RAHHSFL - Chapter 94
Extra 1 (Part 2)
The painting wasn't hung very high, tucked away in an inconspicuous corner.
It was a simple seascape. A beach, deserted, with stars scattered across the sky. Stars of all colors against a deep blue backdrop.
The painting, though minimalist, evoked a sense of vastness and serenity. Looking at it, one could almost feel the sea breeze, a sense of tranquility washing over them.
The colorful stars, like a child’s drawing, were unusual for a professional artist. Qin Juran hadn't seen many artists use such a simplistic, almost naive style.
If it weren’t displayed here, it probably wouldn't be considered a work of art. And even here, few people seemed to notice it.
Qin Juran studied the painting for a long time, then, taking a sip of her wine, walked closer to read the artist’s signature: an English name.
She thought for a moment. She didn’t recognize the name, but since she wasn’t familiar with artists outside the fashion world, that wasn't surprising.
"President Qin, do you like this painting?” Mrs. Wang, her shawl draped elegantly around her shoulders, her cheeks slightly flushed, walked over. She seemed to be sensitive to alcohol.
It was past 5:00 PM, the soft yellow lights of the gallery casting a warm glow on the artwork.
"The artist…" Qin Juran began.
"A young university student, very talented. A painter friend of mine is quite impressed with her work. You have good taste, President Qin.”
Qin Juran smiled and shook her head. "I don’t know much about art. It’s just that this scene reminds me of a few years ago, when I proposed to my wife."
Mrs. Wang glanced at the diamond ring on Qin Juran's left hand, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "I heard the artist will be at the dinner reception tonight. Would you like to stay and meet her?"
"A university student?"
"Yes, less than twenty.”
Qin Juran looked back at the painting, swirling her wine. "I’d love to ask her about the colorful stars. But I can’t stay tonight.”
Mrs. Wang glanced at her watch. "Do you have plans?"
Qin Juran nodded. "Mrs. Wang, I would like to purchase this painting. Is that possible?"
Mrs. Wang smiled. "Of course. It seems you and this young artist share a connection.”
Qin Juran thanked her. Mrs. Wang helped her arrange the purchase. Qin Juran gave them her address and left.
Mrs. Wang watched her go, Qin Juran's sexual orientation no secret in their circles. Her wife, she had heard, was a university classmate. But after all these years, she was suddenly interested in Yi Xiaoan's work. Yi Xiaoan was a rising star in the art world, her reputation as unconventional as Qin Juran's had been when she first started her company.
Did she really not know the artist, or was she just being discreet? Mrs. Wang shook her head. These youngsters.
Qin Juran, happy with her purchase, didn't bother looking at any other artwork, just said her goodbyes and left.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she almost bumped into a woman in a light-colored suit, her heels even higher than Qin Juran's. Seeing Qin Juran waiting for the elevator, the woman nodded curtly, stepped inside, and pressed the button for the 14th floor, her gaze not lingering on Qin Juran.
Also going to the 14th floor.
The woman hadn't even looked at her, but Qin Juran paused.
Quite a few famous people at this small exhibition.
Qin Juran walked outside, where Feng Qing and the little girl were waiting in the car. Ruan Nan had booked a table at a children’s restaurant near the amusement park. Feng Qing dropped them off and left, Ruan Nan saying she would drive back.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Qin Juran realized that almost everyone, adults and children alike, were wearing masks and costumes. Wasn't Halloween over?
As they looked around, puzzled, a waitress explained, "It's our annual masquerade event. There are several themed haunted houses in the park. The event lasts for fifteen days."
"..."
Of course it was during this time.
Ruan Nan was afraid of ghosts, let alone haunted houses. Seeing everyone in costume, Qin Juran said worriedly, "Ah Ruan, should we go somewhere else?"
Ruan Nan didn’t mind, but she was worried about the little girl. She was about to suggest another activity when she saw the little girl pointing at a boy wearing a plain mask, giggling.
Ruan Nan lifted her up, and the little girl, her eyes shining, started babbling excitedly.
Qin Juran frowned, pointing to a scary skeleton decoration. "Look, are you scared?"
"Not scared!" the little girl declared, puffing out her chest.
