Proofread by Zhou Zhijie

“Thank you for your invitation, but I’m afraid I can’t be your student in view of my current situation.” Saying this apologetically, Ding Manman takes back her hand held by An Manrou.

“If you are worried about the financial problem, please just set your heart at rest, because I will get everything ready for you,” says Jens Johnson graciously, thinking Ding was concerned about the paycheck. Money is never lacking for artists, especially for such a world-famous painting master like Jens Johnson.

He is rich enough to cultivate even a hundred students like Ding Manman. However, Ding shakes her head once again, which makes Jens Johnson frown unconsciously. It’s the first time that he has offered to take someone as his student anyway, but to be rejected like this doesn’t make him feel good at all.

“It’s a great honor for me to receive your invitation, but I’m in a tricky situation beyond my control. I’m really sorry.” Ding Manman says somehow sorrowfully.

After all, it is her idol who has offered her an olive branch that she cannot accept. She can only see the opportunity slip away, which makes her feel terrible.

Since Ding has expressed her attitude, Jens Johnson thinks it embarrassing to try to persuade her, no matter how regretful he feels. He still feels pity for her refusal because it is rather difficult to find someone with unlimited potentials in the art field.

“All right.” He shouldn’t force her any more since she has declined his offer. Jens Johnson looks a little upset. Then he takes out a business card from his pocket on which he writes a series of numbers and gives it to Ding.

“Since you put it that way, I won’t push you. But my words will be valid for ever. This is my business card with my phone number on it. If you change your mind, call me anytime.”

An Manrou stares at the number on that card, with jealousy in her eyes fully revealed. You know whenever she wants to see Jens Johnson, she needs to make an appointment through his assistant first.

Jens Johnson’s attitude reveals that he really appreciates Ding’s talents. After an instant’s hesitation, Ding eventually accepts the card. It will definitely make Jens Johnson lose face if she refuses this.

“Thank you, Mr. Johnson. If you don’t mind, may I present this painting to you as a gift for our first meeting so as to express my gratitude to you?”

Ding Manman is a little embarrassed while uttering these words. While Jens Johnson is very pleased and satisfied with Ding’s modesty. What a pity!

“Thank you. By the way, may I have your name?” Jens Johnson looks at Ding with regret. He regrets that Ding Manman, so talented in arts, loses the opportunity to be cultivated.

“My name is Ding Manman.”

“Ding Manman, a name full of charm. I hope the next time we meet, your passion for painting is still the same as it is now.” Jens Johnson leaves after saying these words. He was quite occupied actually. He postponed his own affairs just to see Ding in person. Now, he can’t delay any more.

An Manrou follows Jens Johnson to leave. Yet, all of a sudden she turns back and takes a few steps to Ding.

“Ding Manman, right? I’ve borne you in my mind!” An’s words are so aggressive that they are so unpleasant for others to hear. With these words, she walks away directly.

Ding feels somehow puzzled about An’s hostility. Before she replies, Sun Ling’ er has stepped forwards to fire back at her.

“No problem! Think you scared us?”

Sun Ling’er originally intended to persuade Ding to accept Jens Johnson’s proposal. On second thoughts, she changed her mind. If her brother got to know it is with her that Sister Manman was taken away, instead of being punished ruthlessly by him she had better take her own life somewhere.

“Sister Manman, are you unhappy?” Looking at Ding who is down in spirits, Sun Ling’er feels sorry for her. Although her brother always claims that Ding has done something malicious, she still feels that such a girl like Sister Manman must be very kind-hearted.

Ding Manman gives no answer to her but stares at the business card in her hand with fascination. The number with an enormous magic power seems to have attracted all her attention. She is clear that Jens Johnson is able to help her solve the financial problem, but he is not able to deal with Zhong Shaoting’s influence. She doesn’t want to get the innocent man into trouble.

“It's okay, I have got used to it.” Putting the business card away carefully, Ding Manman says in a light voice, as if she has become accustomed to this kind of situation where she never gets what she loves and desires.

“I need to use to the restroom.” After this incident, Ding Manman loses her interest in painting appreciation and walks towards the restroom under Sun’s pitying eyes.

“That painting is really interesting. This is the first time that I’ve seen such an impressive painting and that Miss Ding is really talented.” Willis and Zhong Shaoting have witnessed the whole story.

When Ding Manman departs, Willis cannot help complimenting on her painting which has evoked his intense sensations that he has never experienced before.

Hearing the favorable comments from Willis, Zhong doesn’t say a word. His eyes, as dark as gems, narrow slightly. Those who are familiar with him are very clear that it is the prelude to the explosion of his anger.

“Will you excuse me, please? I need to go to the restroom.” Zhong says lightly and then turns to leave. Willis, unaware of Zhong’s mood, continues to appreciate the paintings on display, which turn out to be boring, now compared with Ding’s.

Ding Manman looks at her reflection in the mirror. Her face used to be wreathed with smiles. While now she finds between her eyebrows lingers the endless sadness which cannot be dispersed.

Her big bright eyes look dull now. At present, she just looks like a puppet with no soul.

Seeing herself like this, she feels some unspeakable feelings flooding into her mind. Fang Hao used to love pinching her soft cheeks. He would never stop until her cheeks reddened. He said he couldn’t resist the temptation for she looked so lovely that way.

Ding Manman reaches out to touch her own face, but to find that her cheeks have sunken slightly. The whole face looks much thinner and her jaw pointed. Even these changes are unable to overshadow her beauty.

Fang Hao definitely will not adore her like this anymore, which Ding Manman cannot help but wonder. After all, Fang Hao used to be so fond of her cute and chubby face...

“Fang Hao...”

Ding Manman stares at herself in the mirror, lost in thought. Suddenly the restroom door is opened and in comes a man who closes the door behind him.

At first Ding Manman didn’t pay attention to the entering person, but the sound of the door being locked catches her attention. On turning around, she is so scared that she can hardly stand stable.

“This is the lady’s room...” Watching Zhong Shaoting approaching her step by step, Ding cannot help shouting out a warning.