In an instant, something seemed to click in both their minds.
Lu Xiaoting: —He hadn’t actually seen Wen Qiansu buy this tie, but the coincidence was too striking.
Huo Zhanxing: —He hadn’t seen his baby gift this tie to the scumbag, but the coincidence was too striking.
However, Huo Zhanxing’s gaze swept over Lu Xiaoting’s tie.
Tsk, it was a lower grade than his.
In his baby’s heart, he was still more important than the scumbag.
A triumphant smile curled at the corner of Huo Zhanxing’s lips.
With his noble status, he gave a slight nod to the crowd, who immediately stepped forward to exchange pleasantries.
Huo Zhanxing responded with a faint acknowledgment.
Then, his gaze swept over Lu Xiaoting with interest. “So this must be Mr. Lu. I’ve heard so much about you. Seeing you in person is even better than hearing your name.”
It was all polite talk in the business world, and no one took it seriously.
But everyone felt that Mr. Huo seemed particularly interested in Mr. Lu?
Mr. Lu’s reputation truly was impressive.
Lu Xiaoting gritted his teeth slightly. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Huo. You live up to your reputation as well.”
Huo Zhanxing: “Oh? What have you heard about me?”
Lu Xiaoting: …
Everyone: …What else could it be? Mad, perverted, black-hearted, ruthless—nothing good, really.
But who would dare say that?
The atmosphere grew inexplicably awkward.
Some clueless show-off pointed out:
“Hey, Mr. Huo and Mr. Lu’s ties are from the same brand. What a coincidence.”
Everyone clearly felt the temperature around Lu Xiaoting drop by several degrees.
That person: …Wh-what? Did he say something wrong?
He was just trying to lighten the mood!
Everyone shook their heads helplessly: Everyone noticed it, but you had to be the one to say it. Does Mr. Lu not care about his pride?
Lu Xiaoting’s expression darkened.
Huo Zhanxing, however, showed no embarrassment about the matching ties. Instead, he glanced at Lu Xiaoting’s tie with interest.
He remarked meaningfully, “It seems Mr. Lu and I share similar tastes.”
Wen Sisi stared at the tie on Huo Zhanxing’s chest, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
Femo!
How could it be Femo?!
Impossible, it couldn’t be such a coincidence. Wen Qiansu’s secret man couldn’t possibly be Huo Zhanxing!
How could a man like Huo Zhanxing ever be interested in Wen Qiansu?
She had been following the Huo family for so long and hadn’t even managed to run into Huo Zhanxing once. How did Wen Qiansu get involved with him?
It must just be a coincidence!
Unless she saw it with her own eyes, she would never believe it!
The live stream viewers were going wild!
【Ahhh, Mr. Huo is so handsome, so handsome!】
【Oh my god, what kind of divine face is this? I’m about to faint!】
【Broad shoulders, long legs, and a face that looks expensive—I’m mesmerized!】
【Isn’t his waist expensive too? I want to hug it!】
【Femo, the choice of a domineering CEO. You deserve it.】
Femo had no idea that it had unexpectedly trended on social media due to this incident—truly an unexpected delight.
Wen Biesheng also hadn’t expected the legendary head of the Huo family to be so young.
He seemed quite amiable? Not as sinister and ruthless as the rumors suggested?
The opening ceremony was about to begin.
Ms. Zhu from the Art Association was the guide for the tour.
She said, “Mr. Huo, you’ve arrived just in time. I was about to take everyone on a tour. Would you like to join us?”
Huo Zhanxing: “Sure.”
The number of viewers in the live stream skyrocketed.
They were all here to admire Mr. Huo’s breathtakingly handsome face.
Huo Zhanxing stood before a painting. “This painting is quite unique.”
Ms. Zhu: “Mr. Huo is quite the connoisseur.”
“I dare not claim expertise, merely a superficial understanding.”
That was Wen Qiansu’s painting.
Her brushwork carried the essence of Song Dynasty painting.
The vast wilderness, the sweeping snow—both realistic and impressionistic.
In the strokes of ink, one could feel the deep struggle of the painter, yet also an endless burst of hope.
Huo Zhanxing couldn’t help but recall the young girl who had once spent three years recuperating in the countryside.
In her past life, her paintings were filled with despair.
In this life, she had found hope.
Huo Zhanxing stared at the painting for a long time.
Teacher Zhu glanced at him: “Mr. Huo, do you like this painting?”
Huo Zhanxing tilted his head slightly and smiled: “I heard this painting was created by Mr. Wen’s daughter and even won an international award. I wonder if Miss Wen is here today?”
A certain attention-seeker once again worked miracles, pointing at Wen Sisi: “She’s here, she’s here, right here.”
Netizens in the livestream: 【Oh my, this painting was painted by Wen Sisi?!】
【Oh my god, oh my god, how is my Sisi so low-key? An international award, and she didn’t even promote it?】
【What is her studio doing? Can’t they pay a little more attention to Sisi?】
【I’m serious, I’m crying, I only found out today that my Sisi is actually a hidden master painter. Wuwu, how can Sisi be so outstanding yet so humble!】
Huo Zhanxing tilted his head, his handsome and sharp features turning toward Wen Sisi: “Did you paint this?”
“I…”
Wen Sisi really, really wanted to show off in front of the legendary Mr. Huo.
But she had never studied painting.
Faced with the man’s gaze, she didn’t even dare to lie and claim it as her own.
Yet Huo Zhanxing seemed convinced she was Miss Wen, saying: “Miss Wen, could you tell me about this painting?”
【Yes, yes, Sisi, speak boldly!】
【You’re so talented, how can your brilliance be buried!】
Wen Sisi couldn’t say a word.