"What about a fox spirit coming to eat you? Are you scared?" Qin Juran asked, making a scary face, only to have the little girl giggle even louder, even making faces back at her.
"..."
Did Zhou Ziqing's wife listen to ghost stories throughout her entire pregnancy?
The little girl, growing increasingly excited, Ruan Nan, seeing how much she enjoyed the atmosphere, decided to stay, having already promised her. They finished their meal, and Ruan Nan said, "It's okay, Ju Ju, let's go inside. We can just enjoy the other attractions, we don't have to go into the haunted houses.”
Qin Juran, after a moment of hesitation, agreed.
They entered the amusement park. Qin Juran and Ruan Nan scanned their IDs. It had been two years since their last visit. They tried to remember where the restrooms were, but the layout seemed to have changed.
There was a long queue at a small stall. Ruan Nan, afraid the little girl would get squished, was about to lift her up when the little girl pulled her towards the stall. Qin Juran followed and saw it was selling Halloween costumes: masks, hats, pumpkin lanterns, and other accessories. Ruan Nan spotted a miniature Evil Queen robe, perfect for a child.
She put it on the little girl, and the shopkeeper handed her a "magic wand," which the little girl twirled around, the contrast between her innocent face and the villainous costume undeniably cute.
Several tourists took photos. Ruan Nan, holding the little girl's hand, continued browsing. Qin Juran spotted a pair of bunny ears. "Ah Ruan, these would suit you."
Ruan Nan rolled her eyes, smiling. "Qin Juran, I'm 25 years old.”
"And 25-year-olds can’t be bunnies?"
Ruan Nan didn’t reply, instead choosing a pair of red devil horns and putting them on.
As she continued to browse, Qin Juran stopped her. "What are you doing?"
Ruan Nan looked up. "Choosing one for you.”
Qin Juran took her hand, clearing her throat. "Ah Ruan, I’m good. It wouldn't be good for my image if I was photographed wearing a mask.”
Ruan Nan laughed. "What image? Afraid of being seen as a CEO wearing a mask and running from ghosts in an amusement park?”
"If you don’t choose one, I’ll take a picture of you and expose you.” Ruan Nan, holding the little girl, walked away.
Qin Juran sighed, choosing a fox mask and putting it on, then, after paying, rushed after Ruan Nan.
Thanks to the Halloween theme, the entire park was decorated with masks and candy. By 6:00 PM, it was completely dark. The castle, illuminated against the night sky, looked like something out of a fairytale.
A clown NPC bumped into them, about to scare Ruan Nan, but seeing the little girl, his mischievous intentions shifted. He approached cautiously, afraid of scaring her, but the little girl, instead of being frightened, just stared at him curiously, her finger in her mouth.
A small crowd gathered. The clown slowly walked towards the little girl and grinned, but she remained unflappable.
He crouched down, producing two candies as if by magic.
Qin Juran whispered to the little girl that it was okay to take them.
But she didn’t.
Just as everyone thought she was scared stiff, about to burst into tears, she raised her "magic wand" and tapped the clown on the head. "Transform~"
Everyone paused. Ruan Nan whispered, "Transform into what?"
"A prince~"
Qin Juran smiled. "So little one thinks this big brother is under a spell and she’s trying to help him transform back into a prince?”
The little girl nodded, then, quickly grabbing both candies, hid them behind her back and smiled sweetly at the clown.
The November chill, the fairytale darkness, seemed to melt away in the warmth of her smile.
Ruan Nan, utterly charmed, lifted the little girl and gave her a kiss. They continued their stroll through the park. Ruan Nan took the little girl on the carousel, Qin Juran, holding their bags, snapping photos.
"Three, two… Ah Ruan, your ear is falling off…”
"Three, two, one… Little one, your eyes are covered…" although they weren't really that big…
As they stepped off the carousel, someone tried to lure them into a haunted house. Qin Juran refused. The NPC was about to let them go when two teenagers in heavy makeup rushed out, startling Qin Juran.
Before Ruan Nan could react, Qin Juran scooped up the little girl and, pulling Ruan Nan along, ran.
