Chapter 22 What a coincidence!

  Turning her head to look at Zhang Jingning, who was staring at her with a pair of big, watery eyes and a pitiful expression as if she was about to cry, Zuo Xiaoyao smiled warmly and replied, "I don't think I've changed, so I never mentioned that you guys initially befriended me, this country bumpkin, just to get two paintings in different styles from me, which you then used to participate in the National Youth Painting Competition, got extra points, and successfully entered art school!"

  When Yang Bei and Zhang Jingning heard Zuo Xiaoyao bluntly reveal their private conversation in public, they suddenly changed color. The classmates present also clearly heard the conversation, and the pale-faced duo's eyes were filled with furious anger, no longer pretending. Zhang Jingning loudly shouted, "You're talking nonsense! What you drew, my little Bei and I obviously passed on our own merit!"

  "It's not about being loud, the truth is what it is, you all know it in your hearts. Considering how many of my paintings you've bought over the years, I didn't want to stoop to your level. Unfortunately, you're just too greedy. To be honest, I never wanted to be a painter anyway and don't care about these things. But since you insist on ruining my reputation in front of our classmates, then don't blame me for taking you down with me!"

  The gentle tone was devoid of any other emotions, as if talking about someone else's business. However, when Zhang Jingning and Yang Bei heard it, they felt extremely uncomfortable. In their youth, they had gained some fame among their peers for participating in a painting competition and achieving good results. Later, they had also achieved good results in some competitions by purchasing paintings from an art store at high prices. Before graduating, they had already earned the reputation of being "young painters". Little did they know that those paintings were actually created by Zuo Xiaoyao's brushstrokes. The two women couldn't help but reveal their shock on their faces.

  Seeing their reactions, the people present couldn't help but understand the situation. Yang Pei suppressed the panic and regret in her heart, knowing that if this matter were to spread, she would immediately lose face and reputation. Clenching her fists, she smiled sarcastically at Xiao Yao and said, "This is not something you can say casually, it's a matter of legal responsibility. I know you've had a tough time these past few years and aren't happy in your heart, but you never contacted us good friends and classmates. If only you had, we could have helped you out. From now on, if anything happens, just look for us, this is my..."

  "Xiao Yao, how are you here? Hmm, after not seeing you for a few days, you've become even more beautiful!"

  A young man suddenly got out of a BMW parked by the side of the road, glanced around at the crowd, and smiled unexpectedly as he looked at Zuo Xiao Yao and said loudly.

  Even with nearly forty young men and women around, he recognized Zuo Xiao Yao, who was standing on the edge of the sidewalk, surrounded by three people, at first glance. Although she felt that she had changed a lot in just a few days.

  Seeing the newcomer, Zuo Xiao Yao was also quite surprised, didn't expect to meet "Jerry" here. "What a coincidence, didn't expect to run into you here!"

  "What's their relationship?"

  Jerry raised an eyebrow and glanced at the people around him, his eyes revealing a hint of displeasure. From the situation on site, it seemed like Xue Xiao Yao was being surrounded by everyone.

  "They are my high school classmates, we haven't seen each other for a few years, everyone came out together tonight to gather, it just ended, I just refused their suggestion to go to the money cabinet to sing songs, and was about to head back!" Zuo Xiao Yao replied with a gentle smile, after all, there were many people, she didn't want to give a detailed introduction.

  Xiao Yao didn't seem to want to say more, and Jerry was tactful enough not to ask further. "So that's how it is. We're actually heading to Mei Shen right now, and we'll be passing by your place. Why don't we walk together?"

  Knowing there were others in the car, Zuo Xiao Yao was slightly hesitant, but she really didn't want to say anything more to this group of people. After all, although it was nighttime, having such a large group of people stopped here was really too eye-catching. She then nodded and said "Alright, thank you, I'll just leave first, goodbye everyone!"

  Just two steps away, when several classmates were about to call out to her with concern, Zuo Xiao Yao suddenly stopped in her tracks and said "Oh right, I forgot to say, thank you for your concern, painting is as simple as eating for me, plus there are all of you old customers who make me feel grateful all the time, so these few years, I've been living very well, and it will only get better in the future, I'll never think about asking for your help again, please don't come to disturb me either!"

  Until he saw Ling Xiao Yao get on the car with a young man who suddenly appeared and leave his sight, Ling Zhen Xiao sighed in his heart after a bitter smile, swept his eyes over other classmates, seeing that the originally enthusiastic crowd was somewhat downcast, after all, it was thought that the relationship between the simplest classmates would happen. Such a thing, anyone will feel quite frustrated, also emotionally low to Hu Qingguo beside him "I suppose everyone doesn't have the heart to gather again, let's disperse!"

  As she sat in the car, it turned out that apart from Jerry, there were two other men inside. It wasn't until Jerry introduced them that Zuo Xiao Yao found out that one of the elegant young men was named Zuo Jing Xuan, a Singaporean Chinese, and the other man with deep facial features and blonde hair was named Du Luo, who was Zuo Jing Xuan's assistant. The two had just arrived in S City from Singapore two days ago and were both Jerry's alumni from his time studying in the US.

  Upon learning that they came to this area today to find the place where Zuo Jingxuan's father used to live, but didn't get any results, Zuo Xiaoyao couldn't help but feel a little curious. After all, she grew up in this area and was quite familiar with it. "This area has been constantly demolished and rebuilt in recent years, and most of the original old residents have moved away. If you ask casually, you definitely won't be able to find out. Before the demolition, my family also lived in this area. Mr. Zuo, do you know what the name of the alley where your father used to live was? You tell me, maybe I'll remember!"

  "That's right, Xiaoyao's family used to be here, so they must be quite familiar with this place. Speaking of which, both of you have the surname Zuo, who knows if you're related or not!"

  Upon hearing Jerry's joking words, Zuo XiaoYao and Zuo JingXuan both smiled slightly, not taking it to heart. After all, in the big city of S, running into someone with the same surname wasn't anything unusual.

  "Thank you, Miss Zuo, Wenxuan Lane, No. 3 Gatehouse, have you heard of it?"

  As soon as Zuo Jingxuan's voice fell, the smile at the corner of Zuo Xiaoyao's mouth suddenly froze.

  "Wen Xuan Lane, No. 3 Gate!"

  This is truly a remarkable coincidence! It's not just that she had heard of it, but it was actually the place where she and her grandmother had lived for seventeen years! It was also the place that appeared in her midnight dreams, fortunately, the car was driving into the underground tunnel at this time, and the interior was somewhat dim, covering up the astonishment and shock that flashed across Xiao Yu's face.

  "I've heard that the original location is at the newly built Jiande Pedestrian Street five years ago. I wonder if Mr. Zuo's old house has any acquaintances there? I have a classmate who seems to live there too, maybe I can help you ask around!"

  In the quiet car, Zuo Xiao Yao heard her own hoarse voice and with both hands clenched into fists, she tried to hold back her urge to directly ask him what his father's name was.

  PS: Thanks for the support from Chu Luo Xi, I'll try to post two more updates around 6 pm tonight!