Chapter 145 His Secret
That night, Zhuang Bieyan returned to the Zhuang residence to explain about the child.
Qu He continued to prepare her entry for the competition until she received an email from teacher Qi Mo, saying that Yan Shu had publicly invited her to participate in the art exhibition on Weibo.
She clicked on the Weibo post and saw Yan Shu's earnest invitation to her to attend her "Five Seasons" art exhibition, and she just found it laughable.
It's only been a few days since that car accident?
Yan Shu can put on this act of sisterly affection online; her shamelessness is truly admirable.
The fact that she was going to hold an art exhibition had already been announced during the live broadcast of "Chengqi".
Qu He just didn't understand why she would specifically invite her publicly on Weibo.
What unsettled her even more was the comment section under that Weibo post, which was filled with strange undertones:
Sister Quhe, we all believe in you.
We will always be there for you. Take good care of yourself.
Is it absolutely necessary to go? I have a feeling that woman has ulterior motives...
This unsolicited concern and support made her feel like she was being kept in the dark about something.
Yan Shu made the invitation so open and assertive, and even Teacher Qi Mo stepped in. It was neither reasonable nor emotional for Yan Shu to refuse.
Finally, she retweeted the Weibo post, and the official response was just two words: "Looking forward to it."
Friday morning.
The entire northern part of the city was shrouded in rain.
Weather forecasts have already announced that the first typhoon of the year has formed in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to gradually affect southeastern coastal cities over the next three days. It has also been announced that the northern part of the city has officially entered the typhoon season.
Zhuang Bieyan watched as Qu He adjusted her hat in front of the mirror in the living room.
To match the art exhibition today, she wore a pearl white fitted suit, paired with a black camellia waistcoat and a bowler hat, exuding elegance and sophistication.
Zhuang Bieyan stepped forward and helped her adjust her hat.
Ever since she agreed to attend Yan Shu's art exhibition, she had been feeling uneasy.
"Call me as soon as the art exhibition ends, and I'll come pick you up," he instructed in a deep voice.
"Didn't you say there was an important international video conference this afternoon?"
"It's been cancelled."
"So sudden?"
"Hmm," he replied vaguely, not wanting to explain further.
Qu He looked at his tense profile and teased him deliberately, "Are you worried about me? Or is there some untold story between you and Yan Shu that you're afraid I'll find out?"
She blinked, a hint of slyness in her eyes.
"No." Zhuang Bieyan replied without the slightest hesitation.
He was completely unaware of this art exhibition. Ever since the tie pattern went viral, he has withdrawn all the resources he had previously given to Yan Shu.
Upon learning that Qu He was going to participate in the art exhibition, they immediately sent people to investigate the organizers and all procedures of the exhibition, and the feedback they received was that everything was normal.
It seems he was just overthinking things.
The more normal it seemed, the more it felt like the calm before the storm to him.
Yan Shu's art exhibition was held at the Beicheng Art Planning Center.
When Qu He arrived, a lot of media had already gathered inside.
The rain that started in the morning continued until noon, and showed no signs of letting up.
However, compared to the gloomy, rainy weather outside, the exhibition hall was brightly lit.
Every light inside is meticulously designed and adjusted, shining on the oil painting with an exceptionally high-end feel.
Before officially participating in the exhibition, Yan Shu will give a speech, mainly introducing her creative process.
Qu He followed the hostess into the inner hall and stopped in front of the first row of seats.
"Hello, is there a mistake? Why is my seat in the first row?" Qu He asked politely.
The hostess, with a professional smile, carefully checked the invitation and the name tag on the back of the chair, and said with certainty, "Ms. Qu, your seat is in the first row, that's right."
Qu He's doubts deepened, but she could only suppress them for the time being and sat in the first row under everyone's watchful eyes.
The area gradually filled with people, and the sounds of camera shutters and conversations were particularly noisy until the lights dimmed and Yan Shu walked in wearing a light purple dress.
Her smile was polite, especially when her gaze swept over Qu He in the front row, her smile deepened, though it didn't reach her eyes.
