After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 530 - 521: The Research Subject is Right Before Our Eyes

Chapter 530: Chapter 521: The Research Subject is Right Before Our Eyes

Coming back to his senses, he quickly picked up the walkie-talkie placed beside him, "Old Li, did a black sedan with the license plate Jing AXXXXX just drive in from your side?"

"Yes, it did. Why?"

"I was going to ask you what happened. Was this car reported in advance? Why does it look so unfamiliar to me?"

"I was puzzled at first too. Just as I was about to stop it, the barrier raised on its own, so this license plate must have been entered into our system earlier. It’s one of ours."

"Alright, got it."

This made him even more uncertain whether the person who had arrived was actually Vice President Yuan’s distinguished guest.

How could one of their own be a guest?

As he pondered this, he pushed open the security office door to step outside, only to see the black sedan smoothly parked at the base of the archive building. The passenger door opened, and out came an exceptionally striking young woman.

At first glance, she seemed unfamiliar, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of familiarity.

"Hello, miss, I’m the security guard here..."

Jiang Lingxi had just received a voice call from Qian Yiheng, "So you’re at the archive building, right? We’re already downstairs."

Actually, she didn’t need to say anything. Just from the security guard’s voice on the other end, Qian Yiheng was sure Jiang Lingxi had arrived and hadn’t gone astray, as she’d feared.

"Wait a moment, I’m coming right down."

Ending the call, Jiang Lingxi looked at the security guard who’d noticed her call and promptly went silent, "We’re here to meet Mr. Yuan."

"Oh, Mr. Qian specifically mentioned this to me earlier; she’s upstairs with Vice President Yuan on the third floor."

No sooner had he spoken than a voice called down from above, "Miss Jiang."

Jiang Lingxi looked up and waved at Qian Yiheng, who was poking her head out from the corridor to greet her.

"Wait for me, I’ll come down to open the door for you."

While waiting for Qian Yiheng to come down and open the door, the driver’s side door of the black sedan opened as well.

The security guard instinctively turned his head to look.

Upon seeing the person emerging from the driver’s seat, he couldn’t help but gasp.

If he didn’t already know the person was Vice President Yuan’s guest, he’d certainly suspect they were here for some kind of shoot.

As the two stood together, even the old and dim archive building seemed to brighten considerably.

But to the security guard, Shen Yunqing’s appearance was stunning, while to Qian Yiheng, who ran down the stairs, it was somewhat shocking.

"Mr. Shen?"

Shen Yunqing gave a slight nod to Qian Yiheng, who was visibly shocked.

The short walk of less than thirty meters that followed left Qian Yiheng so flustered she walked with mismatched steps.

"Miss Jiang, the teacher is waiting for you on the third floor. I’ll take you up."

"Thank you."

"You’re too kind. It’s I who should be thanking you. To have Miss Jiang and Mr. Shen come all this way, I am the one who should apologize."

The archive building was an old architecture that had been remodeled; there was no elevator, and they had to walk up the stairs.

Qian Yiheng led the way, occasionally glancing back at Jiang Lingxi and Shen Yunqing following behind.

The initial shock had greatly diminished, and now as she looked again—even though she fancied herself a devoted fan of Jiang Lingxi—she had to admit they made quite a good pair.

Their striking appearances were secondary; it was the seamless synergy between them that seemed unbreakable, as if nothing could come between them.

"By the way, I didn’t catch how Miss Jiang and Mr. Shen entered through the side gate without my notice?"

Jiang Lingxi paused, glancing sideways at Shen Yunqing walking beside her.

She truly wasn’t aware that prior notifications were required for entry. When their car approached the side gate, the barrier simply lifted, allowing them to pass unimpeded.

"I think the license plate was registered previously."

"Oh."

Observing the matter-of-fact responses from both of them, Qian Yiheng was left speechless.

"Is Mr. Shen also a member of our Calligraphy and Painting Association?"

If so, she should certainly remember him.

But if not a member, how else would the license plate be entered into the Association’s access system?

"No, I’ve only helped out before."

Qian Yiheng nodded, wisely opting not to press further. Although Mr. Shen seemed about her age—or even younger, which no one would dispute—his status in her mind was nearly that of her teacher’s.

Any further interrogation would be a breach of decorum.

Fortunately, there wasn’t much time for her to ponder. As they reached the third-floor staircase, she saw her instructor already waiting, and hurried to introduce them: "Teacher, this is Miss Jiang and her... boyfriend."

Yuan Hui adjusted the reading glasses perched on his nose and waved dismissively at Qian Yiheng, "No need for introductions, I’m familiar with them. I’ve seen Miss Jiang on television, but is this Mr. Shen really Miss Jiang’s beau?"

Shen Yunqing readily extended his hand, "Mr. Yuan, long time no see."

