Chapter 102: Xie Qingcen's Anxiety

However, if Ruan Liuzheng gave in and began to flatter Wen Jiming, hiding the truth like most ordinary people, then she would no longer be Ruan Liuzheng.

Ruan

Liuzheng smiled faintly, her distinct black and white eyes like a pool of clear water, their light shimmering with a hint of coldness.

She opened her lips gently, her voice gentle yet firm.

"That painting is vibrantly colored, a stark departure from Mr. Wen's usual style. I was immediately struck by it. But..."

Ruan Liuzheng raised her eyes slightly, her pale pink lips curling into a faint arc. Her eyes were clear. "These kinds of vibrantly colored paintings usually express hope and vitality, but that painting just now evokes a subtle melancholy. The coloring clearly creates a stark contrast."

"But isn't this perfectly normal for the art world? It even demonstrates that the artist's skills are so advanced they've transcended the norm," Wen Jiming said calmly, his lips curled slightly.

A gentle, indifferent expression crossed his elegant features.

Ruan Liuzheng nodded in agreement, a sharp glint flickering across her delicate features. "Yes, that truly demonstrates the artist's exceptional skill, but overinfusing emotion can also disrupt the painting's inherently balanced beauty."

"Uncle Wen has been in the industry for many years, and his experience is unmatched by most. I believe, Uncle Wen, you would never make such a rudimentary mistake."

Ruan Liuzheng raised her eyebrows slightly, her fair, delicate face radiating a confident confidence.

It was a confidence in her own professional skills and abilities.

She had the wherewithal.

Wen Jiming was stunned for a moment.

Ruan Liuzheng's smiling face before him was so vivid, exactly like the woman he remembered.

He unconsciously pursed his lips, his gentle eyes dimming slightly.

The emotion within them was obscure and difficult to interpret, a hint of pain lingering.

After a long pause, he raised his gaze, calmly glancing at Ruan Liuzheng. Then, he picked up the teacup from the coffee table and took a sip.

He said nothing else.

His attitude was momentarily ambiguous.

Ruan Liuzheng tapped her fingertips, unhurried, quietly awaiting Wen Jiming's confirmation.

This indirectly demonstrated her confidence in her comments.

A few minutes later, Wen Jiming leisurely drank the last sip of tea from his cup, but he still didn't answer Ruan Liuzheng, as if he had forgotten about her.

He placed the empty cup in front of Xie Qingcen, motioning for him to pour the tea.

While Ruan Liuzheng and Wen Jiming were talking, Xie Qingcen had been sitting nearby, silently listening to their conversation.

However, his hands never stopped moving, slowly and smoothly brewing tea for them.

His movements were graceful, and he was deeply knowledgeable about tea, knowing exactly how to brew the tea Wen Jiming had brought to maximize its fragrance.

From preparing the tea, warming the vessel, clearing the tea, and tasting it, every step was skillful and pleasing to the eye.

Aside from that one time when he answered Ruan Liuzheng's question mid-conversation, he had rarely intervened in the conversation between Wen Jiming and Ruan Liuzheng, including when trying to prove Ruan Liuzheng's worth to Wen Jiming.

He knew Ruan Liuzheng didn't need it.

So, for this conversation, he simply sat quietly and listened.

Ruan Liuzheng didn't need anyone's help; she could earn Uncle Wen's approval, an inner and outward acceptance, on her own.

Now, looking at the teacup that suddenly appeared before her and Wen Jimming's sudden call, Xie Qingcen raised his eyes calmly, glancing at him calmly. Unsurprisingly, he received a faint smile from Wen Jimming.

Xie Qingcen frowned. Uncle Wen's current behavior was hardly that of a cultured man.

He had never before left someone aside for no reason. It was truly... a bit unusual.

But he tactfully kept silent on Ruan Liuzheng's behalf. His intuition told him that Uncle Wen seemed to have other plans for her.

Xie Qingcen pursed his lips, a faint glint flickering in his dark eyes.

He raised his hand, slowly picking up the teapot. With a slight pressure from his wrist, a stream of water swirled down, slowly filling the teacup.

He gently raised his chin, signaling Wen Jiming with his eyes. His voice was clear and melodious, "Hmm."

Wen Jiming smiled faintly, picked up the teacup, and sniffed the refreshing fragrance. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face.

Then he raised his eyebrows, as if finally remembering Ruan Liuzheng across from him, his eyes warm.

"You were right in your comment just now. That painting is indeed not my work. It is also the only unsigned painting in the entire exhibition."

Wen Jiming smiled and curled his lips, his elegant eyebrows slightly relaxed. "However, you didn't answer my most basic question. What if they choose to give up on that painting and don't plan to buy it?" "

Also, the people who come to my exhibition are always rich or noble, especially Wan Ning. I think she should have told you her identity, right? Aren't you afraid... of their revenge?"

