The Great Ethan Lee

Chapter 56

Ethan turned to the staff and said, "Could you please get me a glass of wine?"

The staff looked puzzled and then glanced at Martin, since he was the host of today's concert.

Martin smirked. "Give him the wine! I want to see what trick he's trying to pull!"

Soon, a staff member brought a glass of wine.

Ethan took a big sip, then sprayed the wine evenly over the painting. The audience watched, bewildered, as the mist settled on the painting, wetting it entirely.

Everyone's attention was focused on the painting. Suddenly, gasps and exclamations filled the air. Mouths dropped open, and eyes widened. Many people in the audience were so shocked that they dropped whatever they were holding.

In the painting, the previously budded water lily slowly began to bloom, its petals unfolding as if by magic, revealing the flower inside.

As the lily opened, the reflection below it also bloomed in sync, making it appear as though it was indeed the reflection.

The magic didn't stop there. The previously crude water surface had now spread and been smoothed, automatically forming a perfect light green surface. The spaces between the green hues on the water appeared like reflections of clouds in the sky.

More astonishingly, droplets of paint fell from the top of the canvas onto the water surface, completing the reflection of the flower perfectly, just like a real reflection in water.

The pale yellow lily bloomed fully, its vibrant colors filling the painting with life. Most people have never had the chance to witness a lily blooming in real life, but today, the audience saw this wonder unfold on a painting.

Someone in the audience couldn't help but exclaim, "My God, is this really a painting?!"

Ethan smiled proudly, accustomed to such amazement. The principle behind the blooming lily and the water surface was simple: using water to spread the ink and leveraging the light density and volatility of alcohol to aid the painting's formation.

However, while the principle was straightforward, achieving such a result was incredibly difficult. It required exceptional talent and skill to create the miracle of a blooming lily.

Ethan turned to the dumbfounded Martin, Hans, and the others. "What do you think of this painting now?"

Martin and the others were at a loss for words. In the face of such a masterpiece, any words of ridicule felt utterly powerless.

An old, authoritative voice rang out, "A bunch of disgraceful fools!"

Martin turned around and quickly bowed his head along with Hans. "Mr. Derrida, why did you come up here?"

The self-proclaimed art master, Fred, slowly ascended the stage, his white hair and aura of arrogance unmistakable.

Fred glared at his students before addressing Ethan, "Young man, did you even consider me once before humiliating my students in front of everyone?""

Ethan raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, 'Are they going to keep harassing me? No wonder Fred's students are so unreasonable; it turns out their teacher is just as irrational.'

Ethan responded without hesitation, "Humiliating? You're old. Your mind might be sluggish, but are you blind too? Fred, didn't you see your students provoke me repeatedly? You didn't reprimand Martin earlier, but now you accuse me of bullying him? Is it that only your students can bully others while no one can fight back?"

Martin's face flushed with anger. "How dare you! Who do you think you are? How can you speak to my teacher like that?!"

Hans also shouted at Ethan, "Mr. Derrida is a master artist. How dare a clown like you speak nonsense here?! Apologize!"

Martin, filled with indignation, shouted, "Exactly! Apologize!"

Fred and his students continued their aggressive stance. Although many in the audience were angry, none dared to support Ethan openly, given Fred's reputation as an art master. Fred's face was full of arrogance as he said, "Young man, you may have some talent, but in front of me, you're just showing off your limited skills! However, I am magnanimous. If you agree to become my fifth student, not only will I forgive you, but I will also help you achieve fame and success."

Deep in Fred's eyes was an unnoticeable greed. 'Ethan's talent is exceptional. If I can take him as a disciple, all his future achievements will be labeled as 'Fred's student,' greatly enhancing my reputation!'

Fred's students chimed in loudly, "Ethan, being accepted as our teacher's student is a great honor!"

"That's right! Hurry up and show some respect to our teacher!"

But Ethan just sneered, full of contempt. With his hands behind his back, he spoke slowly, "Be my teacher? Do you, a clown, think you're worthy?"

The entire venue fell silent at Ethan's words. The audience was shocked. Was Ethan so arrogant as to insult a renowned master in public?

Fred's face turned dark. "Ethan! How dare you be so ungrateful?"

Ethan's expression remained playful. "Being a teacher requires real skill. Fred, do you think you have what it takes to be my teacher?"

Fred laughed heartily. "Oh? Are you suggesting you want to compete with me?"

Martin immediately joined in, shouting, "Ethan, 'know your place! Our teacher's art has reached the pinnacle. We've only learned a fraction of his skills!"

Hans shouted, "Exactly! Ethan, do you think you're unbeatable just because you defeated us? You're still trash compared to our teacher!"

Many of Ethan's supporters in the audience were visibly angry. Even though Fred's art was highly regarded, his arrogance and the disgraceful behavior of his students, who refused to accept defeat, loved to cheat, and had no sense of honor, were highly off-putting.

Ethan's smile deepened. "I'm a bit tired after three rounds."

Martin's eyes burned with jealousy. "What's wrong? Are you afraid now that our teacher is stepping in?"

Ethan's smile widened. "No! Since Mr. Derrida is willing to compete, I happen to have a few disciples who would like to learn from him!"

Fred, surprised, asked, "Do you have students?"

Ethan shook his head. "Not exactly students, just a few people I occasionally guide. They call themselves my disciples out of gratitude."

Fred's face remained arrogantly composed. "Fine! Let's see what your so-called disciples can do. I will give them a chance to witness what true artistic mastery looks like. Let them come up, and we'll see how talented they are!"