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Twenty minutes later, Lin Zhinian came out and Ye Xingzhou was already waiting for him in the car.
Lin Zhinian opened the car door and got in, then apologized first. Ye Xingzhou casually put down the half-read magazine and signaled the driver to start.
"Come with me to Qingping Garden and have a meal with Mr. Chen."
Lin Zhinian was briefly surprised but quickly understood. Ye Xingzhou had gotten what he wanted. Eight million exchanged for an opportunity to enter Qingping Garden was a profitable deal for him.
"What can I do?" he hesitantly asked.
Ye Xingzhou leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes to rest, and said lightly, "Mr. Chen likes Western oil paintings. Just chat with him casually."
Lin Zhinian nodded. "Alright, I understand."
His gaze fell on Ye Xingzhou's face, noticing the fatigue between his brows. He asked softly, "Xingzhou, is your work very hard?"
Without opening his eyes, Ye Xingzhou responded with a casual "Hmm."
Thinking about what happened earlier, Lin Zhinian explained to him without a clear topic, "Young Master Qi suddenly decided to visit the art exhibition today. My second uncle wants to collaborate with Ronghua Corporation. Qi Ronghua's son is well-known for being pampered and I don't want to offend him and strain our relationship."
Ye Xingzhou simply said, "As you wish."
Those two emotionless words seemed considerate but were actually indifferent.
Feeling dissatisfied, Lin Zhinian continued, "Young Master Qi wants to buy the award-winning painting of mine but I haven't agreed. Xingzhou, after the exhibition ends, I'll give the painting to you."
The words "I painted it for you" were on the tip of his tongue but remained unsaid.
Ye Xingzhou kept his eyes closed as his expression unchanged as he replied, "Thank you."
With the conversation coming to a halt, and seeing Ye Xingzhou's lack of interest, Lin Zhinian could only stop. He turned his gaze to the cityscape rapidly retreating outside the car window, feeling a bit lost.
He and Ye Xingzhou had known each other for a long time. They went to the same international high school. Ye Xingzhou transferred in during the second semester of his junior year. Everyone knew about his shady background; his brothers and classmates isolated and ostracized him. At that time, Ye Xingzhou was even more indifferent than now, solitary like a lone wolf. He was the only one who reached out to him.
At least back then, there was warmth in Ye Xingzhou's eyes when he looked at him.
When did it change? Lin Zhinian wondered.
Perhaps it was when Ye Xingzhou asked him if he wanted to join him and he chose to decline.
He was afraid.
He needed the protection of his family, he couldn't let go of those material possessions.
For more than ten years, he had been studying and working abroad. Although the Lin family's glory had faded, he had gained what he always wanted: honor, fame, dreams but not Ye Xingzhou.
What was their relationship now?
Lin Zhinian didn't know either.
Before returning to Huaicheng City and seeing Ye Xingzhou again, he had imagined many possibilities, none of which were like this. Ye Xingzhou didn't hide his intentions to get close to him, whether for use or humiliation, perhaps both. He could refuse, but he didn't want to.
Whether for the Lin family or his own selfishness.
The car drove north for forty minutes, entering a private estate nestled among mountains and waters. It used to be a royal garden but now it was a private convalescent home, a place where even the wealthy might not necessarily enter.
The Ye family used to dominate the business world, with a formidable network of connections behind them. However, none of that mattered to the current Ye Xingzhou. He had just taken over the company and had to build his own network of relationships.
Eight million for a chance to have a meal was indeed a good deal for him.
The car stopped in front of a small building with Chinese architecture, and a man who looked like a butler led them in.
Mr. Chen was in the living room, painting at a large table. The nearly seventy-year-Grandpa wore a navy blue Tang suit. He was not tall but his posture was upright and his strokes were swift, showing a scholarly demeanor.
Despite his age, Mr. Chen had been a ruthless figure in the political and business arenas, even Ye Xingzhou’s deceased father had to call himself a little brother in front of him.
Ye Xingzhou and Lin Zhinian waited for a moment.
