Sheng Congzhi hadn't noticed someone; after she got out of the car, she bent over and looked into the car, "My friend will be here soon, you can go ahead if you have other things to do, goodbye."
She was about to close the car door.
Who knew...
"I'm not busy today, and I don't have anything else to do."
Sheng Congzhi was startled.
So what?
Fu Yan squinted at her, his fingers slowly tapping on the steering wheel, then suddenly smiling, "Is it inconvenient?"
Sheng Congzhi lied blatantly, "She doesn't know I'm married to you."
Fu Yan nodded, "So, it's a superficial friendship, huh."
Sheng Congzhi: ...
She closed the car door and turned to leave.
She hadn't noticed...
The black sedan stayed parked there for a long time, only slowly driving away after she had disappeared from view.
**
Upon entering the shop, the delicate and handsome Luo Yuanjiu approached with a welcome, "Welcome."
Sheng Congzhi raised an eyebrow, "Did you make the call to me?"
Luo Yuanjiu was astonished, "You... you are the senior sister?"
Sheng Congzhi nodded, "Where is the painting?"
"The painting is upstairs; I'll take you there now."
Sheng Congzhi lifted her skirt, her high heels clacking on the somewhat old staircase.
Once in the upstairs room, she removed her sunglasses, revealing a perfectly delicate face.
Then she seriously looked at the painting.
She had not touched ancient painting restoration work for almost four years. Had it not been for Mr. Lu asking for her help, she would not have agreed to take this job to practice her skills.
The room was quiet.
Luo Yuanjiu couldn't help but steal glances at her.
The senior sister he remembered was a quiet and introverted young girl. Unexpectedly, after more than three years, she had changed so much; her every movement and speech were incredibly charming.
A breeze from the window brought the scent of roses from her, mingling faintly with a light scent of agarwood...
When Sheng Congzhi looked up.
Luo Yuanjiu got caught staring; his heart skipped a beat, and his ears turned red instantly.
"Any particular requirements?"
Luo Yuanjiu came to his senses, "The owner said as long as senior sister can restore the painting well, he is willing to pay any amount, no matter the time it takes."
Sheng Congzhi pondered, "How about one week?"
Luo Yuanjiu looked shocked again.
"Too long?" Sheng Congzhi clicked her tongue, "I've been quite busy lately, five days at most."
"No, no," Luo Yuanjiu hurriedly explained, "One week is fine, I was just shocked."
Speaking of the old masters in this industry, even with their ability to restore ancient paintings of such damage, it usually would take at least two to three months.
Truly worthy of being the senior sister!
Admirable indeed!
Sheng Congzhi checked the time, "Then let's start tomorrow; I still have some things to take care of today."
"Okay, senior sister; I'll see you out."
Sheng Congzhi put on her sunglasses and directly left once she reached downstairs.
Then someone came over, "Brother Jiubrother Jiu, who was that girl? She's so beautiful."
"My goddess," Luo Yuanjiu smiled, "and also the only female disciple my grandfather has taken in all these years."
Wow!
Elder Luo, known as the "Ghostly Repairer" in the collectors' circle, could restore even the most heavily damaged antiques to like-new condition.
Elder Luo had significant prestige in the collectors' sphere throughout Yun City and even nationwide.
Thus, countless people have wanted to become his disciples over the years, eagerly seeking apprenticeship; but Elder Luo, being of quirky nature, rarely took disciples. It was unexpected that this young woman in her early twenties was his only female disciple!
**
Fu Family.
That afternoon, Fu Yan suddenly returned home, catching everyone off guard.
"Ah Yan." Pei Qianyun greeted with a smile, "Why didn't you bring Zhizhi back with you?"
Fu Yan ignored her, "Yuting."
Fu Yuting's heart skipped, "Uncle…"
"Come out, I have something to ask you."
"Uncle, what do you want to ask? Can't it be discussed here…"
Fu Yan smirked, "What are you panicking about?"
Pei Qianyun looked at her daughter, "What's wrong, Yuting?"
Fu Yuting: ...
But upon further thought, Lin Wei had brought it upon himself, so why should it concern her?
Besides, even if Lin Wei said something, there was no evidence, she just had to deny it.
