Chapter 395: Aisha Asks, “Who is Zi Yi?”
The crowd only recovered their senses after Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling had made their way inside the art museum.
“She’s worthy to be known as a young lady from a good family. Her aura is no joke.”
“For a moment, I thought that Zi Yi was a queen. I’ve never seen a woman who could control her aura to such an extent.”
“Could it be that I was the only one who noticed that the bodyguard walking next to Zi Yi was particularly handsome and cool?”
“I also noticed it. Sure enough, the bodyguards around pretty people also have good-looking appearances!”
…
No matter how the outside people talked about her, the third round of the International Painting and Calligraphy Competition’s finals started at 9 a.m sharp.
Dozens of world-renowned painters had released a topic after a round of discussion for the third round. The difficulty level was very high and everyone who was originally still discussing the incident had stopped.
The Chairman of Country X’s Painting and Calligraphy Association announced the rules and regulations. “As the topic is of a rather high difficulty, we have decided to give the contestant a day to complete their work. The timing will be from 9 a.m to 6 p.m and the contestants can arrange their timings however they prefer. But…
All the contestants are not allowed to leave the art museum before they announce the completion of their painting. They are also not allowed to interact or get in touch with anyone. As long as you leave here, be it for eating, drinking or going to the washroom, our staff will follow you all the way.”
After the Country X’s Association Chairman finished announcing the rules, the International Association Chairman said, “When the time comes, we will seek approval from the painters, who win a spot in the top three places, for an auction of their paintings. A portion of the money from the auction will be donated to the World XX Association.”
After they finished their speech, the competition officially started.
The number of people tuning in on the competition had already reached an unimaginable number…
On the other side in the Capital.
Ever since Aisha returned to the Lu Family’s main house from Mrs. Lu’s residence, she had been depressed all day. Rick took her condition to heart and was worried.
He then finally looked for the First Madam who had extended kindness to them for the past few days.
The First Madam knew that Aisha wanted to marry Lu Jingye and she treated the siblings enthusiastically on the surface. However, deep down, she was making plans to have Rick and Aisha give up on Lu Jingye and have Aisha marry her nephew instead.
Aisha had a strong background and if she married her nephew, her son would have a stronger background to compete against Lu Jingye for the position of the Lu Group’s head.
Rick said to her, “First Madam, I wish to request a favor. Can you accompany my younger sister and chat more with her? She has been feeling depressed these two days and as her brother, I feel worried at heart.”
The First Madam immediately agreed. “Of course, it’s no problem. Aisha is such a beautiful and gentle girl, and she’s someone who should be cherished and loved. How could I let her feel sad?”
Rick agreed with her and sighed as he said, “If only the Second Madam had the same thought too, my Aisha would not be feeling so depressed.”
The First Madam was elated at his words, but she pretended to reveal a puzzled expression. “I’ve been meaning to ask, but I find it hard to bring it up. What exactly happened when Aisha went to stay at the Second Madam’s house?”
“It’s nothing… It’s just that Aisha and the Second Madam have differing views in life.”
“Ohh…” The First Madam was particularly considerate and did not continue to pry. However, she pretended to have something to say but hesitated at the last moment.
Rick noticed her expression and said, “First Madam, you can be frank with what you wish to say.”
The First Madam thought for a moment and even checked her surroundings before she whispered, “In fact, I’m not someone who likes to gossip behind other peoples’ backs, but it’s just that I’m really fond of Aisha, so much so that I can’t bear to see her unhappy… Do you know what business the Second Madam’s family does?”
“Isn’t her maiden family involved in the jade business?”
“That’s what it appears to be on the surface.” The First Madam’s voice dropped even lower. “In reality, their family also engages in business for the dead.”
“What do you mean?” Rick furrowed his brows.
“Tomb raiding. The business of your family is considered rather big, I’m sure you know what tomb raiding is?”
Rick fell into silence.
The First Madam continued to speak. “The lives of the family who engage in tomb raiding usually have it hard. Otherwise, why are my two nephews still single to this date despite their outstanding appearances and capabilities? Actually, it’s not that they do not wish to marry, but that they do not dare to do so. They would either curse themselves or the people around them.
The First Madam’s words were clear and logical. Rick thought about Lu Yunxiao who was braindead and his heart was in a flurry.
The First Madam observed his expression and stopped talking. She then smiled and said, “Rick, you don’t have to take my words to heart. I’m only making an unfounded guess and perhaps that’s not the case at all. How about this…”
Speaking up to here, she changed her tune. “I’ll get my niece to come over and accompany Aisha. My niece is also usually fond of dancing and I’m sure she would have things to talk with Aisha about.”
Rick felt that it was a good idea and said, “That’s very kind of the First Madam. Then I’ll have to trouble you on that, thank you.”
“What’s there to thank me for? You and Aisha are important guests of our Lu Family. It’s our fault to have made Aisha feel bad.”
After they conversed for a while, Rick then left.
The First Madam immediately called her niece and said to her, “Xiangxiang, as long as you find a way to be best friends with Aisha and introduce your brother to her when the time comes, our Chu Family would have a stronger backing. Your cousin would then have a higher chance to seize the position of power of the Lu Group.”
Chu Xiang did not quite understand. “Aunt, didn’t you get my brother to approach Zi Yi?”
“There’s no need for that anymore.” The First Madam revealed an expression of contempt. “She’s merely an unwanted granddaughter of the Dou Family. Just getting a random reporter to reveal some of her past affairs would ruin her reputation.”
The First Madam thought of her plan and could not help but be filled with joy. The corner of her lips curled up uncontrollably. “I got Little Xuan to approach Zi Yi with the original intention to let him add trouble to Lu Jingye’s side. Right now, I feel that casually finding someone else to do it will do.”
Chu Xuan thought of what her brother had done at the New Year’s Eve party and felt that her brother managing to chase Zi Yi was now impossible. She then nodded and said, “Auntie, you can rest assured. I know what to do now.”
The First Madam trusted her niece and so, the two of them discussed how they were to tackle Aisha. Following that, she brought Chu Xiang to meet Aisha.
Aisha had been trying hard to gain knowledge of the jade industry and only then did she realize that it was different from what she had imagined.
Difficulty was one aspect, but there were also many aspects in which she could not understand.
She was so anxious that she had no appetite for these past two days and her eyes had swelled up from staying up late at night. When the First Madam and another young lady who appeared to be around her age had suddenly shown up, she felt slightly embarrassed.
Chu Xiang glanced at the several books related to jade she had placed on the table. She asked in confusion, “You studied dance, so why are you forcing yourself to read all these books that you can’t understand at all?”
Aisha’s cheeks turned red from what she said and she spoke in a low voice. “I wish to get Auntie Lu’s approval.”
Chu Xiang clicked her tongue and said, “I feel that rather than getting her approval, it’s better to get Second Brother’s Lu’s favor. Provided that… you can make him leave Zi Yi.”
Aisha’s face suddenly turned pale and her voice rose. “Who is Zi Yi?”
“Don’t you know? Zi Yi is…”