Stepping out of the restaurant, Jiang Guixiu was startled to see someone sitting in the resting garden by the entrance.
Chu Rong, why was he here? The thought of Yuan Zijun accompanying Quan Jiu the entire day yesterday made her heart feel a bit heavy.
"Chu Rong, it's been a while. How are your parents doing?" Jiang Guixiu greeted him with a smile.
Chu Rong nodded politely, "They're well. Is Uncle Jiang also in good health?"
Jiang Guixiu chuckled. Noticing Chu Rong's gaze fixed on Quan Jiu inside the restaurant, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you waiting for someone?"
"Yes."
Jiang Guixiu paused, then continued, "Where did your mother find such a beautiful sister for you? I heard Jiu Jiu is your mother's goddaughter?"
Chu Rong glanced at her indifferently, "They do indeed refer to each other as mother and daughter."
Having lived for decades, Jiang Guixiu could easily read people's expressions. Chu Rong's eyes were practically glued to Quan Jiu; such a look couldn't possibly be between siblings.
She secretly lamented, thinking the Chu family had likely made their move long ago, treating Jiu Jiu as a prospective daughter-in-law.
With this thought, she felt immense regret. Jiu Jiu had even brought clothes from Yun Lan Pavilion to celebrate her birthday, yet she had been blinded by greed and missed such a golden opportunity.
If the Chu family was indeed interested in Jiu Jiu, and considering Jiu Jiu's clear rejection earlier, her son's chances were probably slim.
The more Jiang Guixiu thought about it, the more regretful she became. Especially after guessing yesterday that Quan Jiu was the Pavilion Master of Yun Lan Pavilion, her regret intensified, even causing her to toss and turn at night, wishing she could go back a few months.
The more she thought this way, the more her insides twisted with regret. It felt like casually giving a friend a lottery ticket that turned out to be a first prize winner, a truly agonizing sensation.
"Is there something else, Aunt Jiang?" Chu Rong asked.
Jiang Guixiu forced a smile, her face etched with bitterness, and left.
...httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
At the dining table, despite his efforts to conceal it, Jiang Nanchen couldn't hide his inner desolation. Nothing was more painful and embarrassing than being outright rejected by someone he had secretly loved for years.
After the awkwardness, he decided to throw caution to the wind and abandon all pretense of dignity. With a wry smile, he asked, "Do I really have no chance at all? Where... am I not to your liking?"
Quan Jiu pondered for a long time before sighing helplessly, "Perhaps, the timing of our meeting was not right."
Jiang Nanchen pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment before nodding, "I understand. Please don't take what my mother said to heart. As for you and me, if we can still be friends..."
"If you can let go, we can still be friends," Quan Jiu smiled faintly.
Jiang Nanchen managed a strained smile and started talking about the movie premiere. They chatted until the meal was over before parting ways.
When Quan Jiu reached the parking lot, she saw someone leaning against her car from a distance, talking on the phone.
There was no doubt, even after her threats and harsh words, she still couldn't sway this man. She couldn't help but sigh, realizing the old saying was true: those who achieve great things have no shame.
Seeing Quan Jiu approach, Chu Rong ended his call and opened the passenger door. Only after Quan Jiu got into the car did he close the door before turning to the driver's seat.
"We're visiting Grandpa on Friday evening. Can we go directly to the amusement park from the old house the next day?"
"Okay."
Quan Jiu held her phone, contacting Cheng Xuhai from Tonghua Art Museum.
"There are thirteen works in total, large and small. I will contact the bank manager to cooperate with you."
"Alright, Zhi Fan teacher. Please rest assured, the exhibition will be held on time next weekend." Cheng Xuhai replied.
Quan Jiu put down her phone, a rare softness on her face.
Although her grandmother had passed away, her works were a precious legacy. She would make those works public, letting people know that Wang Huiping had not run out of inspiration, but rather, even in her retirement, had produced even better pieces.
"What are you thinking about?" A gentle voice suddenly came from beside her.
"Nothing," Quan Jiu lowered her head to look at her phone again, opening Bai Jing's chat box.
"Jiejie Jing, do you know why my grandmother retired back then? I studied embroidery with her for fifteen years, but she never told me anything about her identity, perhaps even deliberately hiding it from me."
Bai Jing's reply was quick.
"Senior Wang Huiping was like an unattainable legend. When she was at her peak, almost the entire world knew her name. But her retirement was also very swift and mysterious. No one knew why; one day, she was unreachable, and no amount of searching could find her. Actually, I wanted to ask you before, thinking you might know."
"Oh, and Senior Wang Huiping was also the head of the Embroidery Bureau Elders back then. After she retired, Elder Miao took over her position. Perhaps Elder Miao knows something," Bai Jing added.
A hint of doubt arose in Quan Jiu's heart. Why did it feel like her grandmother's retirement involved some hidden circumstances?
She replied to Bai Jing and then directly called Elder Miao.
Miao Lan was delighted to receive Quan Jiu's call and began with a lengthy greeting before getting to the point.
"Xiao Jiu, are you calling me because you want to ask about your grandmother?"
Quan Jiu smiled faintly, "Nothing escapes your eyes, Senior."
Miao Lan chuckled a few times and then said, "This is not something that can be explained in a few words over the phone. When you have time, come to my place, and I'll tell you in person."
Quan Jiu paused slightly before saying, "I have time right now."
"Alright then, I'll give you an address. Come find me."
Miao Lan gave Quan Jiu an address. Just as Quan Jiu was about to ask Chu Rong to pull over so she could take a taxi, Chu Rong had already changed the navigation route, with the destination being Miao Lan's home.
Quan Jiu hesitated for a moment before saying helplessly, "Aren't you busy with your company?"
A big CEO, neglecting his vast company, acting as her escort, driver, and cook every day – either he had a problem, or she did.
Chu Rong appeared composed, "The company is developing a cloud office system. As the CEO, I naturally have to test its performance first."
Cloud office... Quan Jiu was speechless. Fine, whatever he wanted.
...
North Suburb Road, Section 1, Elder Miao's courtyard house.
Quan Jiu and Chu Rong were invited into the main hall to sit and wait. Before they could finish their tea, Miao Lan walked in from a side door.
"Senior Miao," Quan Jiu stepped forward to greet her, "I came in a hurry and empty-handed. Please don't mind, Senior."
Miao Lan waved her hands with a hearty laugh, "We don't do those formalities here. Sit down, child."
They both sat down again.
Miao Lan looked at Chu Rong, "This is Chu Zhenhua's son, isn't he? Are you Xiao Jiu's boyfriend?"
Quan Jiu felt a bit awkward and quickly said, "Don't mind him, Senior. Please say whatever you need to say."
Since that was the case, Miao Lan got straight to the point, her expression turning serious, "Xiao Jiu, before we talk, you need to realize that the forces involved behind your grandmother are far greater than you can imagine."