CH 46.1

(Rewinding time a day back for Ji Xinxin’s point of view~)

Ji Xinxin had decided to place Li Xiaoxing on her observation list for the time being.

She was confident that her little skit had tightened her leash on Li Xiaoxing. She had even gone to the extent of bringing Li Xiaoxing to places of their past memories, so there was no way the latter wouldn’t have been moved.

After Li Xiaoxing returned to the company, Ji Xinxin used the pretext of not wanting to disturb him to take her leave.

That very afternoon, she accompanied Song Shiyu to an art exhibition.

“I didn’t expect you to remember that I’m fond of this painter,” said Ji Xinxin delightfully. “I heard that he was holding an exhibition, and I was going to find time for it. Your invitation really came at the right moment.”

Song Shiyu opened the door for her as he said, “It’s already been up for nearly a week now. It’d have already ended if you had come any later. Shouldn’t you thank me for that?”

“Heh! If I couldn’t make it in time for this exhibition, I’d chase him all the way to his next exhibition,” replied Ji Xinxin with a chuckle as she walked into the gallery.

The comfortable atmosphere made her exhale happily.

She was quite familiar with this artist, and she had seen many of his works on the internet. She had looked up information on this exhibition before coming on this date with Song Shiyu.

The two of them slowly walked around the gallery while appraising the artworks one by one. At the end of which, Ji Xinxin remarked doubtfully, “I remember that his famed work, ‘Average’, is on display for this exhibition, but I can’t find it anywhere. Did something happen?”

“Do you like that painting?” asked Song Shiyu.

“Yeah, I have my eyes set on it. I heard the original is much smaller though, so I’ll have to see it in person to decide.”

Ji Xinxin crossed her arms and thought about it for a moment. She still felt bothered by its absence, so she decided to ask one of the staff members about it.

“Excuse me.”

The formally dressed staff member bowed deeply and greeted the two of them, “Mister Song, Miss Ji.”

“Is ‘Average’ not on display today? I remember seeing it on the promotion brochure,” asked Ji Xinxin politely.

Right after she asked that question, she noticed the staff member revealing a surprised look before turning to look at Song Shiyu.

He’s surprised? Is there something wrong with my question?

“It might have already been bought by someone else,” remarked Song Shiyu with a smile. “It’s common for artworks to be sold during such public exhibitions.”

The staff member nodded in agreement. “Yes, I’m sorry to inform you that someone else has already purchased the painting.”

Ji Xinxin sighed regretfully. “What a pity. I was hoping to have a close look at it. I heard that its colors are much more vibrant up close.”

“… Why don’t I buy another painting for you?” consoled Song Shiyu. “Is there anything else here that has caught your eye?”

“The one I want the most isn’t here anymore,” Ji Xinxin bemoaned.

“It looks like I’ll just have to find the painting for you then,” said Song Shiyu half-jokingly.

Ji Xinxin turned to look at the gentlemanly Song Shiyu and chuckled in response to his remark. “You said it yourself. It’s a promise. I’ll be looking forward to it then.”

Song Shiyu smacked his forehead and burst into laughter. “I’ll try my best.”

There’s nothing wrong with his response.

Ji Xinxin eyed the staff member with her peripheral vision. The staff member had already turned his head away, but she couldn’t help but feel bothered by his response.

She didn’t think that she had asked a weird question, but the way he had reacted was extremely off.

“Now that we’re done looking around the exhibition, shall we grab dinner together?” Song Shiyu took a look at his watch and asked. “Are you hungry yet?”

Ji Xinxin snapped out of her daze. “Yeah, I’m getting hungry. You said last time that you would treat me to that authentic Western restaurant. Why don’t we head there today?”

“Alright, let’s go with that.”

Ji Xinxin was still feeling troubled over the incident in the gallery that she subconsciously ordered seafood soup.

It was only when the seafood soup was served with clams inside that she realized that she had made a mistake here. She hurriedly scooped the clams into her own bowl and apologized, “Sorry, Shiyu. My thoughts wandered for a moment there. I forgot that you don’t eat shellfish.”

I made a mistake here, but Song Shiyu wouldn’t mind since I realized it the moment it was served.

Such were Ji Xinxin’s thoughts, but she noticed that Song Shiyu’s response was a little odd.

He had been paying focus to her movements all this while, but his expression suddenly stiffened at her apology. It looked as if… he had woken from a dream.

Shortly after, Song Shiyu apologized smilingly too, “It’s fine. I got distracted for a moment there too. Too much work recently.”

“Ah, it looks like we’re equal then!” Ji Xinxin pushed the seafood soup to the middle of the table with a chuckle. “You should be fine with it once I get all of the clams out, right?”

Song Shiyu looked at her with a gentle smile. “… Mm. Thanks.”