Huo Zhanxing: “What? It’s not your painting?”
“I…”
Wen Sisi felt as if she had been stripped bare, gritting her teeth as she said: “Mr. Huo misunderstood, it’s not my painting.”
【What does that mean, it’s not Wen Sisi’s painting?】
【It’s not hers at all. I just looked it up—the artist of this painting is Wen Qiansu, not Wen Sisi!】
【Wen Qiansu? Who’s that? Also surnamed Wen?】
“Oh? Does Mr. Wen have another daughter?” Huo Zhanxing’s voice was calm as he looked at Wen Biesheng.
Wen Biesheng remembered now.
Not long ago, Wen Qiansu had indeed won an award.
The Art Association had even called him, urging him to display the painting in their gallery.
He recalled the girl looking at him with anticipation, hoping for his praise.
But it was just a painting…
Wen Biesheng said calmly: “Yes, my daughter is rather ordinary, so I wouldn’t want to embarrass Mr. Huo.”
Huo Zhanxing: “I’d actually like to meet Miss Wen.”
Teacher Zhu chimed in: “By the way, wasn’t there supposed to be an interview with Little Wen today? Is Little Wen here?”
This was a gallery collaborating with the city government.
The city government naturally hoped Huo Zhanxing would get involved. If he were willing to invest, his contribution would outweigh ten others.
The leader gave Wen Biesheng a meaningful look.
Wen Biesheng’s expression darkened.
In the end, he relented: “I’ll have someone call her over right away. Mr. Huo, please come this way to view the exhibition.”
Huo Zhanxing nodded: “Very well.”
Wen Biesheng had someone call Wen Qiansu, telling her to come immediately.
Wen Qiansu was at a Hanfu shop.
Meng Xiuxiu’s family shop was called “Zhao Xi.”
Wen Qiansu liked it very much.
The shop was run by Xiuxiu and her grandfather.
The shop was not large.
Yet every piece was a treasure.
Luxurious garments, jewelry, each one custom-made by hand.
Wen Qiansu studied artifact restoration and often worked with ancient objects. She had occasionally visited the old master’s shop before.
Back then, she had noticed that the craftsmanship in the old master’s shop was profoundly ancient and luxurious.
It was as if artisans from ancient times had come to life right before her eyes.
Unfortunately, genuine Chinese-style luxury items came with a hefty price tag, and business at the old master’s shop was not thriving.
Meng Xiuxiu was taking Wen Qiansu’s measurements.
Upon hearing from Miss Wen that she not only wanted to commission a custom engagement dress but also wished to fund their shop and support the development of traditional craftsmanship, Meng Xiuxiu was moved to tears.
“Sister Wen, don’t worry. Little Xiu will absolutely tailor the most beautiful luxurious dress for you, one that will stun everyone at the event!”
Outside the screen, Old Master Meng remained silent.
Wen Qiansu stretched out her slender arms and turned her delicate waist, voicing her concern:
“With pure handcrafted customization and only eight days left until the engagement, will there be enough time?”
“If it’s rushed, it would be a waste of such a treasure.”
The girl’s voice was soft, gentle, and sincere.
“I didn’t come to you out of vanity. I genuinely want to see our country’s traditional artworks flourish.”
Outside the screen, the old master’s expression softened slightly.
In truth, he had been observing the girl since she entered the shop.
If she were like those ignorant buyers from the Lu family, he would never have agreed to make her a dress, let alone accept her investment.
After her measurements were taken, Wen Qiansu stepped out from behind the screen.
The old master spoke up: “Miss Wen, please rest assured. This old man still has over a dozen apprentices.”
“Although they have left me to pursue their own paths,”
“I will swallow my pride and ask them to return for this task. We will definitely finish the work for you on time.”
Wen Qiansu felt touched.
And a surge of excitement.
She clenched her fist, determined to plan meticulously and make Zhaoxi Hanfu an instant success.
She would go home right away and start drafting the plan!
Huo Residence.
Wen Qiansu was sprawled over the desk, writing her plan, with her phone nearby—answered by Shu Fei on speakerphone.
Without looking up, Wen Qiansu asked in her soft, sweet voice, “Who is it?”
“Miss, this is Secretary Li. The chairman wants you to come to the art gallery immediately.”
Wen Qiansu’s heart tightened.
Did Wen Biesheng even remember he had a daughter?
He had driven her out on a stormy night, and now, after all these days, he finally remembered her?
Wasn’t he afraid she might have died out there?
Even if she had died, he wouldn’t have cared.
“I’m not going.”
The girl pursed her lips, her face cold as she spoke.
Shu Fei quickly hung up the call.
Secretary Li’s heart skipped a beat, and he called again.
No answer.
Secretary Li hurried over to report quietly.
In front of everyone, with so many people watching and the live stream broadcasting,
Wen Biesheng’s face turned extremely grim. He strode to the side and dialed the number himself.
Shu Fei glanced at her young mistress, who was buried in her writing.
Alright, blocked.
Enraged, Wen Biesheng ordered Secretary Li to find a new number to call.
Connected.
“Wen Qiansu! Are you deliberately ignoring my calls? Do you even respect me as your father anymore?”
Shu Fei frowned and raised her hand to hang up.
But the phone was snatched away by the girl.
Wen Qiansu: “Have you ever treated me as your daughter?”
Wen Biesheng: “I don’t have time for nonsense. Get to the art gallery right now, immediately! You know the address!”
Such an arrogant tone.
Wen Qiansu’s heart sank into an icy abyss, her fingers gripping the phone so tightly they turned white. Her face was cold as she said, “Are you begging me?”