"Indeed, it has been quite some time."

Looking from Shen Yunqing to her instructor, Qian Yiheng felt a bit mentally exhausted, "Teacher, you know Mr. Shen?"

"Yes, we’ve met, although we’re not particularly close. I was wondering how you could enter directly through the side gate; if it’s Mr. Shen, then it’s no problem. Our Calligraphy and Painting Association borrowed his skills once; that’s when we crossed paths a few times."

And then intensely turned to Jiang Lingxi, "Miss Jiang, let’s continue our discussion inside."

Though he and Shen Yunqing were only slightly familiar, now was clearly not the time for reminiscing. What truly piqued his interest was Jiang Lingxi’s reproduction of the painting "Bibo Wanxiang."

Upon entering the room, Jiang Lingxi noticed the large desk cluttered with various materials. Looking at Yuan Hui’s reading glasses perched below his eyeballs, strained eyes covered with red veins, and ink smudged on his hands yet to be cleaned, she realized there was truth to what Qian Yiheng had mentioned.

This elderly gentleman was indeed quite obsessed with his research.

The first question he asked upon entering confirmed her thoughts: "Miss Jiang, have you seen the original of ’Bibo Wanxiang’?"

Jiang Lingxi noticed a notebook nearest to her, its cover inscribed with handwritten calligraphy, "Several Hypotheses on the True Identity of Xie Muyun." The sight made her heart skip a beat.

The world knows of the Divine Painter Xie Muyun, yet no one imagined it might be someone’s pseudonym.

Had this senior gentleman truly delved this far into his studies?

With this thought, she pursed her lips and nodded, "Yes."

Instantly, Yuan Hui’s gaze, already bloodshot, flared with fervent intensity, "Where did you see it?"

Though Yuan Hui’s eyes were on Jiang Lingxi, it was Shen Yunqing who answered, "In my collection room."

Watching someone earnestly study one aspect of his identity left him feeling somewhat conflicted.

Faced with Yuan Hui’s nearly radiant gaze, Shen Yunqing couldn’t help but lightly clear his throat, "I’m curious to know why Mr. Yuan decided to research Xie Muyun?"

Yuan Hui paused, fiddling with the materials he’d shuffled through repeatedly, "I want to know what might have transpired or who might have influenced a painter so remarkably talented that he willingly abandoned such great honor, departing so decisively from the field of calligraphy and painting!"

Jiang Lingxi was touched, unconsciously tightening her grip around Shen Yunqing’s hand resting on the table.

No one paid this action any attention. Yuan Hui continued to sigh, "I always felt there were stories hidden beneath history’s layers. Initially, I felt unsatisfied because my research was inconclusive, but the deeper I delved, the more I felt there was much to uncover. If fortunate enough to see his originals, perhaps some insight could indeed be gained. Might I request a visit to Mr. Shen’s collections?"

As Shen Yunqing glanced towards Jiang Lingxi, she blinked at him.

"...Sure, but not today."

Though eager, Yuan Hui was aware that preserving an artifact over a thousand years old required utmost care, "I would be thrilled just to get a glimpse. I never imagined your visit would bring such a delightful surprise. Miss Jiang and Mr. Shen make truly a remarkable match!"

Watching her teacher, usually stern-faced, easily flatter others, Qian Yiheng silently widened her eyes. Was this really the formidable, cold-faced elder she knew?

When it came to matters concerning calligraphy and painting, particularly those related to the Divine Painter Xie Muyun, Jiang Lingxi and Shen Yunqing found endless topics to discuss with Yuan Hui.

That was until someone’s stomach growled loudly several times over.

Embarrassed, Qian Yiheng covered her stomach, "Well, teacher, Miss Jiang, Mr. Shen, it’s already noon. Why don’t we go down for lunch and continue chatting over tea afterward? The association has a nice café and afternoon tea."

Yuan Hui smacked his forehead, "Look at me, getting so engrossed I forgot about lunch. Let’s go grab a bite!"

The group rose, closed the door, and headed downstairs. As they neared the first floor, a security guard’s sudden shout was heard outside.

"Stop, stop, stop, where do you think you’re going? See the sign posted here? No visitors allowed, move along, move along!"

This was followed by a girl’s voice with imperfect Mandarin pronunciation, "Sorry, excuse me, I was looking for the restroom and got lost."

"The restroom is that way, you’re going the wrong direction."

"Sorry..."

Jiang Lingxi had been whispering to Shen Yunqing, but upon sharply sensing a camera lens, her previously gentle gaze turned piercing as she looked toward it.

The staff member holding the camera flinched, nearly dropping the equipment.

Though the camera shook, it still captured the individual’s face coming down the stairs.

The program’s live broadcast room instantly erupted in chaos!

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