Shen Yuan called with excitement, "Huaijie, Huaijie, good news, good news! After evaluation by all on-site experts, it has been unanimously decided that you will assume the role of the successor to Wang Meng's reclusive painting 'Yuan Si Jia.' Are you happy?"
Su Huai responded nonchalantly, "When does it start?"
Shen Yuan was stunned, "Is this your only reaction?"
Su Huai raised an eyebrow slightly, "What reaction should I have?"
Shen Yuan raised her voice, "Do you know? You successfully defeated eighteen copying experts gathered from all over the country. Each of those experts is outstanding, the cream of the crop from local museums, aged between forty and fifty. You, at the age of twenty-three, defeated so many experts. Shouldn't you be jubilant, applauding, and ecstatic?"
Su Huai chuckled, "Is it appropriate to react that way?"
Upon hearing her indifferent laughter, Shen Yuan was speechless, "Your left hand is still in the recovery stage; won't it affect your ability to take over?"
"Not much. I use my right hand more. But you need to find someone to grind ink for me. We can't use ready-made ink; it will bleed and affect the mounting effect."
"Alright, feel free to make any requests. I'll talk to our curator. How about I go help you grind the ink?"
"Sure."
Once the restoration of the reclusive painting was completed and fully colored, it was Su Huai's turn to take over.
She worked diligently, completely immersing herself once she picked up the brush. She became detached from the outside world, as if in a trance, often forgetting even to eat.
Shen Yuan dared not disturb her.
Because the artifact being restored was over seven hundred years old, and there was no replacement for it.
If she were to be disturbed, a stroke in the wrong place could ruin the entire painting.
Thus, restoration artists were often referred to as the surgeons saving the lives of artifacts, and they couldn't afford any mistakes.
Ten days later, Su Huai completed her work.
The strokes, techniques, artistic conception, and freehand style all perfectly matched the original painter, Wang Meng.
A group of senior experts, armed with magnifying glasses, scrutinized the painting for a long time, unable to find a single flaw.
It had to be said that Su Huai's work was not only beautiful but also efficient. What others would take months to complete, she finished in just ten days.
Most people in the industry, even after a lifetime of effort, couldn't reach her level.
Effort determines the lower limit, talent determines the upper limit.
She possessed both talent and diligence, plus the guidance of her grandfather, known as the master of artifact restoration, who taught her personally. It was an unbeatable combination.
A few cheerful senior experts praised Su Huai, saying that Su Wenmai had taught an excellent apprentice, and she surpassed her mentor.
Several experts who valued talent jointly applied to award Su Huai a certificate as a "Specialist in Artifact Restoration."
The museum also appointed her as a visiting researcher.
Next, the restored painting was handed over to the framing workshop for mounting.
Su Huai and the senior experts attended a celebration banquet.
Although it was called a celebration, it was more of a gathering to enjoy a farewell meal together.
During the banquet, a few white-haired senior experts asked Su Huai if she had a boyfriend, eagerly introducing their grandsons or granddaughters to her.
Before Su Huai could respond, the old gentlemen began to argue, praising their own descendants.
Some were anxious, directly calling their grandchildren and asking them to hurry over.
Su Huai was somewhat embarrassed by their lively discussion.
Shen Yuan hurriedly stepped in to defuse the situation, saying, "Su Huai is so beautiful; she must have had a boyfriend long ago. Thank you, esteemed experts, for your affection towards her."
The senior experts expressed regret and asked, "Which young man is lucky enough to have her? Tell us, how fortunate is he?"
Su Huai couldn't reveal Gu Beixian, so she laughed it off, diverting the topic.
In the past, Su Huai didn't like to interact with these senior experts.
She never attended their dinners.
Today, however, she found that these senior experts were quite adorable, behaving like children. They were lively and humorous.
After the meal, some reporters came for an interview.
Due to the connection with the Gu family, Su Huai didn't want to appear on camera and be scrutinized for her background. She politely declined, giving the opportunity to those adorable senior experts.
