Chapter 14: Thinking of Finding a Man even at School?
When Jian An arrived, Driver Xiao Wang immediately got out to open the passenger door.
Shen Chuyan saw him and gave a thin smile with a hint of a mocking curve. “Good afternoon, Brother Xiao An~”
Jian An didn’t respond. He only leaned tiredly against the car window, his throat unable to make a sound because he had just forced down a large bowl of cold rice.
The atmosphere in the car instantly dropped to freezing point.
Xiao Wang didn’t dare to breathe. He stole a glance at the CEO’s expression in the rearview mirror and silently started the car.
Ji Songting reached out to put his arm around the person beside him, lightly stroking his soft hair. His gaze was full of pampering and indulgence. “Xiao Yan, why are you paying attention to him? I think he’s doing just fine.”
“Oh? Brother looks like he’s unhappy~”
Shen Chuyan buried his head in the man’s chest, rubbing against him intimately. His soft, delicate look was truly endearing.
Through the rearview mirror, Jian An could clearly see the sweet, affectionate scene in the back seat.
As for himself, it was as if he were being completely ignored.
Jian An hated himself for being so weak. Even though he had told himself a thousand times before getting into the car not to steal glances at Ji Songting and not to listen to those sweet words, he still couldn’t control himself.
He lowered his eyelids, his fingers clutching his knees tightly. His heart felt completely hollowed out, as if it had been ruthlessly torn apart, throbbing with a boundless pain.
Shen Chuyan seemed to notice Jian An’s emotions. A trace of a fleeting gloom suddenly flashed in his eyes.
The phone in his hand lit up, and a perfect idea popped into his mind.
He suddenly didn’t want Ji Songting to be the only one to see those indecent photos.
After his lecture this afternoon was Jian An’s speech. The other man must have prepared a USB drive, and it would definitely be in that old shoulder bag he always used for work.
Shen Chuyan felt the USB drive he had long prepared in his backpack. He gave a thin smile and suddenly exclaimed:
“Brother Xiao An, your shoulder bag is so pretty. Can I take a look? I want to buy one too.”
Hearing this sudden request, Jian An was clearly confused. He looked down at his worn-out bag and said:
“This is just a street-stall item. It’s not worth anything. You probably wouldn’t like it.”
“If Xiao Yan wants to see it, give it to him. Since it’s just a street-stall item, why are you guarding it like a treasure?”
Since even Ji Songting had spoken, Jian An could only let out a silent sigh. He helplessly took the bag off and handed it to him.
“Thank you, Brother Xiao An~”
Shen Chuyan lightly touched the crudely made leather bag and unzipped it where no one could see.
“Xiao Yan.”
A man’s voice suddenly called his name. Shen Chuyan’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly pressed his hand down on the bag and forced himself to stay calm as he turned to respond:
“What is it, A-Ting?”
When he saw that Ji Songting’s attention was only focused on the content of his phone, he secretly let out a sigh of relief.
The other man hadn’t seen his movements.
“I just received a message from the organizers. The Venice Italy International Art Competition, which I invested in, is collecting entries. The jury consists of well-known academic experts from all over the world.”
Ji Songting looked at him, a trace of an approving smile rising on the corners of his lips. He asked calmly:
“Xiao Yan’s artistic level has always been high. I really like your paintings. What do you think? Interested in participating?”
Hearing about such a grand event, Shen Chuyan’s eyes shimmered with a trace of excitement. He was instantly interested and asked:
“Then what are the benefits of winning the championship?”
Ji Songting skimmed through his phone and summarized:
“The Venice organizers will personally present the award, plus academic authority crowning and a one-million-yuan prize. Your status and fame in the art world would be raised by more than just one level.”
Shen Chuyan valued his status and fame in the art world above all else. This was something no amount of money could buy.
He excitedly shook the man’s arm and said:
“The one million is too low. I prefer the academic authority; it sounds impressive. A-Ting, hurry up and sign me up!”
“Okay. I believe Xiao Yan can win.”
One million prize?
Jian An’s ears automatically caught those words. Ripples finally appeared in his eyes, which had been like a pool of dead water.
Last night he was just worrying about how to earn a good amount for an inheritance in a short time. Now, it seemed he had a chance.
The driver drove the car into the school parking lot. The venue for the lectures was in the multifunctional hall.
The seats were packed with teachers and students. Jian An gripped his bag, suddenly feeling at a loss as he stood to the side. For the first time, he felt fear facing countless eyes.
Is it because of the mental illness that I’m afraid?
Then what should I do for the speech later…
“Don’t be nervous. Believe in yourself.”
A soft, magnetic voice of comfort rang in his ears. It carried a natural stability and a sense of reassurance.
Jian An’s heart jolted. He looked up blankly, only to see Ji Songting comforting Shen Chuyan, who was about to go on stage.
It turned out that everything from just now was just an illusion…
The moderator: “Next, let’s invite Professor Shen from the Yao City Academy of Art to talk to all teachers and students about what art is, and the theories of its sources and development. Come! Everyone, let’s welcome Professor Shen with a round of applause!”
Amidst a burst of thunderous applause, the corners of Shen Chuyan’s mouth turned up slightly. His gaze carried a trace of an undefeatable pride as he walked calmly onto the stage.
He was a world away from his usual pampered self.
He glanced at Ji Songting, who was giving him an approving look from the audience, and skillfully took out the documents for his lecture.
His teaching voice was clear and melodious without losing its purity. It rang through the entire auditorium via the loudspeakers. At this moment, every eye in the room was focused on the stage.
Jian An stared for a long time at the person on the stage who was the center of attention and full of confidence. The bitterness and envy in his eyes intertwined, turning into an unspeakable sense of inferiority.
The Shen Chuyan who was currently bathed in glory was exactly who he wanted to be during all those years he had been suppressed—the person he looked up to. It was just a pity that fate had made them pass each other by.
Thinking of his various past experiences, the bitterness in his heart instantly turned into a vast ocean of pain.
The shred of reason he had left told him he couldn’t lose his composure in front of everyone. Jian An quickly stood up and left his seat.
Ji Songting’s peripheral vision inadvertently swept over the faculty seats in the middle-back row. That spot was now empty. That person had used the cover of the crowd to hurry out of the auditorium.
He paused slightly, his gaze becoming even colder.
Where is Jian An going now? He just can’t be well-behaved? Even at school, he’s thinking of finding a man?
He suddenly disliked the feeling of the prey he held firmly in his hand leaving his field of vision.
After a moment, Ji Songting stood up irritably and also left the multifunctional hall.
On the stage, Shen Chuyan looked at the man walking away in confusion. He felt inexplicably uneasy, and even his voice began to sound unnatural.
Ji Songting walked all the way to the faculty office area. Relying on his memory, he quickly found Jian An’s office.
The door was not closed. Clearly, someone had just been there. The computer on the desk was also turned on, with a USB drive still plugged in.
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