In front of the barrier, Chu Qianli stared longingly at the painting, showing no sign of wanting to leave.
Seeing this, Tan Muxing sighed deeply and began searching, planning to check the price of the artist’s other works. The price of art is influenced by the artist’s fame and the era in which they worked. This painting is from the 18th century, and the artist is Lyle Gadbury.
While searching on his phone, Tan Muxing commented, “Fortunately, we didn’t go to the Forbidden City.”
Chu Qianli asked, “Why?”
Tan Muxing replied, “If you fall for something in the Forbidden City, the only way to resolve it is by going to jail.”
“…”
Chu Qianli leaned toward Tan Muxing and peered at his screen, supervising his information gathering.
Tan Muxing said helplessly, “There’s no information on this artist. The only thing online is the art museum’s exhibit description. I can’t find anything about what Lyle Gadbury has painted before.”
“It should be a pseudonym,” Chu Qianli thought for a moment. “The artist probably didn’t dare use their real name.”
“Why?”
“Because people who used to practice astrology and Tarot were considered heretics. It’s said that the Bible explicitly forbids astrology and similar activities, so some astrologers were actually convicted when they were caught.” Chu Qianli smiled. “They committed the sin of idolatry.”
“The ancient astrologers also had a book called Christian Astrology, but the content has nothing to do with Christianity. The whole book is about classical astrology techniques. It feels like they gave it that title just to pass the censorship in those times.”
Tan Muxing was confused. “I thought metaphysics and believing in gods were the same thing.”
“God would be furious if He heard that!” Chu Qianli exclaimed. “But I suppose the Christian God doesn’t have jurisdiction over you. Thankfully, Marx doesn’t care whether I practice astrology or not.”
Since Tan Muxing couldn’t find any information about the artist, he had no idea what the painting’s price might be and had to ask the museum staff.
He learned the name of the organization hosting the exhibition and did another round of searching. He hesitated before saying, “I feel like it’s going to be tough for you to get this painting.”
“Is it very expensive?”
Seeing her disappointment, Tan Muxing explained, “Mainly because this is a private collection, and they aren’t really in need of money. I think it’s unlikely they’ll sell it. You’ve even met their family members.”
Tan Muxing understood the mentality of wealthy families very well. If someone came to buy antiques from his family, they would never sell. It wasn’t about money, but the feeling that selling it would be meaningless.
On campus, the student union’s activity room was no longer bustling with people; only the officers were still working inside.
Usually, He Shichen and Qi Yan would review the materials during lunch, but today, two students came to visit.
He Shichen, while binding documents, said with a deadpan expression, “Tan Muxing, how is it that every time you go to an art museum with her, it feels like you’re in a supermarket?”
Facing He Shichen’s cold glare, Tan Muxing lowered his head awkwardly and didn’t dare to speak.
He Shichen was completely convinced now. The first time Chu Qianli visited Tan Muxing’s home, she came back insisting on buying a grand courtyard in a scenic area. Then, she moved a golden sundial into the house, and now, after visiting an art museum, she wanted to buy a unique piece of artwork.
He just couldn’t understand how things were developing. Is this how raising children works—give them whatever they want?
On the other side, Chu Qianli sat next to Qi Yan. She started pretending to wipe away tears and sobbed, “After seeing the exhibition, I felt that painting was so beautiful. Even a country bumpkin like me could feel the charm of art. I think I’m really hopeless when it comes to aesthetics, and I really hope I can be surrounded by art every day. Maybe I’ll improve…”
For the first time, Qi Yan faced this version of Chu Qianli. Usually, Chu Qianli would avoid her, but now she quickly tried to comfort her, saying, “Don’t cry.”
He Shichen and Tan Muxing were moving materials. They stacked box after box of documents neatly in the corner.
Carrying a stack of materials, He Shichen happened to pass by them and casually remarked, “She’s not crying. If you look closely, you’ll see. Once you agree to buy it for her, she’ll wipe her face and change her expression.”
