Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 163 Heart can’t take it, Sister Lan’s birthday party [1 update]

Chapter 163: 163 Heart can’t take it, Sister Lan’s birthday party [1 update]

Indeed, the people of Shenzhou are not as forthright as they seemed, always needing some twists and turns in the process of doing things.

The middle-aged man’s expression also showed some displeasure, "The Chairman and Mr. Ai Er are discussing important matters, isn’t it inappropriate to let others come in and disturb?"

What matter could be more significant than the cooperation between the Jiangcheng Art Association and the World Cultural Heritage Center?

Chairman Tao, seemingly deaf to this reasoning, rubbed his hands with impatient eagerness, "Quick, quick, quick, let me see the painting, I guarantee nothing can scare me."

Seeing his insistence, Ye Wanlan directly took out the box containing the painting scroll.

She thought that Cheng Qingli’s statement about scaring people was probably just an exaggeration, after all, during the years she studied painting under the Imperial Tutor Han Yunsheng, her work had been criticized countless times as worthy of the trash.

Therefore, Ye Wanlan also did not quite understand why her painting fetched such a high price at auction three hundred years later.

If Han Yunsheng saw it, he would surely call it foolish.

Chairman Tao could hardly wait to open the box, untie the string on the scroll, and unfold the painting.

The next second, his eyes suddenly rolled back as if he were having a seizure, with his hands and body convulsing.

The assistant, quick to react, immediately grabbed the cup of tea that had been prepared earlier, pinched Chairman Tao’s chin, and poured it into his mouth.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Chairman Tao let out an earth-shaking cough, his face turning red from the effort.

The value of a painting is not just determined by the skill used, but also by the underlying concept.

The "Fengyuan City" painted by Ye Wanlan was of top-notch skill and had an outstanding concept.

Even if this painting were to be entered into the final round of this international painting competition, it would surely clench the first place!

Thinking of this, Chairman Tao’s gaze turned resentful, "Wasn’t it said that it didn’t need to be painted so earnestly, that using an axe to kill a chicken was unnecessary?"

This painting did not belong to the same category as the "Born of the Same Root" from yesterday, yet its value was no less.

"Inspiration struck suddenly, so I painted it," Ye Wanlan said with a faint smile, "Whether it’s painting or any other kind of art, works created in one breath often turn out better."

"That’s true," Chairman Tao agreed, nodding, "Sometimes when you lack nothing else, you lack inspiration, and no matter what, you can’t produce a satisfying painting."

He felt somewhat reluctant to send this painting to participate in the international youth painting competition, but he also clearly knew that using this painting to represent Shenzhou in the competition would be extraordinarily meaningful.

"Now that the Chairman has received the painting, I will take my leave," Ye Wanlan said, "If there’s anything else, you can call me or contact me on WeChat."

"Sure, sure, go about your business," Chairman Tao said with a smile, "I should be the one saying that. If you need any help with anything, just come to me."

The assistant sent Ye Wanlan out respectfully again.

Chairman Tao lovingly caressed the painting scroll, occasionally letting out a fascinated sigh.

This caused the middle-aged man and Mr. Ai Er to look at each other, their expressions simultaneously becoming stern.

Tao Ruhua had been serving as chairman of the Jiangcheng Art Association for seven or eight years, always mature and steady, albeit occasionally temperamental, but when had he ever shown such an expression?

Could it be this painting...

Mr. Ai Er cleared his throat, "Chairman Tao, this painting—"

"Since Mr. Ai Er seems so displeased with our Shenzhou traditional painting, there’s no need to force yourself to look at it," Chairman Tao abruptly refused, "Indeed, as you said, it cannot grace the halls of the greats. I won’t hurt your eyes; this pain I can bear alone!"

With a "Pfft," the assistant couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

Mr. Ai Er’s face turned a shade of iron blue, and he stood up coldly, "If Chairman Tao does not wish to cooperate with the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, then we have no reason to stay."

The middle-aged man hurried after him, then paused, turning back to shake his head at Chairman Tao, "Chairman, you are being foolish!"

This was a negotiation many dreamt of!

"I’m not feeling well, so I won’t see you out," Chairman Tao said lightly.

One moment looking down on Shenzhou traditional paintings, the next wanting to see Ye Wanlan’s work?

There’s no such good deal!

Certainly, many things are driven by profit, but some things cannot be forsaken; even if it meant losing the cooperation, he would not allow others to insult traditional painting.

At that moment, Master Wu crept in, his back hunched, speaking cautiously, "Senior brother, may I take a look? You know I’ve been devoted to traditional painting for a long time, I just want to see the painting."

Chairman Tao sighed, "Fine, take a look."

He unfurled the painting scroll again, and the city of Fengyuan from three hundred years past reappeared before them.

