The Artsy Dad: It Began When My Daughter Searched for Her Family Through Her Paintings

On an antiques appraisal show, a five-year-old girl brings out a painting of a water town in Jiangnan by the master painter Chu Cheng.

The experts examine it and conclude that while it has some of Chu Cheng's artistic flair, its style is juvenile and its technique crude.

Their final verdict: it's a fake.

One expert angrily declares, "You think you can fool people by getting a child to pass off a forgery?"

He then tears the painting to pieces right there on the show.

The little girl bursts into tears. "My mom gave this to me. It's real!"

Just then, Chu Cheng arrives at the studio.

"This painting is my work. I painted it when I was young..."

The little girl hugs Chu Cheng's leg. "Dad, I finally found you."

From then on, Chu Cheng, a full-time artist, begins a heartwarming life as a dad.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.