By half past nine, the call from Professor Gao finally came through. Shen Wanqing picked it up, her teeth chattering. "Professor Gao, how are things with Mr. He?"
Professor Gao sounded quite apologetic. "Wanqing, I’m really sorry. I didn’t organize this well. Mr. He has had too much to drink and might not be up for entertaining. Let’s do it another day!"
Shen Wanqing was utterly disappointed, but since it was Professor Gao on the other end, she forced herself to sound cheerful. "Okay, thank you, Professor Gao."
Professor Gao sounded genuinely concerned for her. "It’s a good thing I called early. Wanqing, you haven’t left yet, have you?"
Shen Wanqing, shivering from the cold, replied, "No, I haven’t left yet. Thank you, Professor Gao."
After hanging up, she stared blankly into the dark night. After a long moment, she murmured, "Siyuan, let’s wait here. Perhaps Mr. He will come out later, and when he sees me holding the painting, he might recognize me."
Perhaps Mr. He will be moved!
Qin Siyuan frowned, thinking Shen Wanqing was being a little too persistent. He was about to say something when two people emerged from the private room ahead. As they approached, Qin Siyuan’s gaze tightened slightly—
It was Gu Anxi and Bo Xichen.
At this moment, a man’s coat was draped over Gu Anxi’s shoulders, hanging loosely and making her look especially slender and delicate. Bo Xichen gently had an arm around her shoulder, giving the illusion that Gu Anxi was nestled in his embrace.
Perhaps... it wasn’t an illusion...
Qin Siyuan’s fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles almost seemed to shatter.
Shen Wanqing was also stunned. She hadn’t expected to encounter Gu Anxi here. As Gu Anxi approached, Shen Wanqing instinctively tried to conceal the painting.
But Gu Anxi had still seen it. Her gaze fell on Shen Wanqing’s face, a hint of a cold sneer playing on her lips.
Stung by that sneer, Shen Wanqing lifted her chin and asked, "Gu Anxi, what are you doing in a place ?"
Gu Anxi stopped, a half-smile playing on her lips. "Having dinner! Or is it that Student Shen and Senior Qin can come here for other purposes, while I can’t?"
Shen Wanqing’s expression changed instantly. Qin Siyuan couldn’t help but frown. "Gu Anxi, why must you be so caustic!"
Gu Anxi lowered her gaze. "Caustic? Senior Qin, your choice of words is truly excellent. I think..." She enunciated each word slowly, "the phrase ’self-deception’ suits Senior Qin even better."
Qin Siyuan took a step forward, his voice cold. "Gu Anxi!"
Bo Xichen moved to partially shield Gu Anxi and said softly, "Gu Anxi is my guest. Young Master Qin, if you target Gu Anxi, you are targeting me."
Qin Siyuan was about to lash out, but for some reason, he forcefully suppressed his anger.
A chilling light glinted in Bo Xichen’s ice-blue eyes, which remained fixed on Qin Siyuan’s face. Then, he put his arm around Gu Anxi’s shoulder and said in a warm, gentle voice, "Let’s go."
Gu Anxi neither spoke nor struggled, allowing Bo Xichen to lead her away. Her slender back seemed to fit perfectly into his protective hold.
Qin Siyuan stood ramrod straight, his gaze like ice.
Shen Wanqing wanted to say something, but though her lips moved, not a single word came out.
Just then, Mr. He emerged from the private room. He had been the one to let the young couple leave first; with such a romantic, moonlit atmosphere, he, an old man, didn’t want to be a third wheel.
As he passed Shen Wanqing, Mr. He paused, his gaze falling on the painting in her hands, then shifting to the young woman’s face.
Shen Wanqing was in a foul mood. She said arrogantly, "What are you looking at me for?"
Mr. He seemed to recall something his junior colleague had mentioned. He looked at the painting again, then shook his head. "Young lady, this painting of yours... it seems to be lacking a bit of artistic conception!"