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“The Painting Immortal Award is held every five years and is one of the most prestigious competitions in traditional Chinese painting. Once Qingyu wins the championship trophy, your reputation will reach new heights. The title of ‘genius painter’ will then become your stepping stone into the entertainment industry.”
Yun Zhentian had never considered having Yun Qingyu join the Capital’s Chinese Art Association—after all, it was filled with master-level figures in traditional painting. If Yun Qingyu were to enter and her flaws were exposed, it would spell disaster.
His real plan was to craft a “genius” persona for Yun Qingyu, then use that reputation to propel her into the entertainment industry. Yun Qingyu wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but with such a title, she could still carve out a place for herself.
Once Yun Qingyu gained influence in the entertainment world, his own prestige would rise as well. With that, wouldn’t money come pouring in?
Feiyan watched the family coldly before snatching up a pen and decisively signing her name on the agreement.
“From this day forward, I sever all ties with the Yun family.” With those words, Feiyan rushed out, not even sparing a glance at He Zilin standing by the door.
After a moment’s hesitation, He Zilin chased after her.
He grabbed her wrist. “Xiao Yan.”
“Let go.” Feiyan tried to shake him off without a second thought.
He Zilin held firm. When he learned that the internet-famous artist “Wangshu” was her, an inexplicable emotion stirred in his heart.
Compared to Yun Qingyu, Feiyan was more beautiful, her figure more graceful, and her aura carried an elegant, classical refinement—like a daughter from an aristocratic family. That was why he had initially mistaken her for the Yun family’s true heiress.
Even before, his heart leaned more toward Feiyan. Now that he knew of her talent, he is even more determined to hold her.
Seeing that she couldn’t shake him off, Feiyan stopped struggling. Instead, she slowly raised her eyes, her voice trembling as she spoke. “He Zilin, you should have told me earlier.”
“What?” He Zilin was bewildered.
“Our feelings for each other were never that deep. If you wanted to break up, why force yourself to sneak around with Yun Qingyu behind my back?” The sorrow Feiyan once felt had already become indifference. “Your He family may be influential, but I’m not the kind of person who doesn’t know when to quit. I won’t cling to you.”
“You knew?! How did you find out?” He Zilin’s expression darkened—a mix of guilt from being exposed and irritation at her indifferent attitude. The Feiyan he knew was never this cold.
“Xiao Yan, I had no choice,” he said, pressing his lips together.
“Your ‘no choice’ was cheating on me with Yun Qingyu? How tragic for you.” Her words were laced with sarcasm.
“Xiao Yan, there’s no need to be so cruel.” He Zilin tightened his grip on her hand and began explaining his predicament. “In the He family, I’m just an unfavored grandson. Yun Zhentian is now my grandfather’s chess partner—they’ve even become close friends despite their age difference. I need to use the Yun family to improve my relationship with Grandfather so I can have a chance at becoming the He family’s successor.”
“Xiao Yan, it’s you I love.” He Zilin started painting a grand future for her. “Once I secure control of the He family, I’ll marry you.”
Feiyan looked at him with disdain and deliberately asked, “And what about Yun Qingyu?”
“Once I have power, the Yun family will lose all value to me. How could a talentless hack who needs you as her ghostwriter ever deserve to stand by my side? She’s nothing.”
At that moment, Feiyan finally saw He Zilin for what he truly was—a selfish, heartless beast.
If he called Yun Qingyu a hack, what would he call her?
Remembering the absurdity of last night, Feiyan suddenly wanted to see his reaction. “Last night, the Yun mother and daughter drugged my drink with an aphrodisiac. Did you know about that?”
He Zilin paled. “What? I didn’t know.” He genuinely hadn’t been aware.
“Were you hurt?”
“After I passed out, I spent the whole night with a stranger.” Feiyan rose slightly on her toes, leaning into whisper in his ear, “The kind where we were both completely naked.”
As she moved closer, the red marks on her neck became visible. He Zilin saw them.