Mr. Chen finished the painting before looking up and noticing them. He smiled and said, "I got lost in painting and didn't notice you coming in. No need to stand so formally, please sit."
Ye Xingzhou presented his gift, a box of Longjing tea, not something rare or precious but it suited Mr. Chen's taste, who happily accepted it, saying, "Just coming for a meal, no need to be so polite. I remember seeing you before. You were just a teenager back then, right? Your father said you were steady but not very talkative. I saw potential in you at that time and now so many years have passed in the blink of an eye."
Ye Xingzhou replied calmly, "I should have visited you earlier but there was never a suitable opportunity before."
After some small talk, Ye Xingzhou introduced Lin Zhinian to Mr. Chen, who had also heard of his name. Mr. Chen, with great interest, said, "Although I only know how to paint traditional Chinese paintings, I'm very interested in Western paintings and have collected quite a few. It's unexpected to meet an expert like you here today."
Lin Zhinian quickly replied, "Mr. Chen, you're overpraising me. I'm just following my interests, not really an expert."
Mr. Chen waved his hand, "It's a good thing for young people to have skills. No need to be so modest."
The conversation continued around paintings, with Lin Zhinian chatting with Mr. Chen while Ye Xingzhou occasionally added a few words, keeping a pleasant atmosphere.
As lunchtime approached, the butler came to remind them that the lunch was ready, but Mr. Chen showed no intention of moving yet, continuing the conversation as if waiting for someone.
Twenty minutes later, someone finally arrived, speaking before entering the room, "Grandpa, why did you suddenly ask me to come for a meal? You didn't even give a heads-up, the traffic was terrible."
As he spoke, the person who entered the room was Qi Xing.
Lin Zhinian looked surprised, while Ye Xingzhou slightly furrowed his brows but quickly regained his composure.
Qi Xing saw them and raise his eyebrows but still walked over, and sat down next to Mr. Chen, saying nonchalantly, "Why didn't you mention you were coming here earlier? We could have come together."
Mr. Chen asked him, "Do you know each other?"
"We do. I went to see Teacher Lin's art exhibition this morning. Besides, don't you already know? I wanted to bid on the painting you donated but Young Master Ye, outbid me with eight million." Qi Xing emphasized the "eight million" as if to mock Ye Xingzhou.
Mr. Chen smiled warmly, "Well, this is a case of meeting through adversity. It's good."
He introduced Ye Xingzhou and Lin Zhiyuan, saying that Qi Xing was his grandson. "I see you're all young people, so you three should be chatting together. That's why I invited my grandson as well. It's just a meal, so it's no big deal to be formal and make it lively."
Qi Xing stared at Ye Xingzhou with a smirk, "Yeah, it's just that I'm afraid someone might think I'm ruining his plans by being here."
Lin Zhiyuan joined in with a laugh, "More people make it lively. Besides, I owe Qi Xing a meal."
Qi Xing, however, continued to stare at Ye Xingzhou, drawing out his words, "What does Ye Xingzhou say?"
Ye Xingzhou calmly returned his gaze, softly uttering two words, "Pleasure meeting you here."
His expression showed neither embarrassment nor discomfort. Although Qi Xing's relationship with Mr. Chen was unexpected for him, it didn't affect him at all.
Qi Xing sneered inwardly. Not seeing this person change his expression didn't bring any joy to him.
During the meal, Mr. Chen continued chatting with Lin Zhinian about his art exhibition. When Mr. Chen mentioned Lin Zhinian's award-winning piece, Qi Xing casually remarked, "I quite like that painting too. I wanted to buy it from Teacher Lin but he's unwilling to part with it."
With Mr. Chen present, Lin Zhinian explained, "I had already planned to give that painting to Xingzhou. I apologize."
"So it was meant for Young Master Ye.” Qi Xing exclaimed as if enlightened, "No wonder."
Lin Zhinian nodded slightly, feeling a bit uneasy.
Mr. Chen jokingly scolded Qi Xing, "You little troublemaker, don't meddle for no reason. You don't understand art anyway, buying it would just ruin it. I was hoping to have the chance to collect that painting if fate allowed."
