Chapter 59

Mad Artist 4: Commission and Exhibition

Following Angell's instructions, Mo Fei opened the box and found it filled not with ashes but with sparkling objects.

They glittered brilliantly in the sunlight.

Mo Fei reached in and gently scooped some up, feeling their coolness and hardness, cut into distinct angular shapes that resembled diamonds.

"Are these... diamonds?" Mo Fei asked Angell, eyes wide.

"Not at all," Angell took a few and examined them under the light. "They're just glass."

"Cut into diamond shapes, the glass?" Mofei inquired.

"Hmm," Angler nodded, "Let's keep looking and see what else is inside."

Mofei found a large plastic tray and emptied the glass particles from the urn, revealing a red gemstone-encrusted brooch and a letter.

Mo Fei handed the brooch to Angell, who examined it and frowned slightly, remarking, "It's very valuable."

"Is that a ruby?" Mofei asked.

"Hmm, a craft made of platinum, rubies, and diamonds must be priceless," Angell remarked as he examined the brooch before returning it to its place. Mofei handed him a letter, but Angell shook his head, saying, "Read it to me, please."

"Okay." Mofei opened the envelope, revealing two items inside: a small card, like the one seen before, but now bearing an address printed on the blank space — the city's art gallery, Hall A, and a time: three o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

Mofei handed the card to Angell and began reading the letter, "Dear Angell, hearing about your recent activities brings me great joy. I have a case I wish to entrust to you. Your reward is this beautiful brooch. I hope you will visit the art gallery tomorrow to view the exhibition. There, you will find the truth you seek. Oria is one of my beloved artists, a rare genius in the world, dazzling just like you. I deeply regret the misfortunes he suffered. Consider this a modest contribution to honor this great artist. I look forward to your action and wish you a pleasant life - Black JK."

Angell slightly raised his eyebrows and examined the address on the card, while Mofei smartly passed him today's newspaper from the glass coffee table.

Angell found an advertisement for the art exhibition on page three... This art show featured Feng Zhe, hailed as a rising figure of the Eastern New Impressionism. His recent series of oil paintings had garnered unanimous praise from the international art critique community. The outside world's appraisal of him was — a new genius making you forget Oria Rende.

Angell stroked his chin, "Feng Zhe? Never heard of him."

Puzzled, Mofei asked Angell, "He's so famous, haven't you seen his paintings?"

Angell smiled, shook his head, and said, "He's not that well-known."

"Huh?" Mofei was perplexed.

"This advertisement is in poor taste," Angell chuckled, "It's not something an artist, let alone one who could make people forget a genius like Oria, would use. It resembles more the hype and gimmicks of a third-rate celebrity. Such advertising language is full of arrogance and ignorance, showing that those behind these commercial operations know nothing about art. It's something any artist who disdains fame and fortune would scorn."

"Angell, isn't it true that a person's talent and character aren't necessarily proportional?" Mofei said, "Perhaps he's a terrible person, but an excellent painter."

"Mofei, character is both universal and specific," Angell replied, "Like the saying 'there's no business without deceit,' implying that cunning is a common trait among businessmen. Not that there are no honest ones, but that's just a characteristic of some deceitful businessmen. They are only relatively honest compared to their cunning counterparts. By ordinary moral standards, they are still deceitful... In human society, there's no unified standard. Every profession has its own moral code. Like a doctor who fails to render aid is immoral and unfit to be a doctor, while an ordinary person who does the same might just be deemed indifferent, but not necessarily unfit to be a person."

Mofei nodded, "Indeed... that makes sense."

"As for artists, they share some common traits," Angell continued, "They are usually aloof, have a clear self-awareness, and can converse with themselves."

Mofei chuckled, "Those in art are indeed often lofty. Art encompasses many categories, doesn't it?"

"Yes, whether it's music, fine art, photography, sculpture, or even baking... Why do some stand out?" Angell said, "Because their work is unique, different from the majority... Many artists are not driven by money or fame... Not all artists who disdain money and fame are great, but artists who love money and fame generally aren't great. This is a commonality in the art world!"

"Hmm," Mofei nodded, "That's a good point. So, you don't have a high opinion of Feng Zhe?"

"Hard to say without meeting him," Angell sighed nonchalantly, "Mofei, could you find some of Feng Zhe's paintings for me?"

"Sure," Mofei replied, taking the computer and beginning his search, "Angell, I found some."

"Show me a comparison of his earlier work with the ones that are currently well-received."

