Self-Perception - Chapter 46

Wen Jinyan stared intensely at the back of the man who had just stood up in front of her, her fingernails digging into her palms once again.

“Mumu, Mumu.”

Wen Qiuyi leaned in close, her voice pulling Jinyan back to reality.

Wen Jinyan closed her eyes and reopened them, her gaze appearing somewhat dim and distant. “What is it, Auntie?” she asked softly.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” Wen Qiuyi pried her hands open. On Jinyan’s soft palms, deep nail marks had appeared, purple-red and streaked with blood. She gasped, “How is it bleeding already?!”

Wen Qiuyi stuffed a handkerchief into Jinyan’s palm, her voice filled with heartache. Jinyan replied emotionlessly, “Maybe I just used a bit too much force because it’s a little cold.”

“How much force must that take? Do you need to go get it bandaged?” Wen Qiuyi’s voice was thick with worry. She made a phone call, and moments later, an assistant brought over a coat, which Qiuyi draped over Jinyan.

“The wound is tiny. By the time I walk over there, it’ll probably be healed already,” Wen Jinyan laughed, pulling the coat tighter with her other hand.

“You still have the energy to joke, it seems you really don’t feel the pain,” Wen Qiuyi tapped her through the clothes, not daring to use any real strength.

“What I’ve brought today is a landscape painting I created personally. My skill isn’t refined,” Xiao She stood on stage, a painting hanging beside him. It depicted mountains and water reflecting each other with a single small boat on a lake, a scene of peace and beauty.

The host asked, “Teacher Xiao, what was your original inspiration for this piece?”

Xiao She took the microphone. “I painted this a month ago. At the time, I was feeling very restless and anxious. I did it just to relax, and so, this painting was born.”

The host continued, “And what is your valuation for this piece?”

“I’m not a professional. This painting helped relieve my anxiety, so I hope it can help a kindred spirit who wins the bid to also find calm. My starting price is 50,000.”

Painted a month ago to relieve anxiety? A month ago, Gu Wansheng’s movie had just finished filming, and the movie Xiao She edited had also just wrapped. It was likely they would share the same release window during the New Year. Jinyan wondered: were his words calculated or accidental?

“100,000.” “150,000.”

The bidders were mostly celebrities, all looking for an opportunity to use the painting as a bridge to speak with Xiao She.

Ultimately, the price reached 500,000, won by an actor from a wealthy family. This price wasn’t for the art itself, it was for a “possibility”, a meeting, a few seconds of eye contact.

Wen Jinyan felt deeply how much fame and power could return to a person. No wonder he chased it so fervently, the temptation was too great.

After a few more items, the next lot was a vase brought by Wen Qiuyi.

The starting price was 300,000. People from all sides competed, and within minutes, the price had quadrupled.

“1.4 million!” Wen Jinyan followed the voice. The bidder was Gu Huai.

“Mr. Gu from Wansheng Entertainment? I didn’t expect him to enjoy collecting vases.”

“1.4 million going three times… Sold! Congratulations, Mr. Gu.”

Wen Jinyan noticed Gu Huai suddenly turn his head toward them. Her intuition told her he was looking at her aunt. For just a second, he looked, then withdrew his gaze.

“Auntie, do you know Mr. Gu?”

“I don’t,” Qiuyi replied, her tone quick and blunt.

Jinyan felt there was something between them but didn’t push further. Not long after, she heard the host introduce the item brought by Gu Wansheng.

It was a piece of embroidery: “A Hundred Flowers Competing in Beauty.” It was lush, vibrant, and full of life. The starting price was 100,000. The price soared quickly to 500,000.

“Auntie, can I borrow some money to bid on this embroidery?”

Wen Qiuyi looked at the embroidery on stage, then at Wen Jinyan. Understanding dawned, and she patted Jinyan’s hand. “You like this one?”

Did she like it? Not necessarily, but she wanted to support Gu Wansheng.

Jinyan nodded. “Yes.” “If you like it, bid for it.” This was the confidence Wen Qiuyi gave her.

“One million! Mr. Xiao bids one million! Anyone else?”

Wen Jinyan whispered into Wen Qiuyi’s ear. Qiuyi nodded and raised the paddle.

“1.5 million?! Teacher Wen bids 1.5 million!” “1.5 million once… twice… three times. Sold! Congratulations, Teacher Wen.”

The charity auction lasted two hours. As people began to leave, Wen Qiuyi, worried Jinyan would catch a cold, told her to wait inside the hall while the assistant called for the car.

“Teacher Wen.” Wen Qiuyi turned, it was Xiao She. She offered a polite smile. “Mr. Xiao.”

“I didn’t expect Teacher Wen to also fancy that embroidery.” “Is Mr. Xiao blaming me for taking what you loved?”

Xiao She shook his head. “No, no. Teacher Wen, you recently returned to the country, right? I’ve always loved your piano playing and have wanted an opportunity to discuss it with you.”

Qiuyi said formally, “If there is a chance, we certainly will.” Xiao She didn’t seem surprised. “Of course, everything depends on your schedule. Then, Teacher Wen, I’ll take my leave.”

“You actually know Xiao She?” a cold voice rang out from behind.