Qi Yan: “?”
Chu Qianli rubbed the corner of her eyes. She had once been a little afraid of Qi Yan, but now, even her way of addressing her had changed. She softly said, “I don’t need you to buy it for me, as long as you agree to sell it, and then you can go find my brother to get the money…”
He Shichen: “???”
Tan Muxing, fearing He Shichen might scold her on the spot, quickly tried to change the subject. He said, “Uh, uh, this box seems a bit heavy.”
Tan Muxing could actually carry it, but he exaggerated, shaking it as if struggling, which, indeed, distracted He Shichen from the conversation.
He Shichen frowned and walked over. He intended to take the box from Tan Muxing but was surprised, “Is this box really heavy?”
The cardboard box suddenly dropped to the floor with a dull thud, sounding like a heavy stone.
As soon as Tan Muxing let go, He Shichen couldn’t catch it, and it fell to the ground with a crash.
The two men exchanged silent glances.
Tan Muxing couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. He didn’t expect He Shichen genuinely couldn’t lift it. This situation felt like a slap in the face.
Fortunately, He Shichen had grown more composed over time. Instead of getting embarrassed or angry, he calmly said, “It really is a bit heavy. Let’s move it together.”
“…Okay.”
At the table, Qi Yan understood what was going on. She pushed her glasses up and smiled warmly, saying, “If I were in charge of this collection, I would definitely take it out and give it to you. But unfortunately, I’m not.”
Chu Qianli was shocked. “It’s not from your family?”
“It is from our family, but it’s managed by my uncle, not me,” Qi Yan blinked and thought for a moment. “However, since this is the first time you’ve asked me for help, I can’t let you down. I’ll have to think of a way.”
Chu Qianli: “What can be done?”
Qi Yan suddenly suggested, “How about I make my uncle disappear? Arrange a car accident or something. That way, there won’t be any trouble.”
Chu Qianli: “?”
Qi Yan smiled and added, “Don’t give me that look. My uncle isn’t a good person. I feel like everything he’s done is enough to land him in jail, so arranging a car accident isn’t an issue.”
Tan Muxing, now back from washing his hands, raised his hand to shield Chu Qianli’s ear and awkwardly said, “Don’t listen to such things, little one.”
Chu Qianli suddenly realized that Qi Yan was the type of strong female lead in a novel, and having problematic relatives was just part of the deal. Without such relatives, there wouldn’t be any face-slapping moments in the story.
Qi Yan was still in high school. She had gradually gained power at home after graduating, separating herself from relatives who tried to wrest control of the family business. She had grown the family group through her own efforts, while the relatives who had previously fought with her either left in disgrace or went bankrupt after the family split.
The He family had few descendants. When Chu Qianli and He Shichen were growing up, their environment was completely different from Qi Yan’s family. Whether it was He Zhenghe or He Yuanyang, neither of them would fight over money.
Chu Qianli was troubled. The timing wasn’t right yet, and the original female lead’s story hadn’t officially begun.
Seeing Chu Qianli feeling down, Qi Yan comforted her, “I was just joking. Although my relationship with my uncle isn’t great, I can mention it to my grandfather and have him give me the painting.”
“However, I’ll only be able to meet my grandfather on his birthday. I’ll also need to avoid my uncle, or else it will alert him, and things will get more complicated.”
Qi Yan couldn’t directly ask for the Tarot painting because her uncle was sure the painting had some significance and would never give it up easily. However, if Qi Yan’s grandfather intervened, her uncle couldn’t go against his father’s wishes.
Qi Yan agreed to handle the matter, but Chu Qianli was still worried.
In class, Tan Muxing noticed his desk mate frowning and tried to comfort her, “Qi Yan said she’d help. She’s probably reliable, so you don’t need to worry.”
Chu Qianli sighed, “As long as I haven’t touched that painting, I’ll be worried.”
“Do you really want it that badly?” Tan Muxing asked curiously. “I noticed you weren’t interested in those star charts and manuscripts.”
