"Such masterful technique. To reach this level at your age... Chu Chu, what will your future look like? I'm truly looking forward to it." Chu Lian turned her gaze back to the painting, quietly marveling at the scene before her. This kind of skill was likely already close to that of a grandmaster. That was the true pinnacle in any field.
At the very least, she did not believe she possessed talent in any art form comparable to Chu Chu's—whether in literature or music. Perhaps the painting that the previous Chu Lian had once abandoned could count, but that wasn't hers. It belonged to someone else.
She had forgotten to factor in her acting talent. That was her own—truly hers—and the one ability she had cultivated entirely without relying on the system in the slightest.
Chu Lian thought about her only S-rank talent at present, the "Master-Level Classical Chinese Music" she had exchanged with Dream Points.
Although she wielded it with ease, after seeing Chu Chu's painting, she could clearly sense that her music lacked a certain vitality.
Perhaps it was because it had been exchanged. Perhaps it was because she had not trained enough. It had not been accumulated and comprehended little by little through her own experience. That was why it lacked life—why it did not carry that lingering resonance of heavenly melody.
Chu Chu had taken a simple painting and infused it with soul, with a profound memory as though she had crossed through time to witness that very scene. One could not help but marvel at it. It truly felt like divine craftsmanship.
For herself to achieve that point, she would need to train for a long time still before her music could genuinely attach to her own "soul," making listeners feel as though the notes themselves were alive.
"With skill like this, if Chu Chu doesn't paint traditional ink works and send those European and American oil painting masters packing, it would be such a waste of her talent." Liu Yanran had known before that Chu Chu's brushwork was extraordinary, but she had never fully grasped just how extraordinary.
But after seeing this painting, she finally had a complete impression. She was confident that if given three more years, Chu Chu could climb to the very peak of the world's painting scene and become a master renowned both domestically and internationally... no, perhaps even a grandmaster—someone who could establish an entirely new school.
It looks like I'll have to help her. The relationships among the girls were no longer ordinary. They were intimate companions—almost like members of the same harem. Though there was a subtle competitive dynamic between them, they still genuinely cared about one another.
Chu Chu had such talent. Even if she was already somewhat famous within the domestic traditional painting circle—or among masters—that was ultimately a small circle, far removed from the broader public.
She thought of what Chu Chu had mentioned earlier. This could be the perfect opportunity. They could feature the girl's work in their family's magazine. Whether she chose to draw illustrations or comics would be entirely up to her.
Liu Yanran would merely provide a platform for her to spread her wings. How she chose to use it would depend entirely on Chu Chu herself. But she was confident that someone like Chu Chu—like a hidden dragon swimming in the abyss, possessing genuine talent—so long as she cared, anything she painted seriously would astonish the world.
This was already an era where talent, once matched with the right platform, would not remain unknown. Not to mention that Chu Chu's own conditions far surpassed most people's. Whether it was her looks, her figure, or her background, she was someone constantly under attention.
And besides, even if Chu Chu's work failed to gain recognition for various reasons, she still had a wonderful elder sister. Though Chu Lian's popularity was still accumulating and far from that of top superstars, her uniqueness captivated countless people.
At that time, she would only need to say a few words on Chu Chu's behalf. Or perhaps she wouldn't even need to promote her actively. As long as Chu Chu's work and her own were serialized in the same magazine—even if they were different genres—clever design alone would allow Chu Chu to benefit from Chu Lian's fame and leave an impression on readers.
Of course, these matters would have to be discussed with her parents first. Then they would need to consult Chu Chu and the others about their wishes and prepare for a period of time before beginning. There was no rush.
Chu Chu had absolutely no idea that in just this brief moment, Liu Yanran had already thought through so many things—even mapping out future arrangements—simply waiting for her nod.
"Chu Chu's talent is astonishing." On the other side, Cai Ya had also discerned roughly what level Chu Chu's painting had reached. Though born into a family of physicians, her upbringing in a prominent household had given her a refined eye. Her appreciation level was naturally high.
This painting felt just like the master-level works she had once seen at home—vivid and lifelike. At first glance, it compelled one to explore the story within, to listen to the deeper meaning behind the girl's brush.
I can't keep going like this. Music is what I'm good at, but compared to Chu Chu's talent in painting—and Chu Lian's talent in writing and music—I fall far behind. If I want to keep up with them, I have to work harder.
I wonder if Lian would be willing to help me produce an album. With her creative ability, composing twelve songs for an album shouldn't be too difficult. It would take some time, though... Still, I should find an opportunity to ask her.
Cai Ya was proud, but not blindly so. She knew her strengths and weaknesses clearly and understood how to leverage her talents to achieve her goals. Now that Chu Chu and Chu Lian were already ahead, she could not remain stagnant.
