After Being Targeted by the Gloomy and Obsessive Movie Queen - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Realization – “What Happened Later With You and the Shen Family?”

“Wasn’t it?” Yu Shujin glared at her fiercely. “At the first banquet, you, a person with no background and no assets, offended the Su family with a surge of reckless courage. If I hadn’t been shielding you from behind, do you think you’d still be sitting comfortably in this car talking nonsense with me?”

All emotion vanished from Xu Yinyu’s eyes the moment Yu Shujin mentioned the “Su family.” All the impulses that had risen from her genuine expression of feeling stopped instantly.

She couldn’t bring herself to deceive herself again and again.

“I’m talking nonsense?”

Hearing Xu Yinyu’s suddenly calm voice, Yu Shujin immediately reined in her emotions and apologized. “I said the wrong thing, A-Yu. I’ve had too much to deal with recently, and my tone with you was terrible. But you know I didn’t mean it that way.”

Xu Yinyu’s face was impassive. “I understand. Let me go.”

“What kind of attitude is that? I’ve explained the situation to you, who are you putting on this deeply hurt act for!” Yu Shujin’s voice grew increasingly agitated.

“Shujin,” a wave of uncontrollable sorrow welled up in Xu Yinyu’s heart, “Do you really still like me?”

Yu Shujin hesitated, then released Xu Yinyu, helping her straighten her shirt collar and smoothing the wrinkles in her suit.

She had long forgotten the feeling of simple affection.

The eight lost years stood between them, filled with old scores Yu Shujin couldn’t stop dwelling on, and hardships Xu Yinyu couldn’t voice.

“Have some candy, A-Yu.” Yu Shujin somehow produced an orange-flavored fruit chew and placed it in Xu Yinyu’s palm.

The effect of the latter had always been far superior to the former.

So she applied the same logic: whenever Xu Yinyu was feeling low, she would slip her some fruit chews.

It was a habit from childhood, and even now, she still maintained the habit of feeding Xu Yinyu.

She stubbornly maintained this childish habit, like an abandoned child clutching at the corner of an adult’s garment, standing in place and desperately waiting for the adult to turn back.

“I wish you well,” Xu Yinyu peeled off the pretty wrapper and popped the orange candy into her mouth. The sweet fragrance of orange instantly filled her mouth, so sweet it made her nose sting.

Yu Shujin froze for a moment, then reacted, smiling as she replied, “And I wish you a pleasant time at the art exhibition.”

The two quickly reached their destination, R Country, aboard the private jet.

Before disembarking, Yu Shujin wrapped Xu Yinyu in a white wool coat. “R Country is severely cold, unlike back home. If you feel cold, look for the sister with the shortest hair. She has your clothes in her bag.”

Xu Yinyu followed Yu Shujin’s gesture and saw a lean, tall woman with a cool demeanor. Sensing their gaze, the woman merely offered a polite nod, said a quick greeting, and swiftly looked away.

Yu Shujin then put gloves and a bunny-patterned hat on Xu Yinyu. “Don’t catch a cold when you come back.”

Xu Yinyu nodded, looking down.

Yu Shujin was dissatisfied and cupped her face. “Kiss me. I’m going to earn your art exhibition ticket now.”

Xu Yinyu’s eyes, glistening with restrained tears, blinked. She suddenly lunged at Yu Shujin, awkwardly touching her lips—a gesture both childish and innocent.

It also carried the sweet scent of orange.

“Are you a child?” Yu Shujin gently wiped away the tears that spilled from Xu Yinyu’s eyes, chuckling softly. “You don’t even know how to kiss.”

Xu Yinyu turned her face away self-consciously, deliberately avoiding Yu Shujin’s gaze.

It wasn’t until the plane landed and the two parted ways that Xu Yinyu tightly gripped her phone and abruptly looked back to find Yu Shujin’s figure.

She hadn’t even reminded Yu Shujin that she couldn’t drink cold tea or alcohol today because she was on her period.

But the speeding sedan only remained in her sight for a few seconds before disappearing.

The short-haired bodyguard spoke up to remind her, “Miss Xu, shall we depart?”

Xu Yinyu withdrew her gaze, nodding to her. “Yes.”

The two got back into the sedan, their destination changed to Maline’s art exhibition.

Xu Yinyu’s heart was beating warmly. The sadness that had just appeared was quickly absorbed by the artworks before her.

Through simple paintings and simple objects, profound struggles of the soul were conveyed.

Immersed in it, time flew by, and the exhibition was drawing to a close.

The organizer proposed a small activity, inviting the audience to choose the theme of the painter’s work this time.

Xu Yinyu belatedly noticed that the exhibition hadn’t displayed its theme; instead, a large question mark was posted.

The organizer presented many envelopes with theme words at the front. By the time Xu Yinyu hurried over, the fitting theme words had already been snatched up by the dense crowd, leaving only a few obscure and awkward words that seemed completely different from the style of the exhibition and Maline’s personal artistic flair.

They were: Dampness, Rain Pain, Life, Freedom, and another question mark.

This question mark seemed like a mistake left by the staff.

Many audience members who opened their envelopes lowered their heads in disappointment, looking forward with anticipation to finding the lucky person who drew the correct keyword Maline had prepared.

