Three days later.

Shen Yuan called, excitedly saying, "Sister Hua, Sister Hua, great news, great news! After evaluation by all the experts on site, it was unanimously decided that you will be the successor for Wang Meng's 'Retreat', one of the 'Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty'. Are you happy?"

Su Hua replied calmly, "When do we start?"

Shen Yuan was stunned, "Is that all you have to say?"

Su Hua raised an eyebrow slightly, "What should my reaction be?"

Shen Yuan raised her voice, "Do you know? You successfully defeated eighteen top copyists gathered from all over the country. Each of those experts is a leader in their local museums, all over forty or fifty years old. You're only twenty-three and have already beaten so many experts. Shouldn't you be jumping for joy, clapping your hands, and laughing with delight?"

Su Hua chuckled dryly, "Is that better?"

Hearing her perfunctory laugh, Shen Yuan felt a bit numb, "Your left hand is still recovering. Will it affect your work?"

"It's manageable. I use my right hand more. But you guys need to find someone to grind ink for me. I can't use pre-made ink; it will bleed and affect the mounting."

"Got it. Whatever you need, just let me know, and I'll talk to our curator. I might as well help you grind the ink."

"Sure."

Once the 'Retreat' was repaired and fully colored, it was Su Hua's turn to take over.

She worked with extreme dedication. Once she sat down and picked up the brush, she became completely immersed, detached from the world, as if in a meditative state, often forgetting to eat.

Shen Yuan didn't dare to disturb her.

Because the restoration was of a more than seven-hundred-year-old artifact, irreplaceable.

If she was interrupted and made a mistake, the painting would be ruined.

That's why cultural relic restorers are also known as the surgeons who save the lives of artifacts, and they can't afford any mistakes.

Ten days later, Su Hua completed her work.

Her brushwork, technique, spirit, and expression perfectly matched the original artist, Wang Meng.

A group of old experts, armed with magnifying glasses, scrutinized the painting for half a day, unable to find a single flaw.

It must be said, Su Hua's work was both beautiful and efficient, accomplishing in ten days what others might take months to complete.

Most people in the industry spend their entire lives unable to reach her level.

Effort determines the lower limit, talent determines the upper limit.

She had both talent and the willingness to work hard, and she was taught hand-in-hand by her grandfather, known as the Restoration Sage. It's hard not to be impressed.

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A cheerful old expert gave Su Hua a thumbs up, praising her endlessly, saying Su Wenmai had taught an excellent student, surpassing the master.

Several other experts, who cherished talent, jointly submitted an application to award Su Hua a "Cultural Relic Restoration Expert" certificate.

The museum also specially appointed her as a guest researcher at the capital museum.

Next, the restored painting was handed over to the mounting room for framing.

Su Hua and the old experts went to a celebration banquet.

Though called a celebration banquet, it was really just a farewell meal.

During the meal, several white-haired experts asked Su Hua if she had a boyfriend, eager to introduce their grandsons and great-grandsons to her.

Before Su Hua could speak, the old men started arguing among themselves, each praising their own grandson.

One impatient expert even called his grandson, telling him to come over quickly.

Su Hua felt a bit embarrassed by their noisy chatter.

Shen Yuan hurriedly intervened, saying, "Su Hua is so beautiful, she must already have a boyfriend. Thank you all for your kindness."

The old experts expressed their regret and asked, "Whose lucky boy is it?"

Of course, Su Hua couldn't mention Gu Beixian, so she laughed it off and changed the subject.

Previously, Su Hua didn't like interacting with these old experts.

She never attended their gatherings.

But today, she found this group of old experts quite endearing, like children, each with a playful spirit.

After the meal, reporters came for interviews.

Due to her connection with the Gu Family, Su Hua was not comfortable appearing on camera and didn't want her background to be deeply investigated, so she politely declined and let the charming old experts take the spotlight.

With some free time, Shen Yuan insisted on taking her to the antique market, saying they might find a hidden gem.

In turbulent times, gold is valued; in peaceful times, antiques are treasured.

