She laughed sardonically. "Sister Xu, if you don't like me, you can just say so. There's no need to lecture me in the guise of an elder. Since I've chosen to learn ceramic restoration, I naturally have a reverence for cultural relic restoration in my heart."
"Does Sister Xu think that Master's teaching is not professional enough and that you need to teach me instead?"
Xu Qingqing was extremely impatient upon hearing the veiled provocation in Xiang Qiuwan's words.
A person like this was even less straightforward than Gu Anrou.
The commotion here quickly caught the attention of others.
Zuo Yinyin walked over. Thinking they were talking about something interesting, she said with a smile, "Come on, you guys are whispering without me. Humph, tell me what you've been talking about."
Xiang Qiuwan gave Xu Qingqing a half - mocking look. "Yinyin, sometimes you're just too naive. You regard Sister Xu as your idol, but she may not be willing to teach us."
"I just came to Sister Xu to see how she restores ancient paintings. Who would've thought that both Sister Xu and Song Yi would dislike me. Alas, maybe my personality just isn't likable."
Zuo Yinyin blinked. "No way, Sister Xu isn't like that."
Song Yi couldn't stand it anymore and said directly, "It was you who kept blabbering beside Sister Xu when she was restoring cultural relics."
"I already told you that restoring cultural relics is a quiet job and asked you not to make a sound. You didn't listen at all. Instead, you're playing the victim."
Xiang Qiuwan immediately retorted defiantly, "You're wrong. I clearly saw that Sister Xu was about to finish her work, so I just asked a question. And when I watch others work, they can still talk."
"Moreover, Sister Xu is a genius. Can't she even do two things at once?"
"Anyway, it was just a small thing. If you didn't want to talk to me, I wouldn't have asked. There's no need to make such a big deal out of it. Look, everyone's looking at us. It makes us seem like we have so many problems."
Even the good - tempered Xu Qingqing was angry.
What was this? She had clearly done something wrong, but now she was shifting the blame onto Xu Qingqing and Song Yi.
Professor Nan and Wen Shouheng had just finished their work and walked over.
Xiang Qiuwan had always been cute and a bit smart in front of Wen Shouheng, just a bit too familiar sometimes.
Seeing Wen Shouheng coming, Xiang Qiuwan said actively, "Teacher, it's all my fault. I'm just used to observing beside others and couldn't help but say a few words, which made Sister Xu and Song Yi unhappy."
"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have disturbed them. I know I was wrong."
Xiang Qiuwan's active admission of guilt made it seem petty if Xu Qingqing and Song Yi still blamed her.
Xu Qingqing sneered inwardly. This kind of woman was the most difficult to deal with. She took advantage of her persona and caused trouble without a care.
She didn't expect that a seemingly gentle and antique - looking girl actually had so many scheming thoughts.
Xu Qingqing wasn't overly disgusted with Xiang Qiuwan. After all, there were many people who envied and were jealous of her. If she cared about every one of them, she'd be exhausted.
Xiang Qiuwan's narrow - mindedness meant that if she only wanted to compete for superiority in these small things, her future achievements would be limited.
Xu Qingqing said calmly, "Since you know it's a bad habit to make noise when others are restoring cultural relics, I suggest Miss Xiang correct it as soon as possible."
"After all, I've been restoring cultural relics since I was a child. It's not impossible for me to do two things at once. The reason I didn't respond to Miss Xiang just now was that the question you asked couldn't be answered in a few words."
"Out of courtesy and upbringing, I thought that either I shouldn't answer Miss Xiang, or if I did, I should answer completely to avoid misleading Miss Xiang."
As soon as Xu Qingqing said this, Wen Shouheng and Professor Nan asked curiously, "What were you guys talking about just now?"
Xiang Qiuwan was also slightly stunned and even began to doubt herself. Did she ask a particularly profound question just now?
The corner of Xu Qingqing's mouth twitched slightly. "She asked me which one would be more profitable and have more prospects in the future, restoring Chinese paintings or restoring ceramics."
"I think it's a question worth discussing. Maybe Miss Xiang's family is in a difficult situation, so she has to consider such practical issues. I should have first understood Miss Xiang's family background and then analyzed it for her."
Xiang Qiuwan panicked when she heard Xu Qingqing's words.
She quickly looked at Wen Shouheng and explained, "No, Master. I didn't ask her this question. I really want to learn ceramic restoration from you. Naturally, I'm only interested in ceramics."
"I just asked Miss Xu if I could watch her restore cultural relics because I thought she was really good at it."
"Master, you have to believe me. I didn't say anything else."
Xu Qingqing showed a timely look of confusion. "If you didn't say anything else, why did we argue for so long?"
"Miss Xiang also said that you're an easy - going person. I'm also a straightforward person. I don't think we should be afraid to admit what we've said."
Seeing Xu Qingqing's way of handling things, Song Yi tried hard not to laugh.
Sister Xu was really smart.
To deal with someone as thick - skinned and blame - shifting as this, one should learn to be shameless.
Wen Shouheng clearly understood Xiang Qiuwan's personality. He frowned and scolded, "We're here to help, not to cause trouble. If you want to learn, you can do it anytime. Why did you have to talk to Miss Xu when she was restoring cultural relics?"
"What you did may seem like a small thing to you, but to others, it makes me, your temporary master, look like I can't teach well and that my students lack basic etiquette and upbringing."
The words "temporary master" deeply hurt Xiang Qiuwan.
"Master, what do you mean by 'temporary master'? You've always let us call you Master."
Xiang Qiuwan was a bit panicked.
Wen Shouheng snorted. "Do you think I just brought you here today for you to learn and watch the fun? I should choose a suitable successor from the four of you."
"You're no longer my apprentice. If you want to learn ancient painting restoration from Miss Xu, you can ask her if she's willing to teach you. My small temple can't accommodate you, a great god."
Xiang Qiuwan's face instantly turned pale. She looked at Wen Shouheng in disbelief.
"Master, how could you be so heartless? I was the first one to follow you. You used to teach me so seriously, and I've also been very hard - working."