**Chapter 2**
Qin Wanshu carefully straightened Han Shibin's tie. This was the version of Qin Wanshu that Han Shibin liked the most—looking like a devoted wife concerned for her husband. Her beautiful face was serious, though Han Shibin knew that no matter what Qin Wanshu did, she was always serious. Apart from that, Qin Wanshu was almost a perfect woman.
"We're having dinner together tonight. I've already booked a restaurant…" Han Shibin said, slightly dazed as he looked at Qin Wanshu's flawless face. No matter how many times he looked at her, she always gave him the same feeling as the first time they met, like seeing a goddess.
"Tonight, I have to attend a charity auction with Grandpa. He really likes that blue-and-white porcelain vase," Qin Wanshu said with a hint of regret. "It's okay, spending time with Grandpa is more important." Han Shibin wouldn't dare compete with Qin Zheng for his granddaughter's time. Qin Wanshu was Qin Zheng's most treasured granddaughter, and even the male heirs of the family couldn't compare to her in the slightest.
The Qin family was different from typical wealthy families. Their ancestors held high positions in government during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the descendants had maintained their prestige. The family flourished even more in Qin Zheng's generation, producing both high-ranking officials and successful businessmen. With the accumulation of power and wealth over the years, the family had developed the refinement and temperament of a true aristocracy. Qin Zheng, in particular, had a deep love for art and antiques and possessed an impressive level of expertise. Under his influence, Qin Wanshu had developed even sharper skills, to the point where she was now surpassing him.
The Han family had a solid background as well; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to marry Qin Wanshu. However, they lacked the hundred-year-old foundation that the Qin family possessed. The Han family had the air of new money, and Han Shibin, as the only son, was not only handsome but also quite capable—a true child of fortune, but one who lacked the arrogance of a typical rich heir. Qin Wanshu looked at her husband. He treated her with great care, always coming home on time whenever she was there, and even after business events, he never returned smelling of alcohol or women's perfume. He always appeared fresh and proper before her. In all honesty, Han Shibin was impeccable, yet Qin Wanshu always felt that something was missing.
Qin Wanshu appeared at the auction arm in arm with Qin Zheng. Her hair was elegantly styled, and her light makeup made her features even more exquisite. Dressed in a perfectly tailored evening gown, she exuded a luxurious aura that made her seem like a true aristocrat. Qin Zheng, although already 85, still looked spirited and composed. As soon as the grandfather and granddaughter arrived, they became the center of attention.
Everyone knew that when Old Master Qin appeared at an antique auction, Miss Qin would certainly accompany him. Even though Qin Wanshu had been married into the Han family for five years, people still referred to her as Miss Qin instead of Mrs. Han, a testament to how much she was cherished by the Qin family.
Qin Zheng didn't attend every auction, but when he did, he was determined to win. Out of respect for the Qin family's influence, no one dared to compete with Old Master Qin for his prized items. Even without competition, he still offered high prices, showing how generous he was when it came to the things he loved. Qin Wanshu examined the blue-and-white porcelain and quickly had a sense of its value. She wrote a number in her notebook and handed it to Qin Zheng, who nodded in satisfaction. Once he gave the signal, Qin Wanshu raised her paddle and won the vase. It was clear that her role was to evaluate the porcelain and determine a reasonable price.
Old Master Qin had a quirk: if he found something he liked, he refused to let it be sold at a low price. He had a personal sense of what was reasonable and hoped others would recognize it too. Over the decades, he had struggled to find someone who shared his taste. But after cultivating his granddaughter's skills, she had reached his level of understanding and even showed signs of surpassing him in the future. How could he not treasure her?
After returning to the Qin family estate, Qin Zheng pulled his granddaughter into his study. The study was filled with antiques, from large, shining vases to the expensive inkstones on the desk.
Qin Zheng carefully touched the blue-and-white porcelain they had just acquired, growing more satisfied the longer he looked at it. The glaze and craftsmanship were exceptional.
"This was made during the Xuande period of the Ming dynasty. Xuande porcelain is generally heavy, with dense patterns and a slightly bluish glaze. Many pieces are marked with either a four-character or six-character reign mark. There's even a saying, 'Xuande reign marks cover the entire piece.' Overall, Xuande blue-and-white porcelain is notable for its large quantity, variety, and wide influence, hence the phrase, 'Xuande is the best of blue-and-white.'" Although Grandpa hadn't been able to stump her in years, he still loved to test her.
Qin Zheng enjoyed testing Qin Wanshu, knowing that wealth was easy to acquire, but it took generations of refinement to produce someone with such depth.
With Qin Wanshu staying at the Qin residence, Han Shibin naturally went to see Zuo Qinghuan.
Afterward, Zuo Qinghuan glanced at the sleeping Han Shibin. Her gaze became more playful as it slid over his handsome face. Han Shibin was like the leading man from a romance novel: handsome, charming, and rich. She did like him, but only in the way one likes a beautiful, well-fitting outfit—it's nice to have but not essential. To Han Shibin, she might be nothing more than a useful tool. And to her, wasn't Han Shibin the same? Zuo Qinghuan's lips curved into a mocking smile, her once-gentle face suddenly cold and indifferent. This was the real Zuo Qinghuan, hiding behind a deceptively innocent facade.
Zuo Qinghuan realized her mind was growing more twisted. Just moments ago, beneath that man, she had found herself thinking about Qin Wanshu—the delicate, serene woman she had met a few days earlier. Her excitement had been greater than usual at the thought of that woman, so completely out of place in her world. Zuo Qinghuan hadn't realized she had such deviant tendencies. Otherwise, why would she be thinking of Qin Wanshu in that moment, wondering if she could ever enjoy physical pleasure? How else could she have bound Han Shibin's heart but failed to keep his body?
Zuo Qinghuan never had a clear concept of gender. No woman had ever attracted her, not even the bewitching Li Xin. As for men, Han Shibin was the only one she had ever liked, purely because he was so excellent and wealthy. It was a preference born from the many advantages he came with. But now, Zuo Qinghuan found herself deeply interested in the woman she shared with Han Shibin.
In the corner of Qin Zheng's study hung a painting of a noblewoman. As Qin Wanshu looked at the woman in the painting, she suddenly recalled the woman she had mistaken for someone else at the mall a few days ago. The woman in the painting didn't exactly resemble her, but they had a similar type—graceful and pure, like a celestial being. Perhaps every man harbored an image of a goddess in his heart, and Grandpa was no exception.
"Grandpa, when did you paint this?" she asked. She had seen the painting since she was a child, but only now, as she grew older, did she recognize it as her grandfather's work.
"I dreamed of her when I was young. I painted her based on that memory. Maybe she was someone I met in a past life," Qin Zheng said with a smile as he looked at the painting, recalling his youthful days.
Qin Wanshu smiled faintly.
Early the next morning, Han Shibin got up, took a shower, and changed into a new suit. He made sure no trace of Zuo Qinghuan's scent remained. Out of caution—and respect for Qin Wanshu—he carefully tidied himself before driving to the Qin residence to pick her up.
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