Chapter 20: Being Kept by a Dominant Man

While recuperating on Tengpoundgshan, Zhuang Jianxi enjoyed a daily soak in the hot springs.

Tengpoundgshan was renowned for its beautiful environment and its ability to nurture health. It also boasted naturally occurring hot springs.

Each detached villa had pipes connected to the hot springs. Coupled with the special medicinal ingredients sent by Butler Song every day, Zhuang Jianxi soaked in the springs every other day. It greatly benefited her health, making her skin even smoother, like jade.

After regaining her strength, Zhuang Jianxi couldn’t stay put. Besides assisting in the restoration of ancient paintings and calligraphy at the museum, she would teach art to middle school students at her friend Lu Zhiyuan’s newly opened training institution whenever she had free time.

Lu Zhiyuan’s new training institution, called “Rizhao Art Studio,” was enormous in scale, almost monopolizing the art training institutions in Longcheng.

He had the capability and resources to do so, and he recruited many art school graduates and part-timers to work for him.

As one of the investment partners, Zhuang Jianxi only needed to make occasional appearances and sit in on meetings.

In the afternoon, Lu Zhiyuan was in his office designing the teaching system and artistic programs. As soon as Zhuang Jianxi’s figure appeared at the elevator entrance, his eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up to greet her.

“I’ve been waiting for you, our major shareholder. You’re finally here.”

Lu Zhiyuan’s teasing tone carried a hint of joy.

When he was planning to open this training institution in his junior year, Zhuang Jianxi had invested all her funds without hesitation, a great affirmation and trust in him.

Zhuang Jianxi smiled, “It doesn’t really matter if I come or not.”

“How can that be? When you come, those who think they’re so cool will feel ashamed and behave themselves. They’ll stop wasting time and just focus on their art.”

Lu Zhiyuan knew Zhuang Jianxi preferred tea over coffee, so he kept a tea set in his office, waiting for her to come so he could brew some tea for her.

After Zhuang Jianxi sat down, Lu Zhiyuan personally prepared the tea, warming the cups, brewing the tea, skimming the foam, and serving the tea. His movements were smooth and graceful, a pleasure to watch.

Taking the teacup he handed her, Zhuang Jianxi lowered her head and took a sip, nodding in approval, ” Yunshan Golden Silk Tribute Tea, not bad.”

Looking at her, Lu Zhiyuan smiled warmly, “You can tell the difference, you really are used to drinking good tea.”

“Of course! It’s 3 million yuan per pound, Zhiyuan brother, you wouldn’t even dare drink it normally!”

At this moment, a voice full of annoyance and sarcasm came from the doorway.

Zhuang Jianxi looked up and saw a familiar face, her cousin, Zhuang Qianqian.

Zhuang Qianqian had failed to make a splash after graduating. While she resented Zhuang Jianxi’s artwork fetching a sky-high price, she was even more envious of the man like a god, Qiu Yixun, who hadn’t even given her a second glance.

It was fine that he didn’t notice her beauty at the Zhuang family gathering, but to be so cold towards her again, could it be that this little vixen, Zhuang Jianxi, had whispered in his ear, telling him not to look at her?

Zhuang Qianqian secretly cursed Zhuang Jianxi for being petty and seeing her as a lifelong enemy, afraid that she would steal her man.

Although it was true, without Zhuang Jianxi, Qiu Yixun would definitely have fallen for her…

Being kept by such a dominant man, showered with countless favors, just thinking about it made her heart race, she couldn’t wait to…

Lu Zhiyuan frowned when he saw Zhuang Qianqian, “What are you doing here? Don’t you see we’re talking?”

Zhuang Qianqian pouted, “Zhiyuan brother, we’re all friends, what’s there that I can’t hear?”

Her tone was a little resentful, “You didn’t even offer me this Gong tea when my friend and I came to visit before. As soon as she comes, you personally brew tea for her…”

“What exactly do you want? Stop being sarcastic.”

Lu Zhiyuan was a gentle and well-mannered person, with a good temper. Plus, they all grew up in the same circle. Even if she was usually spoiled, he rarely spoke to her harshly, except when Zhuang Jianxi was around…

Zhuang Qianqian stared at Zhuang Jianxi’s indifferent expression as she calmly sipped tea, her fingers clenched tightly.

Zhuang Qianqian took a deep breath, “I want to ask you when you’re going to the graduation party tonight.”

Their class hadn’t actually finished all the graduation procedures yet. Graduation photos, graduation dinners, and all that hadn’t been done.

The graduation party tonight had been planned last week.

Lu Zhiyuan, as the main driving force, would naturally be there.

He wanted to use this last chance to cultivate connections and resources, paving the way for the future development of Rizhao Art Studio.

Lu Zhiyuan looked at Zhuang Jianxi, his voice gentle and cautious as he asked, “Xiaoxi, this graduation party is something I planned and organized. Come and lend me your presence?”

Zhuang Jianxi didn’t speak for a moment.

She rarely attended these group events. She didn’t like crowded and noisy places.

But she was a part of the large art studio, and to develop it for the long term, she had to make appearances.

She wouldn’t rely on the Zhuang family anymore, and she would also break free from the Qiu family. However, the prerequisite for breaking free from the shackles imposed by others was to have a career to support herself.

Besides, she couldn’t bear to disappoint Lu Zhiyuan’s hopeful gaze.

After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Jianxi nodded in agreement, “I’ll go, but I probably won’t stay too late.”

Qiu Yixun’s curfew was nine o’clock. Under someone’s roof, one had to bow their head. She didn’t want to provoke him again for the time being.

“No problem! You can just come for a while, eat and drink, and don’t worry about anything else.”

Lu Zhiyuan was obviously quite pleased, not noticing the increasingly cold and ugly expression on Zhuang Qianqian’s face.

The graduation party venue was carefully chosen in a grand hotel. Due to the large number of people, it was arranged in the lobby on the first floor.

A group of young men and women sat around several tables, their laughter and chatter filled the air. Amidst the clinking of glasses, there was the youthful vitality and enthusiasm unique to their age.

At seven in the evening, Lu Zhiyuan and Zhuang Jianxi walked in slowly from the entrance.

Their arrival, like a gentle breeze carrying the light of the moon, lightly swept across the lively banquet, instantly bringing the noisy scene to a quiet hush. It was as if the entire space was illuminated by their presence.

Zhuang Jianxi was wearing a simple white dress, the hem swaying gently. Her coolness revealed an undeniable elegance and detachment.

Her features were exquisite, as if they were the most successful work of nature. Every line was meticulously sculpted, perfectly outlining a flawlessly beautiful face.

One couldn’t help but exclaim: Such a beauty, truly rare in the world.

This scene filled Zhuang Qianqian, who had arrived early and been praised by everyone, with a mixture of emotions. The hands she had been tightly clenched unconsciously increased their force, leaving faint indentations on her palm from her forceful grip.

It was always like this!

Originally, she, with her beauty and talent, was the center of attention. But as soon as Zhuang Jianxi appeared, all eyes and topics seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, focusing on her.

Many times, she had thought, why did the Zhuang family have both Qian and Xi? If there was no Zhuang Jianxi, she would be the only beautiful flower in the Zhuang family.