The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 82. Yu Xiaoxuan Returns (First Update)

Chapter 82: 82. Yu Xiaoxuan Returns (First Update)

Daniel pondered for a few seconds before speaking, "How about this, we won’t sell these paintings for now. I still have two of your older works, so you paint a few more, and then we can hold a personal exhibition."

Shen Qinglan had no objections, as Daniel would be in charge of the exhibition, and she wouldn’t need to do anything.

Daniel carefully packed away the paintings and then sat down, "By the way, Qinglan Baby, someone has been inquiring about the relationship between you and me."

Daniel’s words were laced with ambiguity.

But Shen Qinglan immediately understood what he meant, "Shen Xitong?"

Daniel pursed his lips disinterestedly, "Qinglan Baby, a woman who’s too smart is not cute."

"That’s still better than being laughably stupid," Shen Qinglan replied, her tone airy.

Daniel had no retort.

"Qinglan Baby, why would Shen Xitong suddenly care about our relationship?"

"It’s probably because of the Longevity Painting."

Daniel knew that Shen Qinglan had recently painted a "Longevity Painting" for Shen Qian. Once she mentioned this, he understood why.

"A few days ago, I got a call from a friend who asked me if I knew someone named Shen Qinglan and how I was related to her. I guessed someone was probing for information, so I told him that we are on good terms. Then I asked him who was asking about it. At first, he was evasive and didn’t want to say, but after I pressed him, he finally told me it was Shen Xitong. How about that, Qinglan Baby? Am I smart or what? Without any prep, I handled it perfectly. I’m really a genius."

Daniel couldn’t stay serious for more than three seconds before showing his true colors.

Daniel didn’t know much about the Shen family’s affairs, but he was aware that Shen Xitong was an adopted daughter of the Shen Family and that her relationship with Shen Qinglan wasn’t good.

"Don’t bother with her. And thanks for this time."

Daniel smiled, "Qinglan Baby, do we need to be so formal with each other?"

If at first, Daniel and Shen Qinglan’s relationship was merely employer and employee, they had since become friends.

Shen Qinglan’s lips curved slightly, "No, we don’t need to be."

"Speaking of which, Qinglan Baby, are you planning to keep the fact that you’re Leng Qingqiu hidden forever?" Daniel inquired, his curiosity piqued. If it were someone else, the fact that they were a famous young painter would have been announced to the world long ago, not kept hidden even from family.

"Now isn’t the right time; I’ll tell them later," Shen Qinglan had no intention of keeping it secret from them forever, just that the timing wasn’t right yet.

Shen Qinglan couldn’t imagine at that moment how quickly the right time would come.

Daniel didn’t stay long. After taking the paintings, he left to deposit them in a safety deposit box at the bank as they were of great value.

**

After Daniel left, Shen Qinglan also left Shangya Garden. She didn’t head straight back to school but went to the airport for a pickup, as she had received a message from Yu Xiaoxuan at noon saying she was returning from Jinning City.

"Qinglan, I’m back!" In the airport, Yu Xiaoxuan, wearing a pair of sunglasses, sprinted over excitedly.

Shen Qinglan took her luggage and smiled, "Did everything go well?"

"Very well. I’ve just wrapped up filming, and the director was really pleased with my performance. There’s also good news I need to tell you." Yu Xiaoxuan paused and leaned closer to Shen Qinglan, "I’ve officially signed with Shengxuan Company, and now I’m an artist under their banner. Starting next month, the company is going to provide specialized training for me."

Yu Xiaoxuan was very happy, and Shen Qinglan was happy for her too, "Congratulations, to celebrate your smooth progress tonight, my treat."

"Sure, sure, but this time I must pick up the tab. I’ve already received my salary. It’s not much, but it’s enough to treat you guys. Remember to invite Fang Tong and Wu Qian, the four of us will have a big meal together."

"Okay." Shen Qinglan agreed, then asked casually, "Is acting in films fun?"

Yu Xiaoxuan nodded and then shook her head, "At first, I thought it was quite fun, but later I realized it’s really exhausting, especially since Director Li Liqun is so strict. Even a tiny bit of dissatisfaction meant redoing the scene. Because I was nervous at the beginning, I kept getting scolded by him. A few times when I was scolded harshly, I thought about giving up."

"But then I thought to myself, this is a hard-won opportunity. If I missed it, maybe I would never have such a chance again in my life, so I just gritted my teeth and persevered."

"Whenever I had time, I would ponder over the script and ask others in the crew for advice. Luckily, everyone in our crew was really kind. When I went to them with questions, they were willing to help me."

Shen Qinglan listened attentively, recalling the scene she had witnessed in Jinning City, "No one in the crew gave you a hard time?"

Yu Xiaoxuan shook her head, "No, the people in the crew are very nice. Knowing I was a newcomer and didn’t understand many technical terms, they even explained them to me. Especially Sister An Yue, although she was just making a special appearance, she actually performed scenes with me. Qinglan, you know me, I was so ecstatic I almost fainted. An Yue, she’s a movie queen!"

Yu Xiaoxuan completely avoided mentioning the physical abuse she experienced on set, whether she had forgotten it or didn’t want her to worry, Shen Qinglan could only pretend not to know.

"Xiao Xuan, if you suffer any grievances out there, you can talk to me. Although I can’t help you much, my shoulder is always here for you to lean on."

Shen Qinglan rarely spoke such sentimental words. That she said them today was already quite an effort.

Yu Xiaoxuan was touched deep inside, hugging Shen Qinglan’s arm and resting her head on her shoulder, "Qinglan, it’s so good to be friends with you in this lifetime."

Shen Qinglan gave a faint smile, her beautiful eyes twinkling with stars.

Back in the dormitory, Fang Tong was not in, leaving only Wu Qian alone. She was still lying on the bed, silent, seemingly asleep. On the table, there was a portion of food that had gone cold.

Yu Xiaoxuan pointed to Wu Qian’s bed, looking puzzledly at Shen Qinglan.

Shen Qinglan shook her head, she didn’t know what was going on either.

"Wu Qian, are you asleep?" Yu Xiaoxuan asked softly.

Wu Qian didn’t respond.

Yu Xiaoxuan was about to call out again when Fang Tong returned. Seeing Yu Xiaoxuan, she was also very happy.

"Xiao Xuan, you’re back."

Yu Xiaoxuan nodded, "Yep, did you miss me?"

Fang Tong rolled her eyes, "As if I would miss you."

Suddenly noticing the unopened lunch box on Wu Qian’s desk, still as Fang Tong had left it at noon, "Wu Qian, did you not eat lunch?"

Wu Qian’s quilt moved slightly, and her muffled voice came from beneath, "I had no appetite at noon, so I didn’t eat, sorry for wasting your kindness."

Fang Tong didn’t mind the wasted kindness, "Wu Qian, are you still feeling that bad? Why don’t we go to the clinic and have a look?"

She had assumed Wu Qian skipped lunch because of an intense reaction to her menstrual cycle.