Angell sat up lazily, resting his hands on Mofei's shoulders, his chin on Mofei

Mofei turned to look at him and drew him closer, letting Angell lean entirely into his embrace. Angell tucked his feet under Ace's soft belly. Ace snuggled in response, licking Angell's toes, causing him to retract his feet.

"Here they are." Mofei showed Angell paintings from two different periods of Feng Zhe's career, saying, "Even someone like me, who knows nothing about art, can see his significant improvement."

"These aren't his works," Angell stated bluntly after a brief glance.

"What?" Mofei looked shocked and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Angell nodded, "The brushstrokes don't lie." As he spoke, Angell pulled out a sketch he had retrieved from the sewer, telling Mofei, "This later work of Feng Zhe was actually painted by Oria."

Mofei paused, then said, "So, you're saying Feng Zhe hid Oria away, making him paint and then claiming the works as his own?"

"Indeed, a despicable act, unforgivable," nodded Angell. "Black JK must be an ardent art enthusiast. He probably noticed something amiss in the paintings and came to warn me. What puzzles me is how he knew we discovered Oria."

"That is indeed suspicious," Mofei remarked. "Black JK seems to have an intricate understanding of our lives. I always feel he's particularly focused on you."

Angell smiled and asked, "Mofei, why do you think he's interested in me and not us or you?"

Mofei blinked and replied, "Me? What's there to take interest in?"

"Don't forget," Angell said softly, "I never had any dealings with this Black JK or his 'Nocturnal Revelry' before you came along. Everything started after your arrival."

Mofei shrugged, "But it seems he hasn't done anything bad. In fact, this time it appears he even helped us."

Angell smiled indifferently, "Too bad Oria has completely lost his memory. Otherwise, we could have made the truth public. And his disfigurement is just tragic..."

"Why would Feng Zhe have any connection with Oria?" Mofei asked, puzzled, as he prepared food. "How could he rescue Oria so timely and bring him back to the country, evading the police? We have no evidence, no way to catch him."

"Hmm..." Hearing this, Angell furrowed his brow, seemingly struck by a thought, and said, "I've got a good idea."

"An idea?" Mofei asked in confusion, "What kind of idea?"

Angell reached for the phone, thought better of it, and opted for the speakerphone, dialing a number.

"Hello, City Art Museum," came the gentle voice of a female receptionist over the phone.

"Hello, this is Angell. Could you connect me with Director Liu?" asked Angell.

"Certainly, please hold while I transfer your call," the receptionist responded. Soon, a deep, cheerful male voice answered, "How's it, Angell? Have you finally given in to holding an exhibition? Come on, I'll give you the central hall for free. After a month's exhibition, you'll be the world's greatest classical painter!"

"Ha," Angell chuckled, supporting his chin with one hand. "Director Liu, whether I hold an exhibition or not doesn't logically dictate my status as the greatest classical painter."

"Ah... so you're still not willing to hold an exhibition?" the director said resignedly. "I thought you had changed your mind. I was excited for a moment."

"Well, I'm not hosting an exhibition, but I would like to borrow your central hall for a month," Angell said with a smile. "To exhibit someone else's works."

"Oh?" Director Liu asked with a laugh, "Whose works are they? Your recommendation must be faultless."

"Hmm," Angell nodded, "Just mention it as 'Hundreds of Oria's works, never before revealed to the public.' That will suffice."

"What?" Director Liu's voice jumped with surprise, audible enough for Mofei to hear and almost laugh.

"These are from my private collection. You'd better invite every connoisseur familiar with Oria's work worldwide," Angell said with a smile. "I'm planning an auction of Oria's paintings... Director Liu, I want it done by tomorrow. If you manage it well, I'll gift you one of Oria's sketches. How about it? You could retire early without any financial worries."

"Yes! Yes!" Director Liu's voice trembled with excitement over the phone, "You're serious, right? I'll start preparing right away!"

Angell smiled slightly, raising his eyebrows at Mofei, who stood by, dumbstruck.

Then he called Xia Qi, "Xia Qi, help me contact the best neurosurgeon, plastic surgeon, and psychiatrist."

Xia Qi nodded and agreed. Angell also called Oss to bring Oria over, and, in the meantime, to carefully pack and transport all his paintings to the city art gallery, ensuring police protection for them.

"Angell?" Mofei asked, "What are you planning?"

Angell sat up and replied, "To use Black JK's words, to contribute modestly to a great, genius artist."