The antique girlfriend of a chaebol heir

The birthday banquet was in its middle stages.

After a few rounds of drinks, most of the guests put down their chopsticks and gathered in small groups, talking in hushed tones about urban planning or their current projects, their words revealing the shrewdness and calculation of those in the world of fame and fortune.

Grandma Lin was a little tired. She stood up, supporting herself on the handrail, and prepared to leave the table.

"Mom, let me help you back to your room."

Upon seeing this, Lin Ruojin immediately stepped forward and considerately extended her hand.

Grandma Lin waved her hand.

"No need. You stay here and keep Xiao Ming company. Let Youyou come back to my room with me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ci stood up and steadily supported the old woman's arm, accompanying her through the banquet hall and into the quiet corridor.

Grandma Lin walked very slowly, and the sound of her cane tapping the ground was particularly clear in the empty corridor.

She didn't go to the bedroom on the east side of the main house, but stopped in front of the west wing.

"Youyou, help me inside to sit down."

Shen Ci pushed open the heavy wooden door.

A dry, musty smell, typical of old books, wafted over me.

The room was small, with three walls lined with tall bookshelves. The camphor wood, mixed with the scent of ink, floated quietly in the warm yellow glow of the wall lamps.

"The books here are all books that your Grandpa Lin and I once read."

Grandma Lin walked to the bookshelf, her fingertips gently brushing against the yellowed spines of the books, her voice tinged with a distant memory.

"Some of these books are probably older than your father."

Shen Ci followed the old man's gaze and saw that the bookshelf contained a wide variety of books, from astronomy and geography to law and philosophy, as well as various travelogues and essays, all of which demonstrated the owner's profound knowledge and broad vision.

As she was looking at it, Old Mrs. Lin opened the drawer of her desk and took out an exquisite brocade box.

After the box was opened, a jade bracelet lay on the velvet cloth. It was violet in color, with excellent texture and clarity, and shimmered with a lustrous sheen under the light.

Grandma Lin took Shen Ci's hand and made a gesture as if to slip the bracelet onto her slender wrist.

Shen Ci's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood the old man's intention.

She instinctively pulled her hand back and softly declined, "Grandma Lin, this is too valuable, I can't accept it."

"Youyou, Grandma is celebrating her birthday today, so you have to listen to her."

As she spoke, Old Mrs. Lin pressed the bracelet against the base of Shen Ci's palm and slowly pushed it upwards.

The warm, cool sensation of jade gradually encircled the wrist bone, finally stopping at a point about the width of a palm, where it swayed gently, carrying a slight weight.

"It's nothing valuable." Old Mrs. Lin loosened her grip, took a half step back, and examined it carefully. "I'm too old to wear such brightly colored things. Leaving it here is just a waste."

A gift from an elder should not be refused.

Shen Ci lowered her eyes, concealing the turmoil within them, and said softly, "Thank you, Grandma Lin."

Grandma Lin looked at her fair and jade-like wrist, the violet jade making her skin appear even more translucent.

"Look how beautiful it is!"

Grandma Lin's voice softened, carrying a hint of distant reminiscence, perhaps of her youth.

"Young girls should wear more jewelry, instead of always looking so plain. Look at your Aunt Lin, she used to love wearing plain white dresses when she was young, but now she's getting more and more flamboyant."

As they were talking, Grandma Lin suddenly changed the subject.

"Youyou, you and Yin Kuo go to the same school. What do you think of him?"

Shen Ci felt a slight chill in her heart, but remained calm on the surface, replying gently, "I haven't had much contact with Senior Yin, so I can't judge."

"Hmm." Old Mrs. Lin fiddled with the empty brocade box, the lotus pattern on the lid turning half a circle under her fingertips.

"Your Grandma He has been bringing up you several times in our conversations lately. I know she really likes you."

Grandma Lin looked up at her, her gaze filled with the loving kindness of an elder. "In this circle, early engagements are very common. The Yin family is quite wealthy and powerful. Youyou, I want to know what you're thinking."

Shen Ci was silent for a moment, then met the old woman's gaze, her tone calm and firm: "Grandma Lin, I'm focused on my studies right now and don't want to think about matters of the heart. Besides... I have absolutely no romantic feelings for Senior Yin."

She paused, then added, "It's probably because of how Senior Yin helped me out last time that Grandma He misunderstood. I..."

"I see."

Grandma Lin suddenly smiled. She reached out and patted Shen Ci's shoulder. Her palm was warm and dry, with a reassuring weight.

"Since your Grandma He has this idea, I need to talk to you about it, both morally and logically. I want to hear your thoughts so I can give you a response."

She frowned slightly.

"Actually, although Yin Kuo comes from a good family and is decent-looking, he's not steady enough and doesn't make a good match."

She paused, her gaze softening further: "Youyou, it's right for you to focus on your studies right now, Grandma supports you. If you find someone you like in the future, just tell Grandma, and Grandma will help you make the right choice."

"One must have good character, a kind heart, and treat you well; none of these can be lacking."

She grasped Shen Ci's hand in return, her voice low but firm: "Youyou, remember this, the Lin family will be your support from now on. If anyone tries to bully you in the future, they'll have to see if this old woman will allow it."

Shen Ci felt a slight tingling in her nose, and an indescribable warmth and gratitude welled up in her heart.

……

More than half of the first semester of freshman year has passed.

The weekend was a clear, chilly early winter day.

After having breakfast, Shen Ci wrapped her coat tighter and took a taxi to Master Yang's studio.

After experiencing inner painting in the school's lecture hall, Lin Ruochen drove her here the following week.

Pushing open the door, a dazzling array of inside-painted works comes into view—a vast landscape is hidden in a snuff bottle the size of a thumb, and a fish is trapped in a glass ball half the width of a palm, depicting the universe within a small space.

Because of these breathtaking works and Master Yang's appreciation, Shen Ci would take time every weekend to come here to learn the art of inside painting.

Master Yang's workshop is hidden deep in a narrow alley in the old city.

The gatehouse is made of gray bricks, and above the lintel hangs a dark wooden plaque with the three large characters "Neihuazhai" written on it.

Pushing open the door, a soft copper bell rang.

There was no one in the front hall, so she walked through the corridor and turned into the inner studio.

Master Yang is not here.

Apprentice Ah Chong peeked out from the inner room, half a sesame seed cake still dangling from his mouth: "Master Yang and his friend have gone out. They said they won't be back for a while. Sister Shen, you can practice first. The teapot blanks are in the third drawer."

Shen Ci nodded, walked smoothly to the worktable by the window, took down the dark blue canvas apron from the wall, unfolded it, and tied it around her waist.

She picked out a small, high-quality white porcelain vase from the drawer, and then took out some tools and placed them on the table.

With preparations complete, she sat in the chair, her back straight and her shoulders slightly slumped.

She held the unfinished bottle with her left hand and the brush in her right, turning the brush handle half a circle between her fingers to find the most comfortable angle.