CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: FALL FOR EVERY ONE YOU MEET

One was a work email sent to her by a colleague,

and the other...

was a mysterious letter.

The subject line read: Important! Must Read!

It carried an attachment.

The content said: Falling in love with a supermodel is the biggest regret of their life!

Su Lingzhi paused in thought and assumed that someone had sent it to the wrong email, so she didn’t even click on it and immediately rejected it.

...

The next day, after lunch, Su Lingzhi changed her clothes and went out alone to visit an exhibition.

Upon arriving at the art gallery, Su Lingzhi went straight to the third floor.

For them, as art students, this art gallery is a source of inspiration and a paradise for art lovers. It has many exhibition halls and some exhibitions are not static, often updating, such as those related to their field of fashion and the jewelry exhibition area.

However, she was headed to the oil painting exhibition now.

From composition to color aesthetics, it provided inspiration for her fashion design. Sometimes it took half an hour or even a full hour to fully appreciate a piece of art.

"Hi, Lindie." Two female classmates approached her and greeted her warmly.

Su Lingzhi exchanged pleasantries with them for a while, then they went their separate ways.

It’s easy to run into acquaintances at the art gallery.

Just as she sat down again to take notes, a tall figure loomed over her.

Su Lingzhi looked up at the newcomer, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, "James."

James’s lips curled up in a gentle, charming smile, "Didn’t expect to run into you here."

Su Lingzhi didn’t expect it either, "Are you here for the exhibition too?"

"Our Ving Jewelry has some of its pieces on display on the second floor," James invited, "I wonder if you’d be interested in taking a look with me."

Su Lingzhi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The second floor hosted a fashion aesthetics exhibition showcasing many luxury items, and Ving was not the only jewelry brand.

But James took her straight to their exhibition area.

The exhibitions featured eight types of jewelry, high-end pieces made primarily with gemstones, such as choker necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

Su Lingzhi toured the area, "These look like a series."

"Yes, our jewelry designers created these inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, each piece incorporating midsummer elements."

As he spoke, James introduced her to an ebony choker in her line of sight, "This is our series’ most unique gemstone piece. The choker’s body is made of ebony, with green tendrils cascading and diamond leaves entwined, embellished with yellow, blue, and red sapphires to form this piece."

"Is the choker’s body genuine ebony? It’s so realistic," Su Lingzhi inquired.

"Yes, just a moment."

In no time, James fetched the key from the administrator and retrieved the ebony choker from the display case.

Su Lingzhi touched the branches and leaves on it, her eyes glowing with admiration, "This is a piece that showcases the mysterious romance of the forest,

it must be the centerpiece of the series."

James nodded with a smile, "Without it, the other pieces would stand incomplete."

Su Lingzhi added, "But without the other pieces, without the moonlight and fairy tale-like elements for accompaniment, ’midsummer’ wouldn’t be perfectly represented."

James looked at her with admiration and sighed, "It seems there’s a tacit understanding between arts, and I think my designer would have much to discuss with you."

"Actually, not all art resonates with me."

"For example?"

Su Lingzhi pursed her lips and stated a word, "Secrets."

James burst into laughter, teasing, "Is there anyone you don’t dare confront?"

"I’m just a humble designer," Su Lingzhi returned the choker, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you for showing me your works, I’ve been greatly inspired."

"If you’re interested in jewelry, I could invite you to tour our company. I know every designer dreams of becoming an independent designer, and I believe you can be that shining star, so I say we have a lot of future collaboration opportunities."

"Becoming an independent designer is indeed my dream, but I still have much to learn. I appreciate your invitation, but it’s getting late now. I’ll visit your brand store another day."

"Alright."

However, as she turned around, she realized that a crowd had already gathered around.

James protected her from the throng and returned the key to the management office.

The two of them naturally walked out of the art gallery side by side.

James spoke to her about the myth of diamonds being the crystallized tears of gods as they walked.

Hearing this, Su Lingzhi smiled, "You have the romantic legend of keeping your head high so the diamond won’t fall, and we have a similar tale."

James became instantly intrigued.

Su Lingzhi recounted, "It’s a story about red beans. Legend has it a handsome young man was forced to defend the frontier, and later, among those who went, he was the only one who didn’t return. His wife waited by the ancient tree at the village entrance day and night, crying her heart out, and eventually died of a broken heart. Later, the ancient tree bore red pods, which people regarded as her blood and tears transformed, naming it the red bean, also called the love pea."

James asked, "Did her husband die in battle?"

Su Lingzhi nodded, "The red bean represents longing for someone. In the works of many poets and scholars, the red bean is considered a romantic symbolism, often used as a token of love."

Su Lingzhi didn’t quote poetry because translating it seemed inadequate, lacking the unique charm of the original verses.

And the harmonious scene of their conversation was entirely observed by Housekeeper Zhao’s eyes.

He stopped the car and said, "Sir, that seems to be Miss Su."

Fu Yinli cast his gaze outside the car window.

At the entrance of the art gallery, a couple walked side by side, one with a charming, captivating smile, the other exuding confidence and brilliance.

Their figures were well-matched, youthful exuberance radiated when they smiled, and passersby couldn’t help but look back for another glance.

Fu Yinli stared deeply at the two, silent and inscrutable.

Housekeeper Zhao glanced in the rearview mirror and said, "Sir, Miss Su still hasn’t seen that email yet."

The response he received was dead silence.

After a while, Fu Yinli asked, "Your niece should be about her age, right?"

"My niece is twenty-one this year."

"For girls at their age, isn’t it normal to fall for one person and love another?"

Housekeeper Zhao was at a loss for words because his niece indeed acted that way.

"Perhaps right from the start, I was wrong," Fu Yinli’s eyes deepened, speaking in a low tone, "What I should have pursued first was...her as a person."

Housekeeper Zhao was alarmed. Having been by his side for many years, he was decisive in his actions, and once he committed to something, no error ever occurred.

This was the first time he’d heard him admit he was wrong.

"Sir, perhaps Miss Su is just friends with that model," Housekeeper Zhao comforted.

"It doesn’t matter."

In just two days, he spotted her twice with the same man.

In the past, and during the days when he wasn’t by her side, how many encounters did she have?

Since knowing her, she had never shown him such genuine, easy smiles.

Perhaps her cautiousness toward him was never a fluttering heart, but rather—

because she’s afraid of him, yet can’t refuse him.