She took the microphone, bowed to the audience, and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you all so much for coming to my first solo art exhibition, 'Five Seasons,' on such a rainy day... After ten years of creation, everything should have a result. Some obsessions, in the end, need to be let go or gained."
Qu He noticed that Yan Shu's gaze kept glancing over as she spoke, especially at those meaningful words, as if she was deliberately emphasizing something.
She just hoped this part would end quickly so she could finish viewing the art exhibition and leave as soon as possible.
Fortunately, after the art exhibition officially started, Yan Shu was either being interviewed by reporters or exchanging pleasantries with famous artists, and did not appear in front of her again.
Qu He is happy to have some peace and quiet.
The art exhibition was divided into sections according to the four seasons. Qu He strolled along the route, wondering why the exhibition was titled "Five Seasons" if it was about the four seasons. What was the extra "season"?
When I reached the corner on the second floor, I saw a separate exhibition hall on the left. There were no signs at the entrance, and the lights were off. It was dark, as if it had not yet been opened to the public.
Qu He wasn't interested and was about to turn and leave when she heard the crisp sound of high heels behind her, which was particularly jarring in the corridor.
She turned around and saw Yan Shu standing quietly in the middle of the corridor, her gaze deep and unfathomable.
Yan Shu, wearing high heels, walked forward unhurriedly, brushing past her without stopping.
She walked to the entrance of the unlit exhibition hall on the left and turned on the lights inside.
The lights were dim, illuminating only the entrance area, with the interior obscured by a corner.
"If you're curious, you can come in and take a look," Yan Shu said.
"Not interested." Qu He said coldly, then turned and walked away.
"Qu He, don't you dare?"
Yan Shu's mocking voice came from behind, "Or are you afraid I'll do something to you? Could it be that what happened last time really left you with psychological trauma?"
As she spoke, she stepped forward and walked around to Qu He's side, her tone suddenly becoming aggrieved and innocent.
“I explained everything clearly at the police station last time. It was really just an accident. I had no idea what happened. Why don’t you believe me?” As she spoke, she suddenly leaned closer and peered over Qu He’s neck, the strong scent of rose perfume wafting into her nostrils.
Qu He stepped back two steps to create a safe distance.
As she stepped back, she noticed that there were only the two of them left in the entire second-floor exhibition hall.
"Stop looking."
Yan Shu fiddled with her manicured nails, her tone casual: "According to the schedule, everyone is now in the screening room on the first floor, enjoying a short film about my creative process."
Qu He frowned; her invitation didn't include the movie screening at all.
Clearly, this was a meticulously planned design by Yan Shu.
But Yan Shu remained completely unfazed. She saw through her thoughts, took a step back to clear the way to the exhibition hall, and said, "Since you're already here, you're not really afraid to go in, are you?"
Qu He saw through her provocation and was not angered. She sneered, "I dare not, but I am not interested."
She glanced down from the second-floor railing. "Because your art exhibition was just so... awful!"
This wasn't something Qu He said offhand.
She noticed this while browsing the exhibition; Yan Shu's paintings were almost entirely superficially impressive but actually weak.
It looks impressive, but it relies entirely on pretentious writing to make it look impressive. If it weren't for the fact that it's called a young artist, it would probably only be available on Xianyu (a second-hand marketplace).
"you...."
Yan Shu's face turned ashen.
She had expected Qu He to be angry or curious, but she never expected her to deny her art so directly and contemptuously!
It's like being slapped in the face in public. All those words were forced back down, turning into a breath that was stuck in my chest and was about to explode!
"What? Didn't Teacher Yan Shu just say on stage that she hoped everyone would speak freely and give valuable opinions?"
She took a step closer, a cold smile playing on her lips. "My opinion is, it's ugly. Goodbye, no need to see me off."
After saying that, she turned and left, her steps swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
"What if I told you that what's in here is related to the Zhuang Bie Banquet?"
Qu He stood still.
"What if there's a secret here that he doesn't want you to know?"
Qu He neither turned back nor continued walking forward.
"Don't you want to know what the swallow pattern on Zhuang Bieyan's tie really means?"
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