The crowd laughed. Ruan Nan, amused by Qin Juran's reaction, laughed as well, trying to get her to stop.
They finally stopped at the entrance to "Candy Kingdom." Ruan Nan, seeing Qin Juran’s flustered expression, teased her. "So you were saying you couldn't go into the haunted house because I was scared, but you were the one who was actually afraid?”
"I was just startled," Qin Juran said, putting the little girl down.
Ruan Nan, still amused, took a few steps back, pretending to get something from her bag, then, pulling out her phone, snapped a picture of Qin Juran.
"Click!"
They both froze, President Qin about to snatch the phone, Ruan Nan quickly dodging her, using the little girl as a shield. "No more teasing, Ju Ju~”
Just then, a parade float passed by, the crowd following along. Ruan Nan lifted the little girl, who waved and shouted excitedly at the costumed NPCs, who, charmed by her cuteness, almost wanted to take her with them.
Qin Juran and Ruan Nan followed the crowd. As they reached the center of the park, the parade reached its climax, the most flamboyant NPC climbing onto a float, a black skull and crossbones flag lowering as fireworks lit up the sky.
Amidst the cheers and applause, Ruan Nan heard Qin Juran call her name.
She turned around just as Qin Juran, quickly covering the little girl’s eyes with one hand, her fox mask still on, kissed Ruan Nan softly.
A click of the shutter, and the moment was captured on Qin Juran's phone.
A fox kissing a bunny, a little girl in their arms.
The surrounding noise, the fireworks, the lights – everything faded into the background, the only thing that mattered the image captured on the screen.
No matter their age, no matter their public image, when they wanted to kiss, they would, even in front of everyone.
It was past 10:00 PM when they left the amusement park. Zhou Ziqing, having just returned to S City, and feeling guilty for imposing on them, drove to the park entrance to pick up his daughter.
The little girl, exhausted, fell asleep in his arms as soon as he picked her up. He kissed her forehead, whispering, "Nan Jie, Juran, thank you for taking care of her.”
Two years ago, he and Lin Wei had started a company. Their initial mismanagement had almost led to bankruptcy, but they had persevered, and now, back on their feet, they were constantly busy, traveling for work.
Qin Juran looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Zhou Ziqing, why does little one call Ah Ruan 'Mommy' but calls me 'Auntie'?"
Zhou Ziqing also raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t it obvious? Because my daughter is smart.”
"..." That’s not an answer.
Zhou Ziqing left with his daughter. Ruan Nan drove, Qin Juran finally in the passenger seat. Without the little girl's scent and babbling, the car felt strangely quiet.
Although Ruan Nan didn't say anything, Qin Juran sensed her sadness.
"Ah Ruan, when we have some free time this weekend, we can visit little one at Zhou Ziqing's.”
"Okay," Ruan Nan nodded.
"Ah Ruan, I saw an art exhibition at the venue today and bought a painting. I think you’ll like it."
Ruan Nan glanced at her in the rearview mirror. It seemed that no matter how much time passed, Qin Juran would always try to cheer her up, always finding ways to make her happy.
A warm smile spread across Ruan Nan's face. "If you chose it, I’ll love it."
Qin Juran, seeing her smile, smiled as well, content.
They drove back to their apartment in silence. As they reached the entrance, they saw a Lexus parked outside. Each villa had a private parking space, so the car was clearly waiting for them.
They checked the license plate; neither of them recognized it.
With no one else around, Ruan Nan didn't want to risk getting out. As they slowly approached, the Lexus flashed its hazard lights, then the driver got out.
Qin Juran looked closer. "It’s her.”
"Who?" Ruan Nan asked.
The woman Qin Juran had met at the art exhibition earlier… Qin Juran, unsure how to describe her, just said, "A CEO.”
"She’s here for you?”
"Maybe," Qin Juran shrugged. After buying the painting, she had looked up the artist online, uncovering some industry gossip. True or not, the CEO standing before them, Shu Yan, was one of the key players.
They got out of the car. Ruan Nan studied the woman, her long, black coat and aloof expression giving off a "don't approach me" vibe. She turned to Qin Juran. "I’ll go upstairs.”
Qin Juran nodded.