Wen Qiuyi’s blood began to boil. She gripped her folded arms tightly and turned to face the woman. She said calmly, “Whether I know him or not shouldn’t have anything to do with you, President Gu.”

Footsteps approached. An assistant walked past Qiuyi and whispered to Gu Huai. Gu Huai nodded, handed her coat to the assistant, and as she brushed past Qiuyi’s arm, she intentionally lingered to whisper: “Welcome back to the country.”

Only when the flow of cars had left did Wen Qiuyi relax her clenched palms.

“Auntie,” Wen Jinyan stepped forward. She had seen that man talking to her aunt and stayed back on purpose, but she hadn’t expected Gu Wansheng’s aunt to approach her afterward. They clearly knew each other.

“It’s cold out here, why didn’t you wait inside?” Wen Qiuyi tightened the suit jacket around Jinyan. “I wanted to be with you.”

Wen Qiuyi felt Jinyan was different, different from when she was sitting in the hall earlier but she couldn’t quite put her finger on how.

The car arrived. Inside, Jinyan’s phone vibrated. It was a message from Gu Wansheng.

[Gu Wansheng]: Have you eaten? What are you doing? [Cat peeking emoji]

[Wen Jinyan]: Not yet. On my way back. [Gu Wansheng]: Okay.

Even with just a simple “Okay,” Jinyan felt a hint of grievance hidden in the text.

[Gu Wansheng]: Is it convenient to call now?

Wen Jinyan looked at Wen Qiuyi, who was resting her head against the window. “Auntie, I’m going to make a call.” She waved her phone.

The chat interface was still open. Wen Qiuyi saw the name “Gu Wansheng” and smiled knowingly. “Go ahead.”

When Jinyan turned the phone toward herself, she realized she had left the chat open. She messaged “Okay” and Gu Wansheng called immediately.

“Mumu.” “Why call me that all of a sudden?” Jinyan lowered her voice, glancing at her aunt. Seeing Qiuyi looking away, she felt a sense of “thief like” guilt and laughed.

Her laughter reached the other end. Gu Wansheng hummed softly and smiled. “What are you laughing at?” “I don’t know.” She was lying, but she wouldn’t tell Gu Wansheng that.

“Why do you want to call me by my nickname?” “Your aunt can call you that, so why can’t I?”

Is she jealous? Jinyan couldn’t see her face, but hearing her voice made her want to reach through the phone and hug her.

“You can. But in exchange, you have to tell me your nickname too,” Jinyan said, bringing the phone closer. A nonsensical request.

“What do you want to eat? I’ll cook for you when you get back.” “Gu Wansheng, don’t change the subject.” Jinyan looked out the window. “Don’t you want to know my nickname? I’ll tell you in person when you’re back,” Gu Wansheng laughed.

Jinyan rubbed her ear and gave a barely audible “Mhm.” “I want noodles. I don’t have much of an appetite.” “Want an egg? My fried eggs are pretty good.” “Okay.”

Jinyan hung up. “Finished?” Wen Qiuyi turned. “Yes.” Jinyan sat back, relaxed. “You two have a great relationship.” Jinyan’s face turned red with a hint of shyness.

After being dropped off, Jinyan watched her aunt’s car disappear into the night before heading inside. She opened the door, and Gu Wansheng poked her head out from the kitchen. She must have just changed out of her gown, she was tying an apron behind her back, her eyes full of smiles. “You’re back!”

Jinyan’s heart warmed. The light above Gu Wansheng was warm-toned, casting a glow over her shoulders. The scene was peaceful and cozy. Jinyan had a sudden, overwhelming urge, she wanted to hug her.

And she did. Gu Wansheng found herself with an armful of pine-scented fragrance, along with a hint of another high-end perfume. But her confusion over the scent was replaced by the excitement and surprise of the embrace.

She stopped tying her apron and wrapped her arms around Jinyan.

“Didn’t you want to hear my nickname?” Gu Wansheng held her tightly, as if trying to merge Jinyan into her very bones. “Lean in closer, hold me tighter, and I’ll tell you.” Her voice was soft and seductive.

Jinyan held her. “Xiao Jiu.” (Little Nine) “Xiao Jiu… which two characters?”

Gu Wansheng took Jinyan’s hand and used her finger as a pen to draw the characters in her palm. She stopped and looked up. “Do you know now?” “The ‘Xiao’ for small, and ‘Jiu’ for September?”

“Say it once,” Gu Wansheng prompted. “Xiao… no.” Jinyan avoided her gaze. “I feel a bit embarrassed.” “Mumu,” Gu Wansheng called out. “Mumu… mmm!”

Jinyan immediately reached up and covered Gu Wansheng’s mouth. With her head lowered, she whispered, “Gu Wansheng.” Her voice was light and shy.

Her palm covered half of Wansheng’s face, leaving only a pair of peach-blossom eyes, bright and sparkling. Too dazzling, too passionate.

Gu Wansheng pulled Jinyan’s hand down and looked at her. “Just say it once.” What a strange obsession.

Jinyan opened her mouth and whispered as faintly as a mosquito: “Xiao… Jiu.”

“Go sit down. I’ll go boil the noodles,” Gu Wansheng patted her shoulder.