Summary of the first chapter of "Destiny, whether you have talent or wealth"
In the late spring of the 23rd year of Guangxu's reign, Suzhou talent Shen Yanzhi, despite his superb painting skills, was trapped in a poor alley due to his family's financial difficulties. He relied on painting for others to make a living. He could not even provide food and clothing for his family and money for his wife's medicine. Late at night, Li Mo, a Shanghainese, braved the rain to buy "One Hundred Birds Paying Attention to the Phoenix" and was willing to pay fifty taels for brushstrokes. Shen Yanzhi regarded it as a hope to change his family situation and devoted himself to painting. When the painting was about to be completed, he was taken away by an official for "privately hiding stolen goods". Later, he learned in the cell that Li Mo deliberately set up a trap to avenge his father's old grudge that ended in depression when Shen Yan won the first prize in the calligraphy and painting competition ten years ago.
The first protagonist: Shen Yanzhi
Second protagonist: Li Mo
