Editor: Larbre Studio
Shen Qinglan had left the station when it was already pitch black outside. She looked up at the night sky. There was no moon tonight, just a sky full of stars, a sight she could never see in Beijing.
She casually flagged down a taxi and gave the address.
On the way, she received several WeChat ssages, all from Yu Xiaoxuan, asking where she had gone. Shen Qinglan replied to just one ssage, saying she had gone to Hang City and then logged off WeChat.
This WeChat account was installed by force by Yu Xiaoxuan after Fang Tong mocked her for being from ancient tis because she didn’t have WeChat installed. It only had a few people from her dorm and a class group.
After learning that Shen Qinglan had gone to Hang City, Yu Xiaoxuan insisted she should bring back so special local products, otherwise she wouldn’t be allowed into the dorm.
Shen Qinglan’s lips curved slightly as she typed a simple "Okay."
As soon as she put her phone down, a call ca in from Daniel.
"Oh my gosh, my lady, you’re finally willing to answer the phone," Daniel’s anxious voice piped up as soon as the call was connected.
"Is there anything the matter?" Shen Qinglan maintained her calm deanor, but on the other end, Daniel was already on edge.
"Is there anything the matter? You’re still asking if there’s anything the matter? My lady, have you completely forgotten what I told you last month?"
Shen Qinglan’s delicate eyebrows knitted slightly. She truly couldn’t understand what Daniel was referring to.
Even though he couldn’t see her, Daniel just knew this lady must have forgotten. He was almost in tears. "I told you last ti, this month in Hang City there’s going to be an art exhibition for young painters. The association even invited you. I hope you can participate. Don’t tell you forgot."
Truthfully, Shen Qinglan had forgotten. Daniel had told her just a week before Granny Shen passed away; she had no mood for any art exhibitions at that ti.
"Hmm, I forgot." Shen Qinglan didn’t think Daniel was flustered enough, so she gave him a definite answer.
This ti, Daniel was genuinely about to break down, questioning for the thousandth and eight hundredth ti why he ever agreed to be the agent for this troubleso Shen Qinglan. He must have been out of his mind at that ti, or perhaps his head got caught in a door.
"Oh, dear. I’ve already promised the organizers that you will attend. Now what? Without any pieces to show, are you going to let the organizers draw blanks? While your paintings have decent market value now, doing this, who would dare invite you in this circle in the future?" Daniel was anxiously pacing around. If Shen Qinglan were standing in front of him at that mont, he might have lunged at and bitten her.
Shen Qinglan wasn’t actually concerned about these matters. She painted purely out of interest and never intended to use it as a livelihood. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be using the pseudonym Leng Qingqiu. If not for that, given the Shen Family’s status, her paintings would fetch prices far exceeding their current value.
"I’m actually in Hang City right now. The artwork you need is already prepared," Shen Qinglan’s statent interrupted Daniel’s ramblings instantly.
"What did you say, you’re in Hang City? You’re not kidding , are you? And the artwork—did you bring it with you?" Daniel was ecstatic. If Shen Qinglan was in Hang City, things would be easier. But then again, it didn’t add up. Shen Qinglan had never appeared in public, so why did she suddenly go to Hang City, let alone bring artwork?
Probably, the only person in this world who knew that the renowned young painter Leng Qingqiu was actually Shen Qinglan was himself, her agent.
"The artwork is already at ho. I left the key with the guard; you can go pick it up yourself."
"That’s wonderful. There’s still a week before the exhibition, luckily just in ti. I’ll head straight to your house to pick them up now." Daniel, ever efficient, imdiately headed towards the parking lot.
"By the way, after this exhibition ends, there’s also going to be a young painters’ salon. Since you’re in Hang City now, you might as well attend and get to know other painters in the community. Building a network is always beneficial."
"No, you can attend on my behalf. I’m not ready for others to know about just yet," Shen Qinglan declined.
Daniel wasn’t disappointed; it wasn’t the first ti, after all.
"Alright then, what brings you to Hang City this ti?" Knowing the artworks were taken care of, Daniel wasn’t in a hurry anymore and took the ti to inquire about Shen Qinglan’s itinerary.
"Just sightseeing."
Daniel was content; sightseeing was good. Sightseeing led to artwork, and artwork brought popularity.
Leng Qingqiu was a young painter who had erged onto the scene three years ago. No one knew their real na, whether they were male or female, but they were renowned for their intricate style, bold use of color, and unconventional compositions. With a mature touch, everyone thought it must be an elder. Later, it was Daniel who ca forth to confirm that Leng Qingqiu was indeed a young person.
Who was Daniel? He was a well-known agent in the art circle. Paintings by the artists he represented often soared in value afterward. Many famous artists had invited him to be their agent, but he often declined, opting to represent singular works instead.
Yet, three years ago, Daniel suddenly announced he would no longer represent any other artist’s work and would exclusively be Leng Qingqiu’s agent. This news sent shockwaves through the art world.
Everyone speculated about who on earth Leng Qingqiu was. Yet, three years had passed without Leng Qingqiu making any public appearances. If it weren’t for occasional artworks surfacing, people might have thought this person was a re fabrication.
Leng Qingqiu was an enigma, unknown na, appearance, age, or family background; beyond the pen na Leng Qingqiu and being a young woman, everything was a mystery.
Her works were few, but each one was exquisite. Outsiders said that Leng Qingqiu must be very strict with herself, adhering to a "less is more" philosophy.
The first ti Daniel heard this, he snorted with laughter, knowing the true reason was that she was lazy. She’d draw when in the mood and not touch a brush for half a year when she wasn’t.
That was why he was so delighted when Shen Qinglan ntioned going sightseeing this ti.
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