The silken fabric, smooth and silvery like water, accentuated her graceful curves. A white shawl draped over her shoulders, and her dark hair was swept back, with a few wisps of gentle curls framing her face, exuding an aura of dignified elegance.
Jian Junyu gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of my sister, you're simply stunning. Once we get to the art exhibition, you'll outshine all the paintings and dazzle everyone's eyes."
Jian Junru offered a gentle smile, her beauty captivating.
The organizer of the art exhibition was Gao Yunhai, a senior from Jian Junyu's postgraduate studies, two years his senior and under the same advisor.
However, Jian Junyu, at a young age, had surpassed his mentor and become the most sought-after painter among the younger generation. Many of his works had been auctioned off at high prices both domestically and internationally, earning him the respect of his senior, Gao Yunhai.
Their relationship remained cordial after graduation. Now that Gao Yunhai was able to host his own art exhibition but lacked a centerpiece to anchor it, he immediately thought of his advisor and his junior, Jian Junyu.
Jian Junru had minored in art and design during university. Jian Junyu had long wanted to introduce his sister to the influential figures in his circle.
But Jian Junru had adamantly refused to come to the capital in the past, causing Jian Junyu much frustration.
Now that the opportunity had arisen, Jian Junyu was naturally unwilling to let it slip away.
After introducing his sister to some acquaintances and making their presence known, Jian Junyu was urgently pulled away by his senior, Gao.
Once Jian Junyu was called away, Jian Junru greeted others and then, holding Jian Sheng's hand, strolled through the exhibition with Jian Xiu Huan.
The three of them paused before a painting of a secluded mountain temple, signed by Zhong Yin San Ren.
Jian Junru's expression became reminiscent. "Little brother enjoys painting and landscapes, disliking wealth, power, and fame. He also has no interest in family disputes. He often likened himself to Li Yu of the Southern Tang dynasty, saying that even if he fought for such things, he would only end up like the last emperor of the Southern Tang. As his name also contains the character 'Yu,' he adopted the pseudonym 'Zhong Yin,' borrowing from Li Yu's name, as a form of self-warning."
Just then, a jarring female voice suddenly cut in, "Well, well, isn't this our Shen Da talented scholar, Jian Junru? I haven't seen you since your internship. I thought something had happened to you, that I would never see you again!"
The speaker was a heavily made-up, extremely sharp-tongued woman, her tone exaggerated and laced with intense malice.
Upon noticing the expensive-looking formal dress Jian Junru was wearing, her eyes revealed unconcealed jealousy.
Beside her stood a man with his arm around her, his eyes lewdly appraising Jian Junru.
Jian Junru, holding Jian Sheng's hand, looked somewhat surprised. "Xu Lan?"
Jian Sheng also recalled the plot from the original story. Xu Lan was in the art and design major, a university classmate of her mother, and had always been jealous of Jian Junru's beautiful appearance and excellent academic performance, often making snide remarks about whatever Jian Junru did.
Later, Xu Lan fell for a guy in university, but that guy was interested in Jian Junru and even used Xu Lan to lure Jian Junru out for a meeting.
Jian Junru had seen through the guy's ill intentions and advised Xu Lan not to get too close to him. However, Xu Lan not only didn't appreciate the advice but transferred all her discontent to Jian Junru, targeting her at every turn.
The man holding Xu Lan squinted, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Jian Junru and Jian Sheng.
He seemed very interested in the mother and daughter.
"Lan Lan, is this lady your friend? Why don't you introduce her to me?"
The man's lecherous gaze made Jian Sheng extremely uncomfortable.
Leaning into the man's embrace, Xu Lan said in an exaggerated tone, "This is our Shen Da campus beauty, a renowned talented scholar, dual-majoring too~ How could I possibly be friends with the great scholar Jian?"
Jian Xiu Huan crossed his arms, his oversized glasses and mask concealing his amused expression as he watched the unfolding drama.
He was curious how his nominal aunt would handle such a situation.
Jian Junru, accustomed to Xu Lan's passive-aggression, couldn't be bothered. She tugged Jian Sheng's hand and prepared to leave.
She could tolerate it, but Jian Sheng could not.
She immediately broke free from her mother's hand, her almond-shaped eyes wide, and said in a childish voice, "You have no looks, no talent, and no character. You really are not worthy of being my mommy's friend!"
Suddenly, several nearby visitors heard this and let out unrestrained laughter.
The curious ones even walked over, clearly intending to watch the spectacle.
Xu Lan's face turned green with anger.
Soon, her eyes darted around, as if discovering something new, and she exclaimed exaggeratedly, "This child is your daughter? I never heard from classmates that you got married. I wonder which young master had the honor of marrying our Shen Da campus beauty?"
After saying this, she pretended to ponder and then asked doubtfully, "But it's only been five years since graduation, and your child is already this big? Could it be… the rumors back then about you being pregnant before marriage and dropping out were actually true?"
Many among the onlookers revealed gossip-hungry expressions. Several people began looking at Jian Junru differently, and a few youngsters had already taken out their phones to secretly record.
Jian Junru clenched her fists, her fingernails digging deeply into her flesh.
Jian Xiu Huan also knew he couldn't just watch the show any longer. Watching was fine, but allowing Jian Junru to continue being humiliated would be a disgrace to their Jian family.
However, Jian Sheng's small body moved faster than him, stepping in front of Jian Junru and raising her small face to glare at Xu Lan.
This scene had indeed occurred in the original story, but at that time, the original host had already fallen into the river and was buried underground, so Xu Lan had no opportunity to use her to attack her mother.
Xu Lan had merely intended to flaunt her relationship with a rich second-generation heir to her rival, Jian Junru, and simultaneously put Jian Junru down.
Now, because of her presence, this cannon fodder supporting character was attacking her mother. How could Jian Sheng stand by idly?
The exquisitely carved little girl's bright eyes flashed with anger.
"Auntie, you yourself said you're not worthy of being my mommy's friend, so why should my mommy tell you about her marriage?"
"Is it strange that my mommy is so excellent and perfect and liked by people? Is there any problem with my parents being healthy and having me?"
"If you yourself are unliked, please look for reasons within yourself first, instead of thinking everyone is like you."
"Everyone is already of legal marriageable age. Instead of worrying about when others got married, you should think about what to eat for lunch!"
Jian Sheng finished in one breath. To prevent this cannon fodder supporting character from saying anything more unpleasant, Jian Sheng directly cast a small spell to temporarily silence her.
Afterward, completely ignoring the reactions of the couple and the onlookers, she turned and tugged Jian Junru's hand, cooing affectionately, "Mommy, Mommy, this auntie is so annoying. Let's just ignore her, okay~"
The surrounding people were stunned for a few seconds before suddenly erupting into loud gasps and applause.
Jian Junru relaxed, crouched down, and hugged Jian Sheng, her eyes welling up with tears. "Sheng Sheng has really grown up; you even stand up for Mommy now."
The atmosphere at this moment was so warm that the astonished onlookers instinctively quieted down, not wanting to disturb the mother and daughter.
Xu Lan, completely ignored by everyone, was now covering her mouth in terror, utterly unable to utter a single sound.