When Professor Gao mentioned this, Shen Wanqing recalled Bo Xichen’s car. She figured Mr. He felt awkward refusing, given how Bo Xichen was trying to win his favor with money. Actually, Mr. He came to Qingcheng entirely because of me, but I offended him that day. Now I have to apologize properly.
She believed that with her sincerity and talent, she could definitely win him over.
Shen Wanqing composed herself and immediately followed Professor Gao to Mr. He’s hotel. Upon arrival, Professor Gao called Mr. He, saying he had brought his student to offer their apologies.
Mr. He was slightly surprised but still agreed to see them. He felt he had to give Professor Gao some face due to their shared academic lineage.
Qin Siyuan came along as well, and the three of them went up together.
Sure enough, Mr. He was the middle-aged man she had seen at Zhenyuan the previous night. As a gesture of goodwill, Qin Siyuan presented an antique. Mr. He glanced at it and casually set it aside. "Young Master Qin, how can I accept this? I’ve done nothing to deserve such a gift."
Qin Siyuan, hailing from a good family and running his own company, handled the exchange with grace and tact.
Mr. He gave him a thoughtful look, then smiled. "I’ve long heard of young Master Qin. It’s true that meeting in person is better than just hearing reports."
Mr. He was being quite formal, so Qin Siyuan took it as mere pleasantries and offered a faint smile in return.
Professor Gao felt that today’s matter would be easy to resolve!
Shen Wanqing was overjoyed. It seemed the Qin family also held considerable prestige in Beicheng, for even a figure like Mr. He knew of them.
She glanced around Mr. He’s presidential suite, marveling inwardly. I heard this is the best suite in Qingcheng’s finest hotel, costing 8,888 yuan a night—more than my monthly rent!
Shen Wanqing felt a little self-conscious. Despite spending considerable time with Qin Siyuan and broadening her horizons, an insecurity stemming from her modest background made her timid in grand settings, always feeling like an outsider.
Now, however, Qin Siyuan’s presence had bolstered her standing. She smiled at him affectionately.
At that moment, Mr. He gently set down his teacup. "I also heard of him from a junior," he said. "She was always going on about ’Qin Siyuan, Qin Siyuan.’"
He paused briefly, then added meaningfully, "Though, she probably won’t be mentioning him anymore..."
This remark surprised the three of them.
Who could possibly know both Qin Siyuan and Mr. He? Bo Xichen? But Professor Bo wouldn’t be talking about Qin Siyuan all day. The very thought was unsettling. If not Professor Bo, then who?
Only Qin Siyuan felt a sudden lurch in his chest. He thought of someone... Yes, that person indeed wouldn’t be likely to mention him to others anymore. On his birthday, she’d had a car accident on her way to the banquet... She... she probably hated him more than anything.
As these thoughts surfaced, Qin Siyuan grew somber and fell silent.
Noticing his expression, Mr. He smiled faintly. "It seems young Master Qin has recalled an old acquaintance."
Despite Mr. He’s rather pointed hints, and though Qin Siyuan was stirred by them, he didn’t connect Gu Anxi with Mr. He. He’d always assumed Professor Bo had taken Gu Anxi to dine with Mr. He and hadn’t considered any other possibility.
Shen Wanqing, oblivious to all this, only saw that Mr. He and Qin Siyuan seemed to be hitting it off. She looked towards Professor Gao. This is his chance to push things forward.
Professor Gao understood. He then subtly brought up their request, and after speaking, looked at Mr. He.
Mr. He slowly turned his teacup, smiled at Shen Wanqing, and said, "The young lady’s foundational painting skills are quite solid. Diligence is commendable, but she’s a little lacking in innate talent."