Chapter 66
Qi Jin's question, "Busy?" was like a small piece of ice falling into warm water. It didn't make much of a fuss, but it made the temperature in the entire art studio drop by two degrees.
Lin Xiaoyu was the first to react, almost reflexively putting on a smile, her voice a half-octave higher than usual, carrying a hint of playful exuberance: "Senior! What brings you here? We...we were just chatting!"
As she spoke, she subconsciously shifted her position, just barely blocking Su Xiao and the original owner of Shi Ye's path, like a somewhat inadequate human shield.
The original owner of this body tightened her grip on the folder, her knuckles turning white. Her head drooped even lower, almost as if she wanted to shrink herself into the linen robe, leaving only a pale, fragile section of her neck visible. She didn't speak; her breathing was so light it was almost inaudible.
Su Xiao quickly adjusted her expression, displaying just the right amount of politeness and restraint that a newcomer would show to a stranger, and bowed slightly: "Hello." She didn't address her directly because she wasn't sure who this suddenly appearing, powerful woman was (although she knew perfectly well who she was).
Qi Jin's gaze lingered on Lin Xiaoyu's face for half a second, seemingly to confirm she was alright, before moving past her to the original owner's lowered head and the glaring folder in her hand. Finally, her gaze returned to Su Xiao's face, calm and serene, yet carrying an invisible weight.
"Tracing Light Space?" Qi Jin's gaze swept over the logo on the folder, his voice still flat. "What does it do?"
The question was direct, even a bit rude, but the way she asked it gave off a sense of entitlement and scrutiny.
Lin Xiaoyu blurted out, "It's an art institution! They have some kind of... art therapy project, and they thought it might be helpful for Sister Shiye, so they sent over some information to take a look!" She spoke very quickly, and only after she finished did she realize that she seemed to have rushed things a bit, and she secretly glanced at Qi Jin.
Qi Jin didn't look at Lin Xiaoyu, but kept looking at Su Xiao, waiting for her answer.
Su Xiao's mind raced. Qi Jin was clearly wary of her and the project. Directly mentioning "healing memories" might be a red flag; emphasizing "artistic expression" and "voluntary attempt" might be safer.
She maintained her smile, her tone clear and steady: "Yes, Ms. Qi (she inferred this from Lin Xiaoyu's form of address and demeanor). 'Tracing the Light Space' is an organization focused on promoting contemporary art and cross-disciplinary experiments. We've noticed that Ms. Shi has an artistic background and has recently gone through a period requiring psychological adjustment. Therefore, we are internally exploring the possibility of using non-directive art creation as an auxiliary method for emotional release and cognitive exploration. What we've sent today are very preliminary conceptual materials, intended only for Ms. Shi and her family's understanding and reference, without any pre-arranged plans."
She used careful wording, replacing "healing" with the more neutral terms "guidance" and "exploration," emphasizing "non-directive" and "voluntary," and leaving the decision-making power to "family members," implying respect for Qi Jin's (or Shi's father's) opinion.
Qi Jin listened, her face remaining expressionless. Her left hand was casually tucked into her coat pocket—Su Xiao noticed the pocket still looked somewhat taut. She raised her right hand, her index finger lightly tapping the hard cover of the folder—a very light movement, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.
“Artistic creation,” she repeated, turning her gaze to the original owner of this body, her tone flat, neither clear whether it was a question nor a statement, “You want to paint?”
When the original owner of this body was called upon, her body trembled almost imperceptibly. She raised her head, met Qi Jin's gaze, then quickly looked away, her lips moving slightly, her voice barely audible: "I...I don't know...I was just looking..."
"Take a look." Qi Jin withdrew his finger from the folder, put his hands back in his coat pockets, relaxed a little, but his eyes remained fixed on the original owner of Shi Ye. "Finished reading? What do you think?"
It was like giving an extremely brief business presentation. The pressure was immense.
The original owner of Shi Ye was even more at a loss when asked by her, and the folder in her hand felt like a hot potato. She looked at Lin Xiaoyu for help, and then subconsciously glanced at Su Xiao, who was standing quietly beside her.
Lin Xiaoyu received the signal and quickly replied, "Senior, I think... if it's just a way for Sister Shi Ye to relax and get some paint and art supplies, it doesn't seem like a bad thing, does it? It's better than her always being cooped up at home. Besides, Miss Su said it's completely voluntary, she can stop anytime, there's no pressure." She tried her best to steer the project towards a "harmless leisure activity."
Su Xiao added in a timely and gentle tone: "Yes, our core philosophy is to provide a safe and supportive space for expression, focusing on the process experience and personal comfort, rather than the result or 'therapeutic' effect. If Ms. Shi is interested, she can try very simple creative forms that do not even require professional skills, such as coloring and collage, in the beginning."
