NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 8 - Gao Lang, Let's Go Home
Chapter 8 Gao Lang, Let’s Go Home
“Zhao Pan’er!”
High Official Gao called out sternly, preparing to scold her. Before he could say more, Gao You walked straight over and handed her the painting, all while shooting an unfriendly glare at High Official Gao.
This guy!
High Official Gao was speechless.
It was obvious—this boy was declaring that he would protect his wife. If anyone dared to reprimand her, they’d have to deal with his fists first!
Fine!
High Official Gao decided not to interfere anymore. He had more important matters to attend to—he had to report that Liu Yun Jushi was actually Gao You. This news would surely shake many people!
“You’re leaving just like that?”
The onlookers were surprised by High Official Gao’s abrupt departure. Meanwhile, Zhao Pan’er stared at Gao You, standing tall in front of her.
Was he… protecting her?
A strange sense of security filled her heart.
“Liu Yun Jushi, could I request a painting?”
A scholar respectfully bowed, hoping to commission a piece. Upon hearing this, the rest of the tea shop’s patrons clamored to make their own requests. But Gao You remained completely unmoved.
No matter what they said, he simply acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. Instead, he found a quiet corner and lay down. His burst of creative energy was spent. Now, he needed sleep to recover.
Seeing that he was impossible to communicate with, the disappointed crowd returned to their seats.
_____
In the Kitchen, Sun Sanniang stared at Zhao Pan’er in disbelief.
“Gao You is really Liu Yun Jushi?”
“Mhm.”
Zhao Pan’er nodded.
Sun Sanniang pressed further.
“Is he really that impressive?”
“Extremely!”
Song Yinzhang excitedly interjected,
“There’s no one in Qiantang whose paintings sell for as much as Liu Yun Jushi’s!”
“He’s a nationally renowned artist!”
“Even the Qian King’s residence has his paintings in their collection!”
Sun Sanniang put down what she was doing.
“That incredible?”
“That must make him a prestigious scholar!”
Song Yinzhang nodded eagerly.
“Absolutely! And from what I overheard—”
“Brother-in-law’s painting skills have improved even further!”
“He now has the ability to establish his own artistic school!”
“Sister!”
“Let us see the painting!”
Song Yinzhang pointed at the rolled-up scroll in Zhao Pan’er’s hands. She recalled that Gao You had said the painting was of his wife, which meant it was a portrait of her.
Zhao Pan’er suddenly thought back to the time when Ouyang Xu had painted her. She couldn’t help but mock her past self—she must have been blind back then.
Deep in thought, she slowly unrolled the painting.
“Wow! This is breathtaking!”
Song Yinzhang gasped.
“Ethereal, elegant, otherworldly—the scenery is beautiful, but the figure is even more stunning!”
Yinping nodded enthusiastically.
“This has to be a celestial maiden!”
“Pan’er, you look too beautiful!”
Even Zhao Pan’er was stunned. She had never imagined that, in Gao You’s eyes, she was truly the image of a celestial maiden.
No wonder he had called her ‘Fairy Sister’ the first time they met!
_______
In the evening, after closing the tea shop, Gao You casually tossed aside a novel he had been reading. It was a story he had snatched from Song Yinzhang, about an ordinary couple pursuing happiness.
The main antagonist?
The male lead’s mother.
A classic mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law war.
He found it amusing—despite the different era, family conflicts seemed unchanged.
“Gao Lang, let’s go home!”
Zhao Pan’er smiled as she called him over. Thanks to the unexpected surge in customers drawn by Gao You, the tea shop had done exceptionally well today.
They had prepared enough supplies for three days, but everything had sold out in just one. Gao You got up and walked to her side. In the distance, they spotted Ouyang Xu approaching, accompanied by his old servant, Uncle De.
Suddenly, Zhao Pan’er clung to Gao You’s arm, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Gao Lang!”
“Let’s go home!”
Her voice turned sweet and syrupy. Though slightly exaggerated, it was the kind of playful flirtation that could easily melt a man’s heart. Gao You didn’t know about anyone else, but he thoroughly enjoyed these little interactions with his wife.
Seeing Zhao Pan’er intimately holding onto Gao You’s arm, Ouyang Xu’s anger flared up uncontrollably.
“This is improper behavior!” He snapped.
“Young Master!”
Uncle De quickly tried to calm him.
“Don’t be angry!”
“She’s not worth it!”
“What do you know?”
Ouyang Xu, unable to contain his rage, lashed out at Uncle De instead. The old servant endured the scolding silently.
After venting his frustration, Ouyang Xu steadied himself and apologized, “Sorry, I lost my temper just now.”
Uncle De smiled faintly.
“I understand.”
“But I must remind you again—Zhao Pan’er is not a good woman!”
“Just look at how she seduces men!”
Ouyang Xu took a deep breath, deciding not to argue with his servant.
He hurried forward, blocking Gao You and Zhao Pan’er’s path.
“Young Master Ouyang!”
Zhao Pan’er’s expression turned cold.
“Why are you standing in our way?”
Ouyang Xu forced a smile and politely greeted Gao You.
“Brother Gao!”
“I recently acquired a rare Qionglin Inkstone—would you be willing to trade a painting for it?”
Qionglin Inkstone.
One of the finest inkstones in the world, extremely rare in supply. Few artists could resist such a treasure. But Gao You wasn’t just any artist.
Since the person making the offer was Ouyang Xu—whom Zhao Pan’er despised—even if Ouyang Xu offered a mountain of gold, Gao You wouldn’t paint for him.
“No.”
His refusal was blunt and absolute. Zhao Pan’er, surprised, tugged at Gao You’s sleeve.
“But the Qionglin Inkstone is incredibly valuable!”
“Why reject it?”
Gao You looked at Zhao Pan’er and whispered,
“Because my wife doesn’t like him.”
Zhao Pan’er was stunned.
Wasn’t the Qionglin Inkstone considered a priceless treasure among painters?
Yet just because she disliked Ouyang Xu, Gao You had refused it outright?
For a moment, she didn’t know how to describe what she was feeling.