So, she stood up and followed the man out of the villa.
To her surprise, Fu Yan didn't stop; he continued into the backyard and eventually entered the Fu Family Ancestral Hall.
The hall displayed the spiritual tablets of the ancestors of the Fu Family. Apart from special occasions, Yuting never dared to come here, always feeling a heavy Yin energy, "Uncle, what are we doing here?"
Fu Yan took out a cigarette pack, tapped out one and put it in his mouth, "You like Lu Huaichen."
Hearing this, Yuting's heart relaxed for a moment, even feeling a bit shy, "Umm..."
"Heh." Fu Yan lit up the cigarette, the silver lighter making a "click-click" sound, "Do you know why I splashed wine on you today?"
Yuting's heart fluttered, "Uncle, I was wrong, I swear, I'll never talk about you and Aunt's marriage outside again. Please forgive me this time."
Fu Yan squinted his eyes, blowing smoke rings nonchalantly, "Are you close to Lin Wei?"
Yuting's heart raced, "No! I'm not close to him!"
"Not close… yet you talked for so long?" Fu Yan mocked with a curled lip, "Tell me, what did you talk about at the birthday banquet?"
The man's features were refined, and his smile was seemingly warm.
But his good looks only gave Yuting goosebumps.
It was as if someone had suddenly choked her throat, nearly suffocating her.
In the Fu Family, the person she feared the most was this uncle.
But she used to not be afraid.
Because when Fu Yan returned to the Fu Family at the age of 15, everyone looked down on him, the illegitimate child, especially the relatives of his age, who united to bully him.
They spiked his food with drugs, locked him in the basement when the adults were away, even pushed him into the ice lake in the backyard during winter...
At first, Fu Yan always endured everything silently, even remaining mute when Mr. Fu asked about it, so everyone thought he was cowardly, incompetent, and easy to bully.
Until five years ago, there was a conflict between Yuting's cousin, Zhou Bokai, and Fu Yan. No one knew the reason, but Fu Yan, like a madman, started hitting him repeatedly with a brick...
That scene was too bloody; it left a deep traumatic impact on her childhood.
After that, the younger members of the Fu Family never dared to bully him again.
Because everyone knew that a dormant devil is often more terrifying than a ferocious beast openly showing its fangs.
Yuting was terrified, stammering, "We just chatted casually..."
Fu Yan said, "Can't remember?"
He extinguished the cigarette butt, "Then think about it here, come out when you remember."
Then he strides away.
The door closed with a "click."
Yuting hurried to the door, indeed finding it locked.
Her heart suddenly contracted, an overwhelming fear engulfing her.
Was uncle… locking her up in solitary?
**
Back in the front house.
Apart from Pei Qianyun, there was another person in the living room.
Mr. Fu looked at him, "Where is Yuting?"
Fu Yan smiled casually as he sat on the couch, "I was just asking the younger generation a question, are you calling for reinforcements already?"
Pei Qianyun could only muster a forced laugh, "You misunderstand, Ah Yan, it's dad… he wanted to see Yuting about something, said he wanted to arrange a blind date for her, after all, Yuting is already twenty-three, it's time to consider marriage."
Fu Yan nodded, "I think Lu Huaichen isn't bad."
"Isn't he a bit young?" Mr. Fu remarked, "I think the eldest of the Lu Family is pretty good."
Fu Yan continued, "Lu Jiangnian is passable too."
"I think…" Pei Qianyun's smile was gentle, "Marriage is a big decision, it should be up to Yuting, it should be someone she likes."
Fu Yan's expression was unreadably calm, "Then let's ask her again in three days."
Pei Qianyun was inwardly startled, barely maintaining her composure.
As expected…
Fu Yan fiddled with his lighter in his hand, "Yuting made a mistake today, she's confined to the ancestral hall."
"Ah Yan." Pei Qianyun hurriedly spoke, "If Yuting inadvertently offended you, let me apologize on her behalf, she really didn't mean to…"
Mr. Fu's brow furrowed, "What did she do to you?"
"She didn't provoke me."
Mr. Fu: ? ? ?
The next second.
The man spoke in a low voice, "She provoked someone I care about."