Just after finishing the meal and walking out of the restaurant, Gu Qimiao’s phone rang, and it was actually Lu Qianwen calling.
She hesitated for a few seconds before answering: "Sister Wen."
Lu Qianwen’s voice on the other end was as friendly as usual: "Miaomiao, do you have some time at noon? Could you come to my house for a bit?"
"What’s the matter? Is something wrong?"
"I want to frame a painting in the room and I’d like you to paint it. I want to talk to you about it."
Gu Qimiao pondered over it for a moment. After all, going back would mean studying software, and she had studied the whole morning, making her head spin. It might be better to sneak out for some lazy time. Anyway, it was for the store’s business — Fang Shaobei couldn’t blame her for skipping work.
She asked Sister Mei to go back and inform Fang Shaobei, then she went directly to Lu Qianwen’s house.
The last time she came here was for a birthday banquet; there were too many people, so she hadn’t looked carefully. But now, looking around, she once again clearly felt the wealth of the Lu family.
Lu Qianwen might have already informed the butler that she was coming. Just as she reached the gate, the butler warmly welcomed her and led her upstairs.
Lu Qianwen was on the open-air balcony on the second floor, sitting on a swing chair and basking in the sun. Upon seeing Gu Qimiao, she immediately smiled warmly, pulling Gu Qimiao to sit on the sofa by the rail. She asked, "Miaomiao, what do you like to drink?"
Gu Qimiao smiled awkwardly: "Anything is fine."
Then Lu Qianwen asked the butler, "Two glasses of fresh orange juice."
After that, Lu Qianwen opened an album in front of Gu Qimiao, displaying her artistic portraits, which were beautifully taken.
"These were taken when I went to France some time ago. I want to pick one to be painted into an oil painting to hang in my room. I looked at your portfolio and found your oil paintings quite beautiful, so I wanted to ask you to help me decide which one is the most suitable."
Gu Qimiao flipped through it; the album was quite thick and it was clear that a lot of money had been spent on these.
During this time, the butler instructed someone to bring over the drinks. Gu Qimiao earnestly looked through the album and discussed with Lu Qianwen for a while, settling on a photo in European court attire.
Lu Qianwen glanced sideways at a car driving in and said to Gu Qimiao, "Miaomiao, I’m going downstairs to have a look. Wait for me here."
After Lu Qianwen left, Gu Qimiao dared to openly look around. This comfortable open-air balcony had always been her ideal spot. If she could paint in such a place, it would be absolute enjoyment. However, her financial situation was nothing compared to Lu Qianwen’s.
She was leaning over the railing, looking at the scenery when she heard footsteps behind her and thought it was Lu Qianwen’s return. But turning around, she was immediately flustered.
It was Lu Jinxi! She almost forgot that this was also Lu Jinxi’s home.
Lu Jinxi walked straight towards her, making her subtly retreat two steps to the other side.
He also stopped in his tracks, his gaze much calmer than before, no longer calling her ’Yinyin’: "Miaomiao..."
Gu Qimiao looked at him, her eyes fleeting towards the glass door on the balcony, showing an expression of trying to find a way to leave.
Lu Jinxi took another step forward and said, "I’ve always wanted to find you but didn’t dare to. I don’t want to make you uneasy."
Gu Qimiao stared at him and repeated that sentence: "I am really not the person you are looking for. I am sure I didn’t know you before."
Lu Jinxi lowered his gaze momentarily and then looked at her again: "Don’t rush to deny it. I want to show you something, and maybe after seeing it, you won’t say that anymore."