---
Lin Yue stared at Mo Yuwei, her eyes wide in disbelief. Mo Yuwei simply smiled, her calmness a stark contrast to the whirlwind inside Lin Yue's chest. What on earth was going on?
Master Bai, the soft-spoken and scholarly painter known for his gentle demeanor, suddenly cleared his throat.
He was the famous professor and honorary dean from Zhongwen University's Fine Arts Faculty.
"Miss Lin," he began, smiling like a kidnapper, "you look rather young… may I ask if you're currently in university?"
Lin Yue blinked, still trying to compose herself. She shook her head slightly. "No… I'm not."
The man's eyes lit up. "Even better! Then allow me to welcome you to Zhongwen University's Fine Arts Faculty. Any condition you name—granted! I will personally see to it that it's fulfilled." His voice had risen with excitement.
The other three masters looked at him like he was some enemy.
"Old Bai, we're talking about artistic associations here, not poaching students," Master Lu said, folding his arms.
Master Fu nodded. "You can offer her a position in your university later. Right now, we're asking her to consider joining our associations." He added glaring at Master Lu, "No, my association."
"She hasn't agreed to join your association." Master Lu glared back.
Lin Yue took a slow breath and looked at them all.
Despite their titles and reputations, they were all staring at her like she held the key to some artistic treasure vault.
Still, she lifted her chin and answered with composure,"I really appreciate the offers, but for now… I won't be joining any association or organization."
Master Bai's eyes sparkled with hope, until she continued.
"I'll be studying soon."
"Ah! So you will be studying art?" he asked eagerly.
She shook her head again. "No… I'll be studying Law."
There was a stunned silence.
"Law?" someone whispered.
A few gasps followed.
The art masters all exchanged looks of utter confusion like someone had thrown cold water on them.
"Law? But what about painting?" Master Fu asked.
Lin Yue nodded gently."I'll continue painting too. Just not full-time."
There was a beat of silence before Master Lu nodded in admiration. "Such drive. Art and law? You're more impressive than we imagined."
Master Lu's eyebrows rose in admiration. "How old are you, child?"
"Twenty."
Another ripple of surprise and admiration swept through the men and crowd.
It was rare to find such ambition wrapped in humility.
"A good head on your shoulders," Master Lu said. "I respect that."
---
As the group turned toward the paintings displayed in the gallery, the atmosphere shifted back to business and art.
Their appreciative murmurs filled the room.
One by one, the men stepped closer to the canvases, taking their time as if they were standing in front of national treasures.
"Are these for sale?" someone asked casually.
Lin Yue hesitated, then gave a small nod.
"Really?" A delighted chorus followed, and in an instant, the grandmasters began pointing at their chosen pieces.
Two men, however, locked eyes near the center painting—an elegant and haunting piece titled Midnight Ink Blossoms.
The tones were dark, yet soft, the delicate brushwork hinting at sorrow and quiet strength.
"I want this," Master Fu said firmly.
"So do I," Master Lu replied, narrowing his eyes.
Lin Yue blinked, watching the two men go from praising the artwork to glaring at each other.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as the two renowned figures squared off.
Guests froze mid-conversation.
Reporters turned their cameras.
The two older men stood inches apart, puffing out their chests like stubborn boys.
"I was about to pick that one. It's a masterpiece." Master Lu said.
"Me too."
"Miss Lin," Master Fu glared at him and then called out. "Please decide. Who gets it?"
Lin Yue turned desperately toward Mo Yuwei, but her friend just grinned at her and cheekily poked her tongue out.
Their bodyguards exchanged looks of mutual embarrassment.
The guests felt secondhand awkwardness from the public meltdown of two cultural icons as they were unsure whether to leave or stay or laugh.
Lin Yue sighed, walked up to the painting, and gently lifted it off the stand. "Then... I'll keep it."
The two old men looked scandalized.
Master Lu scoffed. " Old Fu, I've already left the capital for you. What do you mean now? Why are you trying to steal art from my district?"
"Exactly! That's why I need it more!" Master Fu argued, grabbing the painting from Lin Yue's hands with a quick snatch. "You can visit her studio every week. I can't."
Master Lu glared at him, too stunned to respond.
"Shameless!"
But Master Fu grinned triumphantly. "I'm taking it."
"You—!" Master Lu's voice rose before he grumbled something under his breath.
Lin Yue stood between them, stunned into silence. The two masters had officially tossed aside their dignity.
"Miss Lin, your account number?" Master Fu asked, as if nothing dramatic had just happened.
She quickly rattled it off, dazed as she watched Master Fu walk away smugly with four paintings, while Master Lu held onto three.
She hadn't expected to sell this many, all.
She hadn't even priced them.
But before she could say anything, Master Li stepped in.
"How much for each?"
"They're gifts," she said quickly. "Thank you all for coming."
After them coming to her small gallery, how could she make them pay?
"Unacceptable," Master Bai frowned. "This is a business opening, not a tea party. We're not freeloaders."
With that, the masters signaled their assistants and bodyguards to begin the transfers.
Notifications pinged on her phone one after another but she doesn't look at them.
She turns to the Masters who are looking at their paintings while Master Lu is glaring at the painting in Master Fu's hand and smiled politely. "Masters, I've prepared a small lunch… Would you all stay and join us?"
Master Fu waved his hand with a sigh. "Ah, we'd love to, but there are still meetings waiting for this old man."
"I'll definitely come visit again," Master Bai said with a wink. "There's no way I'm letting such talent slip through my fingers."
"Miss Lin," Master Li stepped forward with a warm expression. "Think about being my student. It won't interfere with your law studies—I promise."
"Pfft. What do you know?" Master Fu rolled his eyes. "Yue girl, you can join us even if you're too busy to attend every time. Just having your name on our records is enough."
Master Lu snorted and shoved the others aside, nearly knocking Master Fu's hat off. "Consider mine too! You don't need to come to meetings at all. Just paint!"
Before Lin Yue could respond, the three men stuffed their elegant gold-embossed cards into her hands, glaring at each other like children fighting over candy, then stormed off dramatically in different directions.
The other Masters left too promising to visit.
---
Lin Yue stood there speechless, clutching the stack of prestige in her palm as the guests look at each other amused.
One friendly-looking lady walked toward Lin Yue with a warm smile. "Miss Lin, would you be willing to paint a traditional portrait for my mother?"
"I'd be honoured," Lin Yue replied, bowing.
Among the small group of familiar faces from her previous workplace, Zhizhi walked over, dressed simply but smiling wide.
"Yueyue, you're glowing today."
Lin Yue smiled back. "Zhizhi, I didn't expect to see you. How have you been?"
"I've been okay. You?"
"I'm... surprisingly good."
They laughed, hugging each other.
After a round of heartfelt congratulations, Lin Yue clapped her hands together. "Everyone, thank you so much for coming. Since the masters have left, how about I treat the rest of you to lunch?"
Cheers followed, but Chen Linfei checked his watch. "Lin Yue, I have something to do at the company."
"Just a quick meal," she insisted. "We'll head to the nearby hotel. It's the least I can do."
They began walking, chatting, laughter filling the air. Mo Yuwei was beside her, as they chatted.
Chen Linfei followed since his wife was going too.
The gallery workers remained behind, clearing up the decorations, but most of the art had already been taken.
Walking toward the restaurant with Chen Linfei and Mo Yuwei at her side, Lin Yue finally took a moment to breathe.
She reached into her clutch and pulled out her phone.
She checked her notifications—and froze.
---