Bai Jing and Jiang Guixiu were also familiar with each other. Upon hearing Jiang Guixiu's words, she looked puzzled, "Madame Jiang knows the artist Zhi Fan?"
"Zhi Fan?" Jiang Guixiu glanced at Quan Jiu suspiciously and shook her head, "No, I've only met the lady beside you once."
Bai Jing thought for a moment, then understood and smiled, "Then you're truly lucky. We all just found out today that the renowned Zhi Fan is actually so young and beautiful."
Jiang Guixiu thought she had misheard and exclaimed in surprise, "You mean she is the artist Zhi Fan? How is that possible? I've seen every single one of Zhi Fan's works. They are imbued with a satirical realism, and the artist is clearly someone with a calm and profound inner world. It absolutely cannot be her."
Someone joked, "I didn't expect Madame Jiang to be wrong sometimes. In fact, she really is the artist Zhi Fan."
Cheng Xuhai also stepped forward, "This lady is indeed the artist Zhi Fan."
Jiang Guixiu was stunned for a while. Recalling the events of the past, her mind suddenly cleared, and she finally understood that He Miao had been sowing discord. Zhi Fan's fame was known even to her; how could she possibly be kept by a man?
However, on the other hand, she still couldn't believe that someone so beautiful was Zhi Fan. The Jiang family was a scholarly lineage that highly valued skills like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If Zhi Fan were to be with her son, the Jiang family would gain both fame and fortune.
Thinking this, she began to regret her actions. At the birthday banquet, she had shown her displeasure. Would Zhi Fan hold a grudge? With this thought, Jiang Guixiu's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and she silently cursed He Miao.
Cheng Xuhai glanced at the time and said to Quan Jiu, "Teacher Zhi Fan, let's head to the front hall. Time is almost up."
Quan Jiu nodded with a smile and bid farewell to Bai Jing. After taking a couple of steps, she suddenly stopped and asked, "Teacher Bai also likes clothes from Yunlan Pavilion?"
Bai Jing affectionately took Quan Jiu's hand, "Just call me Aunt Bai, don't call me teacher, it sounds too distant."
Quan Jiu nodded and changed her address to "Aunt Bai."
Bai Jing then praised her wholeheartedly, "The head of Yunlan Pavilion is the embroiderer I admire the most. I truly understand why Yunlan Pavilion only releases ten haute couture pieces a year, because she uses complex ancient embroidery techniques. Even the silk used by Yunlan Pavilion is not machine-produced but hand-woven.
A bolt of Yun Jin requires two embroiderers half a year to complete, and a fine piece of embroidery can take several years. That's why Yunlan Pavilion's clothes need to be pre-ordered years in advance and are so rare."
Many people present knew of Yunlan Pavilion and were its loyal fans. Even if they hadn't owned anything from it, it didn't stop them from liking and aspiring to it.
Someone couldn't help but sigh, "The head of Yunlan Pavilion is truly too mysterious. No one has ever known her true appearance. I really want to see what kind of person could embroider such exquisite masterpieces."
Bai Jing looked ashamed, "Although I, Bai Jing, have some reputation, I don't consider myself comparable to the head of Yunlan Pavilion. She is the true talent of the mountains, while I am merely a commoner fallen into the mortal world."
Seeing Bai Jing's admiration for the head of Yunlan Pavilion, everyone became even more curious and respectful of the mysterious head.
Quan Jiu smiled gently, "Since Aunt Bai likes it so much, I'll help you order one. Give me an address, and someone from Yunlan Pavilion will contact you for measurements."
Bai Jing was surprised, "Really? I heard that their slots for three years later are already fully booked. Can you still make a reservation?"
Quan Jiu smiled confidently, "Adding one more won't make a difference."
The onlookers were astonished to hear this. They knew very well the caliber of Yunlan Pavilion. Even with money and power, one might not be able to secure a reservation. Yet, Zhi Fan could actually change Yunlan Pavilion's rules? They had never heard of anyone receiving such special treatment. Could Zhi Fan's status be very special?
Bai Jing was the happiest, "That would be wonderful." She quickly wrote down an address for Quan Jiu.
