Chapter 148: The Love Rival

After satisfying the curiosity of several ladies, Qin Miaoyu was finally able to stop talking. Feeling a bit thirsty, she picked up a glass of fruit juice and found a spot to sit down.

No sooner had she taken a sip than the sofa beside her sank slightly. Qin Miaoyu looked over and saw An You.

An You held up his wine glass with a gentle smile. "Shall we toast?"

Qin Miaoyu nodded and clinked her glass of juice against his.

An You took a sip of his wine and set the glass aside. "This scene feels remarkably similar to the day we first met."

Thinking back to their first meeting and reflecting on the moment just passed, Qin Miaoyu smiled. "It really does."

Then, An You extended his slender fingers, holding an art gallery ticket. "Master Shellson’s private exhibition. Would you like to go?"

Qin Miaoyu was pleasantly surprised. "Master Shellson’s? I heard about it a few days ago. I heard there were channels to buy tickets for his private exhibition, but by the time I found out, they were already sold out."

"The public tickets are sold out, but these are internal tickets. I noticed earlier that you are very passionate about painting and thought you might want to see this exhibition. When a friend offered me some internal tickets, I took a few. I’ve already given several to other friends."

Qin Miaoyu was very tempted, but she could not accept such a favor casually, so she looked a bit hesitant.

Noticing this, An You said softly, "It would be a waste if you didn't take this ticket. I’ve already asked my other friends, and none of them want to go. The money I could get for this ticket means nothing to me, so please, just take it."

Qin Miaoyu naturally understood this, which was why she hadn't felt comfortable asking him how much a ticket cost—it felt as though it would be an insult to him.

An You handed the ticket toward her. "Take it. I kept one for myself, and I’ve already given the others to friends who wanted to go. This is the only one left, and it would be a shame to waste it."

Hearing this, Qin Miaoyu took the ticket.

She looked at the name "Master Shellson’s Private Exhibition" written on it and thanked him with a bright smile. "Thank you. I’ll make sure to thank you properly when I have the chance later."

A single ticket might be a casual, trivial matter for An You, but for her, it was a wonderful surprise.

An You did not refuse her words, but instead smiled and accepted. "Alright."

***

Lu Qi'an was currently discussing business; he had come today with professional matters to attend to, which was why he hadn't stayed with Qin Miaoyu earlier.

However, watching from afar as Qin Miaoyu and An You chatted happily, his hand tightened around his wine glass.

He excused himself to the person he was speaking with and carried his glass over to where they were sitting.

"Miaoyu, what are you two talking about?"

An You looked at Lu Qi'an, who had sat down next to Qin Miaoyu, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "You two know each other?"

"We do," Qin Miaoyu nodded.

Lu Qi'an held his glass, smiling with a touch of smugness. "Of course we know each other. I just introduced Miaoyu to Mother An earlier, and she said we look like a perfect match!"

An You looked at Lu Qi'an. "You two?"

"Brother An, you must have heard the news of my marriage recently. Miaoyu is my wife. I assumed you already knew."

An You had indeed heard his family mention that Lu Qi'an had gotten married, but he had no idea the bride was Qin Miaoyu.

He couldn't help but look at her, seeking confirmation.

Qin Miaoyu smiled. "That's right."

Hearing the confirmation, An You’s smile became a bit forced. "I see... I hadn't heard the news, so..."

Lu Qi'an interrupted, "It doesn't matter if you didn't know before; you know now. What were you two talking about? You looked like you were having a great time."

As a man of stature, An You quickly adjusted his expression and composure. "I noticed earlier that Miaoyu is quite fond of painting. A friend of mine happened to have some internal tickets, so I took the opportunity to give one to her, partly to thank her for helping An Qian realize her vision for her wedding."

Qin Miaoyu chimed in happily, "Yes, I was just hoping to see it! If it weren't for Brother An, I might have missed Master Shellson’s private exhibition."

Thinking of the item currently in his pocket, Lu Qi'an cursed himself for not giving it to her sooner.

He, too, had obtained tickets to Master Shellson’s exhibition; he had been keeping an eye out for them ever since he heard the master might be coming to Jingcheng for a private show.

He had intended to give it to her when he took her home after the banquet, but he hadn't expected that, in the short time he was away, someone else would have already given her one.

***

Seeing that Lu Qi'an’s expression had darkened, a flash of concern crossed An You’s eyes. He quickly said, "Qi'an, I have business to attend to. You and Miaoyu stay here; I’ll be going now."

Lu Qi'an was snapped back to reality. "Right. Go ahead, Brother An."

An You said goodbye to Qin Miaoyu and left.

He didn't get far before he couldn't help but look back.

For the first time, he had felt a spark of interest in someone, only to find she was already spoken for. A sense of desolation filled his eyes. Thinking of Lu Qi'an’s expression earlier and fearing he might misunderstand Qin Miaoyu, he stopped lingering and hurried off in another direction.

Seeing Lu Qi'an’s clearly sour mood, Qin Miaoyu asked, "What's wrong? Did the business discussion not go well?"

If she remembered correctly, Lu Qi'an had mentioned he had business to discuss, so she assumed that must be the reason for his expression.

"No, it's just about this Shellson exhibition. Next time there's an exhibition like this, you can come to me or my cousin. We can always get internal or VIP tickets."

"There's no need to go to such trouble. The ticket for Master Shellson’s exhibition was a happy surprise. When I heard they were sold out, I had already given up on going. Since Brother An happened to have one, I accepted his kindness. I'll thank him properly when I have the chance."

Lu Qi'an said calmly, "Brother An is a businessman. The best way to thank a businessman is, naturally, through business."

Qin Miaoyu frowned. "But I don't know anything about business. I'll have to find another way."

"Don't worry, I can help you. Think of it as a thank-you gift for your willingness to accompany Mom to this banquet tonight, how about that?" Lu Qi'an’s tone was somewhat urgent.

"No need," Qin Miaoyu refused flatly. "I'll figure it out myself. I only agreed to come to the banquet with Mrs. Lu to properly fulfill the terms of our marriage contract."

"Is that all it is? Just fulfilling the terms of the marriage contract?" Lu Qi'an murmured.

Qin Miaoyu was right beside him and heard his question clearly.

She looked at him calmly. "Naturally. What else did you think it was?"