Chapter 144

The result was that Mu Youyu and Mu Xin went out together to meet Jiang Liangjin.

Mu Nian glared angrily.

Warm golden sunlight filtered in through the gallery's floor-to-ceiling windows, making each painting look even more elegant.

Jiang Liangjin was already waiting at the entrance, dressed simply, tall and upright, with clear, icy brows and eyes, and a cold, aloof aura that kept strangers at bay.

The few girls around who were secretly glancing at him only dared to look from afar, not daring to approach.

Only when he caught sight of the figure stepping out of the car and walking toward him did the chill in his eyes instantly melt; he lifted his steps slightly to go meet her, his tone soft in a way no one else could hear: "You're here?"

Mu Youyu smiled sweetly, "A Jin, you came so fast?"

Originally the two of them had planned to share a car, but with Mu Xin joining, she sent a message ahead letting Jiang Liangjin come on his own first.

Their homes weren't far apart, but unexpectedly he arrived before she did.

Jiang Liangjin looked at her, "I came early to wait for you."

Saying that, he turned his gaze to the boy beside her, a faint smile on his face.

Mu Xin kept his lips pressed together the whole time, looking unapproachable, clearly not wanting to speak to him.

Mu Youyu shook her brother's arm, explaining, "Big Brother Xin came along too."

Seeing her sister's expectant expression.

Only then did Mu Xin reluctantly lift his eyes to Jiang Liangjin, his tone flat as he uttered two words: "Hello."

After he spoke, he waited for Jiang Liangjin's reply.

He had already figured it out in his mind, thinking that by interrupting their alone time he would make this person's face darken, possibly even give him a cold shoulder or a stern look.

Thinking that, he stared straight at Jiang Liangjin's face, and if there was even the slightest hint of displeasure, he would…

But before he could continue that thought, Jiang Liangjin simply nodded and, in the same obedient tone he used with his precious little sister, said, "Good morning, Big Brother Xin."

Mu Xin looked resistant, "…Don't do that."

Last time it was "big brother," this time it's "Big Brother Xin"!

Too cheesy.

Jiang Liangjin's eyes held doubt, his tone innocent: "Big brother, you don't like it?"

Mu Xin was choked by the question, his expression a little complicated.

If I said I liked it, that would be utterly insincere.

If I said I didn't like it, I'd seem petty, and my sister might keep asking, making it hard to explain later.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally muttered, "…Just leave it as is."

Compared like that, the former four‑character address is still better.

Jiang Liangjin immediately followed his lead, his smile deepening a bit: "All right, Big Brother Xin."

Mu Youyu stood between them, watching her childhood friend call her brother "Big Brother Xin" over and over, and she didn't think anything was wrong.

After all, she usually calls Mu Xin that way herself, and A Jin copying her only makes them seem closer.

She stepped a little closer to Jiang Liangjin, "Let's go in."

This time coming to the gallery, first she wanted to stroll around with Jiang Liangjin, and second she wanted to get a feel for the atmosphere ahead of time.

After all, C City has many big‑shot figures in the art world.

Moreover, C City's annual art forum is the day after tomorrow—a major event hosted by Teacher Lin, who plans to formally reveal her identity to the whole art world that day, letting her appear as his disciple.

Jiang Liangjin immediately drew his gaze back, his focus returning to Mu Youyu, his eyes indulgent: "All right, whatever you say."

He naturally fell half a step behind, walking at Mu Youyu's side, his eyes occasionally flicking to her, afraid she'd be bumped by the gallery crowd.

Seeing that, Mu Xin took the other side of Mu Youyu, silently putting distance between her and Jiang Liangjin's overly close proximity.

He didn't forget to sneak a sideways glance at Jiang Liangjin, his eyes clearly saying, "Stay away from my sister!"

Jiang Liangjin took in that little move but pretended not to have seen it.

Seeing him, who has the same face as Youbao, make that expression was rather amusing.

No more words, the three went inside.

The gallery was hushed and silent, only occasional soft chatter from visitors drifting through.

As soon as Mu Youyu stepped into the exhibition hall, her eyes were locked onto the paintings on the wall, her steps unconsciously slowing, her gaze full of passion for art.

Not far away, in the crowd at the center of the hall, several lowered voices of discussion came and went:

"Hey, this painting is really good, it has spirit!"

"Yeah, yeah, looking at it calms the mind, but… why is there no signature?"

"Did you see? There's a small label in the lower left corner—this means it's a painting by Teacher Lin Tingsong!"

"Teacher Lin's style doesn't seem like this, does it?"

"That must be his disciple! I was wondering why it's placed right in the middle!"

"……"

Mu Youyu heard the keywords "Lin Tingsong" and "disciple," her steps paused slightly, and she couldn't help but glance curiously toward the gathering crowd.

That was exactly the center of the hall, where the most people were gathered.

Jiang Liangjin kept a close watch on her every move, immediately noticing where her attention was, and asked softly, "Youbao, want to go look?"

He had overheard others talking and realized they were discussing her painting.

Mu Xin had also wanted to follow his sister's gaze and suggest going over, but Jiang Liangjin beat him to it, so he glanced at him irritably for a moment, though he said nothing.

"All right! Let's go see." Mu Youyu led the way forward, and the few of them headed toward the crowd.

There were a lot of people, but not so packed that they couldn't get through, and they soon reached the front.

Mu Youyu's gaze swept over the crowd and landed on the painting bathed in spotlight, her eyes widening in surprise.

In the center of the hall hung a landscape oil painting on the board; amid misty ink and wash, verdant bamboo stood tall like a sword, morning mist curled like gauze, and the interplay of dark and light ink wove a sense of substance and void.

Unlike other paintings, there is no reliance on the wall; instead, a separate open area was left out.

A custom-made spotlight fell vertically from the ceiling, its warm yellow light precisely covering the painting below.

Mu Youyu smiled; that painting was the work she handed to Teacher Lin last month.

Mu Xin also stopped in her tracks, a flash of amazement in her eyes; compared to the other works on the wall, this painting indeed stood out more.

It's my sister's.

Jiang Liangjin had long recognized her brushstroke, turned their head to look at the girl beside them, their eyes full of smiles, "It's your painting."

Mu Youyu didn't expect Teacher Lin to hang the painting here, but she still wore a proud look, "How did my painting turn out?"

Mu Xin reacted the fastest, "Youbao, awesome!"