Chapter 46: Business Trip

Liang Sixuan finally managed to break free from the throng and immediately called Su Yikun, launching into a barrage of reproach the moment he answered.

“Su Yikun, if you’re going to hire people, can’t you find someone with a bit of tact? If this mess can’t be cleaned up, you’ll be sorry!”

Su Yikun, still groggy, glanced at his phone again to confirm who was calling. Seeing it was Liang Sixuan, his mind cleared a little, and he asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Liang Sixuan instantly knew trouble was brewing. “Don’t tell me you haven’t seen my messages!”

“What messages? I was out drinking last night for business and only just woke up because of your call.” As he spoke, Su Yikun hushed the woman turning over beside him, then opened the messages Liang Sixuan had sent. Now he was fully awake.

Without caring that Liang Sixuan had abruptly hung up on him, he called his assistant and quickly learned that everything was proceeding according to their previously discussed plan.

There was nothing wrong with the plan itself. Though they might have set the image a bit too high, that’s just how things work online these days—nothing too serious. But the real issue was Liang Sixuan never actually won the award. That was a big problem.

“Hurry and contact them to withdraw everything. And don’t push the trending topics we arranged either!”

On the other end, the assistant hesitated. “Mr. Su, we haven’t pushed the trending topics yet, but the news about Miss Liang winning the award is already trending.”

Su Yikun assumed Liang Sixuan had arranged the trending news herself and didn’t pursue it further, only instructing his assistant to pull all the marketing articles.

Meanwhile, those following the St. Tis Art Competition noticed a newcomer—Qin Miaoyu—who had never appeared in any previous contests.

Qin Miaoyu had just watched Liang Sixuan’s furious performance with Ji Xuan when she received a congratulatory call from Lu Qi’an. Soon after, Teacher Wu and Gu Jing also called to express their congratulations.

After hearing from all her close acquaintances, Qin Miaoyu was about to put her phone away when it rang again. This time, it was an unfamiliar number, registered to Xucheng.

Since it was a call from the St. Tis Competition, she answered. After understanding the caller’s intent, Qin Miaoyu politely declined.

She had long since given up pursuing a career as a painter. Her participation in the St. Tis Competition was a matter of chance; the painting that won happened to fit the theme, and she had been curious to see if Liang Sixuan would take the bait.

It would have been a shame to use it merely as a trap, so she submitted it for real. But from the age of sixteen until now, she had painted nothing else.

The painting intercepted by Liang Sixuan was a copy of that very work—similar in appearance but lacking its essence, which spoke volumes.

No longer could she summon inspiration at a whim as she had in her youth; her thoughts had become set, and she lacked the time and energy to reclaim what she had left behind.

Seeing the dimness in Qin Miaoyu’s eyes, Ji Xuan felt a surge of anger toward Liang Sixuan. If not for Liang Sixuan’s underhanded tricks, Miaoyu wouldn’t be in this state now!

She quickly changed the subject. “Didn’t you want to explore Xucheng? Let’s get going, or we’ll have to leave tomorrow.”

While Liang Sixuan stormed off in frustration, Qin Miaoyu and Ji Xuan happily went shopping, unaware that online public opinion was brewing into a storm that would soon reveal the truth.

January in Jing City was especially cold. Outside the high-speed rail station, Qin Miaoyu only felt warmth when Lu Qi’an wrapped her into his coat.

“How come you had time to pick me up today?” Qin Miaoyu only saw Lu Qi’an’s message about fetching her after she got off the train.

“I can always make time to pick up my girlfriend. Get in the car, it’s freezing out here.”

Once home, Lu Qi’an told Qin Miaoyu he’d be leaving on a business trip of uncertain duration, at least a week.

“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Qin Miaoyu asked.

Lu Qi’an nodded. Seeing the reluctance in her eyes, his heart filled with tenderness. “Miaoyu, there’s something I want to tell you…”

A sudden ring cut him off. Seeing it was Gu Feng, he had no choice but to answer.

“Mr. Lu, Mr. Wang can only meet this afternoon. We need to head to Yucheng right away.”

“Alright, book the tickets. We’ll meet at the airport.”

After hanging up, Lu Qi’an apologized, “Miaoyu, the company needs me to fly out immediately. I can’t stay with you.”

“It’s fine, just go. You can keep me company when you get back. Go pack your things.” Qin Miaoyu urged him, seeing from his expression how urgent things were.

Lu Qi’an lingered at the door, reluctant to leave. It had been so hard to find time for his girlfriend, and now it was wasted.

Qin Miaoyu was a little exasperated; for such a tall and handsome man to look so aggrieved and reluctant made him look both pitiful and endearing.

“Go on, it’s not like we won’t see each other again. We’ll video chat, and when you’re back from this trip, we can meet.” Her tone was tender and coaxing as she hugged Lu Qi’an.

He embraced her tightly, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Wait for me.”

After seeing off the clingy Lu Qi’an, Qin Miaoyu returned to her apartment. She changed her shoes at the entrance and went to the living room to pour herself some water.

She hadn’t paid much attention before, but now, seeing the brand on the water dispenser, she was struck by how wealthy her landlord must be. Even the water dispenser was expensive, let alone all the other branded, custom-made furniture and distinctive decorations. For people like her and Lu Qi’an, with a monthly salary of just tens of thousands, buying such things on their own would be unthinkable.

With her picture book finished and most of her freelance projects wrapped up, Qin Miaoyu found herself with nothing to do. Glancing around at the slightly messy apartment—a result of her recent move—she started tidying up.

The more she cleaned, the more she marveled, and eventually, she felt puzzled: why would such a wealthy landlord care about a few thousand yuan in rent? With these luxury appliances, designer furniture, and unique decorations, why let someone else live here instead of keeping it for themselves?

Thinking of the other two apartments Xiao Liu had shown her, she realized their rental prices suddenly didn’t seem so unreasonable.

She shook her head, deciding to ask Lu Qi’an about this place later.

After finishing her chores and settling onto the sofa, Qin Miaoyu remembered to call her cousin, Chen Anxin. Lu Qi’an had previously mentioned he’d asked her cousin for help with the Liang Sixuan situation, but she didn’t know what her cousin had actually done.

“I asked some friends to keep an eye on the online marketing and public opinion, and then I fanned the flames a bit on the news about Liang Sixuan’s award. Plus, I have some good news,” Chen Anxin paused mischievously.

“Cousin, tell me quickly!” Qin Miaoyu urged.

“Liang Sixuan has already released the painting she was supposed to ‘win’ with. Some of her sharp-eyed fans noticed how similar her work is to yours and left comments. Even though the announcements have been taken down, the images have been preserved. Now, it’s up to Liang Sixuan to decide how she’ll respond.”