Rebirth of an Idle Noblewoman

”Youʼve changed a lot,” said Shen Nianzhi as the eyed the well-dressed Luo Wenlang, as well as the brand-new car he arrived in. His face was confident and attractive, no longer the shade of drab gray that he once had. He now was completely the opposite of the boy whom she grew up with at the orphanage.

Luo Wenglang ordered a few dishes. ”Well, I guess you havenʼt seen Yao Jiamu then. Heʼs the one whoʼs changed a whole lot. Though, he has something to deal with today, he couldnʼt make it for tonight. Weʼll meet up someday in the future.”

Hearing Luo Wenlang say that intrigued Shen Nianzhi. She couldnʼt believe that so much had changed in the span of just a single month.

”Me and Yao Jiamu, are really lucky fellas,” said Luo Wenlang suddenly.

He and Yao Jiamu? Shen Nianzhi had no idea what he was talking about. Still, she didnʼt want to come off as being too intrusive. She was more worried about how to break the news to Mr. Sima.

What she didnʼt know was that a few days later, she would become another member of the ʼlucky fellasʼ Luo Wenlang spoke of.

***

After the meal, with mixed feelings, Shen Nianzhi arrived at the Sima family house.

”What did you say? She rejected the award?” Sima Jun could not believe his ears. He stood up immediately upon hearing that, splashing piping hot tea all over his body and the table. ”Are you absolutely certain that she said that?”

Shen Nianzhi nodded. ”Thatʼs right, she wants to remain anonymous.” With pursed lips, she continued. ”Would it be possible for us to return that painting to her?”

Mu Yunfan was sitting nearby. He had been waiting there since the afternoon when he heard Shen Nianzhi had gone off to find Gu Xiqiao. To his disappointment, despite waiting for such a long time, Shen Nianzhi came home empty-handed.

In just a split-second, a dejected look surfaced on his face. His heart sank like a boulder thrown into the ocean. Without saying a word more, he went upstairs to his study room at the center of which the oil painting of the village was hung.

Downstairs, Meng Yufan dug her nails into her palm as she lowered her gaze.

”Nianzhi, give me some time to process this situation.” Sima Jun let out a great big sigh. No one in the right state of mind could ever turn down an award at a Biennale, no matter which place it was being held at.

He could not comprehend just what sort of person could stand so firmly in the face of such great rewards. Countless people threw themselves at Sima Junʼs feet, begging to be accepted as his apprentice. It was acceptable that she turned down such an opportunity. But the Biennale award? That was some next level stuff.

Was she still sane? After all, this award was like the icing on a cake; nothing bad could ever come out of accepting it.

Shen Nianzhi walked out the door in silence after hearing what Sima Jun had to say. Loosening her grip, Meng Yufan rushed outside to catch up with Shen Nianzi. ”Shen Nianzhi, will you tell me who this For A Millenium person is?”

”Iʼm sorry but that is confidential.” Shen Nianzhi paused, turned around and shook her head. She recalled Gu Xiqiaoʼs despondent expression whenever she talked about the world of art. Maybe she really disliked this place?

And so, her lips remained tightly sealed.

”Canʼt you tell me that?” Meng Yufan laughed. Then, with a warm and gentle voice, she continued, ”There will be an art exhibition three days later in the Imperial Capital. Renowned artists from all over the world will be invited here. There appears to be three participants from B University. Did the dean of your faculty enter the exhibition in your stead?”

Shen Nianzhi knew what she wanted to say right after hearing Meng Yufanʼs words. This exhibition would be her first step into the oil painting industry. It was of extreme importance to her and Meng Yufan was threatening to take that chance away from her!

”Tell me who she is, and youʼll get your place in that exhibition. If you refuse, donʼt even think about entering any sort of exhibition from now on.” Meng Yufanʼs gaze at Shen Nianzi was mocking.

She was the daughter of the art facultyʼs dean. Not only that, she enjoyed a close relationship with Sima Jun. She could choose to go with either one and the outcome would be one and the same–Shen Nianzhi would be made a pariah of the art world. This was especially easy considering how little support Shen Nianzhi had They could breathe out effortlessly and sheʼd topple like a house of cards.