"This painting..." Master Wu was startled, his hand trembled, and he collapsed onto the couch.

Chairman Tao quickly turned, "Oh no, I almost forgot. The tea?"

"Ah?" the assistant looked blank, "Miss Ye only brought one packet of tea when she came, and you’ve already finished it."

"Sigh," Chairman Tao rolled up the painting scroll again, patting Master Wu on the shoulder, "Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to show you, but this is something that could shock your heart, I dare not let you see it again."

Humming a tune, he walked away with the box in his arms.

**

After buying some more painting supplies, Ye Wanlan returned to the Lin Family Old House.

As she opened the door, she discovered that an entire class from Jiangcheng No. 7 Middle School, the siblings Jiang Xulin and Jiang Zhengxue, Cheng Qingli, and other acquaintances were all there.

Su Xueqing waved at her, "Wanlan, we’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

"Sister Lan, hello!" Jiang Zhengxue bowed.

Ye Wanlan was a bit surprised, "Why are there so many people, is there some event going on?"

"Today is July 24th, ah, you didn’t forget that today is your birthday, did you?" Lin Huaijin paled, "I’ve mentioned it to you several times! Can’t you see that all these star balloons and streamers are for a birthday?"

He had decorated for so long, and he was heartbroken.

Ye Wanlan: "..."

She seemed to have really forgotten amidst the busyness.

"Our Wanlan is a busy person, in charge of the company," Su Xueqing blinked, "Uncle, don’t blame her for forgetting her own matters."

"Yes, Uncle, Sister Lan is so busy, it’s forgivable if she forgets,"

Lin Huaijin was ecstatic to be called Uncle repeatedly, "Have fun everyone, don’t be shy."

Faced with such a scene, Lin Qin felt a bit constrained.

But the students from Class One of No. 7 Middle School were very friendly, and a few who had heard of her even dragged her to join in their games.

Because of her health, Lin Weilan couldn’t withstand too much noise, so she rested upstairs.

"Sister Lan, you have to be happy every day now that you’re eighteen, and lead us to make a fortune," Cheng Qingli clasped her hands together, "I will pray to our ancestors, asking them to bless us."

Ye Wanlan forked a piece of cake, raising an eyebrow, "Which ancestor?"

"None other than Princess Yongning," Cheng Qingli said proudly, puffing out her chest, "I’m her one and only fan, never climbing over the wall, but of course, you’re different, Sister Lan!"

"Better to seek help from oneself than from others," Ye Wanlan smiled faintly, "In this world, relying on oneself is what really works."

She didn’t know that she had the power to bless people, but if it could provide moral support, that was a good thing.

Cheng Qingli, gazing enviously at the students discussing a math problem, propped her chin and sighed, "If only I could go to school too..."

With an older brother and a younger brother, good things never seemed to come her way.

She had passed the high school entrance exams, but her family had used the excuse of lack of money to force her to quit school.

Having finally made it to Jiangcheng and meeting Ye Wanlan was a turning point in her life.

She was going to work hard.

At that moment, in a corner of the garden,

Madam Lin was on the phone.

"It’s been several days, how come there’s still no news?" Bai Jingxue was becoming impatient, "You’re living right in the Lin Family Old House, with the advantage of proximity, can’t you act a bit faster?"

"You think I don’t want to?" Madam Lin was also somewhat irritable, "These past few days she has indeed been coming back here, but either everyone is around, or she’s alone with the old lady, how do you expect me to make a move?"

She had even rummaged through the trash can to find a strand of Ye Wanlan’s hair.

Unfortunately, there were indeed many hairs in the trash can, all tangled together, making it impossible to identify who they belonged to.

"Then you better find an opportunity quickly!" Bai Jingxue stomped with urgency, "Do I need to teach you how to handle such a trivial thing? Sister-in-law, you used to be the smartest person in the Lin Family."

"What’s the rush, isn’t today a good opportunity?" Madam Lin’s eyes twinkled, "The old lady really cares for her, inviting her whole class to join her birthday party."

"Oh? Today is her birthday? With so many people, it is indeed a good opportunity to act," Bai Jingxue remarked, "Choosing this moment to drug her could even help you escape suspicion."

"I have exactly that intention, wait for my good news," said Madam Lin before hanging up.

In the vicinity, Lin Qingwen, having listened to the exchange between the two, still hesitated, "Are you sure nothing will happen?"

"What could possibly happen?" Madam Lin was unconcerned, "It’s just using her hair for a paternity test, we’re not after her life. If it turns out to be true, aren’t we helping her find her biological mother?"

If the paternity test proved a mother-daughter relationship, it would be the perfect excuse to partner with Bai Jingxue and figure out a way to drive Ye Wanlan out of the Lin Family.

She was eager to see how Lin Weilan could still protect Ye Wanlan this time!