Chapter 163: Omen Of A Troublemaker

Shen Nianzhi glanced down at the screen. This time, the camera had panned over to another person.

She pursed her lips and looked back up after hearing what Mu Yunfan said.

They arrived at the lobby shortly after. Sima Jun was seated inside, waiting for them. Shen Nianzhi was fairly excited to meet the man in person.

Although Sima Jun did not accept her as his apprentice, he didn’t hesitate to give her lots of useful information about painting. This time, she was able to accompany them personally to a grand painting biennale in the United States of America, which allowed her to gain a deeper level of understanding on the topic.

“The results for this biennale have finally come out,” announced Sima Jun while looking at Shen Nianzi. “The panel of judges have decided that the first prize goes to the participant, For A Millenium.”

Sima Jun’s gaze was penetrating. With pursed lips, Shen Nianzhi went into deep thought. She had promised Gu Xiqiao to not let anyone know about her identity. However, she felt that if she remained any longer under Sima Jun’s eyes, this secret would explode like a busted dam. To win the first prize of an international award was something she absolutely had to tell Gu Xiqiao about, else she would miss this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After all, who would give the first prize to a participant who remained anonymous throughout the entire process?

“Mr. Sima, please give me some time to think about it.”Shen Nianzhi sighed.

She thanked Sima Jun for giving her the opportunity to come to such a place. However, she also couldn’t forget about the help which Gu Xiqiao so selflessly gave her. And so, she decided to fly home to contact Gu Xiqiao. The fame and fortune which receiving the first prize would bring was something no ordinary person could simply turn down.

Sima Jun sensed her wavering spirit when she spoke. Still, he nodded his head. “This is an incredibly rare award. You must lay out to her the pros and cons of receiving this award when you get back home. Make sure she understands everything.”

This award was what most artists were aiming for in their career. It was almost impossible not to move one’s heart when receiving it. Even Sima Jun himself would not choose to ignore it as For A Millenium had been doing up until now.

A boarding reminder from the PA system echoed through the airport.

“Grandpa Sima, Brother Mu, why are you guys still here?!” asked a bubbly twenty-something young girl who slipped into the VIP waiting room unnoticed.

Sima Jun rose up from his seat and picked his walking stick up. “We were just leaving.”

Meng Yufan held out her arms, trying to grab Mu Yunfan’s wrist only to grab empty air in the end as he had stepped out of the way at the last second. Upon realizing that he had dodged her hug, a cold expression surfaced on her gorgeous face.“Brother Mu!” Meng Yufan stomped her feet angrily at the ground. “Grandpa Sima, did you see what he did?!”

“Yufan, come with Grandpa. Brother Mu needs to hold his painting. It’s his treasure you see. Even your beloved grandpa was not allowed to touch his art.” Sima Jun smiled apologetically at Meng Yufan.

Laying beside Sima Jun’s foot was a framed piece of art; it was the painting that Gu Xiqiao had picked to enter this year’s biennale.

Mu Yunfan picked the painting up and grasped it tightly with his hands. On his face was a dignified look when looking down at the painting. Gradually, that deadpan expression warmed up, like a devil that had just entered into a trance.

Meng Yufan gritted her teeth upon seeing how enthralled Mu Yunfan was by the painting.

Ever since he went to N City, something about him changed, Meng Yufan felt. Back then, he used all his focus when he painted; very rarely did he ever zone out in the middle of painting. That changed after he went to N City. Frequently, while halfway through his painting, he would lay down his brush and stare unendingly at his painting.

There were many times she wanted to tear his painting apart but failed to do so because of how intense he was staring at it.

Underneath the painting were the words: For A Millenium.

Meng Yufan looked down at the ground in an attempt to hide the hatred in her eyes.

‘If you still haven’t made an appearance then why not keep it that way forever and ever?’

Shen Nianzhi trailed behind the group. She was facing a dilemma. How should she break the news to them that the owner of that painting was Gu Xiqiao? It seemed like Mu Yunfan had a deep-seeded hatred for her. And yet, he was so obsessed about uncovering the identity of the anonymous artist, “For A Millenium”.

These two were in fact, the same person. And yet, he harbored feelings of hatred and admiration for who he thought were two different people.

There was also Meng Yufan, who was pretty possessive over Mu Yunfan. She was extremely domineering, which was made worse by how powerful her family was. If she were to find out about Miss Gu, God knows what she’ll do to her out of jealousy.

What a sh*tshow! Shen Nianzi let out a long sigh.