Now, in this era of peace, the antique market was booming, and finding a bargain was not easy.

Good items were expensive, and cheap ones were often crafts or fakes.

The antique business was a deep pool.

The two of them visited several shops, finding nothing.

Finally, they arrived at an antique shop with a classic and grand decor.

Su Hua looked around and finally fixed her gaze on a transparent vacuum box containing a pile of old, fragmented paper, the largest piece no bigger than a child's palm, so fragmented that its original form was unrecognizable.

Seeing her staring at it, Shen Yuan curiously asked the clerk, "How much is this?"

The clerk held up two fingers, "Two hundred thousand."

Shen Yuan's eyes widened, "These tattered pieces of paper for two hundred thousand? You really dare to ask, why not just rob a bank?"

The clerk wasn't annoyed, smiling as he said, "This is an 'Ink Lotus Painting' by Zhu Da, The Sage of Eight Mountains. It wasn't well preserved during the war. If it were intact, it would be worth at least tens of millions. If you don't believe me, take some time to check online."

Shen Yuan pouted, "But this painting is too fragmented. It's not worth two hundred thousand."

The clerk knew exactly what was going on.

When they acquired it, they spent two thousand yuan, hoping to have it restored by the nation's best ancient painting restoration expert, Su Wenmai. But he passed away from stomach cancer, and no one else could handle it, saying it was too fragmented to piece together.

It was just taking up space, and they had to dust it every day.

The boss had said to sell it if they could get the money.

The clerk's eyes shifted, "Then make an offer."

Shen Yuan glanced at Su Hua, seeing her interest in buying it, knowing she could restore it, and held up one finger, "One hundred."

Su Hua almost burst out laughing.

She really dared to haggle.

Fortunately, this was a civilized society; in the past, such bargaining would get you beaten.

The clerk was annoyed, forcing a smile, "Do you think this is waste paper? Even if sold as waste, this is paper from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, worth at least ten thousand."

"Don't try to fool me. Ten thousand a sheet is for complete ancient rice paper. These are fragments, too small even to patch old paintings. How about this, I'll give you a thousand, and if not, we'll leave." With that, Shen Yuan pulled Su Hua's hand and started to walk out.

The clerk followed, shouting, "Ten thousand, take it for ten thousand!"

"One thousand, not a penny more!" Shen Yuan didn't look back as she countered.

Seeing the two about to leave, the clerk, exasperated, shouted, "Take it for a thousand."

Su Hua swiftly returned, swiped her card, signed the contract, and left with the fragments.

Back at Riyue Bay.

She went to her study and began piecing the painting together.

Afraid that Sister Liu or the part-time workers might come in unexpectedly and blow the fragments away, she hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the study door.

When Gu Beixian returned, he didn't see her anywhere.

He went to the study and saw the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, knowing she was working.

He gently pushed the door open a crack.

He saw Su Hua sitting at the desk, focused on piecing the painting together.

The warm orange light cast a glow on her delicate face, making her seem as if she were in a meditative state.

This tranquil atmosphere made the study feel like a temple, silent and serene, with ancient scrolls and a green lamp, making one reluctant to disturb her.

Gu Beixian quietly closed the door and left.

Su Hua worked late into the night before stopping. She looked up at the clock on the wall; it was one in the morning.

She put down the painting, left the study, and locked it.

Not wanting to disturb Gu Beixian, she quietly went to the bathroom to wash up and then went to sleep in the guest room.

But the next morning, when she woke up, she opened her eyes to see Gu Beixian lying beside her, gazing at her.

Su Hua was surprised, rubbing her sleepy eyes, looking at the man's clear and handsome face, and asked, "Why are you sleeping in the guest room too?"

Gu Beixian loosely embraced her, gently touching her rosy lips with his finger, "I was afraid you'd dream of me in the middle of the night and cry if you couldn't find me."

That was so warm.

Su Hua felt a sweet warmth in her heart, touched by him.

She smiled, leaned in, and started kissing him, kissing his forehead, his eyes, and his nose, until she was out of breath.

She kissed his handsome face until it was covered in her kisses.