80

 After the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, everyone started returning to school one after another.

Qi Dong had learned his lesson this time and left with Zhao Ying in the middle of the night, so they arrived at school just as dawn broke. Luckily, there were no curfews during the holidays; otherwise, he might not have made it back in time.

Wang Hao brought back some local specialties, which he spread out on the table in a jumble of bags.

“Where’s Fatty? When’s he coming back?”

Since it was food, Fatty was usually the main player in these situations.

Qi Dong opened a bag of snacks and took a bite, making a comment. “That guy only thought about going home and didn’t even buy a ticket to return. Now he’s waiting for the refund from his standby ticket before realizing his mistake.”

Wang Hao asked, “What’s he going to do?”

Xiang Ran replied, “He’s probably scrambling to find a connecting flight right now.”

The boys' dormitory was lively, and Wang Hao’s treats had been shared among other dormmates, leaving little behind.

In the Art College's Building C, Liu Shuyao was nearly done with her competition piece and took the opportunity to show it to Teacher Wan while registering.

“You mentioned that painting was already in progress?”

“Yeah, I think it’s almost there, but I’d like to hear your opinion.”

“You could add more brightness and gradient colors towards the direction of the rising sun to enhance the sunrise effect. Use a gradient from orange to soft pink or purple.”

“Check if the composition aligns with your vision. I think you could adjust the positioning of some elements to better balance the overall piece.”

Teacher Wan had a keen eye and quickly spotted Liu Shuyao’s current issues. “Overall, it’s great. Just pay attention to these two points.”

Listening to her teacher, Liu Shuyao nodded earnestly, taking notes. “Thanks! Your encouragement means a lot. I’ll keep working hard.”

She felt overjoyed to receive Teacher Wan’s approval and was about to share the good news with her boyfriend.

Their chat history still showed Xiang Ran reminding her earlier in the morning to take an umbrella because it would rain.

Then she noticed a woman standing at the door. Dressed in a long-sleeved, new-style Chinese dress with intricate floral embroidery, the woman had a slightly furrowed brow and tight lips, her expression very indifferent.

Liu Shuyao felt her legs momentarily freeze, and her smile faded significantly as she softly called out, “Mom.”

“Your grandfather informed us that we’re having lunch at his place. Let’s go,” Xu Ruya said, only stating this before turning toward the car.

“Mom, I want to put my things back in the dorm first.”

Instinctively, Liu Shuyao moved her art case behind her, but Xu Ruya merely glanced at it.

“Just take it with you; we have the car.”

Liu Shuyao had no choice but to nod and silently followed Xu Ruya into the car.

Taking the chance, she sent a message to her boyfriend.

As the scenery outside the car window gradually shifted from the towering buildings of the city to sprawling greenery, Liu's family had been in business for generations and was quite well-off. Although Grandpa Liu no longer managed the company, he still held significant authority at home.

Upon arrival, the grand entrance opened to reveal an exquisitely paved stone courtyard adorned with delicate flower beds and elegant sculptures, and Liu Shuyao kept close behind Xu Ruya.

As they entered the living room, most guests had already arrived. Liu Shuyao greeted the elders in the family and quietly found a corner to wait for dinner.

It wasn’t until she noticed the outsiders present that she realized the purpose of today’s meal, which explained Xu Ruya's poor expression.

Grandpa Liu had three sons, and Liu Shuyao's father, as the eldest, had followed national policies to marry and have children later in life. After having Liu Shuyao, they didn’t have more children.

The meal was tasteless. Zhou Zi'an had returned from abroad this time with significant achievements. He was discussing investment portfolios, exchange rate fluctuations, and hedging strategies with Liu Dad and Grandpa Liu.

“The gaming market, despite experiencing cyclical fluctuations, won’t see major changes. There’s no need for innovation or experimentation; as long as you manage the overall direction well, it’s sufficient. So I don’t recommend forming a new team; an acquisition might be more effective.”

“Grandpa, I’m considering that too and have been in contact with relevant studios.”

“Young man, you really are quite talented!” Liu Dad looked at Zhou Zi'an with satisfaction.

Liu Shuyao couldn’t understand the conversation about game investments at all. Such family dinners were a trial for everyone except those in power.

Seeing that everyone had finished eating, Liu Shuyao decided to excuse herself and went upstairs.

Soon after, Xu Ruya followed her inside.

Her tone was somewhat cold, clearly displeased with Liu Shuyao's earlier behavior at the table.

She directly closed the art box Liu Shuyao was holding and pushed it aside.

“Do you remember what you promised us?”

“I…”

Liu Shuyao looked at the not-yet-dry canvas and felt a pang of anxiety.

Initially, her parents had opposed her pursuing a career in art since the family had a business to inherit.

Their strict expectations had led Liu Shuyao to rebel a bit, using her love for art as a means of defiance against her parents.

“Look at the other kids; they’re studying investments and starting companies, while you just sit around with your easel and hardly say a word at the dinner table.”

Xu Ruya continued, “If you keep this up, what will happen to our family’s company?”

She was clearly unhappy with her daughter's earlier demeanor, feeling both angry and helpless.

Feeling guilty, Liu Shuyao lowered her head and said nothing.

After entering university, although she was happy in the world of art, society truly educates people, and school is like a small society.

But since she chose art, she decided to finish these four relatively simple years in college and work in the family business after graduation.

“Today, I wanted you to meet that boy; he’s quite likable. You could have made a friend, but you ignored him.”

“I don’t want to be friends with him…”

“You… Zhou is studying at a prestigious university abroad. He’s talented and articulate, and even Grandpa Liu likes him. Are you really dismissing him? I was worried he wouldn’t be interested in you!”

“I…”

Liu Shuyao hesitated. She felt her mother wanted her to find a boyfriend with a similar background, but based on his usual spending habits, it didn’t seem like he came from wealth.

Seeing her daughter stammering, Xu Ruya pressed on:

“Why don’t you like him?”

Liu Shuyao glanced at Zhou Zi'an but couldn’t find a reasonable excuse. After hesitating for a long time, she finally said, “I already have a boyfriend!”

…

Xu Ruya twitched her lips, recalling catching a glimpse of her daughter’s phone wallpaper earlier, and was silent for a moment.

Liu Shuyao anxiously awaited her mother’s interrogation: name, character, when they started dating, and most importantly, family background.

But in the end, Xu Ruya didn’t ask anything. Liu Shuyao only heard her say, “Be safe!”

With that, Xu Ruya turned and left, leaving Liu Shuyao stunned, her face flushed.

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