Just as Gu Anxi was pondering, Shen Wanqing lifted her chin lightly. "Unfortunately, Uncle Qin will be going to Beicheng next month, intending to secure a new painting by Luo Lin."
Lin Qi immediately started gushing, "Yes, yes, securing a Luo Lin painting signifies high status! Apart from the Qin family, no one else in Qingcheng has this ability."
Chu Yan burst out laughing. "Didn’t you just say that Shen Wanqing is more talented than Luo Lin? Shouldn’t Shen Wanqing’s artwork be in higher demand? Why would the Qin family even need to go to an auction? Wouldn’t it be enough to just have Miss Shen paint a few more pieces for them to hang?"
When it came to verbal sparring, Chu Yan was truly unbeatable.
Lin Qi pouted and fell silent.
Shen Wanqing, however, had other plans. Her main focus now wasn’t on Gu Anxi, but on how to increase her own value.
Upon learning Luo Lin was making a comeback, she immediately sought out Professor Gao, who guided her.
Luo Lin’s comeback would undoubtedly generate immense buzz. If they spent some money to slip Shen Wanqing’s painting into the event, then a bit more to inflate its price, and followed up with press releases claiming she outshone Luo Lin, a center-stage debut would be a natural outcome.
Professor Gao’s strategy was truly brilliant, and the Qin family wholeheartedly agreed.
The Qin family was eager to expand their business into Beicheng, and this presented a perfect opportunity.
On one hand, they would bid high for Luo Lin’s work; on the other, they would promote Shen Wanqing. With this dual-pronged approach, the Qin family would gain renown in Beicheng, making future business dealings much smoother. It was said that Beicheng’s elite circles highly valued cultured discussions, so Qin Han would have to feign enthusiasm, even if he felt none.
The plan was thus settled, but it still lacked a crucial spark. It lacked Elder He! If Elder He would just nod in agreement and say a few good words for Wanqing, the resulting buzz would multiply severalfold. Imagine Shen Wanqing and Luo Lin competing on the same stage—what a spectacle that would be! The Qin family planned to price Shen Wanqing’s painting higher than Luo Lin’s. Then, they would issue another press release establishing her dominance... This maneuver, though risky, could make her infamously famous.
What Shen Wanqing truly wanted was the buzz, the fame, and a status that matched the Qin family.
「After school that afternoon, she went to see Professor Gao.」
Professor Gao sternly criticized her, saying she had been too impetuous and had offended Elder He, who now didn’t even want to see Professor Gao himself.
Although they were fellow disciples under the same master, Professor Gao was merely a moderately well-known professor, while Elder He was a renowned master. The disparity between them was considerable, and Professor Gao usually didn’t dare to overly presume on his status as Elder He’s junior fellow disciple.
After the criticism, he sighed. "Forget it. You’re young and inexperienced. How about this: I’ll take you to his hotel to find him and see if Elder He is willing to meet you."
Shen Wanqing nodded, apologized sincerely, and then, as if asking casually, inquired, "Professor Gao, Professor Bo invited Elder He to dinner last night. What’s their relationship?"
Professor Gao didn’t seem too concerned. "Isn’t Professor Bo from Beicheng? Judging by the car he drives, his family must be quite well-off. Elder He probably had dinner with him out of consideration for his family’s connections."
He paused, then added as if remembering something, "Wasn’t it Director Lin from the General Bureau who pulled strings to get him into Qing University last time? I initially thought he was Gu Anxi’s relative, but now it seems he only came to Qing University to chase after some young woman. How frivolous!"
If it weren’t for Professor Bo’s acquaintance with Elder He, Professor Gao would have disdained associating with such a person.
Shen Wanqing smiled. "Then Professor Bo’s family must be very prominent."
"Not necessarily," Professor Gao chuckled. "He might just have a bit of money and is good at flattering Elder He, that’s all!"