Art Studio
Wu Jingxiang took out wine and glasses from the cabinet and poured so for Yuwei and ng ixuan.
"Mr. Wu, is this your private art studio?"
ng ixuan gazed at the room, decorated like a miniature European aristocratic retreat, her eyes filled with envy.
Today, she had just finished a photoshoot with Yuwei for a magazine cover, and afterward had been brought here as a guest by the latter.
"Yes, I enjoy collecting paintings," Wu Jingxiang, dressed in a linen robe, replied with a smile.
"Did you build this studio just to view the paintings yourself?"
"Partly, but also to make it convenient for friends to visit and enjoy them together."
"Haha, your generosity is astonishing. After all, this is Red Mountain in Shenghai."
ng ixuan’s smile grew even more enthusiastic, her gaze taking on a hint of flirtation.
Yuwei sipped her wine, her full lips as exquisite as rose petals: "Teacher Wu, I always thought you preferred traditional ink paintings."
Wu Jingxiang softly swept her long hair behind her ear: "I enjoy both. To , art knows no boundaries between East and West."
"Your life really is full of romance unlike ours, which is all about work," ng ixuan said with a laugh.
"That’s just the stereotype outsiders have about us. They think our lives are all private jets, yachts, fine wine, and spontaneous trips, but in reality, we’re just like you," Wu Jingxiang said with a light smile.
"I heard from Yezi that you’re also a university lecturer?"
"Yes! Back then, life was much simpler. Honestly, I’m not very fond of doing business."
Wu Jingxiang said this with a subtle smile aid at Yuwei.
Yuwei blushed slightly, rembering how back then she had been sowhat infatuated with Teacher Wu.
"Shall we go for a stroll? The view here at sunset is quite beautiful."
The three of them walked out of the house. Away from the city’s hustle and bustle, Red Mountain felt like a lost paradise.
On the lush green lawn, a purebred Labrador lazily lay sunbathing.
Behind it, grapevines drooped with clusters of purple flowers, and beyond the garden walls, vibrant begonias blood.
Both Yuwei and ng ixuan were captivated by the opulent scenery.
They felt this was the way one should really live.
"You’ve been tired lately, haven’t you? You don’t seem as lively as before."
"I have to grow up soday. I can’t always be the bouncy little girl."
"You’re still so young. Isn’t it your twentieth birthday next month?"
"Yes."
Yuwei’s voice was soft, like a passing breeze.
"Yezi, do you rember the flower I gave you the second ti we t?"
"A lotus leaf."
"You do rember. I picked it right over there."
Following his gaze, Yuwei and ixuan spotted a pond not far away, filled with large white flowers. The thick scent of their sweetness filled the air.
"So beautiful! It’s been such a long ti since I’ve seen such natural blooms," ng ixuan exclaid in delight.
"These flowers are like sleeping beauties nestled here—quiet, lovely, waiting for soone to appreciate them."
The sound of running water trickled endlessly from the pond, revealing a spring-fed stream flowing through.
"My primary school was in a village. There was a large pond in the schoolyard, filled with blooming flowers."
"Primary school? That’s so long ago!"
ng ixuan, watching Yezi stare wistfully into the distance, sensed her leader had grown sowhat lancholic.
"Yet after traveling through so many picturesque places later in life, I can barely recall them."
"Perhaps childhood thoughts are the purest."
Yuwei’s mind was blank at this mont. She desperately wished she could recall the beautiful sights she had once seen.
"Yezi, when were you happiest?" Wu Jingxiang asked.
"A long, long ti ago." Yuwei clearly didn’t want to divulge her inner thoughts.
"ixuan, you really like big gardens, don’t you?" Yuwei teased with a smile.
"Yes! If only I had such a grand garden," ng ixuan murmured softly as she twisted her fingers.
"You’ll have one. After all, you’re our big superstar. A prince is bound to co and marry you," Yuwei joked.
"Forget princes! I’ll save up and buy one myself."
"Then let’s save up together. If it’s not enough, we’ll pool money with our other sisters to buy one."
"Exactly. Then the eleven of us can all live there together and grow old alone."
"In that case, poor Yushen. She’s the youngest, so she’ll have to take care of us. We’ll need her to learn how to cook well."
Wu Jingxiang, watching the two of them dive into their shared daydreams, couldn’t help but shake her head.
The romantic atmosphere she had set up had vanished just like that.
They had dinner in the garden, enjoying Japanese cuisine.
It was evident that a professional chef had been hired; the presentation was exquisite, and the taste was exceptional.
"The sushi and sashimi taste amazing," Yuwei said, setting down her chopsticks.
"The ingredients are all sourced naturally. I had them flown in from Japan."
"Natural foods do taste better," Yuwei said with a smile.
The three of them clinked glasses, the sake tasting faint and light as water.
"Yezi, what’s your schedule like these days?"
"Nothing special—just evening galas and photoshoots."
"I have a proposal for you. The ’Floral Beauty’ costics brand is interested in having you as their ambassador."
Wu Jingxiang’s words sparked both envy and admiration in ng ixuan. She knew there was sothing more between them.
"That’s great, but I’ll have to coordinate with my agency!"
"Your agency shouldn’t have any objections. This costics brand is a niche line launched by Dongbao Company."
ng ixuan felt even more unsettled upon hearing this. Dongbao was a major Japanese corporation.
A niche product like this targeted the wealthy, instantly elevating Yuwei’s value.
"Teacher Wu, I feel so embarrassed constantly troubling you with these introductions."
"What’s there to be embarrassed about? The brand has to pick soone. I’m just making a connection."
"Even so, only soone as influential as you could speak on my behalf and have them listen."
At this mont, Yuwei felt deeply grateful to Teacher Wu, even though she was acutely aware of the undertones in their relationship.
All around, the sun was setting, sinking toward the horizon.
"Yezi, let arrange for soone to drive you ho," Wu Jingxiang offered.
"We’ll just take a cab," Yuwei responded.
"No need. These rideshare services are so unpredictable."
Wu Jingxiang’s remark made the two burst into laughter.
Before leaving, ng ixuan restrained herself from asking the other woman for her WeChat ID, afraid that Yuwei might notice.
On the streets, people bustled about, and the vibrant energy of life was palpable.
"Yezi, Teacher Wu is such a wonderful person!"
"Yes, she’s very considerate."
"You’re really lucky to have such a good teacher."
"That’s why I’m the lucky little Yezi."
The two laughed, but their smiles carried different emotions.
Yuwei wouldn’t tell ng ixuan about the other side of Teacher Wu’s beautiful facade.
Nor would the latter confess how much she wished she could be Yuwei, possessing that enchanting Teacher Wu.
When they got into the car, the driver handed over a gift box to Yuwei.
Unable to refuse, she could only accept it.
"Oh my god! It’s a mink fur coat, and it’s French," ng ixuan exclaid, covering her mouth in shock.
"I-I don’t think I can pull this off!"
"Oh, stop being so modest. This coat alone costs as much as a luxury car."
Feeling awkward, Yuwei put the coat back in the box.
"Sigh, I’ll have to stick to wearing outfits from sponsors. Now I’m going to take a shower."
ng ixuan made the comnt half-jokingly as she returned to her room.
Yuwei carried the fur coat upstairs, thinking over and over but ultimately didn’t return it.
Instead, she sent a photo of herself wearing the coat to Wu Jingxiang, along with a ssage of thanks.
Wu Jingxiang’s reply was casual, inviting her to take a private jet to Nandu City to see cherry blossoms next ti.
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