He thought for a moment, and his tone softened a bit: “The teacher’s works have sold for thirteen million; aren’t you satisfied with this result?”

“My dad’s works were sold at a high price by Yishu.”

At this point, Xie Ci found it somewhat amusing and retorted, “What does that have to do with you guys at Mingjian?”

The agent maintained a stern expression: “That’s because we did a lot of promotion!”

“Is it all your credit?”

Xie Ci leaned back casually on the sofa, one long leg bent over the armrest, “If your promotion can make my dad’s paintings skyrocket to tens of millions, then why couldn’t they sell even at a lower price before?”

The agent paused, quickly trying to make up for it: “That’s because the target audience for this promotion is not the same as the usual customers who come to the gallery!”

Xie Ci nodded: “Since those who go to the gallery aren’t my dad’s customer base, what’s the point of renewing the contract?”

The agent gritted his teeth: “We can continue to recommend the teacher’s works to suitable clients; we just didn’t find the right positioning before—”

“Didn’t find the right positioning?”

Xie Ci interrupted him, “Or did you simply not do any promotion at all?”

Under questioning, the agent’s heart sank.

“I heard that someone went to Mingjian to look for my dad’s works, but you guys rejected them, saying my dad was sick and couldn’t produce any works?”

Xie Ci watched the agent’s face change color, speaking in a calm tone, “Did you really adhere to the contract terms? Did you do any promotional work? You didn’t even manage the most basic display of the works, right? After signing for so many years, you only promoted once. What, do you feel like you’re losing out?”

It’s you who are being two-faced, using deceitful means to maliciously lower prices. I haven’t even started to hold you accountable, and yet you dare to come to me to talk about breach of contract?”

His tone was calm and steady, but it put immense pressure on the listener.

The agent’s attitude softened again: “Our work has always been very thorough; you can rest assured about that!”

“You don’t need to assure me of anything. Whether you continue to promote or terminate, it’s entirely up to you.”

After saying that, Xie Ci nodded to Yang Le, “Brother Yang, show them out.”

The agent panicked and hurriedly said, “Please reconsider! Our gallery is one of the best in the country, and you saw the success of this auction! To stabilize the value of the teacher’s works, signing with us is the best choice!”

Yang Le was so amused by this shameless agent that he laughed.

“Not long ago, you were still complaining that the teacher’s paintings weren’t profitable, and now you’re groveling so quickly?”

The agent replied, “I’m sorry; that was indeed our work mistake.”

Yang Le said, “Is saying sorry enough?”

The agent’s face turned awkward: “Given that we’ve cooperated for so many years, please give us another chance to make amends!”

Yang Le sneered, “Why didn’t you give the teacher a chance to renew the contract back then?! Knowing full well that he was in poor health, you still presented that shameless buyout contract to bully and squeeze him, and now you come to me talking about feelings?! Get lost!”

Before leaving, Xie Ci told the still-begging agent, “Regarding your breach of contract, this will be handed over to the lawyer. After you go back today, you can start organizing the promotional records you’ve done for my dad over the years. I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep up.”

The agent’s face turned pale, no longer holding the firmness he had when he arrived: “Is it really necessary to go this far? I’ve already said we will compensate! Losing Mingjian’s client resources is a loss for the teacher!”

Xie Ci replied, “You lost the only opportunity to represent a painter worth tens of millions; whose loss is it really?”

The agent watched Xie Ci leave, realizing that it was completely irretrievable. Not only had they failed to secure the contract, but they might also face a lawsuit.

“With the few client resources you have, do you think the teacher still needs them now?”

Yang Le pushed the agent out the door, coldly saying, “Heartless scum, get lost! Don’t come back again!”

Xie Ci walked through the corridor with Xiao Fang and saw his dad, Xie Qian, standing not far away, gazing at his own works on the wall.

He walked over to his dad and looked at the painting on the wall.

After a long while, Xie Qian quietly asked, “Is my painting really worth tens of millions?”

“If someone is willing to pay for it, then it must be worth it,” Xie Ci replied calmly.

Xie Qian turned to look at Xie Ci: “You haven’t done anything dangerous, have you?”

“Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

Xie Ci noticed the unease in his dad’s eyes and added, “The prices of the works might fluctuate a lot during this time. If it bothers you, just don’t pay attention to it. Focus on painting. If you’re feeling down, take a break. As for the students, if you want to take them, take them; if not, then forget it. No need to push yourself so hard.”

Xie Qian said, “I still have to let my son worry about me.”

Xie Ci replied, “For me, having someone to worry about is also a nice experience.”

