Chapter 48: CH 052

TL: Moonlit

Ohmyghad I’m so sorry T^T I forgot that the ending for every arc extends to the beginning of the next arc… I’m really sorry huhu

—One year later.

Qi Yuyu, with his unique artistic style and powerful emotional rendering ability, has become a renowned artist both domestically and internationally, earning the title of the contemporary art sage. Meanwhile, Lin Hanchuan’s art gallery has flourished, becoming a globally recognized art institution.

With a keen eye for art, Lin Hanchuan never makes mistakes. He can instantly distinguish the authenticity and value of all artworks and select the most promising young artists among the new generation, elevating them as international stars.

If Qi Yuyu is the contemporary art sage, then Lin Hanchuan is the contemporary talent scout alchemist.

Though exceptional artists are abundant, true talent scouts are rare.

Some foreign painters and artists even travel long distances to their home country, choosing Lin Hanchuan as their agent and dealer.

As the hometown of Qi Yuyu and Lin Hanchuan, Qingzhou City has become a holy land for the painting industry in China. Countless artists, big and small, flock here with the dream of having their work hung in Lin Hanchuan’s gallery.

However, the selection process at Lin Hanchuan’s gallery is exceptionally strict, leaving no chance for ordinary artists to exhibit their works there.

In the center of this renowned gallery hangs only one traditional Chinese painting—a piece known to all as Qi Yuyu’s first masterpiece, priceless and not for sale.

“Have you seen that news?” said a young intern from the art department of a gaming company, holding her phone with admiration. “Qi Yuyu’s painting was auctioned abroad for one billion!”

Others chimed in, “One billion! I won’t make that much money in my entire life… We’re all artists, why is there such a huge difference?”

“He’s a genuine artist, how can we compare?”

Amid laughter and banter, the girl who brought up the topic stamped her foot and slid an octopus chair toward the silent man beside her. “Fenghua, do you know Qi Yuyu?”

Qi Fenghua, in the midst of drawing, paused and put down his pen, glancing at the digital tablet. “I know him. He brings glory to our country; that’s good.”

“Exactly!” The girl’s spirits lifted as she boasted, “He’s the first contemporary Chinese artist to gain worldwide fame, and under his leadership, a global wave of traditional Chinese painting has surged…”

Chirping away for a while, she noticed that Qi Fenghua wasn’t taking the bait. Pouting, she tried to find a new topic. “When we visited your home yesterday, I noticed the painting in your living room. It’s quite beautiful. Where did you get it? Is it expensive? I want to buy one too.”

In truth, the first time she saw Qi Fenghua’s home, the girl was somewhat surprised.

Qi Fenghua is a reclusive person, not particularly fond of socializing. But with his handsome appearance and outstanding temperament, the girl always thought he was a carefree second-generation wealthy individual. It was only when she visited his home that she realized it was an ordinary family.

The family of three squeezed into a two-bedroom apartment, making it somewhat crowded. His parents occasionally had arguments, which made the girl feel awkward while fetching company documents.

Growing up in such an environment, it’s no wonder Qi Fenghua became introverted. The girl felt some sympathy for him and decided to approach him today to have a chat.

“That painting…” Qi Fenghua clenched his fist and took a deep breath before finally saying, “I bought it from a street vendor. I don’t know if they still have it.”

After the girl left, Qi Fenghua loosened his grip, revealing four deep nail marks on his palm.

Despite his objections, Qi’s parents insisted on hanging the painting he once loved and was proud of, “Storm Surge,” on the wall. Every time he saw that painting, he felt a surge of nausea and a sharp, piercing pain.

Since learning about Yi Wusheng’s actions a year ago, every time Qi Fenghua picked up a brush, he heard Yi Wusheng’s disdainful remarks about his lack of talent and spirit, and heard people praising Qi Yuyu…

Qi Fenghua realized he could no longer paint.

Later, he spent some time learning digital tablet painting, got a job at a gaming company, and lived an ordinary and unremarkable life.