Once alone, Shen Yuan dragged her to an antique market, claiming they were looking for hidden treasures.
In times of chaos, gold thrives; in times of prosperity, antiques flourish.
In the current era of peace, antique market prices were soaring, and it was not easy to find hidden gems.
Good items were expensive, and the cheaper ones were either handicrafts or fakes.
The antique business was a deep pool.
They visited several shops, but their search yielded nothing.
Finally, they arrived at a well-decorated and elegant antique shop.
Su Huai looked around and fixed her gaze on a transparent vacuum box containing a pile of old shredded paper. The largest piece was only the size of a child's palm, so fragmented that it was impossible to discern its original form.
Curious, Shen Yuan asked the shopkeeper, "How much is this?"
The shopkeeper raised two fingers, "Two hundred thousand."
Shen Yuan widened her eyes, "You're asking two hundred thousand for these scraps? You really dare to price it. Why not just rob a bank?"
The shopkeeper was unfazed, smiling, "This is a painting of lotus flowers by Bada Shanren from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Unfortunately, it was not well-preserved during the chaotic times. If it were intact, it would be worth at least tens of millions. If you don't believe me, take some time to research online."
Shen Yuan pursed her lips, "But this painting is too fragmented. How can it be worth two hundred thousand?"
The shopkeeper had a clear understanding. When he acquired it, he spent two thousand yuan, intending to have the renowned antique restorer Su Wenmai repair it. Unfortunately, Su Wenmai passed away due to stomach cancer, and other restorers refused to take it, claiming it was too fragmented to restore.
Taking up space and collecting dust every day, the shop owner had made up his mind to sell it.
The shop owner made his decision and said, "Alright, make an offer."
Shen Yuan glanced at Su Huai, seeing her interest in buying. She raised one finger, "One hundred."
Su Huai almost burst into laughter.
She indeed dared to haggle.
Fortunately, it was a civilized society; otherwise, bargaining like this would have resulted in a fight.
The shopkeeper was annoyed, smiling wryly, "This is not scrap paper. Even if it's scrap paper, it's Ming and Qing dynasty paper, worth several thousand. You are offering one thousand? Fine, if you take it, we'll sell it for one thousand."
Su Huai efficiently came back, swiping her card, signing the contract, and leaving with the shredded paper.
Back at Ri Yue Bay, she
went to her study and started piecing the painting together.
To prevent Lao Sao and the maid from barging in and causing a draft, blowing away the shredded paper, she hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the study door.
When Gu Beixian returned, he didn't see her around.
Entering the study, he noticed the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, realizing she was working.
He gently pushed the door open a crack.
Seeing Su Huai sitting at the table, absorbed in assembling the painting, he quietly observed.
The orange light illuminated her delicate face, and she seemed completely immersed in her task.
The tranquil atmosphere turned the study into a monastery, serene and quiet, like an ancient scroll in dim light, making people reluctant to disturb.
Gu Beixian softly closed the door, leaving.
Su Huai continued to work until the late night, finally stopping. She looked at the clock on the wall; it was already past one in the morning.
Putting down the painting, she left the study, locking it.
Afraid of disturbing Gu Beixian, she quietly went to the bathroom to freshen up, then went to sleep in the guest room.
However, the next morning, when she woke up and opened her eyes, she saw Gu Beixian lying next to her, gazing at her.
Su Huai was quite surprised, rubbing her slightly drowsy eyes. She looked at the man with a clear and handsome face, asking, "Why did you come to sleep in the guest room?"
Gu Beixian embraced her gently, and his index finger touched her rosy lips tenderly, "Afraid that you would have a nightmare and cry if you couldn't find me."
This... felt so warm.
Su Huai felt a piercing sweetness in her heart, warmed by him.
With a gentle smile, she leaned over, cupped his face, and kissed him, starting from his forehead, then his eyes, and finally his nose. She kissed him breathlessly.
She had slobbered all over that handsome face.