Chapter 255: Early Intervention, Early Authority

One respectable-looking middle-aged man snapped, "Enough! It's just that your disciple won a gold prize? Look at your smug face, as if you're afraid the whole world won't know you picked up a treasure."

It seems back then, Lin Tingsong kept it hidden, refusing to let anyone know who his disciple was.

Now he'd love to grab a loudspeaker and shout it a hundred times in the art circle—

"My disciple Yue Shu, Lin Tingsong's, is sure to win the gold prize!"

Another middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses chimed in, "Exactly! At the last calligraphy and painting association dinner, you couldn't go three sentences without mentioning this disciple of yours, making all our disciples seem like mere decorations in your eyes?"

Lin Tingsong wasn't annoyed at all, rolled up his sleeves and retorted, "How can it be the same? My beloved disciple has both talent and effort in full measure! If you had such a beloved disciple, you could bring them up every day!"

Several people stared at each other, unable to find a word to rebut.

This… is indeed true.

The painting Mu Youyu displayed at the competition.

Looking across the new generation of the art world, there's no second work as good as this.

Adding to that, Yue Shu's reputation built up over the years in the circle.

The gold prize is truly deserved.

Lin Tingsong, seeing this, grew even prouder: "This is completely being factual! My beloved disciple's ability has no second among the younger generation—who else should get the gold prize if not her?"

As he was speaking, he caught sight of two people approaching out of the corner of his eye, his eyes lighting up: "Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao appears!"

He waved both hands vigorously at the two, his face growing even more smug, his voice rising a few notches: "A You, A Jin, over here!"

Mu Youyu, shaken by the commotion, was now fully awake; she approached and helplessly called out, "Teacher."

Jiang Liangjin followed at her side, "Professor Lin."

The others, who had been wearing somewhat teasing expressions, froze the moment they saw the girl's brows and eyes.

The girl before them had clear brows and eyes, fair skin, the corners of her mouth hinting at a faint smile, looking obedient and soft.

Her blue hoodie accentuated her slender figure, like a sapling braving the wind, brimming with vitality.

It's really hard to link her to the competitor who produced that work with fierce brushstrokes and a grand, imposing atmosphere.

No wonder she's from the Mu family—the Mu family really doesn't raise idle people.

Still, it was that respectable-looking middle-aged man from earlier who reacted first, smiling and nodding: "Good, good, good—indeed, the student has surpassed the teacher."

No matter what, you can't say anything bad in front of someone's disciple, right?

Young Master Jiang was still standing nearby.

The middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses also smiled and nodded, his gaze falling on Mu Youyu, full of admiration: "This must be Yue Shu, indeed—a hero among youths."

Lin Tingsong proudly lifted his chin, put an arm around Mu Youyu's shoulders, and said: "Of course! Just look whose disciple she is!"

Mu Youyu hurriedly greeted them, her tone humble: "Greetings, seniors; I am the junior Mu Youyu, and I hope you'll continue to guide me."

Her obedient, courteous demeanor further endeared her to the seniors, who all praised Lin Tingsong for his good fortune.

Jiang Liangjin stood to the side, watching silently.

After the seniors finished their small talk with Mu Youyu, he stepped forward and said softly, "Shall we go inside and sit? Later we'll have to stand for the award ceremony."

Mu Youyu lifted her gaze to him: "Okay."

She turned her head, bade farewell to the seniors, then drew close to him and whispered, audible only to the two of them: "A Jin, did you hear what the teacher just said? He's bragging again."

Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze to her: "I heard you, and the teacher isn't wrong—our A You truly deserves it."

Mu Youyu rarely heard him call her that, and she couldn't help but curl her lips.

Soon, the awards ceremony officially began.

When the announcer called out the name of the gold prize winner, Mu Youyu—

Mu Youyu stepped onto the award stage step by step under everyone's gaze.

The spotlight shone on her, outlining her figure especially clearly.

The girl wore a simple blue hoodie, yet couldn't hide an aura of spirit, her brows and eyes full of confidence.

At the moment she took the trophy, she lifted her gaze to look down, her eyes landing precisely on Jiang Liangjin.

Jiang Liangjin looked at her, his eyes brimming with smiles, he raised his hand and silently mouthed: "Awesome."

Mu Youyu crinkled her eyes, the curve of her lips growing brighter, and she silently mouthed: "Wait for me."

On either side of her stood the other awardees, Yu Ling and Nanran, ready to give their acceptance speeches.

The students in the audience couldn't help but speak up.

"They're just mouthing the words, right? They locked eyes, locked eyes."

"It's Yue Shu herself! Is she coming to our C University?"

"I think so—the top three prizes come with a reserved spot at C University; she must be aiming for that."

"Not necessarily—the Mu and Song families have no one who graduated from C University; their kids always go to top overseas schools, so they might not even deem our international university worthy."

"I saw Chu Chu!"

"……"

After an exclamation, more and more gazes turned toward the side door of the auditorium.

Lu Yuchu wore a black mask and a flat cap, only his clear eyes showing, dressed in black casuals, his posture straight.

Beside him walked a youth wearing only a flat cap, his brows expressive, the corner of his mouth hinting a smile—none other than Song Yan.

The two had just entered the auditorium when sharp-eyed fans recognized them, instantly causing a small stir.

"It's Lu Yuchu and Song Yan! I didn't missee, did I?"

"Why would they come to the awards ceremony? Do they also like art?"

"They're definitely here to see their sister."

"No, I saw in the financial news a couple days ago that the Song Clan conglomerate is reshuffling its management, apparently intending to let Lu Yuchu take over part of the business!"

"Huh? Is Lu Yuchu retiring from the circle to become a CEO?"

No…… I'm still waiting for him and Song Yan's new drama to be broadcast.

Chu Chu rarely shoots TV dramas, and they are historical ones; before, she only did movies.

"……"

The discussion grew louder, but Lu Yuchu seemed not to hear, his gaze fixed only on the girl on the award stage, one hand holding his phone as he filmed upward.

He also posted it in the family group.

Song Yan smiled, also looked toward his sister on the stage, and made no extra movements.

Song Yusui, who had entered through the back door, had fewer reservations, strode to the front row, and slapped Jiang Liangjin on the shoulder.

Jiang Liangjin, who had been intently watching Mu Youyu on the award stage, was startled, turned his head, and saw who had come.

He then lowered the hand that had instinctively wanted to retaliate, and helplessly shouted, "Brother Yusui!"

Song Yusui raised an eyebrow, "A Jin, aren't you bored? Why don't you go up?"

Jiang Liangjin felt somewhat puzzled, "This is her award ceremony."

Song Yusui made a teasing remark, and while the two younger brothers hadn't come over yet, he placed a hand on his shoulder, lowered his head, and got to the point: "By the way, Chu Chu will inherit the Song Clan consortium tomorrow."

Hearing that, Jiang Liangjin raised his brows slightly, said nothing, and waited for him to continue.

Song Yusui lowered his voice even more, his tone carrying a hint of emotion: "My father plans to step down directly, and Grandmother doesn't intend to remain in name only; they've discussed handing the chairman's position to Chu Bao, so that Chu Bao can fully take control."

Hearing that, Jiang Liangjin inexplicably felt it was somewhat familiar.

Last night, Jiang Su also talked with him, saying that once he turned sixteen, he would hand over the inheritance rights of the Jiang Consortium to him, so he could take over the family business sooner.

Saying that taking over early would establish authority early.