It was here that he learned that Yi Qinglou had also worked at a gaming company, but not his small company, rather a well-known major one in the industry. Yi Qinglou had left a year ago, but his superiors still remembered him fondly, calling him the most talented subordinate they had ever mentored.

But all of that was in the past.

Qi Fenghua lowered his head and continued to draw the scantily-clad game character, his expression calm, resembling stagnant water.

Qi Yuyu was excited today. Even though Lin Hanchuan didn’t pay particular attention, he could still sense Qi Yuyu’s enthusiasm.

Qi Yuyu wasn’t drawing, nor was he playing with his phone. He was pacing around Lin Hanchuan’s office, occasionally glancing at the time on his phone.

After a while, Lin Hanchuan sighed deeply and put down the documents in his hand. “It’s almost time. Let’s go.”

Jumping up from the sofa, Qi Yuyu graciously held Lin Hanchuan’s coat for him. “Let’s go.”

Walking side by side out of the office building, in just a year, Lin Hanchuan’s once modest gallery had turned into a building. He glanced sidelong at Qi Yuyu with a half-smile. “You’re treating me to dinner today. What’s the occasion?”

Being overly courteous without a reason often signifies ulterior motives.

“You’ll know when you get there.” Qi Yuyu blinked at him playfully, a rare moment of coquetry.

Lin Hanchuan decided not to ask further, and he calmly followed Qi Yuyu as they walked until they arrived at a well-known couple’s restaurant in the city.

A subtle smile appeared on Lin Hanchuan’s face.

Qi Yuyu acted like a perfect gentleman, pulling out a chair for Lin Hanchuan. They both sat by the window, and the entire restaurant was empty. Outside, the day was transitioning into night, casting a dim and greyish hue.

The waiter served their dishes silently, making no sound as he moved.

Qi Yuyu’s palms were sweaty, and he kept wiping them with tissues. After the waiter had served all the dishes, he gathered his courage and handed a bank card to Lin Hanchuan, saying, “This is my bank card. All the money from selling my paintings is in there. If you’re willing…”

“I’m not willing,” Lin Hanchuan interrupted him.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Qi Yuyu took a sip of red wine and continued in a hoarse voice, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve liked you for a long time. I know you used to like Qi Fenghua, and I don’t mind. I’m willing to wait until you let go of him.”

“It has nothing to do with Qi Fenghua.” Lin Hanchuan closed his eyes and emptied his wine glass in one gulp. “We are not people from the same world.”

With these words, Agent 001, who had been secretly observing their conversation, felt relieved. It had worried that its host might be tempted to stay in this world.

‘Not people from the same world’. This was an earnest and heartfelt statement from Lin Hanchuan, referring to the physical and spatial aspects, meaning they were not from the same world.

Throughout the past year, Lin Hanchuan had sensed Qi Yuyu’s feelings for him. He was not unmoved, but…

Today was the last day of the one-year period, and Lin Hanchuan would leave this world tonight. Even if Qi Yuyu hadn’t invited him to dinner, he would have suggested having a meal together.

It was a silent farewell.

He hadn’t expected Qi Yuyu to confess his feelings on this day, breaking through that layer of metaphorical paper.

“I’m willing to go to your world willingly.” Perhaps influenced by the alcohol, Qi Yuyu’s eyes reddened slightly, though no tears fell. He focused on Lin Hanchuan, saying each word deliberately, “No matter which world you are in, I’m willing to follow you.”

The night enveloped the entire city. Lin Hanchuan opened his mouth slightly and replied with just one sentence.

At this moment, fireworks bloomed outside the window. Not too far nor too close, the fireworks painted the sky with a myriad of colors, swallowing Lin Hanchuan’s voice. Qi Yuyu heard nothing.

Qi Yuyu looked anxious and shouted, “What did you say!”

Lin Hanchuan didn’t hear him. He gazed outside the window, watching the fireworks bloom and fade.

