Chapter 21 Everyone knows that he looks down on Qin Tian

She didn't see a satisfactory expression on his face, but that didn't matter; he was good at pretending. She didn't believe he could remain calm right now. She continued, "I asked for your museum's internal catalog, bought two artifacts from eBay, sent them to your home, and then you personally delivered them to China. Do you think your director would believe you were innocent if he knew about this?"

Tong Zhongyuan's expression had indeed changed. She had actually had a vague impression of him being cold-hearted back in England, but he never looked cold. He always wore a faint smile. This was something she couldn't imagine, nor had she ever imagined, what a cold face he could have. Now she knew how chilling it could be when his proud face completely cooled. His eyes were devoid of any warmth as he gazed down at her indifferently.

His expression was like a cold current, swiftly flowing through her heated mind. For a moment, she suddenly felt a surge of regret, but she was in a difficult position. She could only continue, "Actually, as long as you're willing to keep the restoration technology in China, no matter who you want to teach it to, I will never tell anyone about this. Even if the investigation really leads to you, I will prove your innocence for you."

After she finished her last word, she wanted Tong Zhongyuan to express his stance, to give in, to negotiate. However, Tong Zhongyuan's expression and posture remained unchanged, and he continued to stare at her with cold eyes.

Regret was like a drop of ink dropped into water, quickly dissolving and staining the clearness black. Under his oppressive silence, she gradually became confused and nervous. She didn't dare to look him in the eye again and began to look for a way down.

"Or if you really don't want to, just open the door. It's her luck that Song Suiyang can see through it. Do you think this will work?"

After she said this, she completely lost her temper and cooled down. She thought to herself, "Sorry, I can't." Even a simple "Sorry, I can't" wouldn't be more oppressive than this silence. Perhaps Tong Zhongyuan heard the voice in her heart and finally spoke. He said three words.

"You're dreaming."

Tang Zhixu ate dinner in the staff cafeteria, then returned home to practice calligraphy as usual. Qin Tian wasn't the only one who thought he lived a carefree life, earning money with every painting he made. Few would have guessed that he'd been writing at least one piece of calligraphy daily, two a week, since childhood. And it was only in the past three years that his calligraphy and paintings began to command a high price.

One should cultivate a pure mind in this way. One should not cultivate a mind based on form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharma. One should cultivate a mind without dwelling on anything.

He had already written down the classic verses from the Diamond Sutra a thousand times. But he had no affinity or heart for the Buddha, so writing more was useless. He tossed his pen aside.

While showering, his phone rang several times. After drying his hair, he opened it and saw it was from Qin Tian. She sent an emoji of herself running and crying: "I did something stupid again."

Tang Zhixu smiled helplessly. She had done so many stupid things. Every time she got carried away, she realized how stupid she was and would do it again.

He lay down on the sofa with his phone and replied, "Tell me about it."

Qin Tian looked at these four words and scratched her head again. How should she say it? She didn't even know where to start. She replied, "Forget it. I'll tell you when I have the chance."

Tang Zhixu looked at the words in silence. If he hadn't said it, why had he provoked him? Now he was the one who was upset. What kind of stupid thing had made her want to share it? But it was obvious that her stupidity was probably related to Tong Zhongyuan. Even having a meal with him could make her do stupid things. It seemed that all her recent mistakes were blamed on him.

He tapped his finger on the phone a few times: "I won't tolerate you like this. Let's meet and talk tomorrow. I'll be happy too."

After waiting for a while, she gave him a bitter look.

"All right."

Qin Tian got up early, washed her hair, and changed into a beige dress. From today on, she didn't want to dress casually every day.

Last night, Tong Zhongyuan said those three words and left without looking back. She stood there for a long time, feeling lost. She couldn't explain her feelings. Her harsh words were meant to anger him, and he was indeed angry. But she didn't feel the pleasure she had expected, but instead felt empty. Reason was returning. Initially, she had just wanted him to teach her skills to Shangbo, and since it was a request, there was a possibility of rejection. Why did she become like this later?