Wen Jiming smiled at the corners of his lips, his eyes lightly looking at Ruan Liuzheng, his elegant eyebrows as gentle as always. "Besides, if I remember correctly, the man who came over later should have some connection with you, Qingcen. He should be the one, right?"

Halfway through his words, Wen Jiming's gentle gaze fell on Xie Qingcen. His tone was questioning, but his eyes did not contain the slightest doubt.

He was very sure of his guess.

Xie Qingcen's eyes paused. He glanced sideways at Ruan Liuzheng, who had a puzzled look on her face. Then he turned his head and pursed his lips at Wen Jiming, his handsome face expressionless. "Well, Uncle Wen's eyes are as sharp as ever."

Wen Jiming smiled. "It's my job."

"What are you talking about? Xie Qingcen, you and Fu Yanci?" Ruan Liuzheng was confused as she listened to

the question. She didn't understand. It was clearly a question for her, so why did Xie Qingcen come up? And the tone of Wen Jiming's voice when he talked about Fu Yanci was obviously a little unusual.

Ruan Liuzheng's eyes moved, and her pale pink lips pursed unconsciously.

Facing Ruan Liuzheng's puzzled eyes, Wen Jiming's eyes flashed with surprise. His eyes were warm and his voice was slightly soft.

"Things are arranged on a first come first served basis. Shouldn't you answer my question first, and then let Qingcen answer your doubts?"

Ruan Liuzheng pursed her lips, her brows slightly knitted, and her cold eyes glanced at Xie Qingcen indifferently, but she did not reveal any anger.

She and Xie Qingcen had indeed known each other for a short time, and she did not know much about some things about him.

She had not asked about this, and Xie Qingcen naturally had no reason to tell her, so the responsibility was on her, and she really had no reason to blame Xie Qingcen.

Ruan Liuzheng was not an unreasonable person.

After thinking this through, she took a deep breath, and her cold eyes fell on Wen Jiming who was waiting for an answer in front of her, and nodded slightly apologetically.

She continued, "Because I understand them, maybe in front of other people, they might really give up their obsession with the painting, but in front of me, then they will definitely insist on buying the painting to prove their strength, and then belittle me."

"Uncle Wen, human nature is actually quite easy to guess, especially those with greed in their hearts."

Ruan Liuzheng smiled softly, her calm voice sounding even without a hint of ups and downs, simply recounting a very ordinary and commonplace incident.

Sober and insightful.

Wen Jiming's gaze paused, the smile on his lips becoming more genuine.

He nodded, his tone one of undisguised admiration, "Qingcen is honored to know you and to be with you."

There was a time when he almost thought Xie Qingcen would die alone. After all,

there was hardly anyone in this world worthy of the Xie family's heir, who was almost a genius in his wisdom.

Unexpectedly, after so many twists and turns, Xie Qingcen would meet Ruan Liuzheng, a union of the strong.

Not only physically but also spiritually, he believed they would achieve an unparalleled tacit understanding.

Wen Jiming smiled broadly and looked at Xie Qingcen. "You're truly blessed, boy."

Xie Qingcen's delicate features relaxed slightly. He took Ruan Liuzheng's hand, brought it to his lips, and placed a gentle kiss on it.

He said nothing, yet it felt as if he had said everything.

Everything was said without words.

Ruan Liuzheng frowned at Xie Qingcen's gesture, pursed her lips, and raised her eyes slightly. "So, Uncle Wen, are you going to answer my question now?"

Though she was addressing Wen Jiming, her eyes never left Xie Qingcen.

It was clear who she wanted to hear the answer from.

Wen Jiming smiled at the two men across from him, his eyebrows raised slightly. "Qingcen, shouldn't you say something? Now that you've decided on someone, you shouldn't hide anything. Otherwise, how can the relationship last?"

His features were refined, and the steam rising from the tea in front of him easily engulfed his features, adding a touch of warmth to them.

Besides, Wen Jiming was known for his gentle and refined manner.

Xie Qingcen's dark eyes shifted at his words, but his gaze never left Ruan Liuzheng.

He opened his mouth, a glint of light in his eyes.

"I know, and I've never considered hiding it."

Ruan Liuzheng raised her eyes slightly, her delicate features appearing somewhat cold and indifferent under the light.

She met Xie Qingcen's gaze intently, her tone questioning, "So, what exactly is your relationship with Fu Yanci? If you've never considered hiding it, why didn't you tell me?"

Her eyes were cold, and her pale pink lips were pressed into a tight line.

A hint of chilliness shone across her delicate features.

Xie Qingcen lowered his eyes, his dark eyes like a deep pool. "Because I only found out a while ago, so don't blame me, okay?"

A rare hint of trepidation reached his clear voice.

It was a stark contrast to the man who used to strategize, remaining calm even in the face of adversity.

Wen Jiming, standing opposite, looked on, his elegant features tinged with a hint of amusement.

However, Ruan Liuzheng remained expressionless, showing no signs of emotion.

It was as if she wasn't the heroine of the incident.

Calm and indifferent.