The fireworks display lasted for half an hour. After it ended, Qi Yuyu immediately asked in a hurry, “What did you say just now?”

“You arranged this fireworks display, right?” Lin Hanchuan withdrew his gaze from the window, casually saying, “It must have taken a lot of effort.”

To organize such a large-scale fireworks display in the city, one needed to apply in advance and invest at least a million yuan. Lin Hanchuan could tell that Qi Yuyu had prepared it well in advance.

“It wasn’t me.” Qi Yuyu subconsciously refuted. If his confession succeeded, this would be romantic, but if it failed, he didn’t want to use this as a moral pressure on Lin Hanchuan.

Qi Yuyu questioned, “What did you say just now?”

He inexplicably felt that the sentence concealed beneath the fireworks was particularly important.

Lin Hanchuan just smiled and said, “I’m sorry.”

The blood-colored tint on his lips gradually faded. Qi Yuyu tugged at the corners of his mouth and said, “It’s okay, I’m willing to wait…”

Lin Hanchuan looked at him with a hint of apology in his eyes. After that, until they returned to their respective homes, neither of them said anything.

Lying down on the bed, Lin Hanchuan slowly closed his eyes, thinking about what he had said just now.

If you could come to my world, maybe we could give it a try.

—

Once he opened his eyes, Lin Hanchuan found himself standing in a dim, narrow alley.

The only source of light was a dim yellow street lamp, casting a circular yellow glow on the ground.

Lin Hanchuan couldn’t help but think of the grand fireworks display that Qi Yuyu had arranged for him. He lowered his gaze, suppressing all his emotions deep inside.

[Chuanchuan, are you okay?] Agent 001 emitted a faint orange halo, becoming another source of light in the alley.

[What kind of world is this?] Lin Hanchuan evaded the question and responded with his own.

Before Agent 001 could answer, a clamor of voices sounded, and in an instant, several scruffy teenagers walked over from the end of the alley. “Jiang Tian, there you are.”

Lin Hanchuan remained silent, thoughtfully scrutinizing the four or five youths.

“Your old man owes us money here. If you don’t pay up, we’ll chop off his fingers,” the lead teenager threatened with a fierce look in his eyes, holding a steel pipe in his hand.

“I have no money.” Lin Hanchuan searched his pockets and turned them all inside out, fluttering the empty air.

As the original host was penniless, Lin Hanchuan had no way of repaying the money.

The faces of the others changed, and the lead teenager waved his hand, saying, “Don’t think I don’t know. You’ve hidden your scholarship money. If you won’t take the drink, you’ll take the punishment1if the person being addressed refuses to comply or cooperate with a certain demand or request, they will face negative consequences or be subjected to punishment instead..”

With his command, everyone rushed at Lin Hanchuan.

Lin Hanchuan frowned, reluctant to fight these seemingly underage teenagers. As a nearly thirty-year-old adult, it felt like bullying children to engage with them.

However, since they had already attacked, he couldn’t avoid striking back.

With a calm step forward, Lin Hanchuan executed swift and precise movements. In just a few moves, he knocked all of them down.

The few delinquents lay on the ground in shock, not seriously injured but feeling numb all over, unable to move or comprehend what had just happened.

Lin Hanchuan shifted his gaze away from them. As a professionally trained adult, taking down several street hooligans was nothing difficult.

“Jiang… Classmate!” Just then, a person rushed into the alley in a hurry, holding a phone. He saw the scene in the alley, and his words choked in his throat, sporting the same dumbfounded expression as the others.

[This is the original host’s situation.] Agent 001 suddenly spoke, [He’s also the fake young master you mistakenly hugged.]

Lin Hanchuan was taken aback, recognizing the newcomer’s appearance.

With a slightly chubby face, he looked extremely cute. Staring with round, innocent eyes, his skin seemed to glow in the darkness, appearing particularly fair. He looked like someone who knew nothing about the ways of the world.