The result of venturing into the kitchen to inquire was nearly fatal.
As for the so-called news, it naturally came to nothing.
With slightly swollen lips, Wen Tingxue nestled on the sofa, awaiting food.
She also picked up her phone for inspiration.
Her preparations for the National Art Exhibition were nearly complete, awaiting only the opening of the submission channel.
However, for Xing'er, she had no clear direction.
In fact, she had no clue at all.
A certain variety show played on loop on the living room television, featuring Kang Wei.
Wen Tingxue didn't want to watch him, and switched through several channels. None were good, so she grudgingly settled for a new historical drama. The actors seemed unfamiliar, and after watching for a while, Wen Tingxue didn't recognize a single one.
However, the costumes in this drama were truly beautiful.
Wen Tingxue watched intently for half an episode and found the plot to be excellent as well!
Just as she was about to get hooked on the drama, Lu Youran sent her a message.
"Ahhhhhh! Have you watched this drama? It's so good! I heard that Teacher Shou personally oversaw the costumes and styling!! It's all over Weibo!" A dozen pictures were sent her way.
Wen Tingxue clicked on them, and it was the very drama she was watching.
Was it that popular?
It was her fault for being offline lately, too busy with painting to pay attention to Weibo.
Likely finding typing tedious, Lu Youran initiated a video call before Wen Tingxue could reply.
"Did you see the pictures I sent?"
Upon answering, Wen Tingxue accidentally switched the camera. Lu Youran caught a glimpse of the TV screen and exclaimed in surprise, "You're watching this drama too?! Oh my god, I'm telling you, the school forum is going crazy. Teacher Shou is just too amazing. Shou Hongzhen, China's most influential film and television stylist, a first-class national artist, and an adjunct professor at the Academy of Fine Arts.
Almost every drama or movie he's worked on has become a phenomenal hit.
However, for some reason, Shou Hongzhen suddenly retired a few years ago.
People in the industry said he had exhausted his creative talent.
Some also said he lost someone very important, which led to his temporary retirement.
I didn't expect..." Wen Tingxue looked up at the TV.
She had to admit, a genius is always a genius.
No matter how long they disappear or how many newcomers emerge, when they return, others are merely fleeting figures.
"By the way, your craftsmanship is also excellent. When you do your internship in your senior year, you could try applying to Teacher Shou's studio. Perhaps you'll get in?"
As they chatted, Lu Youran suddenly sat up, her eyes encouragingly fixed on Wen Tingxue.
Wen Tingxue quickly shook her head, "Forget it. My skills are only good enough for personal enjoyment. As for entering a studio, especially Teacher Shou's studio, I wouldn't even dare to dream of it."
She shook her head like a rattle drum.
"You can't say that," Lu Youran pouted disapprovingly.
"Although I don't understand styling, velvet flowers, and the like, I have basic appreciation skills, okay? The things you make are so lifelike, the little foxes look as if they're alive.
"So many netizens and fans praise your skills. Before the sketch competition, didn't you post a video of you making hairpins? Tens of thousands of likes! Are they all just being encouraging?"
Wen Tingxue smiled helplessly, "I'm not saying I don't make good things, but..." She still had a good sense of self-awareness.
With her current abilities, entering Teacher Shou's studio would be a pipe dream.
So many students intern at Teacher Shou's studio every year, and very few get to stay.
She didn't think she had that kind of talent.
Hobbies were hobbies, after all.
"Look at the headwear, makeup, and costumes in this drama. They're on a level I can only gaze up at in awe."
Wen Tingxue pointed at a group of beauties appreciating flowers in the imperial garden on the TV.
"Good heavens! How old are you? Teacher Shou could be your grandfather!" Lu Youran exclaimed in exasperation. "Leave some room for us ordinary people to live!"
While Wen Tingxue's efforts were evident to all, her innate talent was also undeniable.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have reached her current level in just half a year.
"Oh, actually, I've been doing these things since I was very young. Remember I told you about Teacher Sha's wife? She specializes in designing headwear, and I learned a lot from her."
It was just a pity that after Teacher Sha left Lucheng, she hadn't touched those things that could create beautiful hairpins again.
Wen Tingxue cupped her face and smiled, "To be honest, I also really want to join Teacher Shou's studio, but I only dare to think about it."
After all, it was really hard to get in.
"Don't just think about it!" Lu Youran raised her hand in encouragement. "I believe by your senior year, you'll be even more amazing than you are now! Teacher Shou will definitely..."
Yu Wenli, wearing an apron and holding dishes, accidentally entered the frame. Lu Youran slurp-slurped and said, "Your man should be a model. With this physique, he's wasted in the kitchen."
Wen Tingxue: "..."
Lu Youran: "..."
