Chapter 126: Collecting the Painting

When Gu Yan finished changing her clothes and went downstairs, Chang Su was already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing her come out, he opened the car door: "Ma'am."

Gu Yan sat inside and asked, "What time is the appointment?"

"Three-thirty, at the South City Club."

Gu Yan nodded and said nothing more. The car drove steadily out of the villa area, heading toward the south of the city.

The South City Club was located behind the most prosperous district in Jingzhou, a quiet spot amidst the noise, with deep, vermilion gates. Those who could come here were either wealthy or noble, and the privacy was excellent.

After the car came to a stop, Chang Su stepped forward to speak with the doorman.

Soon, a head attendant wearing a cheongsam came out to greet them, leading Gu Yan through winding corridors.

What Gu Yan did not notice was that shortly after they went in, another black Bentley stopped silently at the side entrance of the club.

Shen Yanhui stepped out of the car, straightened his cufflinks, and walked straight toward another passageway.

The private room was divided into an inner and outer section; the outer room was a tea room, the inner room was a lounge, and they were separated in the middle by a translucent screen.

When Gu Yan was led into the private room, Zhou Shuyao was already waiting inside.

She sat before the tea table, dressed in Chanel haute couture, her makeup exquisite. But looking closely, there was an unhideable darkness under her eyes, and the smile at the corners of her lips carried a hint of reluctance.

Compared to the gentle and proper appearance she had under the eaves of the Shen Residence three months ago, she was like a different person.

It seems the trouble the Zhou Family company is facing is indeed quite significant, Gu Yan thought to herself.

Zhou Shuyao raised her head upon hearing the sound, and seeing that it was Gu Yan who entered, her tea-drinking motion paused. A flash of disgust crossed her eyes, which she hid perfectly the next second.

"Miss Gu, why did you come yourself?" She tried hard to squeeze out a smile, but her tone remained stiff.

The news of the marriage between Shen Yanhui and Gu Yan had spread wildly, and she had naturally heard of it. Therefore, no matter how much she disliked the other party, she had to put on a kind appearance.

The current Gu Yan was someone she could not afford to offend.

Gu Yan sat down opposite her and said lightly, "I came to pick up the painting, and to see you while I'm at it."

Zhou Shuyao picked up the teacup; her movements were elegant, but the fingers holding the cup tightened slightly.

"Did Shen Yanhui send you?"

"I wanted to come myself." Gu Yan took the tea handed over by the tea master and took a small sip. "He originally wanted to accompany me, but I didn't let him."

Zhou Shuyao clenched her palms: "What, are you afraid he'll see me?"

Gu Yan said with an innocent expression, "Not at all." She set down the teacup and smiled sincerely, "I was afraid that if he came, you wouldn't be able to bear to gouge him for money."

Zhou Shuyao's smile stiffened for a moment.

She set down the teacup, took a deep breath, and tried hard to maintain that composed posture: "Miss Gu is joking. Eleven million two hundred thousand, not a cent less; that is the price we agreed upon."

She took a document out of her bag and pushed it toward Gu Yan.

"This is the Transfer Agreement. Take a look. If there are no problems, sign it, the money arrives, and you take the painting."

Gu Yan didn't even glance at the agreement; she took a card out of her bag and placed it on the tea table.

Chang Su stepped forward, took the agreement, read it through carefully, and nodded at Gu Yan.

Watching this scene, Zhou Shuyao said with an ambiguous tone, "Miss Gu certainly has a grand display."

Gu Yan: "Shen Yanhui arranged it; he was afraid I would get tired."

Zhou Shuyao's expression changed.

She signaled the waiter nearby to verify the funds. Soon, the waiter returned and nodded at her.

Zhou Shuyao pushed the agreement over: "Sign it."

Gu Yan picked up the pen and signed her name on the last page.

Zhou Shuyao took back the agreement and glanced at it, her gaze suddenly freezing.

Below the two characters "Gu Yan," there was also a line of small text: Yan.

She raised her head, looked at Gu Yan, and frowned: "What is the meaning of this?"

Gu Yan put the pen away in a leisurely manner: "It doesn't mean anything, just a habit of signing my name."

Zhou Shuyao stared at her for a few seconds, her complexion gradually turning ugly, and the kindness on the surface becoming difficult to maintain. She sneered, "Miss Gu, you wouldn't be trying to tell me that you are Yan, would you?"

Gu Yan: "What if I said I am?"

Zhou Shuyao was stunned for a moment and subconsciously retorted, "Impossible."

Gu Yan said lazily: "Why is it impossible?"

Zhou Shuyao said coldly: "I know you are unhappy inside and want to use this opportunity to step on me, but there is no need for this."

"You came today merely to see me make a fool of myself. You must know what the situation is with my family. The painting is sold, the money is taken; if you have anything else to say, say it. Once you're done, we're square."

Gu Yan listened, her smile unchanged.

She took her phone out of her bag, flipped through it, placed it on the tea table, and pushed it toward Zhou Shuyao.

On the screen was a photo.

It happened to be a selfie she took while sitting in Shen Yanhui's lap after finishing the online sharing session she did at Professor Chen's invitation.

Zhou Shuyao's body stiffened, and her complexion turned visibly paler.

How could she not recognize this scene?

She had gone to the venue for that sharing session, but she hadn't seen the legendary Yan; she had only seen a woman wearing a mask on the screen and Shen Yanhui's hand adding tea for her.

She had stared at that hand for a long time back then and even sent a screenshot to Gu Yan, implying that Shen Yanhui had another woman outside.

But as it turns out, was that other woman Gu Yan?

Zhou Shuyao opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out.