‘I’ll think about it after I reach the Imperial Capital, I guess.’

She could recall Luo Wenlang telling her that Gu Xiqiao was studying medicine at A University.

Since she was studying arts at University B, it would be pretty easy if she wanted to rendezvous with Miss Gu.

***

At A University, Gu Xiqiao left the stage after her speech had ended, paying no heed to the standing ovation she received.

Flapping its transparent wings, the system danced in front of her face.

She slowly raised her head. “Little System, it’s time to unleash the power that’s within you.”

System: ‘I guess that means I have to encrypt all the information that she wants to be encrypted.’

However, this matter could not be solved by merely having the system encrypt the information for her. This research on cell fusion had already taken the medical world by storm. To be able to eradicate the possibility of cell rejection, it showcased just how terrifying her mind was, what more to say of her noble dream to save humanity.

No doubt, countless people would flock towards her for due to such a life-changing discovery.

“Why did you add my name to the patent?” Zhu Yuan broke through the barricade of reporters and arrived behind Gu Xiqiao. “Have you lost your mind? This is your research! Your process!”

Zhu Yuan almost couldn’t stop himself from prying Gu Xiqiao’s head open when he saw the indifferent expression on her face.

“Well, you were also involved in this research. You discovered the solution to the fusion process did you not? You prepared most of the report, did you not?” Gu Xiqiao patted Zhu Yuan on the back. “Keep it up, champ.”

“Those are minor problems. Look, this patent is incredibly important to you…” Zhu Yuan was halfway through his sentence when he was interrupted by Gu Xiqiao.

She whipped out her phone. “Alright, alright. It’s time for me to meet my friend now. See you!”

Professor Jiang had just come out of the back door and he was stunned when he heard them talk about the patent.

He had never witnessed such a scene before, throughout his entire career in scientific research. People were willing to tear out each others’ throats just for the sake of fame and glory; who on earth would let her credits go to someone else?

Professor Jiang would not have batted an eye if it was Zhu Yuan shrugging the award off since he was already considered a veteran in his field. This was Gu Xiqiao they were talking about. It was her very first award, or at least it should have been. Who would’ve thought that she would turn it down just like that.

Worse still, she added the name ‘Zhu Yuan’ behind the patent.

Everyone’s eyes were on Zhu Yuan now. Because he was a renowned genius, they would not even believe it if he told them that Gu Xiqiao was responsible for 90% of this scientific breakthrough. This was because she lacked popularity; the masses had more confidence in Zhu Yuan.

“After all the effort wasted on changing the patent owner’s name to her’s!” Zhu Yuan pinched the middle of his brows. “Everything had already been laid out for her. Is she dim-witted or something?”

How could she just hand the golden ticket to fame and fortune over to someone else so effortlessly? Zhu Yuan sighed.

Though, a weird feeling was swelling up in his heart.

“She’s not dim-witted. Nor should you overlook the role you played in this research.” Professor Jiang patted Zhu Yuan on the back with a smile on his face. “You should be very busy after this. I believe you still have to deal with the research team. Quite a number of big shots are looking to meet you too.”

Wasn’t it Gu Xiqiao’s own idea to create a research group?

Zhu Yuan was caught between a rock and a hard place. As much as he wanted to, he simply could not reject the role that had landed on his shoulders. He had yet to fully understand the report that Gu Xiqiao handed him previously. There were also many secrets about that girl that he had yet to uncover. In any case, staying here was his best option. At least it was a place where he could draw inspiration for his next grand project.

And so, he had to suck it up.

He sighed. When did the dignified poster child of the medical community turn into a slave?

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was a special ringtone. Zhu Yuan hastily took out his phone and answered the call. “Master?”

“Little brat, you’re at A University aren’t you?” The voice on the other end of the line was clear; it didn’t sound like the voice of a sixty to seventy-year-old geezer.

Zhu Yuan immediately understood why Rong Feishuang was calling him. Thus, he hurriedly gave him an explanation. “Yeah, but there are lots of twists and turns here. Um, Master? Would you like to accept another apprentice?”

He was trying to pitch Gu Xiqiao to his master.

“What on earth are you talking about a boy.” Rong Feishuang murmured to himself. “Y’all keep meddling with Western Medicine, I have not the slightest clue on how to teach you kids these days. But, from what the people in the ancient martial arts world said, I am apparently the descendant of Hua Tuo.

“You? A descendant of Hua Tuo?” Zhu Yuan rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you believe in that!”