"I mean, the food looks good." After a jumbled explanation, Lu Youran quickly hung up the call.
Wen Tingxue: "..."
She remembered this friend wasn't this much of a fangirl before.
"Stop looking, let's eat first." Yu Wenli took her phone and bent down to pick her up.
Wen Tingxue flinched back, dodging him. "I can walk myself."
"What? After going out for a bit, you don't want your boyfriend anymore?"
"How could I! I'm just worried about you!" The young girl cried out in protest.
She saw him working hard to cook and didn't want to trouble him further.
Yu Wenli's lips curved in delight. "If you truly care, let me hold you. Haven't you heard of 'a lover's reunion after a brief separation is like a newlywed's bliss'?"
"...The young girl paused for a moment and retorted, "We're not married yet."
Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow. "Both sets of parents have agreed, do you still plan to run away?"
Wen Tingxue: "..."
Last year during the New Year, they told their families about their relationship.
Wen Zhong'en was so angry he didn't eat for three days.
Yu Wenli, using some unknown method, arranged for both families to have a meal together on the fourth day, even discussing names for their future grandchildren...
Four dishes and one soup.
Not overly grand, but filled with the warmth of home.
It felt as if she had never left.
"These are all my favorites."
Wen Tingxue bit her chopsticks, her eyes wide with surprise as she looked at the four dishes before her.
Including the soup, they were all her favorites.
She had mentioned it casually in a conversation some time ago, and he had taken it to heart.
"Eat up quickly, it'll get cold."
Yu Wenli skillfully served her a bowl of soup, his words and actions making it seem as if she had only gone out to buy groceries.
For some reason, Wen Tingxue's eyes suddenly felt a bit moist.
Taking advantage of the soup, she quickly composed herself.
However, the words that came out were still somewhat strained, "I never thought of running away." In fact, she was quite looking forward to that day.
Yu Wenli's hand paused as he picked up food. The longing that had been suppressed for days was instantly replaced by an even sweeter emotion.
"This is your favorite sweet and sour pork. Try it, see if it tastes right."
He tried to maintain his composure as he put the dish into her bowl.
But he forgot that joy can be seen in one's eyes.
Wen Tingxue, seeing through his pretense but not revealing it, put the meat into her mouth.
She expected it to be delicious, but she hadn't expected it to be *this* delicious.
"My goodness, your cooking has improved so much!"
Before she left, he hadn't been this skilled.
Yu Wenli rested his forehead against his hand. How fast? It had been more than half a year.
If it weren't for her liking it, he would have given up long ago.
But he truly didn't want her to deal with these things.
He cherished her too much.
In early May, Xing'er began its nationwide open call for submissions.
After screening and evaluation.
At the end of May, Xing'er announced the list of selected participants.
Invitations were sent out at the same time.
Before the final round of the competition, all participants were invited to visit Xing'er's headquarters.
To understand Xing'er's milk tea creation philosophy and process.
On June 6th, Wen Tingxue entered Xing'er's headquarters with her invitation.
She took this competition very seriously.
Because of Ding Xi's expectations, and even more so because of Senior Song.
She always felt that if she hadn't been there, Elder Yan would have accepted him as a disciple.
She had taken his opportunity.
Therefore, she had always wanted to make amends.
But after spending these days with Elder Yan, she could feel that Elder Yan was not someone who easily changed his decisions.
Unless she could present a work that satisfied him.
In the glass elevator, Fu Yuchuan spotted Wen Tingxue in the crowd at a glance.
The young girl wore her hair in a high ponytail, exuding youthful energy, her face full of collagen glowing under the light.
Her pair of clear, beautiful almond eyes were intently fixed on the staff member in front of her.
Listening to their explanations, her pen never stopped moving.
From his angle, he could clearly see her densely written notebook.
Ding Xi, who was accompanying him, looked surprised. "You know her?"
Fu Yuchuan stared intently at the scene below without a word.
It seemed he did know her.
Ding Xi suddenly recalled that before, he had sent cooperation emails to Fu's Venture Capital more than once.
He had even gone to their company building to wait.
But the result was always the same, lost in the void.
It wasn't until Wen Tingxue designed the new outer packaging that Fu's investors proactively contacted him.
At the time, he thought the investor was impressed by Xing'er's future potential, combined with the attractive outer packaging, which was why... He hadn't expected that the second master Fu was actually here for Wen Tingxue.
"Send me a copy of the final round's competition entries," Fu Yuchuan commanded in a low voice as the elevator landed.
Ding Xi was slightly taken aback.
Logically, Fu Yuchuan wouldn't concern himself with a small company of this scale.
His visit today was merely for observation.
Ding Xi became increasingly certain that the two had an extraordinary relationship.