After a One-Night Stand with a Seductive Bad Woman - Chapter 24

Lu Jia possessed remarkable talent in printmaking.

 

Her inspiration was uniquely original, and she was consistently diligent and earnest in her work.

 

Unlike the rigorous schedules of science and engineering research programs, where students were required to clock in daily at labs or libraries, the Academy of Fine Arts offered its students greater autonomy.

 

Apart from strict requirements for core courses, students at the Academy generally enjoyed a relaxed and independent atmosphere. As their mentor, Rong Yi rarely imposed strict supervision.

 

Yet Lu Jia stood apart. She proactively sought out materials from Rong Yi, frequently visited her studio with woodblocks to ask for technical guidance, and spent more time working there than the other two new students combined.

 

Whenever printmaking was mentioned, Lu Jia’s eyes would light up with a clear, fervent passion.

 

During casual conversations with other mentors, Rong Yi often heard them remark on her good fortune in recruiting another exceptional student this year, their voices tinged with envy.

 

Human nature is prone to bias.

 

Though Rong Yi maintained a neutral demeanor outwardly, she privately gave Lu Jia special attention. Now, aside from Shi Mengxi, Lu Jia had become her most valued student.

 

She placed the materials in a file folder and handed it to Lu Jia. “Take this for now. It’s late today. You can look through it when you have time tomorrow.”

 

Lu Jia nodded in agreement.

 

Rong Yi had given her limited materials the previous day, which she had already reviewed on the train. She planned to organize them later, marking down her questions and thoughts, and return them along with the new materials to Rong Yi.

 

Rong Yi followed her to the door of her room, showing no intention of leaving.

 

“Professor, is there anything else you need me for?” Lu Jia asked, turning her head with a puzzled expression.

 

Rong Yi nodded. “Yes, there is. Let’s talk inside.”

 

The door clicked shut as she inserted the room card, flooding the room with bright light.

 

“You mentioned attending only the first day of the exhibition. Professor Sheng also brought this up with me.”

 

Rong Yi sighed, her tightly furrowed brows remaining unchanged. “This is highly irregular, and… if anything happens, contact me immediately.”

 

She wore a worried expression, as if Sheng Shubai might do something to Lu Jia if she let her guard down for even a moment.

 

However, Lu Jia hadn’t been intimate with Sheng Shubai in the past two days.

 

“Professor, Professor Sheng is a very kind person. Could there be some misunderstanding between you two?”

 

This wasn’t the first time Lu Jia had tried to vouch for Sheng Shubai’s good nature.

 

She had asked both Rong Yi and Sheng Shubai about their past.

 

Rong Yi didn’t elaborate, while Sheng Shubai simply mentioned “conflicting ideals” and refused to say more. Instead, he spent the rest of the night ravishing her relentlessly.

 

Now, seeing her mentor’s even more complex expression, followed by another long silence, Lu Jia desperately wanted to know what she was about to say, but she forced herself to suppress her curiosity and waited for Rong Yi to speak.

 

“That’s… Never mind. It’s better you don’t know.”

 

Rong Yi clamped her mouth shut, her words carrying an unspoken weight. “At least she still has some conscience.”

 

She hadn’t harmed Lu Jia.

 

Pointing to the document in Lu Jia’s hand, Rong Yi advised, “Get some rest. If you really need to read it, don’t stay up too late.”

 

Lu Jia nodded. “Okay, thank you, Mentor.”

 

Feeling guilty, she didn’t dare prolong the conversation.

 

Just before they returned, in the garage of President Sheng’s villa, Sheng Shubai had pinned her against the passenger seat and kissed her.

 

She didn’t know why a woman would suddenly kiss her like that.

 

But… it had felt rather good.

 

Villa, study.

 

Sheng Shubai emerged from the shower.

 

As she pushed open the door, she saw two cups of coffee already set out on the expansive mahogany desk, suggesting a long night of conversation ahead.

 

She glanced at Sheng Shujun, who was immersed in work, and casually pulled up a chair to sit across from her. “So, President Sheng isn’t just working around the clock these days—now it’s all-nighters too?” she remarked, her tone leisurely.

 

Sheng Shujun looked up. “Xiao Bai, give me a few minutes.”

 

“Take your time,” Sheng Shubai replied with a wave, taking a sip of the hot Americano. The lingering bitterness helped keep her awake after working non-stop for so long.

