330 An Invitation

Xia Chun had thought of going to Xia Fen directly, even if it might have come across as arrogant, but she feared how the latter would react, and for a good reason. The look Xia Fen had trained on her was cold and bloodthirsty.

Despite having been back for so long and eating from the same table, Xia Chun never dared to impose on Xia Fen more than she already had.

Xia Fen felt a little better seeing her once arrogant, overbearing sister cower like a turtle in her presence.

“Get out of my sight. I can’t promise I won’t do anything drastic if you stand before me again,” Xia Fen hissed icily, spinning on her heel.

In the study, Xia Nan and Bai Yu both sighed heavily. What happened to their obedient little girl who used to do as they asked of her?

Helpless, Xia Nan said, “Ah Chun, why don’t you try asking your sister again? We could not persuade her…”

Xia Chun nodded, appearing understanding but was inwardly dissatisfied with her parents’ soft stance. They could not even control her sister, letting her do as she wished and humiliating her in the process!

Xia Chun had no choice but to be the bearer of bad news. Jiang Xue’s expression soured as she listened. She did not want to give up such a good opportunity to network and climb the social ladder.

Jiang Xue suddenly thought of Xue Liu. Wasn’t Young Master Guan supposed to be obsessed with painting? With Xue Liu’s reputation, she might have received an invitation to the birthday banquet.

With that in mind, Jiang Xue sought Xue Liu the next morning, saying she needed some advice – a convenient excuse.

Jiang Xue copied a painting she had seen hung on the wall by Lu Shan. It took her five hours to reproduce the work from memory.

Over a break, Jiang Xue casually brought it up, asking, “Master, I was passing by the other day and noticed the castle-like hotel across the street putting up decorations. I don’t know what they were doing…”

Xue Liu sipped on her tea and said, “Oh, that. They’re getting ready for Old Master Guan’s birthday celebration. He was the former Chief of the Army, so security was very tight. It created a bit of a stir the other day.”

“It sounds like quite a big event. I’m sure many people will be attending. Do you know how many have been invited?” Jiang Xue tentatively broached the topic on her mind, not wanting to sound too eager.

“Old Master Guan was a high-ranking officer with plenty of influence in the government. Ye Long, the Old Madam of the Guan family, was a business tycoon. Her company had many subsidiaries and partners, and I’m sure there must be plenty more now. Naturally, the guest list would be extensive,” Xue Li answered.

“What I would give to have a chance to attend the party…” Jiang Xue observed Xue Liu’s expression as she spoke, adding a hint of yearning and envy, careful not to overdo things.

“Attending the party isn’t difficult. You can go on my behalf if you’d like. I’m getting on in age, and the festivities aren’t as agreeable now as they were when I was your age. Tell you what, I’ll ask my Senior Sister to take you with her. It would do you good to have some exposure.” Xue Liu smiled gently at Jiang Xue.

Jiang Xue, whose wish had been fulfilled, was overjoyed. Putting on her best show of innocent happiness, she responded gleefully, “You’d do that? I’m so lucky to have someone like you as a teacher!”

Xue Liu met Jiang Xue’s enthusiasm with a smile. It was nice having an enthusiastic student.

“Hmm… By the way, who taught you Chinese painting?” Xue Liu put down her cup, her interest piqued.

Jiang Xue, who had been rejoicing internally, was snapped out of her happy fugue by her teacher’s question. She did not want to reveal her connection to Lu Shan because she felt it was too degrading for her to have learned from a peasant woman.

Jiang Xue racked her brains and came up with the name ‘Lin Lu.’ Xue Liu seemed to have special feelings for that person. Perhaps they were old lovers; who could say?

“I don’t remember the exact name, but the person who taught me was surnamed, Lin. Everyone called them Teacher Lin.” Jiang Xue did her best to keep things vague. “I only learned a bit from them, so I can’t say much more. Teacher Lin disappeared soon after.”

Xue Liu nodded. No wonder Jiang Xue’s skills were all over the place, yet they still seemed to carry a certain bearing. It turned out she had only learned to paint recently. Still, that was not too bad.

“Do you still have your teacher’s contact information?” Xue Liu asked. She wanted to find Lin Lu and have another match.

Jiang Xue lowered her head and mumbled, “No. I briefly studied at a school and didn’t get their contact information. The school was torn down because they were operating without a license. Back then, the school did not even have a name.”

Jiang Xue did her best to head off any further questions from Xue Liu, not wanting to delve too deeply into the subject.

Xue Liu did not expect the turn of events and sighed. “That’s a pity. If Lin Lu had taught you a while longer, your skills might have been far beyond what they are today.”

After Jiang Xue bade farewell, Xue Liu took another look at Jiang Xue’s ink rose painting and found it wholly unsatisfactory. It would surely have been a masterpiece if Lin Lu had painted it.

Unfortunately, she had no way to contact them.

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