The CEO, seeing Qin Juran approach, didn't offer her hand, maintaining a polite distance. "You’re Qin Juran, CEO of Ju Nan, correct?"
Qin Juran nodded. "And you’re Shu Yan, CEO of Xingyu?"
"Yes," Shu Yan nodded, not offering a business card.
Qin Juran had seen her earlier that day. Her beauty was striking, but her cold, aloof aura made her seem unapproachable.
No wonder…
"I heard you purchased a painting at the exhibition today?" Shu Yan went straight to the point.
Qin Juran raised an eyebrow. "Yes, right before you got on the elevator."
Shu Yan paused, then continued, "That painting, I had pre-ordered it before the exhibition. There seems to have been a miscommunication, and they sold it to you. I don’t want to cause any trouble for them, so I came to ask if you would be willing to let me have it?”
"Oh~ So you’re here for the painting, CEO Shu?"
Shu Yan nodded slightly. "I can compensate you. Or buy it back at double the price."
She looked at Qin Juran. They stood close, their heights and auras similar, neither one intimidated by the other’s status. Qin Juran suddenly smiled, her eyes locking with Shu Yan’s. "I’m not willing.”
Shu Yan was clearly taken aback. "Triple the price. Or… five times.” She offered a very tempting deal.
Tsk, tsk, truly a wealthy heiress.
Qin Juran looked at her, amusement dancing in her eyes. "CEO Shu, do you think I need the money?"
Shu Yan swallowed. "What do you want?"
"A reason. A reason why you absolutely must have this painting.”
Qin Juran saw a flicker of emotion in Shu Yan's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she stepped closer, her voice low. "I want to buy this painting for someone.”
"What a coincidence. Me too," Qin Juran said, implying the reason wasn’t good enough.
Shu Yan clenched her fists slightly. "Someone… I care about."
"Care about how? A friend? Family? A lover?"
Qin Juran pressed, and Shu Yan finally looked away. The moonlight cast a long shadow behind her. In the cold November air, Qin Juran saw a flicker of vulnerability beneath her strong facade.
Qin Juran stepped closer. "CEO Shu, my name shouldn't be unfamiliar to you, especially in your circles. I publicly acknowledged my relationship in my junior year of university. We’ve faced many challenges since then, and we’ve overcome them together. ”
"I bought this painting for my girlfriend, who is now my wife. If you want it, CEO Shu, you'll have to convince me it holds the same value for you."
Qin Juran turned and walked towards her car, then, as she passed Shu Yan, whispered, "If you don’t like someone, let them go. Don’t use a ‘young girl’ as an excuse to hold onto them."
She got into her car, checked her surroundings, then, grabbing her bag, went upstairs, leaving Shu Yan standing there, a complex expression on her face.
The doorbell rang, and Ruan Nan rushed over to open the door.
As Ruan Nan opened the door, Qin Juran, as if suddenly drunk, without even taking off her coat, pulled Ruan Nan into a hug.
Ruan Nan froze, holding her for a long moment, then whispered, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing.”
Ruan Nan gently stroked her back. "Go take a shower and get some rest."
"Ah Ruan, I’m almost 26 in this world.”
The age she had been when she died in her previous life.
"I didn't bring up the baby thing before because I was afraid I would disappear again when I turned 26. But now it seems… I might actually stay in this world forever."
Ruan Nan continued to stroke her back. Qin Juran had never said these things before, but Ruan Nan understood.
"Ah Ruan, if everything goes well next year, I want to have a baby.”
"Okay."
Hearing Ruan Nan’s answer, Qin Juran smiled, still holding her close. "Ah Ruan, I want our baby to be the most beautiful, the most talented."
"And you?"
"I don't want that."
"Don’t want what?"
"I don't want to impose our expectations, or the pressures of the world, on her. I just want our baby to be happy and healthy."
Qin Juran smiled. "You're right, Ah Ruan. Happy and healthy it is~"
It was as if Qin Juran had the power to choose, as if whatever she wanted for their baby, their baby would have.
Ruan Nan chuckled. "There's one more thing.”
"What?"
"I want our baby to always be brave."
I want you to be brave, like our mothers, brave enough to face the world.
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