“Those are different Tarot cards. Back then, I couldn’t touch them through the barrier, so I couldn’t be sure, but something didn’t feel right. That painting might contain something that astrologers wanted to pass down.”
“Pass down?”
“Yeah, in China, people who study esoteric arts often have teachings passed down. Many profound concepts can’t be learned from the outside; you must enter a school and find a master to guide you, just like how many valuable manuscripts are never shared.” Chu Qianli sneered, “If I hadn’t met my grandfather, I probably wouldn’t have been able to learn Zi Wei. Basic entry-level learning isn’t difficult, but to dive deeper, you need someone to teach you.”
Astrology is a bit like big data—the expansion of the database is just as important. Without the countless cases and experiences accumulated by predecessors, relying solely on one person to research it from scratch would be too slow.
Chu Qianli believed she was the best astrologer in the world, but there had been great astrologers in history. Collecting the materials they left behind might provide deeper insights.
Chu Qianli had previously struggled to find useful information, but now, having discovered the magical nature of Tarot paintings, she wasn’t going to let it slip by.
After learning Zi Wei Dou Shu, she hadn’t figured out the method for preventing early death, but the information from the Tarot paintings had overwhelmed her, and perhaps, through research, she could discover something new.
Chu Qianli felt uneasy and decided to cast a chart herself, hoping to obtain results related to the Tarot paintings. She frowned and said, “As expected, to get what you want, you still have to rely on yourself.”
Looking at the divination symbols, it was clear that Qi Yan was reliable. She had been thinking about this matter, but unfortunately, when she celebrated her grandfather’s birthday, she didn’t get a chance to mention the Tarot paintings.
Chu Qianli was restless, knowing that she didn’t have karmic ties with Qi Yan. Even if Qi Yan promised to help, Chu Qianli would never get the painting.
There’s no such thing as something for nothing—she understood that well.
After some consideration, Chu Qianli made up her mind.
A couple of days later, Qi Yan hesitated when Chu Qianli came to her. “You want to go wish my grandfather a happy birthday?”
“Is it about the painting? You don’t need to go out of your way. I’ve been keeping it in mind, and I will get it for you and send it over.” Qi Yan smiled and continued, “You’ve always been avoiding me, not wanting to get involved with my family’s affairs. You should also know that going to my house would cause trouble.”
Qi Yan had been looking for a master in metaphysics, since her grandfather was superstitious about these things. If she wanted to gain her grandfather’s favor, she would naturally have to cater to his interests.
Qi Yan was very perceptive when it came to people. Although Chu Qianli seemed unreliable on the outside, she was very clear-headed internally.
Even though He Shichen always tried to prevent them from meeting, Qi Yan knew that if Chu Qianli truly wanted to see her, she would find a way—it was just that she didn’t want to. Chu Qianli didn’t like getting involved with complicated aristocratic families, and even when classmates at school asked her to read their fortunes, she never entertained Qi Yan’s advances.
Qi Yan had read many historical books. These fortune tellers had once served emperors, but when the emperors turned on them, they were often executed. Chu Qianli wasn’t as foolish as He Shichen made her out to be. She knew better than anyone with whom she should associate.
Qi Yan noticed something was off with Chu Qianli. Her keen intuition made her suspicious. “Could it be that you’ve figured out that I haven’t gotten the painting? I’m not that incompetent, am I?”
Chu Qianli, who needed Qi Yan to act as a bridge for her, dared not directly confront the truth and risk embarrassing herself. She forced a dry smile and said, “How could that be? Absolutely not. Don’t keep bringing up the painting, it makes things feel so awkward. No matter what, I wouldn’t be pushing you for the painting every day.”
“I just genuinely want to wish Grandpa Qi a happy birthday. I think the two families should interact a bit more. Who knows, maybe your grandfather will even become my grandfather one day!” Chu Qianli said as she started singing, “Your grandpa, my grandpa, they seem to be the same…”
“…”