 

Rubbing her temples, she continued casually, “If you’re going to try to convince me to come back, you can save your breath.”

 

She knew Sheng Shujun had been working tirelessly over the years, trying to mediate between her and the family, even if the results were minimal.

 

The most stubborn member of the family, her grandmother, had lost her beloved youngest daughter years ago and had stubbornly forced Sheng Shubai to study printmaking. It wasn’t until a severe illness a few years ago that the old woman’s mindset softened, making her less rigid.

 

“Xiao Bai, you have more talent than I do. Back then, Grandmother… she was just stuck in her ways because of what happened to Aunt. Over the years, the elders have all been hoping you’d come back.”

 

“I’m perfectly content with things as they are now,” Sheng Shubai said, lowering her gaze to avoid answering whether she would return to the Sheng Family.

 

She knew, of course, that she was a Sheng, an inescapable truth.

 

But she refused to yield.

 

With Sheng Shujun now focused on expanding the family’s business empire, if she relented, she might one day find herself subjected to emotional appeals and rationalizations, pressured to become the so-called “heir” to their legacy.

 

After countless failed attempts to persuade her, Sheng Shujun had grown accustomed to her younger sister’s stubbornness.

 

She shut down her laptop and removed her glasses. “Xiao Bai, I flew back today not just to see you.”

 

Sensing the seriousness in her sister’s tone, Sheng Shubai straightened up slightly.

 

The next sentence darkened her expression.

 

“This morning, I received some unexpected news.”

 

Sheng Shujun paused, her voice grave. “After communicating for some time, I learned that the girl Jiang went to C University.”

 

Before Sheng Shubai could react, another bombshell dropped: “And that girl will be participating in the Z City printmaking exhibition, arriving at dawn today.”

 

Sheng Shubai’s face hardened. She set down her cup and rose to leave.

 

She planned to return to her hotel and confront the student: How have you been sleeping soundly all these years, knowing you’re resting on the bones of Aunt Song Lan?

 

She wished the woman would suffer sleepless nights, haunted by nightmares.

 

“Xiao Bai, calm down,” Sheng Shujun said, frowning.

 

Blocked from leaving, Sheng Shubai glared at her through gritted teeth. “Years ago, you confiscated my passport to stop me from going to the airport. You promised you’d find evidence against Song Lan and bring justice to Aunt.”

 

Her voice was measured, but her eyes were rimmed with a faint red. “Fourteen years have passed. What happened to your promise?”

 

“I’m sorry,” Sheng Shujun said after a pause. “Song Lan has been meticulous in covering her tracks all these years, and she’s remained abroad. The young scholars I sent in earlier… they found nothing.”

 

Sheng Shubai lowered her gaze, saying nothing.

 

A comforting hand rested on her shoulder. She didn’t try to shake it off, but she showed no reaction either.

 

After another pause, Sheng Shujun softened her tone. “Xiao Bai, I understand how you feel. We couldn’t risk sending anyone in before, but Shen Zhiwei’s return to China is the perfect opportunity.”

 

“We’ve waited over a decade,” Sheng Shubai said coldly. “A few more months won’t make a difference.”

 

Sheng Shujun pulled her back and gently pressed her into a chair. Sheng Shubai closed her eyes, refusing to speak.

 

The thought of that woman reaping both fame and fortune, living so comfortably all these years… it made her sick to her stomach.

 

“The news came back very suddenly, almost as if Song Lan made the decision in haste after meeting someone,” Sheng Shujun said, placing the information before her. “For years, she’s been developing her career abroad. Most of her students are Chinese descendants from ordinary or even impoverished families. Under the banner of fulfilling the dreams of every printmaker, she’s cultivated an excellent reputation internationally.”

 

Sheng Shubai, now composed, added, “Yet she suddenly sent someone back to China, specifically choosing C University.”

 

After a pause, she glanced again at the line on the screen: Rong Yi will also serve as Shen Zhiwei’s temporary mentor.

 

She knew she had switched to watercolor painting years ago and hadn’t been in contact with her family for a long time. If Song Lan truly had ulterior motives toward the Sheng Family, the art schools in Z City would have been far more logical choices.

 

Was this merely a simple visit?

 

The thought had barely surfaced when Sheng Shubai’s intuition decisively dismissed it.