Xu Yinyu picked up the paper with the question mark. She opened the envelope, which contained a business card and an invitation to another art exhibition.

Xu Yinyu was stunned. Her hand holding the business card trembled slightly as she looked incredulously at Maline’s private contact information printed on it.

She repeatedly looked at the question mark theme until the host walked up to her and announced that she was the lucky winner of the draw.

Xu Yinyu was led by the staff to a single private lounge. She pushed open the door and saw her teenage idol sitting on the sofa reading a book.

Maline had distinctly French features—blonde hair, blue eyes, and profound brows that seemed capable of holding the entire universe. She became famous young, was barely in her thirties, tall and beautiful. Due to long periods of painting indoors, her skin was overly fair, bordering on pale.

She stood up and gave Xu Yinyu a casual greeting. “You’re the lucky winner of this event. What should I call you, sweetheart?”

Xu Yinyu blushed. Seeing her idol up close for the first time, she was inevitably nervous. “Xu Yinyu.”

Feeling too dry, she added, “Teacher Maline, I really love your painting style. It’s profound and grand, like a giant bending down to hold a tiny planet with one finger.”

“Xu, have you seen many of my paintings?” Maline smiled, inviting her to sit down.

Xu Yinyu nodded. “I spent most of my high school years immersed in your works. It left such a deep impression that I now work in the comic industry.”

“You’re a child who loves to draw, Xu. Can you draw something for me to see?” Maline pointed to the brushes and paper on the table, looking at Xu Yinyu expectantly.

Xu Yinyu smiled and agreed, but struggled when she put the brush to paper.

Everyone wants to display their best state and ability in front of their idol, and Xu Yinyu was no exception.

She was so conflicted that she found it hard to start.

A flash of memory—Yu Shujin holding her down from the skyscraper—suddenly sparked an idea.

She quickly sketched the figures and expressions of the two people, then used pigments for coloring. A rough color painting leaped onto the paper.

“Not bad. Although it’s just a double portrait, the composition, shading, and color matching are all commendable for a finished piece. Your fundamentals are solid.”

Maline saw the painting and praised it, which was rare for her.

Xu Yinyu’s restrained technique subtly conveyed the emotions between the characters in their eyes. The faint, almost invisible blue tinge in the eyes of the figure on the left was like a crease of shared emotion, carrying a subtle tension.

This type of innate perceptiveness is rare, even in the crowded field of talented artists.

Maline did not hesitate to extend her hand to Xu Yinyu. “Are you interested in coming to my private studio to study?”

Xu Yinyu gasped, her expression troubled. “But… I can’t afford the tuition.”

A strange look crossed Maline’s brow. She looked at the person wrapped in a wool coat that could cover half the cost of her exhibition, yet troubledly telling her she couldn’t afford tuition.

“It’s fine. Here, the studio pays you an intern salary while you study. The intern salary will cover your living expenses, so please don’t worry.” Maline carefully observed Xu Yinyu’s features. She had offered this Eastern girl a very tempting condition.

“I believe that with your talent, after two years of focused study, you will make huge progress and perhaps even surpass the achievements of all contemporary painters.”

Xu Yinyu had never been praised with so many words. She gaped, looking at Maline in disbelief. “You think too highly of me. I might not be as great as you imagine.”

Maline shook her head. “You are, Xu.”

She picked up the painting, pointing to the faint, subtle glimmer beneath Yu Shujin’s eyes. “The emotional rendering here is very subtle. The tears are almost invisible. That hazy, half-smiling, half-crying look isn’t something everyone can handle accurately. But you did, and on such short notice.”

Xu Yinyu felt elated by Maline’s praise, but the sight of the half-smiling, half-crying Yu Shujin in the painting brought her back to reality.

Why was Yu Shujin’s expression like that at the time?

If Yu Shujin knew she was going to study with Maline in R Country, would she agree?

Even if Yu Shujin agreed, what about her mother?

The questions that arose in Xu Yinyu’s heart instantly calmed her down.

Even though this opportunity was rare and precious, it ultimately didn’t belong to her.

Xu Yinyu apologized. “I’m sorry, my mother is bedridden, and I can’t leave her. I am truly grateful for your appreciation, Teacher Maline.”

Teacher Maline patted her shoulder regretfully. “It’s alright. But I want to tell you, please don’t ever give up painting. You were born for this line of work, believe me.”

Xu Yinyu smiled brightly. “Thank you, Teacher Maline. I will try to attend your next exhibition as well.”

Teacher Maline smiled and handed her a contact card. “The study opportunity I mentioned is always open to you. Once you’ve taken care of your mother, come find me at this address.”

Xu Yinyu looked at her idol gratefully. “Thank you so much. Can I… can I give this painting to you?”

“Of course. I love it, and I will treasure it.” Maline gladly accepted.

Xu Yinyu was about to say something else when a knock sounded at the door, followed by a cold female voice, “Miss Xu.”

Xu Yinyu’s eyes trembled. She immediately told Maline she had to leave.

Maline gave her a hug. “Keep striving, Xu.”

“I will,” Xu Yinyu promised.

Xu Yinyu opened the door, followed the short-haired female bodyguard out of the exhibition, and got into a luxurious sedan. She looked at the person next to her and asked with a strange expression.

“What happened later with you and the Shen family?”

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