Xu Yiyi and Xu Yan, a child and an adult, slumped on the sofa.
"Uncle, did you see that? A lot of people in the live - stream room said you're really handsome. Uncle, do you need me to find a wife for you?"
Xu Yan was so startled that he coughed repeatedly. He stared at Xu Yiyi. "Kid, stop causing trouble for me here."
"Do you really think your uncle can't find a girlfriend? I've just been busy taking care of you kids."
Xu An'an tilted her head innocently and replied, "But Uncle, you didn't have a girlfriend even before we came back. How can you blame us? Uncle, you're shifting the blame, and that's a bad habit."
Xu Yan was utterly helpless. "Fine, fine, whatever you say. Uncle is tired. Uncle just wants to lie back and relax."
That day ended in the laughter and play of the four of them.
Early the next morning, Xu Qingqing received a call from Lu Qi.
"Qingqing, are you awake? The application for the copy - painting competition was successful. Contestant recruitment starts today. Everyone needs to come to the copy - painting site and complete a copy of an ancient painting. The one with the highest completion rate will get the real qualification to restore this painting and will also be the champion."
Hearing Lu Qi's words, Xu Qingqing perked up. "Okay, wait for me. I'll be there in about half an hour."
Xu Qingqing got up, washed up, and got dressed. Seeing that Xu Yan showed no sign of waking up, she sent him a message asking him to take care of the two kids, then went straight to the copy - painting competition site.
There were many luxury cars parked at the entrance, indicating that the people who came were of high status. After entering, Xu Qingqing found that there were many elderly people. The entire exhibition hall was filled with various famous paintings and antiques for the contestants to admire.
It was also a subtle deterrence to make those without real strength back off.
Xu Qingqing's arrival caught the attention of many. Everyone knew Lu Qi's identity. The antique world was like a circle, and most of the big names in the circle were known to each other.
"Look, the young master Lu Qi brought a little girl this time. It seems that young master Lu Qi wants to go easy on us."
"This is not just going easy. I think he simply looks down on us. Sending a little girl. Even if we win, it won't be a glorious victory."
Hearing the discussions around them, Lu Qi looked at Xu Qingqing sheepishly.
"You know, in the antique restoration circle, most people are elderly. Someone of your age is truly rare, so it's inevitable that you'll be looked down upon. Don't mind these things."
Originally, he thought these people were well - educated and wouldn't gossip like busybodies, but he was wrong.
At this moment, a young girl in her early twenties walked towards Xu Qingqing and Lu Qi.
She had a sweet smile on her lips and greeted them actively. "Brother Qi, this is the expert you newly hired in your shop, right? I've heard so much about her. Brother Qi, won't you introduce us?"
Lu Qi smiled and introduced her to Xu Qingqing. "Her name is Wang Pan. She's from the Archaeology Department of Jiang University. She has excellent grades and has already been recommended for postgraduate study."
Xu Qingqing reached out her hand first, with a big smile on her face, and praised without hesitation. "Hello. You must be really amazing to get the recommendation for postgraduate study."
Wang Pan smiled and shook Xu Qingqing's hand. "I'm not as good as you, sister. You know, I once offered to help Brother Qi in his shop, but he refused."
"At that time, Brother Qi thought I was too young. Look, now he's found you, sister. So, being young was just an excuse. Brother Qi values your strength more."
Hearing Wang Pan's words, Lu Qi scratched his head sheepishly. "You were still in school. How could I delay your studies?"
"Did you come here on behalf of the Archaeology Department of Jiang University today?"
Wang Pan nodded and said shyly, "Thanks to my tutor's trust. He gave me this opportunity. The tutor said that he doesn't expect me to get the qualification for the copy - painting. Just coming here to gain more knowledge and understand my own shortcomings is already worth the trip."
Although her words were modest, the pride and self - satisfaction in her eyes didn't escape Xu Qingqing's notice.
With Wang Pan's achievements, she did have every reason to be proud at this age.
So Xu Qingqing praised her with a smile. "You're already very amazing. If you had graduated earlier, Brother Qi might not have needed me."
Since she wanted praise, she could have it. It didn't cost anything to compliment someone.
Xu Qingqing didn't want to make enemies for herself now, lest there be more kidnappings or car accidents.
After greeting them here, Wang Pan had other people to greet, so she got up and left.
Besides gaining knowledge, this was also a good place to make connections. She couldn't waste this opportunity. These connections would surely help her in her career in the future.
Lu Qi lowered his voice and said to Xu Qingqing, "By the way, the ancient painting to be restored this time is the one they asked you to restore when you were kidnapped."
Xu Qingqing was surprised. "I had already restored most of that painting before, hadn't I?"
"Yes, most of it was restored, but others don't have your skills. That painting is now regarded as a national treasure. This competition was specially held to find professional people to restore it."
"Even if you've achieved great things in my shop, it's still just a non - official way. By participating in this copy - painting competition, we can get back the qualification that belongs to you in an official way. Then you can establish your position in the archaeology and cultural relic restoration circles."
Hearing Lu Qi's words, Xu Qingqing felt very comforted. She showed a sincere smile on her face. "Thank you, Brother Qi."
Currently, half of the praise she received was because of the Xu family, and the other half was because of Lu Qi's shop name. Her own achievements and talents hadn't attracted much attention.
Maybe she didn't even get as much attention as she did because of her two kids. But Lu Qi's actions were putting her in the official spotlight, giving her a chance to prove her strength and let others see that she was truly amazing.
The two continued walking forward. Along the way, Lu Qi greeted others from time to time. It was obvious that Lu Qi was very popular. At least everyone gave him some face.
Not far ahead was the cultural relic restoration area. There were a group of experts sitting there. Even the youngest one looked in his forties, and many of them had gray hair. Apparently, they were high - level talents invited from all over the place.
When they saw Xu Qingqing coming, they greeted her too.