Qi Jin remained silent for a few seconds. Her gaze lingered on Su Xiao's face for a little longer, as if assessing the sincerity in her words, or perhaps trying to see something else through her. The studio was so quiet that the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the window and the faint sound of traffic in the distance could be heard.
"Are you in charge?" Qi Jin suddenly asked Su Xiao, the question jumping a bit too quickly.
Su Xiao paused for a moment, then immediately shook her head: "No, I'm just an intern assistant, responsible for initial communication and some coordination. If the project progresses, a more professional therapist with backgrounds in both psychology and art will take the lead. Of course, if Ms. Shi wishes, I can also participate in some supporting work." She again distanced herself from taking control, reducing the sense of threat.
Qi Jin fell silent again. Her gaze fell on the original owner Shi Ye's still pale face, looking at the bewildered, cautious expectation in her eyes (and perhaps the desire to escape the current high pressure), and then she looked at Lin Xiaoyu beside her, who looked nervous and tried hard to speak up.
Finally, her gaze returned to Su Xiao, and she said in a calm tone, "Leave the data. We need to evaluate it."
There was neither explicit agreement nor outright rejection. It left room for maneuver.
Su Xiao felt a slight sense of relief. At least she hadn't been rejected on the spot. "Okay, Ms. Qi. Our contact information and more detailed instructions are in the folder. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the organization or me personally." As she spoke, she took out a simple business card from her small bag and handed it to her with both hands.
Qi Jin didn't take it, only glanced at it. Lin Xiaoyu, who was next to him, quickly reached out and took it: "Give it to me, give it to me, senior's hand is inconvenient." She was referring to Qi Jin's injured right shoulder.
Qi Jin remained noncommittal about Lin Xiaoyu's actions, but his gaze swept over Su Xiao's hand as she handed him the business card—her fingers were long and clean, her nails were neatly trimmed, and she wore no jewelry.
"Su Xiao." Qi Jin read out the name on the business card, his tone still calm. "A Master's student in Art History at University A?"
"Yes, I graduated this year and am currently interning at 'Suguang'," Su Xiao replied, her heart pounding. Was Qi Jin investigating her background? Or was he simply being cautious?
Qi Jin nodded almost imperceptibly, without asking anything further. She turned to the original owner of this body, her voice slightly lower than before, but still devoid of warmth: "Your father will be home for dinner tonight. Remember to come downstairs."
After saying that, she looked away from everyone, turned around, and left the studio. Her footsteps faded into the distance as she went downstairs and disappeared from sight.
In the studio, the remaining three people all breathed a long, silent sigh of relief.
Lin Xiaoyu patted her chest and exaggeratedly wiped her sweat: "My god... Senior's aura always makes my heart race." She shoved the business card in her hand to the original owner, Shi Ye, "Sister Shi Ye, keep this business card."
The original owner of this body, Shi Ye, clutched the thin business card, then glanced at the folder in her arms, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Qi Jin's last words, "An evaluation is needed" and "Remember to come downstairs," were like two invisible commands, making her nascent idea of giving it a try waver again.
Su Xiao observed their reactions and knew it was time to leave. He had achieved his goal for the day—the project had been made known, hadn't been immediately rejected, and he had left a preliminary, reasonably professional impression on his two targets. Staying any longer would only make things worse by saying too much.
"Ms. Shi, Designer Lin, please take your time reviewing the materials. I won't bother you any longer," she said politely. "Please feel free to contact me if you have any thoughts or questions. I'll take my leave now."
Lin Xiaoyu had a good impression of her and waved her hand, "Okay, Miss Su, thank you for making this trip today."
The original owner of this body, Shi Ye, also looked up and softly said to her, "Thank you."
Su Xiao smiled and turned to leave the studio. As she reached the top of the stairs, she paused, her gaze sweeping over the living room downstairs—Qi Jin hadn't lingered there; he seemed to have already left the villa.
She stepped out of the Shi family's gate; the afternoon sun was a bit too bright. She raised her hand to shield her eyes, her mind replaying every scene that had just unfolded.
Qi Jin's wariness was expected. Her complex attitude towards the original owner, Shi Ye—a mixture of scrutiny, detachment, and subtle concern—was both the key challenge and the breakthrough point of the mission. Lin Xiaoyu's reaction was interesting; her protectiveness and dependence on Qi Jin, as well as her protective instincts towards the original owner, Shi Ye, might become a useful lever.
As for herself...
Su Xiao looked down at her hands. What did Qi Jin mean by that glance he gave her hands just now?
Never mind. The first step has been taken.
Next, let's see how well those two "evaluate" it.
She had to think about how to make this "art therapy project" look more like a... gentle trap that would force the iceberg and the frightened bird to get a little closer.
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