Qi Xing retorted, "Grandpa, you can't cause a stir either. It's because Teacher Lin intended to give the painting to Young Master Ye, neither of us had a chance."
Ye Xingzhou ignored him and calmly suggested to Mr. Chen, "If you like it, I can donate the painting to you."
As he spoke, Lin Zhinian's expression changed slightly, then quickly returned to normal.
Mr. Chen chuckled, "How can I accept this? A gentleman doesn't take away what others cherish. If you're willing to donate it, I won't be too polite to refuse."
"I don't understand art appreciation, so it's better to let someone who truly understands and appreciate this painting. If you like it, feel free to accept," Ye Xingzhou's tone was not servile; it was more like a younger generation offering a heartfelt gift to an elder. He then turned to Lin Zhinian and considerately asked, "Zhinian, do you think it's alright?"
Lin Zhinian raised his eyes, meeting his calm and composed gaze directly, and said with a pause, "It's an honor for a junior like me to have my work collected by Mr. Chen."
Qi Xing, sitting opposite, clicked his tongue and smiled, giving Mr. Chen a thumbs-up, "Master Chen, you have a big heart [1] indeed."
[1] refers to someone who is empathetic, caring, and willing to help others without hesitation or reservation. In this case, Qi Xing is being sarcastic.
With the conversation reaching this point, Mr. Chen didn't refuse any longer and happily accepted their kind gesture.
After a joyful meal, they accompanied Mr. Chen to have a pot of tea. Later, Mr. Chen enthusiastically took Lin Zhinian to appreciate his collection of artworks. He told Qi Xing and Ye Xingzhou that they didn't have to follow along if they weren't interested.
Ye Xingzhou went to the restroom and then walked to the courtyard outside to get some fresh air, waiting for Lin Zhinian.
Qi Xing was in the corridor feeding the fish in the pond below. When he saw Ye Xingzhou coming out, he casually threw some fish food into the water and spoke first, "Young Master Ye is working so hard to please my grandpa, even bringing Teacher Lin along to impress him. It's really impressive."
Ye Xingzhou didn't take his sarcasm seriously and lit a cigarette. Qi Xing sneered, "You better not smoke in front of my grandpa if you don't want to be kicked out by him."
Ye Xingzhou turned his gaze towards him, the cigarette dangling from his lips, eyes narrowing slightly. Despite his black eyes, the expression behind the lenses was straightforward as he unabashedly assessed Qi Xing.
Qi Xing was slightly displeased. This person appeared courteous and refined in front of elders but now, with this demeanor, he looked like a malicious thug.
He recalled the incident at the art gallery where Ye Xingzhou had "teased" him, feeling uncomfortable all over.
"What are you looking at?" Qi Xing raised his voice, his face showing annoyance.
He was fierce but concealed his inner apprehension.
Ye Xingzhou thought of these words in his mind and finally spoke, "The nouveau riche's son?"
"Trying to inquire about my relationship with Grandpa?" Qi Xing chuckled, "I won't tell you."
After saying this, he changed his mind and approached Ye Xingzhou, deliberately getting closer to provoke him, "How about this, since you don't seem to care much about Teacher Lin anyway, give him to me. I'll speak well of you in front of my grandpa, so you don't have to work so hard trying to please him with paintings and gifts. My grandpa might not even regard you highly."
Getting too close, he exceeded the safe distance but Qi Xing didn't realize it himself.
Ye Xingzhou calmly looked at him, his gaze slowly moving across his face.
Qi Xing raised an eyebrow, "Considering it?"
After a while, Ye Xingzhou took a drag of his cigarette, exhaling slowly towards him and using a subtly dangerous tone, "I refuse.”
Translator:
Ye Xingzhou: I refuse. Instead I will give myself to you.
Qi Xing: “...”
Edited:
My old self didn't even see that some of Mc and Ml's names aren't correct. As well as some phrasing, it was awkward to read. Gosh😌