Ordinary families make up the vast majority of people in the world, and she really didn't expect that the oil painting hanging on her wall alone would be worth more than 30 million.
"What can't you imagine?" Huo Shenyan frowned slightly.
Su Yiheng twitched her lips and said, "Jingxi means she can't believe this oil painting is worth so much."
Huo Shenyan looked at Su Yiheng with a calm expression.
After a moment, he said calmly, "She doesn't need to imagine, this is hers."
Su Yiheng was stunned, her expression gradually freezing as she stared at Huo Shenyan in disbelief. She couldn't believe that Zhong Lan was right behind her, yet he could speak so directly.
However, Huo Shenyan did not shy away from it at all, and instead looked at Ni Jingxi, who was also stunned.
When Ni Jingxi looked at him as if seeking his opinion, Huo Shenyan's voice was low and gentle: "This painting is registered in your name. Do you like this style?"
Author's Note: Lord Ni: Can I... exchange it for cash?
Shenyan Gege: Okay.
*
Chapter 33
Ni Jingxi stared straight at him. She understood what he said, but she was completely stunned.
Just moments ago she was marveling at how a painting hanging on the wall cost over 30 million, and now it's hers without her even knowing.
Huo Shenyan was never one to flaunt material possessions; after all, he had been born into such a family since childhood and was already accustomed to this kind of life.
However, he knew Su Yiheng too well, knowing that beneath her seemingly gentle and modest exterior lay a strong and unyielding personality.
He and Su Yiheng grew up together, which doesn't mean they were completely without feelings for each other. However, he always treated her like a younger sister, and if Su Yiheng needed his help in anything, he would not hesitate to lend a hand.
However, between Ni Jingxi and her, Huo Shenyan would also stand by Ni Jingxi's side without hesitation.
Hesitation leads to trouble.
This is a phrase his grandfather taught him since he was a child, which is why Huo Shenyan's personality is like this: he will see things through to the end once he has made up his mind, and he will immediately reject anything he thinks is unacceptable.
He knew that if his attitude wasn't firm enough, Su Yiheng wouldn't give up easily.
It would be better if he played all the bad cops, so that no trace of the affection between them from childhood to adulthood would remain in the future.
There was a brief moment of silence in the living room before Shen Qiqi exclaimed, "So this painting was bought for Sister Jingxi by Brother Shenyan! I like it too!"
She pouted slightly, looking envious: "I want this painting too."
"What are you dreaming about?" Huo Shenyan glanced at her and said indifferently.
Shen Qiqi was about ten years younger than Huo Shenyan, so he spoke to the young girl in a relaxed and informal manner.
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Qiqi looked at Zhong Lan sitting to the side and said coquettishly, "Auntie, look at Brother Shenyan."
“Watch your words. Don’t talk to Qiqi like that. Qiqi is a grown-up now.” Zhong Lan said with a smile, but then added, “After all, Qiqi doesn’t cry over exams anymore.”
At a previous gathering, Shen Qiqi didn't look well. After asking her a few more questions, she actually burst into tears in front of everyone.
Everyone was initially worried, thinking she had been bullied.
Upon further questioning, it was discovered that the girl was crying because she had failed her exam.
She was only in high school then, which was just a few years ago.
The atmosphere was quite harmonious as everyone chatted and laughed, except for Su Yiheng, who stood there silently, neither speaking nor laughing.
After a while, Su Yiheng slowly said, "Jingxi has just been discharged from the hospital, so I won't bother her any longer. I have a cover shoot scheduled for this afternoon, so I'll be leaving now."
Zhong Lan didn't show any surprise on her face, but said, "Now that we're here, we should at least have lunch before we leave. Aunt Zhou came with me today, and you always like her cooking, don't you?"
"Really, it's not necessary. We're filming at 1 p.m., and I'm used to arriving early." Su Yiheng smiled.
Zhong Lan then smiled faintly and said without trying to stop him, "You're such a hard worker, but even if work is important, it's not as important as your health."
Su Yiheng nodded: "I understand, Aunt Zhong."
Zhong Lan was slightly taken aback by the call of "Mother Zhong," and then a bitter smile appeared in her eyes. Fate is always so strange; she and Shen Yan knew each other first, and she had arrived so early.
But that can't compare to the few days he's known Ni Jingxi.
Not only did Su Yiheng feel resentful, but even Zhong Lan found it strange. Her son wasn't an impulsive person, yet he came back from a trip abroad with a wife.
“Sister Yiheng, let me go with you,” Shen Qiqi said immediately.
Zhong Lan looked at her and asked, "Is there something you need?"
Shen Qiqi smiled and said, "I still have classes at school this afternoon. Seeing that Sister Jingxi is alright, I'll head back first."
"Alright, alright, you're all busy," Zhong Lan said helplessly, but still instructed Huo Shenyan, "Why don't you see them off?"
To everyone's surprise, Huo Shenyan also turned around and said, "I have a business dinner with Director Wang from the Ministry of Commerce later. So I didn't eat at home."
Zhong Lan stared in disbelief: "Then why did you come back?"
Can Huo Shenyan say that he was genuinely worried?
Fortunately, Zhong Lan didn't want to say anything more to him and waved her hand, "Let's all go. Jing Xi and I will have dinner together."
However, as she said this, she turned back to look at Ni Jingxi suspiciously and asked, "You're not going to leave, are you?"