Rong Feishuang glared at him, though neither could see each other’s expressions. “Hey! You little bastard! How dare you humiliate my ancestor!”

“Fine, fine, as long as you’re happy with it.” Zhu Yuan suddenly remembered that golden needle that Gu Xiqiao had used in the video. Perhaps she also knew about this. By now, you could tell Zhu Yuan that Gu Xiqiao could fly and he would believe it regardless. And so, he opened his mouth. “Master…”

“Cut me some slack! I’m gonna board the plane now! I’m landing at 4 pm. Remember to pick me up.”

Then came a beeping sound after Rong Feishuang hung up the phone. Zhu Yuan remained there, frozen in his tracks. Perhaps he had misheard what his master said.

According to his estimations, wasn’t there half a month’s time before he returned? Why was he coming back home when his time still wasn’t up yet?

Could it be that while he was toiling away in A University’s laboratory, something major had happened in the outside world? Feeling that something wasn’t right, Zhu Yuan called up Tang Qingqiu. Just when his call was answered, Professor Jiang called out to him. And so, he hung up the call and put away his phone.

***

At the filming studio, where Xiao Yun was working.

“Xiao Le, where’s my script?” After putting on her makeup, Xiao Yun returned to find her script missing from where she had initially left it.

The drama she was filming was a thriller with countless fans of the original work. Usually, many people refrained from watching web dramas because of how poor their quality was. However, she had been assigned to work in this project by Xiang Kun.

Each episode of this web drama is released once they were done filming and editing it.

Xiao Yun was the main female character in the story.

Everything had been going well so far. However, for some inexplicable reason, Xiao Yun could sense that something bad was brewing under the surface. There were countless hurdles she had to clear as of late. Massaging her temples, she prayed that this was just her imagination.

“Xiao Yun.” A warm, gentle voice called out to her from behind.

Xiao Yun looked back to find the breathtakingly beautiful Peng Zixian. Immediately, she rose from her seat. “Miss Peng.”

Since she was still considered a newcomer, whereas Peng Zixian was already a popular star, Xiao Yun felt that it could only be right if she treated Peng Zixian as her senior.

“Oh, no need to be so courteous. You can call me Sister Peng.” said Peng Zixian with a smile. She then blinked at her playfully. “Your assistant seems pretty anxious. Has anything happened?”

“Oh it’s nothing.” A smile broke across Xiao Yun’s stoic face.

Peng Zixian nodded in response. “Alright, find me if there’s anything wrong. I’ve finished my scenes for today. I’m gonna go change back into my clothes now.”

Xiao Yun remained standing as Peng Zixian entered the dressing room.

Peng Zixian arrived on set at 9 am. It was currently a little over 12 pm and yet she had already wrapped up her scenes. On the other hand, she, the main character, had to come earlier to the set and leave much later than Peng Zixian.

It was then that Xiao Yun understood what Xiang Kun told her was true.

“What’s the matter, Sister Yun?” Xiao Le was Xiao Yun’s assistant. She turned around, seconds away from bursting into tears. “My script’s nowhere to be found!”

“You should give Brother Kun a call. He should have a copy somewhere.” Xiao Yun took in a deep breath. Fortunately she had already memorised some lines in advance. She did have a vague impression of the lines that came after that.

Xiao Le immediately called Xiang Kun’s number.

“Why are you calling Brother Kun? Isn’t he here?” A clear voice came from behind out of the sudden.

Hearing her voice calmed the panicking Xiao Le down quite a bit.

Xiao Yun looked back to find Gu Xiqiao standing not far away from them.

Xiao Yun’s jaws were agape. The film crew were incredibly strict about outsiders visiting their set. No one should know who Gu Xiqiao was. So why was she able to sneak right in? She remembered the uncle who was working as the lunchbox provider cum doorman for their set. His face was scary and his attitude, even scarier; even Peng Zixian could not escape his wrath the last time. “What did you do?”

Gu Xiqiao searched through her mind before answering, “I smiled at him?”

Xiao Yun: What the heck?!

At the same time, the system’s voice echoed through her mind. [Ding! Daily Mission Activated: Help Xiao Yun find her missing script! Mission completion reward: 20 points!]

Gu Xiqiao: ‘Oh, so you’ve returned to normal, little system?’

Help Xiao Yun find her missing script? Gu Xiqiao chuckled. “Xiao Yun, I see darkness shrouding all around you. I sense the bad omen of a troublemaker.”