On the surface, Gao Yuheng did not intend to go with Jiang Mengxin. He maintained his gentlemanly demeanor, even giving her the two tickets and suggesting she go with Lu Ming.
In reality, it was entirely different.
Gao Yuheng had already silently planned everything. The tickets were given to Jiang Mengxin, but he had discussed with Xu Qin that Xu Qin would attend the art exhibition in Lu Ming's place.
Then, Gao Yuheng would use the third ticket to enter the exhibition himself.
This way, Gao Yuheng and Jiang Mengxin would both end up at the exhibition. Although it was a roundabout way, the final outcome would be the same, and Jiang Mengxin would have no grounds to complain.
The most crucial advantage of this plan was that it completely excluded Lu Ming!
Killing two birds with one stone.
It was perfect.
Once at the exhibition, Gao Yuheng would then showcase his expertise in painting in front of Jiang Mengxin. He was confident he could win her over then.
Every step was meticulously calculated, yet it didn't feel repulsive. This rich second generation was far superior to those who only knew how to use brute force.
After the meal, Gao Yuheng respectfully escorted Jiang Mengxin away from the restaurant.
Watching Jiang Mengxin's retreating figure, Gao Yuheng couldn't help but swallow his saliva and murmur to himself, "Indeed, she's a top-tier beauty. Only a woman of her caliber is worthy of me. It seems my choice was correct. Heh, how could that insignificant grave keeper have the right to compete with me for a woman?"
An hour later.
Jiang Mengxin returned home, taking off her coat as she walked in.
Xu Qin immediately asked, "How was it? Did the blind date go smoothly?"
Jiang Mengxin rolled her eyes and said, "Mom, didn't I tell you? I wasn't going on a blind date; I was going to reject Gao Yuheng."
"Oh," Xu Qin asked again, "Then what do you think of Gao Yuheng?"
"He's quite good," Jiang Mengxin replied. "He's handsome, has good taste in clothes, handles details well, and is very gentlemanly. Even after I rejected him, he didn't get angry. He seems... almost too perfect."
Xu Qin burst into laughter. "Isn't that great? Just give him a try. Young Master Gao likes you so much. Why do you have to waste your life on that good-for-nothing Lu Ming?"
Jiang Mengxin shot her mother a glare. "Mom, if you keep saying that, I'm going to get upset."
"Alright, alright, Mom won't say anymore."
Changing the subject, Jiang Mengxin took out the two exhibition tickets and said, "These are two exhibition tickets that Gao Yuheng gave me. It's a rare exhibition by Master Zhu You. I plan to go with Lu Ming."
"What?"
Hearing this, Xu Qin's face instantly changed.
She said with disdain, "Isn't that casting pearls before swine? How could that crude Lu Ming understand an art exhibition? He'd struggle to watch cartoons. No, these precious tickets shouldn't be wasted like this. I'll go to the exhibition with you this time."
The plan was executed!
Just as designed from the start, Xu Qin acted exactly as Gao Yuheng had instructed.
Jiang Mengxin paused, then thought about it. Her mother had a point.
She didn't recall Lu Ming having any interest in painting. Forcing him to go would indeed be a waste, and going with her mother wasn't so bad.
"Alright, then Mom, I'll go with you tomorrow morning."
"That's more like it!" Xu Qin's face bloomed with a smile, and her heart rejoiced. The plan was executed perfectly, successfully preventing Lu Ming from attending the exhibition. This would surely create an opportunity for Jiang Mengxin and Gao Yuheng to meet alone tomorrow.
Xu Qin was truly going to great lengths to facilitate her daughter's infidelity.
...
Meanwhile, at Xunrong.
Lu Ming woke up feeling refreshed and received a call from Xiuluo.
"Hello?" Lu Ming rubbed his eyes and asked, "What's up? Is there something with the receiver? Or has there been any new development from the Sun Envoy?"
"Neither," Xiuluo replied. "It's a personal matter I need to tell you."
"Personal matter?"