“I’ll have dinner with you, Mom,” Ni Jingxi said immediately.
Fortunately, before leaving, Huo Shenyan squeezed Ni Jingxi's hand and whispered, "We'll talk about it when I get back."
So Huo Shenyan left with Su Yiheng and the others. When they reached the door, Su Yiheng glanced back at him but didn't say anything before turning around and getting into the car.
But she watched from the window of the van that Huo Shenyan also got into the car and left.
Her gaze remained fixed on the departing vehicle. Shen Qiqi, standing beside her, noticed her expression and, after a long pause, spoke softly, "Sister Yiheng."
Su Yiheng looked away and turned to look at her.
Shen Qiqi bit her lip and said softly, "You see, I love oil paintings so much, but that painting belongs to someone else now. I can only look at it at most. I think I'm still so young, there will definitely be another oil painting waiting for me. You agree, right?"
Although Shen Qiqi is young, she is not stupid. Su Yiheng's attitude towards Huo Shenyan clearly shows that she has not let go of him.
She really felt that Su Yiheng didn't need to act like this. She came from a good family, was beautiful, and was a big star. Even if she just beckoned, a bunch of boys would surround her.
Why insist on hanging yourself on one tree?
Shen Qiqi also admitted that Huo Shenyan was indeed good in every way. Even when she occasionally saw Huo Shenyan's face, she would feel dazed, because not only was his face handsome enough, but his temperament was also attractive, proud, restrained and with a kind of asceticism.
Which woman wouldn't want to scream?
But once something beautiful has an owner, no matter how good it is, you can't reach for it anymore.
Shen Qiqi roughly understood what Zhong Lan had said. She knew that Aunt Zhong was only saying these things because she felt sorry for Su Yiheng.
"Qiqi, do you know? I've been with that painting day and night for twenty years. I've long felt that it's mine." Su Yiheng's eyes were filled with a pitiful look.
Shen Qiqi couldn't bear to say more. After all, when it comes to matters of the heart, no amount of advice from others will help; the most important thing is for oneself to be open-minded.
*
Aunt Zhou's cooking skills are indeed excellent. Ni Jingxi ate liquid food for three days in the hospital, and when she was discharged this time, the doctor said that she could eat normally.
So much so that when she finished her bowl of rice, she stared at it longingly for a long time.
If she gets another bowl, will it make her seem like she can eat a lot?
But while she was still hesitating, Aunt Zhou said with a smile of surprise, "Jingxi wants to have another bowl, right? Come on, let me serve you."
"Thank you, Aunt Zhou." Ni Jingxi thought for a moment and decided not to be polite.
She had only been drinking porridge for the past few days, and her mouth had become so bland that it had lost all flavor. Now that a table full of delicious food was placed in front of her, she really wanted to eat.
After Aunt Zhou served the rice, Zhong Lan looked up and glanced at it.
Honestly, these days young girls' appetites are practically measured in grains of rice. It's rare to see someone eat two bowls of rice in one meal.
But the elders actually prefer this.
Zhong Lan had previously thought Ni Jingxi was a bit thin, and she thought Ni Jingxi was also dieting excessively. Now it seems that she can eat a lot without gaining weight.
"Would you like another bowl?" Zhong Lan couldn't help but ask when she saw that her second bowl of rice was empty.
Ni Jingxi shook her head, but Aunt Zhou asked instead, "Have a bowl of soup, this crucian carp soup is especially delicious."
Aunt Zhou wasn't bragging; she had formally studied soup-making techniques, and the soup she made was truly delicious without being greasy. Ni Jingxi glanced at it and nodded, "Thank you, Aunt Zhou."
So Ni Jingxi finished another bowl of soup.
Zhong Lan watched as she finished the last sip, a satisfied look on her face, and suddenly laughed.
Ni Jingxi was still savoring the delicious taste of the fish soup when she heard Zhong Lan laugh inexplicably. She blinked and then carefully picked up the tissues from the table.
Could it be that there's something on her face?
But after she wiped it off, the smile on Zhong Lan's face hadn't faded, so she asked cautiously, "Is there still something on my face?"
But as soon as she spoke, Zhong Lan laughed even more happily.
Ni Jingxi watched her laugh for several dozen seconds before stopping. Zhong Lan said calmly, "I just haven't seen a girl who can eat so much in a long time."
Ni Jingxi: "..."
After dinner, Zhong Lan asked Ni Jingxi to sit on the sofa.
Previously, when the two met, Huo Shenyan was either by her side or Ni Jingxi had made a mistake and was called back by her. There were very few peaceful and harmonious moments like this.
Both of them were a little uncomfortable.
Zhong Lan thought for a moment and then asked, "Does your body still hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore, it hasn't hurt for a long time," Ni Jingxi said, shaking her head.
Zhong Lan looked at the obvious scars on her face. Although they were better than when she first went to the hospital, her fair and delicate skin made the scabs on her cheeks, which should have been smooth, particularly noticeable.
It's really heartbreaking to see.
At this moment, Zhong Lan sighed: "How can it not hurt? It hurts for you just watching."
Ni Jingxi was suddenly stunned. She seemed not to have expected Zhong Lan to say such a thing. In fact, when she was at the hospital that day, she thought Zhong Lan would find her annoying for causing trouble all the time, but not only did she not, she also comforted herself.
Ni Jingxi looked at Zhong Lan and remained silent for a long time.