She wandered through the brilliant lights of Lujiazui. That man should have made it back to the hotel safely by now. She wondered if he'd be too worried about his future to sleep tonight.

Her last thought before falling asleep was that she should explain and apologize tomorrow.

She bought two cups of coffee on the way and brought them to the museum. Tong Zhongyuan always came early, but he was not there today. Qin Tian thought about it and put the coffee on his repair table. He would be able to see it as soon as he came, and he would definitely guess that it was her who bought it. He could also guess her willingness to reconcile by buying this cup of coffee.

Tang Zhixu was in the tea room, listening to Qin Tian grab her hair as she finished her story. From the cameras to the requests to the threats, and the matter of the courier that she had never mentioned before.

He sometimes wondered why she was always getting into trouble, so impulsive and reckless. He'd initially resisted Ming Yuanxing's pairing him with Qin Tian, ​​tying them together across the world. His girlfriend constantly argued with him about it. One time, unable to bear it any longer, he went to Ming Yuanxing and told him he couldn't take it anymore. If things continued like this, he and his girlfriend would break up. Ming Yuanxing disbanded their group. Ming Yuanxing offered both Qin Tian and him jobs with less travel, but Qin Tian refused, insisting on gaining experience. The other members of his group all had families, so who could afford to be away for months at a time like her? He, on the other hand, lived a quiet life, painting and writing, returning from his occasional business trips for only a day or two. His girlfriend felt he spent too much time on calligraphy and painting. Dreams are dreams, reality is reality, and after graduation, one has to accept it. So many people are skilled in calligraphy and Chinese painting, but how many can actually paint? She advised him to spend his time exploring new circles; after all, his work would allow him to meet many true masters. It would be a great benefit to get one or two pieces of calligraphy.

During a business trip, Qin Tian found a piece of pure and warm high-quality Shoushan stone. She carved a seal and gave it to him to thank him for taking care of her during that time.

He still remembered the cold winter of that year, with Shanghai experiencing a rare heavy snowfall. He painted a picture of plum blossoms. He then pressed the seal Qin Tian had given him onto the painting. The bright red ink hadn't yet dried, and her seal carving skills were far less advanced than they are today. But those five simple characters, like her, were imprinted on his painting of plum blossoms. "Everything comes from the heart," she had carved the five-character seal.

He told his girlfriend he still wanted to return to his old job. She wondered if it was because of that woman. He said no, but she didn't believe him. Not long after, they broke up. After the breakup, she spread rumors among their mutual friends that he'd cheated on her with a female colleague. He offered no explanation, and within three months, he had a new girlfriend. His new girlfriend was stylish and had a great figure, and his friends no longer teased him about the rumored female colleague.

"Actually, this can't be entirely blamed on me. I begged him like that." Qin Tian finished speaking.

Tang Zhixu spun the cup and grinned, "You're really capable. This is a way of asking for help that most people wouldn't think of. What about the express delivery? I haven't heard you mention it."

"I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, so I only told Director Ming. Those two artifacts are now with the eleven from before. Please send them back to England as soon as possible." Qin Tian said with a bitter face, "Tell me the truth, would you be furious too?"

"I wouldn't go crazy, I'll just throw away the coffee you gave me."

"Not really. He's not you. He's not such a stingy person."

"..." Tang Zhixu raised his eyes and looked at her, "Qin Tian, ​​I always say that you don't see the difference between men, but you don't believe me. I'm stingy, and he's generous. As for Tong Zhongyuan, if he just threw your coffee, it would be the most generous thing."

"You don't know him." Qin Tian grumbled, lowering his head. "He's a little distant, but he actually has a good temper."

"Okay, I don't understand, but you do." Tang Zhixu didn't want to remind her, but couldn't help it. "You had a chance to succeed. The right way to approach someone like him is to be sweet and flattering."

"Sweet talk? How sweet?"

Tang Zhixu ignored her and left with the cup of water.

Tong Zhongyuan walked into the empty restoration room and opened the door to see a cup of coffee on the table. He picked it up indifferently and threw it into the trash. Then he put on his glasses and began to repair the rotating vase.