Gu Yan took back her phone, looked at her, and smiled brightly: "Miss Zhou, I really must thank you."

Zhou Shuyao's complexion turned even paler, her fingers gripping the edge of the teacup tightly.

"Thank you for telling me that he has been collecting my paintings for four years."

Gu Yan paused, smiling with an innocent expression.

"If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known he had his eye on me so early. You wouldn't believe it, but when I went back and asked him, he admitted it. He'd been thinking of me since Paris four years ago."

Zhou Shuyao's breathing gradually grew rapid, her eyes looking as if they could spit fire.

Gu Yan continued to add fuel to the fire: "He even transferred all the shares under his name to me, saying it was a gift for marrying into the Gu Family. Oh my, I told him it wasn't necessary, but he insisted on giving them."

She sighed, revealing a hint of helplessness.

"Men are just like that; you can't stop them even if you try."

Seeing Zhou Shuyao's complexion turn from white to ashen, Gu Yan decided to stop while she was ahead, stood up, and smoothed her skirt.

"I'm taking the painting; you keep the money." After saying this, she turned and walked out.

After walking two steps, she turned back again.

"Oh, right, Miss Zhou." She smiled brilliantly, "If you want to buy my paintings in the future, you can contact me directly; I'll give you a ten percent discount."

This time, she didn't linger and walked straight out of the private room.

The moment the door closed, a crisp sound of a teacup hitting the floor came from behind her.

Gu Yan was in a great mood, her footsteps light.

Chang Su followed behind her, holding the painting in his hand, and said helplessly: "Madam, after what you just said, Miss Zhou probably won't be able to sleep for several days."

Gu Yan said nonchalantly: "Really? I was just stating the facts."

Chang Su was silent; he felt that although this Madam looked harmless, she was actually quite skilled at stabbing people in the heart.

Just like his master, they both had black hearts.

The two were truly a perfect match.

Having walked only two steps, several people turned the corner. As luck would have it, the person leading them was none other than Professor Chen from the Jingzhou Academy of Fine Arts.

"Gu Yan?"

"Professor Chen." Gu Yan smiled, "Why are you here?"

"I brought some students out for a field trip." Professor Chen pointed to the young people behind her, "And to discuss some matters with the gallery here."

She looked Gu Yan over, her eyes filled with a smile: "You look well; it seems you've been in a good mood lately."

Gu Yan's eyes curved as she smiled: "It's quite good."

A young girl with a ponytail behind Professor Chen suddenly spoke up: "Professor Chen, do you know Miss Gu?"

Professor Chen nodded.

"I do. I invited her to give a talk before; didn't you all listen to that online exchange session?"

The girl was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened: "Are you saying she is Yan?"

Professor Chen smiled: "Who else?"

The girl covered her mouth abruptly, letting out a suppressed scream: "Oh my god! Yan! The real Yan!"

The students behind her also crowded around, asking questions all at once.

"Is it really Yan?"

"Yan is so young?"

"So beautiful!"

The girl was so excited her face turned red, and she rummaged through her bag to pull out a card.

"Teacher Yan, could you give me an autograph? I really love your paintings! I took three whole pages of notes during your last online sharing session!"

Gu Yan took the card and signed her name.

The girl held the card as if she were holding some rare treasure.

"Teacher Yan, when will you hold another exhibition? I must go!"

Gu Yan curled the corners of her lips: "Sure, I'll save some VIP tickets for you all then."

The girl was even more excited: "Really? That's great! Can I take a photo with you?"

Gu Yan glanced at the tightly closed door of the private room not far away. Through the crack in the door, a figure could vaguely be seen standing there.

Zhou Shuyao, she hadn't left yet.

Gu Yan curled her lips and took the initiative to link arms with the girl: "Sure."

Facing the phone held up by another student, she smiled like a blooming flower.

After the photo was taken, the girl followed her gaze and also saw that door.

"Huh, is there someone over there?"

Gu Yan withdrew her gaze: "Don't worry about her."

The girl nodded and continued talking to Gu Yan.

The little fans were too enthusiastic; it took Gu Yan a long time to coax them and get away.

What a sweet trouble it was.

——

At the same time, in the surveillance room on the other side of the club.

Shen Yanhui leaned back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on the screen.

The manager of the surveillance room stood to the side, not daring to breathe loudly.

This gentleman had suddenly appeared twenty minutes ago, saying he wanted to use this place; the club owner had accompanied him personally, inviting him in with the utmost respect the whole way.

Once inside, he just watched the surveillance of a certain private room, and only changed his posture after one of the women left.

Afterward, he withdrew his gaze, straightened his collar, and stood up to leave.

The manager sent off this formidable figure and let out a long sigh of relief.

Shen Yanhui did not leave directly, but instead walked toward the private room where Zhou Shuyao was.

In the corridor, Zhou Shuyao walked out from inside the door.

Having learned the truth that Yan was Gu Yan, and seeing her being fawned over by everyone, her expression was truly not good.

Her face was deathly pale and her eyes were rimmed with red, yet she forced herself to maintain that bit of pride, her spine held straight.

Having walked only two steps, she stopped.

Shen Yanhui stood at the end of the corridor, looking right at her.

That gaze was very faint, as if he were looking at something inconsequential.

Zhou Shuyao's heart sank.

Shen Yanhui had already lifted his feet to walk over, and when he passed by her side, he stopped.

He did not look at her.

He merely spoke in a faint tone: "There will not be a next time."

Zhou Shuyao's body stiffened.

She turned her head, wanting to look at him.

But he had already left.

His back was upright, his pace composed, and from beginning to end, he did not spare her a single glance.