The butler of the manor came out to welcome them. Country M's national language wasn't common. Song Liangjiang didn't understand, but Chu Jingmo answered smoothly.
She couldn't help but wonder if there was anything this man didn't know.
The butler led them into the living room. Song Liangjiang looked up as she scanned the interior. The sense of familiarity hit her again, but she couldn't figure out why.
The butler and Chu Jingmo exchanged a few pleasantries before he got someone to entertain them. He went to look for Mr. Yang to inform him that they had arrived.
Song Liangjiang was still observing her surroundings after Chu Jingmo sat down. "I feel that this design is a little familiar, but…"
"They used the carving pattern of Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets." Chu Jingmo sat down and glanced at Song Liangjiang.
She paused and looked at Chu Jingmo. She confirmed excitedly, "So the sketch in his hand might really be real, right?"
Chu Jingmo was speechless…
Was that the main point? The pressing question was how this man knew about the carving pattern of Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets!
Analyzing that the Xuan family had not died in an accident was probably the highest indication of her intelligence. He couldn't ask for too much.
Song Liangjiang's attitude changed drastically. She smiled as though Chu Jingmo was her father.
Chu Jingmo looked at her fawning expression and was reminded of how the little boy had asked him for money. They were exactly the same.
"Song Liangjiang, I'll give you another chance. Are you keeping any secrets from me?" Chu Jingmo suddenly asked. This was the second time he had asked her this question.
If she admitted it now, he could be generous and forgive her for hiding his child.
"What is it?" Song Liangjiang was completely clueless.
Chu Jingmo's expression instantly fell. He pushed her head aside and ignored her.
Her face was deformed by his strength. She took a step back and was about to say something when she heard an energetic voice.
"Mr. Chu, you're here. Sorry for not welcoming you personally."
Song Liangjiang straightened her body and looked back at the smiling man. The man was of medium build and he wore a pair of gold-framed glasses. He looked to be in his fifties. She questioned Chu Jingmo with her eyes to confirm his identity.
He was too different from the photos and introduction on the internet.
And he spoke Mandarin, with extremely precise pronunciation.
Chu Jingmo stood up and shook hands with Mr. Yang. "I heard that Mr. Yang, you have Mr. Xuan Chi's sketch. My wife is especially interested in it, so I wanted to take a look."
Mr. Yang glanced at Song Liangjiang with a smile. "You seem too young to be interested in Master Xuan's design?"
"I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets." Song Liangjiang stood beside Chu Jingmo. She felt that this man's smile was uncomfortable, so she subconsciously inched closer to Chu Jingmo again.
When Chu Jingmo heard Song Liangjiang, he glanced at her with a faint smirk. However, she pinched his waist. His gaze was obviously conveying, "You actually know how to speak human language."
"Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets is indeed a classic, and it's impossible to replicate." Mr. Yang sighed. "I just didn't expect you to be a young lady. Very few people know Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets anymore, especially someone your age. Young lady, you look young. Are you twenty?"
Mr. Yang invited them to sit, as if they were having a casual conversation amongst family.
"I'm twenty three years old," Song Liangjiang replied.
Mr. Yang seemed a little shocked. Or maybe he had recalled that the fire had happened twenty three years ago.
"That's fate," Mr. Yang said with a smile. "I wonder who spread the word that I have Master Xuan's sketch? His sketches are never leaked. That's the rule. Even though the design of my estate was personally overseen by Master Xuan, I've never seen the sketch before."
Song Liangjiang frowned and stole a glance at Chu Jingmo.
"The Chu and the Xuan family have been friends for generations. You of all people should know that."
Chu Jingmo kept looking at Mr. Yang. He had been sizing him up ever since he mentioned about fate. However, this man was always smiling and there was nothing odd or unusual about him.
"I remember that Mr. Yang, you wanted to acknowledge Master Xuan as his master back then, but it was left unsettled," Chu Jingmo said.
"That's right. At that time, everyone in the construction field wanted Master Xuan as their teacher. Unfortunately, the entire family suddenly emigrated to Country M. Later, when my family became famous, we invited Master Xuan to design the manor. It had sort of appeased the regret," Mr. Yang replied with a smile.
"So you really don't have Master Xuan's sketch?" Song Liangjiang's disappointment was written all over her face. This meant that she had indeed been deceived in the past.
"I don't know who spread such rumors, but it's really nonsense." Mr. Yang seemed helpless. "It's just that I've heard news that someone was looking for news about Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets. I didn't expect it to be such an adorable little girl."
Mr. Yang wanted them to stay for dinner. But Song Liangjiang wasn't in the mood, so she took her leave.
The moment they left, the smile faded from Mr. Yang's face. He turned and hurried back.
Song Liangjiang leaned against the seat, not wanting to utter a word.
Chu Jingmo glanced at her. "You spent five million just like that?"
"Eight million, and three million last year." Song Liangjiang had nothing left to live for. She didn't even have the strength to speak.
Chu Jingmo was speechless…
Li Chuan drove silently without saying anything.
"But that's not right. A designer's design concept will never be used twice. If those sculptures have been used in the Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets design, Master Xuan shouldn't have used it again." Song Liangjiang found it bizarre. After saying that, she looked at Chu Jingmo. "Are you really sure that those are the designs used in Harmonious Flowing Stream and Goblets?"
"Shall I show you the model?"
"Sure!" Song Liangjiang replied immediately.
Chu Jingmo was speechless…
She really knew how to curry favor.
"Just a look." Song Liangjiang blinked at Chu Jingmo and tried to negotiate.
Chu Jingmo suddenly recalled how Little Rice Bun had pointed a finger at him and said their he would eat a small piece of cake. How could she have completely replicated herself into her son? How could he, Chu Jingmo's son, be so dumb and cute?
Seeing that Chu Jingmo was looking at her with an indescribable expression, Song Liangjiang immediately retracted her finger. "Fine, don't show it to me. You're so petty."
Chu Jingmo wondered how Song Liangjiang had survived so long.
Thinking of this, Chu Jingmo suddenly asked, "You're staying at Professor Cheng's house. Where's your family?"
Song Liangjiang suddenly became wary. "What? We're going to get a divorce soon, and you still want to meet your parents-in-law? Don't even think about it."
"There's still a year left. It's not a bad idea to meet them." Chu Jingmo suddenly thought of asking, but he didn't expect that this woman was only thinking about divorce.