Though she knew Chu Lian was busy, she still decided to ask whether she could help her produce an album. It was also a small wish of her own—she wanted to know just how much Chu Lian cared about her.
This was not something she could let others know. She would have to find a private opportunity to approach her. Twelve songs—one per week—it shouldn't be too difficult, right?
And perhaps a few duets as well. Otherwise, if Chu Lian poured all her energy into writing and game development, wouldn't she gradually abandon music? She didn't want them to lose their shared topic of conversation.
Chu Lian had no idea that while Liu Yanran was planning around Chu Chu, Cai Ya was also planning around her. Although these matters were fundamentally good things, the subtle intertwining of intentions still made one sigh at the ingenuity of fate.
"Chu Chu, Lian, everyone..." I used to be silent. I used to be alone. It was only after meeting them that I realized my sky also had color. It was a lush, forest green.
But why is it like this? When I'm happily with everyone, I can laugh and smile. Yet once I return home, I become the rejected failure—treated like trash by everyone around me.
I clearly tried so hard to do what I wanted to do, but I've never received any recognition.
And now... am I finally going to be cast out of the house? Or married off to someone? Father said he has already chosen a suitable candidate and arranged the match. In a few days, once the other party sends someone, they'll be able to take me away.
Yes. Married off at such a young age. Even if I can't legally marry yet, it's still the same as being expelled from that home—a home where my presence or absence makes no difference.
Then I'll enter another household, become someone's fiancée in name, and wait until some appropriate time in the future to be wed.
My entire life... wasted there.
"I don't want that kind of life. I want to live with Chu Lian, with Chu Chu, with everyone. I don't want to leave..."
Her thoughts drifted from the first time she met Chu Lian, to sharing a pillow together on the rooftop, to their ordinary days of companionship, to the start of the school trip when she slept beside them.
By the clear pool at Mount Li, their first intimate contact. In Chang'an City, at the Qingping Grand Hotel, her own selfish demands. On Mount Tai, watching the scenery, leaning against each other at sunset.
That day in Neon, meeting her anew. The addition of Kurosaki Satsuki. And all those events that had reshaped her understanding of the world.
The journey to America, and the way she protected her. When she was on the brink of death, the ones she couldn't let go of were Lian—and the girl who had always stayed by her side.
And in the final battle, everyone's efforts. No matter who it was, it felt like they were all able to help her. I'm so envious. If only I had the ability... everything would be different, wouldn't it?
Chu Lian, can you tell me what I should do? Should I hold onto the belief that you will definitely come back to save me—like the night before last, when we were together without secrets, intimately entwined, walking toward the days ahead? Or... does it end here?
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know...
Ruoxue has been captured by them. They're using her to threaten me. If I refuse, Ruoxue will be in danger. It doesn't matter if I die—but I can't let Ruoxue suffer because of me.
Chu Lian, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I may not be able to walk beside you any longer. Please forgive me...
My family doesn't want me anymore. Ruoxue has been dragged into this because of me.
Now I've effectively been swept out the door, sent to some unfamiliar place, an unfamiliar family, to spend my entire life there.
If there is a next life, I'll become an ordinary girl. Then I'll meet you again. I'm sure I will...
In a corner no one noticed, Li Xiu'er's already misty eyes suddenly overflowed, crystalline tears slipping down.
Looking at the scene within the painting, recalling past happiness, and thinking about her current situation and future, she truly could not hold it in.
Fortunately, everyone's attention was fixed on the painting, and the seating arrangement was one person per desk. No one saw the girl's sorrow.
But did no one truly know? Ever since she realized Li Xiu'er was troubled, Chu Lian's attention had never left her. She had "seen" the tears, and her heart clenched violently.
If not for the fact that they were in class, she would have already rushed over, pulled the girl into her arms, and demanded to know what had happened.
"No matter what it is, this time, I'm getting involved. The Wang family's matter has been settled. As for the Li family, I don't mind dealing with them as well. So what if you're part of the cultivation world?"
"Mother already holds no goodwill toward you. Why would I feel anything for so-called relatives I've never even met?"
"You dare to bully Xiu'er? Then don't blame me for being merciless. Anyone who dares hurt someone I care about will pay a price. You will pay it. I will make sure of that."
A flash of resolve flickered through Chu Lian's eyes.
Once, she had lost everything. Now, she would absolutely not allow anyone she cared about to be harmed again. Anyone who dared cross that line—no matter who they were—would not be spared.
This was her promise, and the force that now drove her forward.
If anyone dared stand in her way—if anyone dared touch her bottom line—then they could wait for her arrival...