"Yes! Xiao Zhu is holding an art exhibition, and the War God, he really hopes you can go and see it. Do you have time?"
Xiao Zhu?
Who?
Lu Ming couldn't recall the person.
Xiuluo reminded him, "It's Zhu You, that rookie who used to be by your side and loved painting so much."
Hearing this, Lu Ming finally remembered.
He said, "It's him. Has Xiao Zhu become that impressive now? He can hold an art exhibition?"
"Isn't it true? He's very popular now. His paintings can sell for tens of millions. He's a great artist now. He's holding this exhibition in Jinling because he knows you, the War God, are here and wants to invite you to visit. You know, Xiao Zhu is your loyal fan. Many of his works are inspired by you. He'll be overjoyed if he can get your approval."
Lu Ming listened and nodded slightly. "Alright, then I'll go and see. I want to see what a painting worth tens of millions looks like."
"Great! I'll send you the ticket right away."
"Mm."
After hanging up, Lu Ming said with great satisfaction, "The rookie from back then has now become a renowned painter. Truly commendable."
Soon, Lu Ming received a ticket to Zhu You's solo art exhibition.
And it was a special pass ticket!
If this single ticket were put up for sale online, it would be impossible to obtain for less than a million. Its value was extremely precious.
However, Lu Ming clearly didn't realize the importance of this ticket.
He casually folded the ticket and put it in his pants pocket.
"So hungry, what should I eat?" Lu Ming got up and left the room to find something to eat.
The day passed quickly.
...
The next day.
Jinling City Museum.
Today was a very special day. The museum, in collaboration with the renowned painter Zhu You, was holding a solo art exhibition, displaying 33 of Zhu You's artworks.
Each piece was an invaluable masterpiece.
Early in the morning, the entrance to the museum was lined with all sorts of luxury cars. Dignitaries, influential figures, and celebrities had all come to attend the exhibition.
Tickets to an exhibition by a celebrity like Zhu You were very expensive and difficult to obtain for the average person.
Therefore, everyone who could attend was wealthy.
Adorned in gold and silver, they were incredibly opulent.
The cars parked at the entrance were all luxury vehicles, none costing less than two million.
Early in the morning, Jiang Mengxin drove her mother, Xu Qin, to the museum entrance. After parking the car, they both got out and walked towards the main entrance.
Looking at the continuous stream of luxury cars, Jiang Mengxin couldn't help but say, "Master Zhu is truly too popular. Only the rich and noble attend his exhibitions."
Xu Qin smiled and said, "Of course. Master Zhu is one of the top figures in China's current painting scene. Everyone is honored to see his exhibition."
The mother and daughter arrived at the main entrance and began to queue.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
But soon, a very abrupt voice made them both turn around.
"What are you doing? We don't allow food delivery here today. Get lost, understood?"
Jiang Mengxin and Xu Qin both turned to look, seeing a museum security guard yelling at a man riding a scooter. From the words, it seemed the scooter rider was a delivery person.
Xu Qin said disdainfully, "He's so blind. On a day like today, with so many dignitaries and influential people, how dare a delivery guy show up? Isn't he just asking for humiliation?"
The man, however, calmly stopped his scooter, took off his helmet, and said with a smile, "I'm not here for delivery; I'm here to see the exhibition."
To see the exhibition?
A delivery person actually had the audacity to come to an art exhibition?
The security guard almost burst out laughing.
Other wealthy attendees also found it amusing. Some even said sarcastically, "Everyone has aspirations. Can't a delivery guy want to witness a grand event? That way, he can brag better when he goes back. "
Everyone burst into laughter.
But!
Jiang Mengxin and Xu Qin couldn't laugh. Their faces turned ashen, feeling as if they had eaten flies.
Because they clearly saw that after the man took off his helmet, it was Lu Ming!
Good heavens, this guy was like a donkey grinding a millstone—embarrassing himself in circles, making Jiang Mengxin and Xu Qin feel so ashamed that they didn't want to admit knowing Lu Ming at all.
Embarrassing, so embarrassing!