Chen Li'an saw someone approaching him before he walked over.

"Hello, Miss, can I get to know you?" A man in a suit and leather shoes with a greasy hair said sitting opposite Bai Qing.

Bai Qing looked up at the greasy-headed man, then noticed Chen Li'an behind him, and said calmly, "You should meet my friend first."

Listening to Bai Qing's Mandarin, the greasy-headed man frowned, then turned his head to see Chen Li'an, who was standing behind him, tall and handsome, coughed and said embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, I was the one who was abrupt. .”

After finishing speaking, the greasy-headed man walked away dejectedly. Chen Li'an looked at his running figure, turned his head to look at Bai Qing, didn't care about the boyfriend she just said, and just asked: "Did you encounter any harassment when you went out yesterday?" ?”

"No, I just wandered around and went to see Victoria Harbour. It's very beautiful and prosperous, and it's not as exaggerated as you said." Bai Qing put down the magazine in his hand, and then picked up the camera he brought from the room. Say to Chen Li'an: "Where are you going today? Do you have any plans?"

Chen Li'an shook his head and said: "Don't worry, I will take you to see the public housing in Xiangjiang first, and see what the real life in Xiangjiang is like. It can help you better understand my creative ideas."

"Well, I'm also quite curious. The Xiangjiang I saw yesterday is so different from the one in your photo that I wonder if it's real." Bai Qing hung the camera around his neck and said.

After the two left the hotel, they went straight to the largest public housing building in Xiangjiang.

When the gray, tall and dense public housing building appeared in front of him, Bai Qing raised his camera and took a photo at the gate of the building in a daze.

"This place gives me a strange feeling." Bai Qing put down the camera in his hand, looked at Chen Li'an and said, "It's like a rural village in the city, just like the dilapidated and old villages around the capital city. There are many villages in the capital city where foreigners gather. , they have their own culture and rules, which are incompatible with the whole city."

"You feel right, this is the village in the city of Xiangjiang." Chen Li'an looked up at the dozens of stories of buildings and said: "Although they live in buildings, they are actually no different from those villages in the capital. A group that is incompatible with the bustling Xiangjiang."

Bai Qing was silent for a while and said, "A marginal group?"

"Of course not. The main body of Xiangjiang is them, but the appearance is not them." Chen Li'an explained, and then pulled Bai Qing and said, "I'll show you when I take you in and have a look. Follow me closely."

"Ah."

The moment he walked into the building, the warm sunlight disappeared, and a cold feeling immediately swept over Bai Qing's body.

Looking up at the air vent above his head, Bai Qing shook his head amusedly, and then followed Chen Li'an deep into the interior of the public housing building, as if exploring into the body of a monster.

Half an hour later, Chen Li'an and Bai Qing came out, but Bai Qing was very silent. She originally thought that Chen Li'an's photo was exaggerated, but she didn't expect it to be more beautified.

It was still during the Chinese New Year, and the public housing was very lively, every household posted Spring Festival couplets, but Bai Qing didn't see much joy.

There was a hint of embarrassment and sadness in the smiles on many people's faces, which made Bai Qing wonder why this happened.

Feeling the sunshine, Chen Li'an lazily stretched his waist and said, "For many people, Chinese New Year is not something to be happy about, because it means a lot of expenses."

Bai Qing was silent for a while, recalling his past experience, the festival is indeed not a joyful thing, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival alone, unable to afford moon cakes, and can only add a poached egg to the clear water noodles.

When she was very young, she would be very happy during the Spring Festival, but her parents had sad faces, and they had to pay back the money in a year, so they had to find ways to buy new year’s goods and add new clothes for the family, but there were so many money.

Bai Qing sighed, feeling heavy in his heart, would a city as developed as Xiangjiang have such troubles?

Chen Li'an smiled, held Bai Qing's hand and said, "Life is beautiful in general, and troubles are not all, but you have to open your eyes to discover those beautiful things."

Bai Qing was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Li'an and asked, "Is this the theme of your other half?"

"That's right, after facing their embarrassment, you have to go and see their beauty." Chen Li'an pointed to the bustling street in the distance and said, "There you will see their hope for life."

Bai Qing nodded ignorantly, not quite understanding what Chen Li'an meant.

Many streets in Xiangjiang are very lively, full of all kinds of little happiness.

Office workers who just got their salaries will buy a portion of beef offal or a portion of fish balls to fill their bellies when they get off work. The fragrant food and rich soup will make them feel happy.

Children who go to school for a day will gather in twos and threes to play football in the small park after class, enjoying the free and happy time.

There is a lot of unnoticeable happiness and joy hidden in it. Maybe there is a person in the crowd who has just been promoted and raised his salary, or there may be a happy person who has just found his other half.

It is necessary to discover the beauty behind the numbness and fatigue with heart. Chen Li'an and Bai Qing walked on the street without speaking, scanning everyone like two robots.

Bai Qing slowly found that he really saw a lot of beauty that he hadn't noticed before. A young man in a suit and a briefcase couldn't help punching after taking a few steps. Happy things.

A stylishly dressed girl is holding a mirror and applying lipstick. The smile and anticipation on her face are particularly moving.

Bai Qing turned his head and looked at Chen Li'an, who was leaning on the railing and taking pictures with his camera, feeling an unspeakable feeling in his heart.

After seeing the bustling night scene of Xiangjiang last night, I felt that the cramped public housing in Chen Lian's photo was an exaggeration. After coming to the public housing today, I felt that the prosperity and happiness of Xiangjiang were false.But he didn't expect that in Chen Li'an's eyes, it was a whole, like a polyhedron, each side had a different color, so they couldn't be seen separately.

Contradictory and three-dimensional. Every city is a colorful cube.Following Chen Li's example, Bai Qing sat on the railing and looked at every passerby, with a smile slowly appearing on his face.

　While I'm still a little hot, let's spread out the residual heat, and everyone can support it, even order a bookmark.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)