The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot

Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Viewing the Painting

Not many people participated in this national calligraphy and painting competition, and most of the participants were special admissions students.

The sons and daughters of wealthy families, having participated in various international competitions from a young age, were already adorned with honors. Therefore, they were not very keen on this competition. On the other hand, quite a few special admissions students hoped that through such an opportunity, they could have more bargaining chips when entering society for a better future.

Of course, there were also some girls who wanted to use this competition as a stepping stone to marry into a wealthy family. Shen Yixue was one of them, and she confidently handed over her work to the school office responsible for the competition.

She had been learning painting since childhood and had never stopped over the years. Over the years, she had also participated in several calligraphy and painting competitions and achieved good results. The reason she was admitted to Tenglong Academy wasn’t just because of her excellent academic results but also due to her significant achievements in calligraphy and painting.

After submitting her competition piece, she walked lightly towards the exit. But just before she was about to leave, she heard an exclamation.

Turning her head, it turned out that a teacher had accidentally knocked a student’s work to the ground.

Shen Yixue was just curious and turned her head for a look, but it was that glance that froze her in place.

Just a brief glimpse was all it took for her to see a work that shocked her to her core. Even though she didn’t see the entire painting, she could tell from the part she saw that it was a grand and imposing work. It was a part of a mountain and river painting. She didn’t know exactly what place the other party had depicted, but from that small part, she was already deeply moved.

She could hardly imagine the sensation that would arise once this painting appeared before the public.

The confidence she had was now gone like smoke in the air. Her heart wavered, as with such a painting in the competition, she had completely lost confidence in winning first place.

Her work stood no chance in comparison to this stunning masterpiece.

When had their school acquired such an amazing talent?

Thinking of these things, Shen Yixue felt increasingly agitated. She hadn’t seen the signature when she glimpsed the part of the painting, so she had no idea who the artist was.

Before long, Shen Yixue received a call from Li Jingming.

A short while later, they walked side by side in a small garden on campus.

“Yixue, you’ve submitted your painting, haven’t you?” Li Jingming asked directly, without beating around the bush, “What am I saying? The deadline is almost here; you must have submitted it, right?”

Hearing Li Jingming bring up the calligraphy and painting competition, Shen Yixue’s smile stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal, “I just submitted it a while ago.”

“That’s really great,” Li Jingming said with excitement on his face. He suddenly stopped, looked intently at Shen Yixue, “Yixue, actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, but I was afraid it might affect you, so I haven’t brought it up. Now that you’ve submitted your work, I think it’s time to speak out.”

Hearing these words, a sense of foreboding flashed through Shen Yixue’s heart, but she showed no sign of it on her face, still wearing her usual gentle smile, “Is what you want to say related to the calligraphy and painting competition?”

“Exactly,” Li Jingming nodded, his expression suddenly becoming a bit restrained, “Yixue, you know, I’ve always had a crush on you.”

Shen Yixue’s cheeks flushed with a hint of pink, a sweet emotion flashing through her heart as she nodded slightly, her voice much softer in response, “Yes, I know.”

She hadn’t expected that Li Jingming wanted to make a romantic confession; this made her face take on a shy glow. At the same time, she was secretly delighted, thinking that today was truly her lucky day.

Although her mood today had been affected by seeing that painting in the classroom, Li Jingming’s confession had cleared up the gloom she felt.

However, the words that Li Jingming said next made her feel as though she had plunged into an ice cellar.

“I really like you, Yixue, and I want us to have a future together,” Li Jingming said seriously as he looked at Shen Yixue, “I’ve convinced my mom, and she’s willing to try and accept you. It’s just—”

“Just what?” Shen Yixue quickly asked, eager for an answer.

She was well aware that although Li Jingming’s mother was just a mistress of Mr. Lai, she had the means to officially make Li Jingming the Young Master Lai.

If she could gain her approval, it would be much easier for her to marry Li Jingming in the future.

Li Jingming continued to look into Shen Yixue’s eyes, “As long as you can win first place in this national calligraphy and painting competition, she won’t interfere in our matters anymore.”

His words made Shen Yixue’s smile turn a bit forced.

“What’s wrong?” Li Jingming had been watching Shen Yixue’s expression all along, so he spotted the signs right away, “Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I just feel a bit pressured,” Shen Yixue’s smile had returned to normal, “Besides, you know, this calligraphy and painting competition is nationwide, and there will be many masters present. I’m really not sure I can take first place!”@@novelbin@@

“You shouldn’t underestimate yourself, Yixue; I’m sure you can do it,” Li Jingming was quite confident, “I’m very clear on your strength. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare make such a promise to my mom.”

Shen Yixue smiled but said nothing more. Her mind was already in turmoil.

If she hadn’t seen that painting by chance, she would still have been confident in herself. But now, she had no confidence at all.

With the painting she had submitted, it was impossible to win first place. However, now Li Jingming’s mother had set such a condition; it meant she had no chance at all.

No, she absolutely couldn’t just give up like this. If she lost this opportunity, her future with Li Jingming would become extremely difficult, even potentially nonexistent.