17. Searching for Someone

Si Yun had indeed reached out to some contacts privately, but it was far from enough. Not only were there not enough pieces for the exhibition, but she also lacked the necessary fame and capital. Only by getting Old Master You to transfer the inheritance rights to her as soon as possible and securing the Qin family’s sponsorship could she hope to have the leverage to persuade those reclusive veteran embroiderers.

"Aunt Hua, do you have any recommendations? I have already contacted most of the people on the list Grandma left me. Out of respect for her, they are willing to send one or two pieces, but the current collection is nowhere near enough for an exhibition," Si Yun said, voicing her concerns.

Aunt Hua pondered for a moment. "If you only rely on the familiar Suzhou embroiderers on that list, I truly don't think it will be easy for you to pull off this exhibition. Do you remember the people listed on the very last page of your grandmother's directory? Have you reached out to them?"

"Huh?" Si Yun hesitated, then opened her drawer to take out the treasure her grandmother had left behind. This list of embroiderers was more than just a record of identities and resumes; it documented their specific techniques and unique strengths. Si Yun quickly flipped to the last page, a section her grandmother had said she needn't bother with.

Under Aunt Hua's watchful gaze, Si Yun unfolded that page. It turned out to be four pages thick, yet it only recorded two names.

"Neither of these two is in the country anymore. I don't even know if they are still alive; they both left in the eighties," Aunt Hua said, taking the list and looking at the names.

"Xu Zhengwei and Nan Baihe were your grandmother's dearest friends. I heard your grandmother talk about them often. They studied in the same embroidery workshop in their youth. Xu Zhengwei was actually the rightful successor to the Suzhou embroidery lineage—that position should have been hers. But no one knows what happened; both of them eventually left, choosing to go abroad for further studies. Every time your grandmother mentioned them, she was filled with regret. Half a lifetime passed, and they never met again. If you could find either of them, or even just have their descendants bring their work to the exhibition, I believe it would be a sensation," Aunt Hua said, her voice filled with hope.

Si Yun felt a sense of inadequacy as she stared at the names. Having left in the eighties, where was she supposed to find them now? If they were still active in the field of Suzhou embroidery, she surely would have heard these two masters' names by now. Yet, she truly had no recollection of them.

"I once saw a piece at an overseas auction—a small screen. It was a very simple embroidery, but definitely Suzhou style, and the technique was very much like your grandmother's. It was signed 'Rose.' I’ve often wondered if that might have been Teacher Xu's work," Aunt Hua added suddenly, which instantly lifted Si Yun's spirits.

"If there’s a lead, it’s much easier to work with. I’ll start collecting information immediately," Si Yun said, feeling a surge of confidence.

"Si Yun, you don't have much time left. I still hope you'll consider your own future. If the embroidery house can't hold on one day, you must inherit your grandmother's skills. You cannot let her craft be lost. Do you understand what I mean?" Aunt Hua said with a touch of heartache.

Si Yun looked at her own hands. "I know. I will pick up the needle and thread again."

"That’s good."

A knock at the door interrupted them, and Xiao Han poked her head in. "Sister Yun, someone is here to see you. A... handsome guy, actually," she said with exaggerated excitement.

Si Yun blinked. "A handsome guy?"

"He looks like a student."

Si Yun stood up abruptly, startling Aunt Hua. "Who is it?"

"A... friend of mine," Si Yun said, feeling guilty. She hurried to the entrance and saw the man standing there.

Why was this guy here instead of sleeping? Hadn't she warned him to keep their lives separate? He really was becoming harder to manage.

"Why are you here?" Si Yun asked, stepping forward. Seeing several people in the studio looking over with curiosity, she cleared her throat. "Come into my office first. Xiao Han, pour our guest a hot cup of tea," she said with a professional air.

Xiao Han nodded and waved at Ji Hansiao, her eyes turning into hearts. Si Yun had forgotten that her young assistant was a total sucker for a pretty face.

Once inside, Ji Hansiao was pinned against the door as Si Yun loomed over him. This wasn't a romantic gesture; it was fueled by rising anger.

"I told you, you are not to show up at my workplace without my permission."

"I remember," Ji Hansiao said, looking at her heaving chest with a faint smile. Si Yun followed his gaze and realized what this "puppy brother" was looking at.

"You..." Just as Si Yun started to pull back, Ji Hansiao wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Be careful, don't fall, sister."

"Let go," she commanded. Ji Hansiao complied obediently. Si Yun, struggling to catch her breath, stepped back to compose herself before turning to face him.

"Why are you here? If you can't follow our agreement, I can terminate our relationship at any time," Si Yun said firmly. Ji Hansiao frowned slightly.

"Is my sister really so heartless? After all, I am your first..."

"Shut up!" Si Yun's ears flushed red as she glared at the seemingly innocent man. "What exactly are you here for?"

Ji Hansiao didn't tease her further; he took out a rental contract he had just printed and handed it to her.

Si Yun was confused, but Ji Hansiao spoke first. "I remember the terms of our contract, which state I cannot appear at your workplace without permission. But I am here to discuss a partnership—I'm here as a business partner. That doesn't violate our agreement, does it?"

Si Yun finished reading, ignoring his defense. "You want to rent my Yunhe Courtyard?"

"Yes. The courtyard is quite large, and it’s a waste for just the two of us. How about renting one of the annexes to me? I will..." Before Ji Hansiao could finish, a cold voice cut him off.

"Ji Hansiao." Si Yun's entire demeanor turned icy; Ji Hansiao could feel the chill radiating from her.

"You are pushing your luck. Do you know why I chose a university student to be my contractual husband? Because students are relatively simple. Compared to money-hungry male models or career-driven office workers, students don't have so many ulterior motives. I chose you precisely because I didn't want to waste any energy on you. If you are harboring any delusions of getting something from me that you shouldn't, you can get out right now." Si Yun spoke without a hint of hesitation, as if the intense hours they had spent in that dim room just days ago hadn't happened at all.

Ji Hansiao’s gaze dimmed slightly. Finally, he stepped forward and took the contract back from her hand.

"I apologize. I overstepped. It won't happen again." He was sincere. Why? Perhaps it was the resistance in Si Yun's eyes that made him realize, belatedly, that the courtyard was more than just a place to live for her—it held a deeper significance, and his impulsive actions had been wrong.

Si Yun watched him leave with the contract without another word. He didn't act like someone trying to take advantage of her, and she couldn't quite put her finger on what felt wrong.

After he left, she suddenly stood up, wanting to chase after him, but she didn't know what to say. Could she really rent out the courtyard her grandmother had left her?

***

At the hotel.

"Can the boss really find a new office?"

"Who the hell is being such a jerk?"

Liang Bo'an sneezed, his eyes full of mockery. "Keep a close watch. Whoever dares to take them in, make sure they get shut down."

"Understood."