 

That woman never acted without self-interest. Why would she suddenly send a student back for a visit?

 

“I also sense something’s off. I’m planning to have a few people keep an eye on her.”

 

Sheng Shujun handed her a cup of coffee. After removing her glasses, her eyes, weathered by years of experience, sharpened. “Don’t you have a suitable candidate right by your side?”

 

Sheng Shubai paused, her brow furrowing. “You mean Lu Jia?”

 

She shook her head. “No, she’s not suited for this.”

 

With Lu Jia’s reserved personality, let alone tailing someone, she’d likely struggle to even approach the woman.

 

Sheng Shujun chuckled softly. “What’s the rush? I haven’t finished yet.”

 

“Since you’re both at the Academy of Fine Arts, spend more time with Lu Jia. That way, you can gather information about Shen Zhiwei’s movements. As for the rest, I’ll arrange for someone else.”

 

She fixed her gaze on her younger sister, her tone carrying a deeper meaning. “Xiao Bai, you seemed a little… nervous earlier?”

 

Sheng Shubai lowered her head and took a sip of coffee, her expression returning to its usual calm. “No.”

 

“We can’t rush things with that woman. But you, Xiao Bai—it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Don’t you want to catch up with your sister?” Sheng Shujun shifted the conversation. “Like, what exactly is your relationship with Lu Jia?”

 

“Didn’t I already explain this morning? Landlord and tenant.”

 

Sheng Shujun clicked her tongue, knowing she wasn’t buying it.

 

Sheng Shubai closed her eyes briefly, then offered a different explanation. “Lu Jia and I have a… collaborative relationship. Nothing more.”

 

“There are surveillance cameras in the garage.”

 

The woman glanced lightly at the monitor and nodded toward the phone lying on the table. “9:47 PM to 9:52 PM. Should I pull up the footage?”

 

Sheng Shubai fell silent.

 

How could she explain?

 

That the car’s seatbelt wouldn’t fasten properly, and when she leaned over to help Lu Jia, the light was dim, but the girl’s eyes shone brightly, truly beautiful?

 

So, in a moment of impulsiveness, she couldn’t resist pressing her lips against Lu Jia’s for a while?

 

Hearing Sheng Shujun mention the time, she realized it had actually been five minutes.

 

How could it have felt so short while they were kissing?

 

“I wasn’t watching intentionally,” she finally said. “I just noticed you hadn’t left the underground garage yet and worried you might not be familiar with my car since it was your first time driving it.”

 

Sheng Shujun’s eyes curved into a smile. “I can delete it now, or… would you like a copy?”

 

“…Anyway, we’re not lovers, and I have no interest in her,” Sheng Shubai said, giving up on trying to explain. “We’re just… friends with benefits.”

 

Sheng Shujun hummed in response. “Really no interest?”

 

She knew Sheng Shubai better than anyone.

 

After the incident with their aunt years ago, her sister had not only refused to touch printmaking again, but her attitude toward intimate relationships had also shifted overnight, always maintaining a certain emotional distance.

 

Sheng Shujun understood her sister’s transformation.

 

Over the past decade, they had shared several late-night conversations. Whenever the topic of the future—or, more specifically, romantic relationships—came up, Sheng Shubai would always furrow her brow, adopting an aloof, disinterested expression.

 

This was the first time Sheng Shujun had ever seen her sister so intimate with anyone.

 

Sheng Shubai frowned, instinctively opening her mouth to say something, but then paused. After a few seconds, she finally retorted, “I’m really not interested.”

 

“Never mind, it’s getting late anyway.”

 

Seeing her sister nod slowly, Sheng Shubai unconsciously changed the subject. “I have to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow. I’m going back to my room now.”

 

Before leaving the study, Sheng Shubai turned back. “Oh, by the way, remember to have someone send that ‘Forest Breeze’ print on the third floor to C City. Lu Jia spent quite a while admiring it tonight—she must really like it.”

 

“Understood, Second Miss ‘Not Interested’,” Sheng Shujun replied, sighing helplessly.

 

Just moments ago, Sheng Shubai had vehemently declared her lack of interest in Lu Jia. Yet now, she was proactively asking for a print from her collection on Lu Jia’s behalf.

 

If she truly fell in love, Sheng Shujun feared the entire collection at the Old Mansion would be emptied.