Xie Qian was taken aback; hearing this made him very happy, but upon reflection, it was also quite painful. Because of him, his son lost the opportunity to care and be cared for, forced to suppress his emotional needs and fall into loneliness.

Xie Ci said, “Besides, helping you is helping myself. If you do well, I can enjoy some benefits too.”

Xie Qian’s lips curled into a faint smile: “I’ll work hard.”

Xie Ci said, “First, get your health sorted out; otherwise, how can I feel at ease leeching off you?”

Xie Qian replied, “Yeah, I’ll go for a check-up tomorrow.”

The father and son walked together toward the backyard.

Xie Ci casually said, “Let Brother Yang accompany you. I have a group match tomorrow and won’t have time.”

Xie Qian asked, “Can outsiders go to watch?”

Xie Ci replied, “Not now, but you can for the finals.”

Xie Qian asked, “Can we make it to the finals?”

Xie Ci said, “I’ll do my best.”

The same words were thrown back at him, and Xie Qian chuckled lightly: “Then I’ll wait to see your finals.”

The two chatted back to their residence, and Xie Ci dropped his backpack: “Is it my turn to cook tonight?”

“I’ll do it; I just learned a few new dishes and want to make them for you to try,” Xie Qian said, rolling up his sleeves and heading to the kitchen.

Xie Ci didn’t argue with him and took Xiao Fang to the outside yard.

Xie Qian took out the ingredients and glanced toward the yard.

Many times, he felt that Xiao Ci didn’t treat him as a “father” but rather as a newly acquainted friend, not overly concerned and not overly interfering, without hatred or forgiveness, completely severing the past from the present, focusing only on the now.

He was very pleased with Xiao Ci’s transformation, not because his son had finally returned to his side, but because he was happy that Xiao Ci no longer had to suffer inner torment.

To completely let go of the past, he asked himself if he could do it; in this regard, Xiao Ci was much more mature than him.

His phone vibrated, and Xie Qian glanced at it, seeing a message from Xie Cheng.

Xie Cheng: [Big brother, when are you free to meet? Mom is getting older and hasn’t been feeling well lately; she really wants to see you.]

Xie Qian tightened his grip on the phone, quickly deleting the message, and took a few deep breaths by the sink to calm himself down.

How could he not harbor resentment? Unless he disappeared.

Saturday morning at 8:30, at the gym of No. 12 Middle School.

As the start time approached, the gym was bustling with busy volunteers. Xie Ci and several key players, including Zhang Ruochuan, had already arrived at the competition venue, doing their last warm-up before the game.

“There are so many people watching the game today,” Jiang Chenyu glanced around the stands, “So many girls are making me a bit nervous.”

Zhang Ruochuan, stretching, replied, “Don’t worry; they’re all here for Old Xie, no one is paying attention to you.”

Jiang Chenyu said, “… At least I’m a star player on the school team of No. 1 Middle School.”

Zhang Ruochuan replied, “Who in our team isn’t a star?”

At 9 o’clock, with a loud whistle, the group matches officially began.

The matches at various venues were intense, and cheers erupted from the audience from time to time, with many reporters nearby taking photos.

Xie Ci and the PE teacher sat on the sidelines, not going on the court.

Today, their opponent was No. 8 Middle School, whose strength was relatively average, so he let the second-year reserve players take the court to gain some practical experience.

During halftime, the players came off the court to rest.

“Old Gu? What are you doing here?” Jiang Chenyu wiped his sweat and turned to look behind Xie Ci.

Xie Ci turned around and saw Gu Yufeng walking over.

“This area is off-limits to non-staff and players; how did you sneak in?”

“I can climb over a three-meter wall; do you think this half-height fence can stop me?”

Gu Yufeng said, placing a bag of functional drinks on a chair, “I missed the last match; if I don’t come this time, I can’t explain myself.”

Xie Ci said, “… Haven’t you written enough self-reflections?”

Gu Yufeng replied, “I don’t believe the old folks at No. 12 can catch me to write self-reflections.”

Xie Ci: “…”

Zhang Ruochuan looked around curiously and asked, “Did you really climb in? Didn’t get caught?”

“I brought him in.”

Wang Wei, who had just finished the cheerleading dance, came off the court and smiled, “Old Gu, I successfully brought you in to see Old Xie; how will you thank me?”

Gu Yufeng took a bottle of drink from the bag and handed it to her: “I’ll treat you.”

Wang Wei took it: “Is that it?”

Gu Yufeng said, “After the match, let Old Xie treat you all to barbecue.”

Wang Wei was puzzled: “Let Old Xie treat?”