With Bai Jing as the precedent, others could no longer remain calm. They eagerly stepped forward, hoping to secure a spot, but Quan Jiu politely refused them with a smile.
Jiang Guixiu was also intensely curious. She was a devoted fan of Yunlan Pavilion. She had managed to snatch one piece years ago, but she was so reluctant to wear it that she only donned it on very special occasions. Yet this woman... could simply order one on the spot? And an additional one at that?
"Um... could you help me reserve one? Oh, I just remembered, you wore one to my birthday banquet last time. I was very pleased with that piece. I wonder if it's still available? I can pay double the price." Jiang Guixiu regretted her past actions and asked shamelessly.
Quan Jiu glanced at Jiang Guixiu slightly and replied politely but distantly, "I'm sorry, may I ask who you are?"
Jiang Guixiu's face stiffened. After a moment, she replied with some displeasure, "I am Jiang Nanchen's mother."
Quan Jiu said "oh" and nodded politely, "It's an honor. The piece you mentioned has already been given away." She then bid farewell to Bai Jing and left with Cheng Xuhai, like the most elegant and noble white swan.
Jiang Guixiu felt embarrassed, but inwardly she cursed herself for being foolish. With such excellent demeanor, why had she believed He Miao back then?
Some people, disliking Jiang Guixiu's constant pretense of being from a scholarly family, mocked her, "Madame Jiang, I didn't expect there to be people who don't recognize you."
Jiang Guixiu was annoyed, "She... she knows our Nanchen. Last time at my birthday banquet, Nanchen specifically brought her to meet me."
Someone disbelieved, "Oh, Madame Jiang, are you also imitating Miss He's dramatic performance? The artist Zhi Fan herself has indicated she's not familiar with you, yet you're still bringing up your son to get closer.
Besides, didn't you just say your son is single and not yet engaged?"
"I..." Jiang Guixiu was speechless, her face turning red with anger.
However, someone was reminded, "Oh my!" "My son is of the perfect age. I didn't expect the artist Zhi Fan to be so young and beautiful. I must go ask quickly if she's engaged."
"I'm going too, I'm going too." A group of noblewomen rushed towards the front hall.
Jiang Guixiu felt as if something that rightfully belonged to her was being divided among a swarm of ants, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Hmph, our Nanchen is much better looking and more capable than your sons. I see who can compare," Jiang Guixiu muttered to herself and also hurried towards the front hall with her bag.
...
After Wang Xiao parked the car, he returned to the main entrance and found that his boss was nowhere to be seen. He learned from the security guard at the entrance that his boss had already entered the art exhibition. He quickly presented the invitation and went in.
However, the art museum was vast, and Wang Xiao dared not call to find her, so he had to search room by room.
The person he was looking for was at that moment standing in the East Exhibition Area, admiring a painting.
As charming as ever.
Chu Rong showed a rare smile and walked in from the exhibition hall entrance. As he went deeper, the paintings on the walls seemed to come alive, becoming more thought-provoking, drawing him deeper into exploration.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Chu Rong finally reached the innermost part of the exhibition hall. This area was quite spacious, with no ornaments or decorations. Only on the front wall was a massive black and white painting. However, due to the rich and impactful content of the artwork, it seemed to fill the entire exhibition hall.
True works of art are not only contained within their small frames but can also influence everything around them, even the mood of the onlookers.
Chu Rong stood before the painting, lost in thought, feeling as if he had fallen into an abyss of boundless darkness. Yet, at the top of that abyss, there was a sliver of light, filling him with fear, but also an irresistible urge to crawl towards that light.
Suddenly, a silhouette in bean paste green appeared in his vision, instantly pulling him back from his daze.
Chu Rong's brows furrowed, silently expressing his displeasure at the intruder blocking his view.
But when the silhouette turned around, his tightly knit brows suddenly relaxed, and he stared blankly at the person in front of him.
"Bang~" Suddenly, there was an explosive sound.
As a reflex, Chu Rong lunged forward, swiftly reaching out and shielding the person in front of him. The remnants of the light bulb, which had shattered due to a short circuit, fell all over him.
The air instantly froze, and time seemed to stop. The entire world seemed to fall silent.
Quan Jiu stared in stunned silence at the face so close to her, as if etched into her bones, forgetting to breathe.