“He’s been making a fortune lately, rolling in wealth.” Saying this, Gu Yufeng handed Xie Ci a bottle of purified water.

“Is that true?” Zhang Ruochuan put his arm around Xie Ci’s shoulder, “Old Xie, where did you secretly make your fortune? You didn’t bring me along.”

Jiang Chenyu shrank his neck and remained silent, thinking that Old Xie not bringing him was genuinely for his own good.

Fortune isn’t something anyone can just stumble upon; it’s too taxing on life.

Xie Ci took the water: “You owe someone a favor; let me repay it?”

Gu Yufeng replied, “Why should we keep track of favors?”

His words caused a stir among the group, and Wang Hao, not understanding the situation, jokingly chimed in, “Are we about to drink the captain’s wedding wine?”

The group burst into laughter.

“Do you dare to speak the truth? Are you looking for trouble?”

“Whose wedding wine would you dare to drink?”

Hearing them get more and more outrageous, Gu Yufeng appeared unfazed and continued joking. Xie Ci raised his hand to stop them, signaling them not to go too far.

As the second half was about to start, Xie Ci corrected the issues for each player going on the court and emphasized the battle strategy for the second half.

When the players took the court, he turned around and saw that Gu Yufeng had somehow made it to the front row of the stands, sitting with the cheerleaders, chatting and laughing. The scene was harmonious.

Xie Ci suddenly thought back to his previous life, where Gu Yufeng was always surrounded by a group of men and women during social events.

Sometimes he would be too, but purely for work; he couldn’t feel any joy and found it quite annoying. But Gu Yufeng was different; he seemed to thrive in his comfort zone, adapting very well.

So he never understood why such a sentimental and rational person would be hurt by him to that extent.

Jiang Chenyu threw his towel onto a chair, mumbling as he walked, “Old Gu is too sly, right? He says he’s here to watch our match, but he’s really just looking for girls.”

Fang Sizhe said, “When he first came, no girls dared to approach him; now they’re all familiar with him.”

Zhang Ruochuan shouted to Xie Ci, “Captain, your deskmate has been taken away by a girl; aren’t you jealous?”

“Stop chatting and prepare for the second half.”

Xie Ci crossed his arms, watching them take the court, thinking that if he were to get jealous over such things, he must have been pickled long ago in his previous life.

With ten minutes left in the second half, the reserve players were out of stamina, and in the end, Xie Ci had to go on the court.

As soon as he stepped onto the court, the atmosphere in the gym erupted.

Xie Ci casually turned his head and happened to meet Gu Yufeng’s gaze in the front row. Gu Yufeng had been watching intently, but upon noticing his eyes, he suddenly smiled and winked.

“…”

Better not let this guy come again next time; it would affect the morale.

This group match was won without any suspense; No. 1 Middle School went easy on them, and the score was one-sided.

As Xie Ci walked off the court, a group of students from No. 1 Middle School immediately came over to congratulate him, with Xie Jinlin being the most excited.

“Captain Xie, you played so well today! Keep up the good work, and we can definitely win the championship!”

Xie Ci remembered this kid; he had met him at the studio entrance, and he said he transferred schools just to watch him play.

“Thank you.”

After this wave of people left, Gu Yufeng walked to the fence, looking in the direction where Xie Jinlin and his friends had left: “Don’t you think that kid looks a lot like you?”

Xie Ci paused while drinking water, looking over there in confusion.

“Where do I look like him?”

Gu Yufeng thought for a moment: “I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but I just feel there’s a resemblance.”

Xie Ci tightened the bottle cap, moving his somewhat sore wrist, and inexplicably thought of the day Xie Hongguang walked out of the studio, his face filled with irritation and anger. At that time, Brother Yang had said that Dad didn’t want to see him.

“Is your wrist hurting?”

Gu Yufeng noticed Xie Ci’s movement and pulled his hand over, gently pressing on a few acupoints through the wrist guard.

“What are you doing?”

Xie Ci came back to his senses, wanting to pull his hand back.

Gu Yufeng increased his strength to stop him, continuing to press while casually saying, “You have tenosynovitis, and you’re playing so frequently without even warming up. You’re young and not taking care of yourself; you’ll regret it later.”

Just as he finished speaking, Xie Ci suddenly closed his hand, and Gu Yufeng, caught off guard, found himself held in Xie Ci’s palm, puzzled: “Did I press on a sensitive spot? Why the big reaction?”

Xie Ci looked deeply at him, remaining silent.

He did have tenosynovitis, but it was caused by frequent office work after starting his job. At this moment, his hand was perfectly fine.

How could Gu Yufeng casually say he had tenosynovitis?