"What?" Lin Yishan exclaimed in surprise.

On Christie’s website bulletin board, the auction notice for the Xiao Family’s painting had been withdrawn.

Wa Zicong sat on the sofa in the living room, his gaze drifting over the carpet where the two children sat yesterday, looking listless and dispirited.

Lin Yishan shouted a few times and, while wandering in the living room, Wa Zicong glanced at her and said, "I advise you to throw away the painting you have."

Without hearing his words, Lin Yishan mumbled to herself, thoroughly confused, "Why was the auction canceled? I should make a call to find out."

Seeing she didn’t hear him, Wa Zicong stood up, grabbing his coat.

Seeing him about to leave, Lin Yishan finally snapped back to reality, chased after him at the door, and grabbed his clothes to stop him: "Where do you think you’re going? To find her again?"

"I’ve already handed over her son to someone else, do you think I’d go looking for her?" Wa Zicong replied.

"You’re right." Lin Yishan laughed, "How about we go somewhere fun?"

"Celebrate?"

She knew all too well——seeing her enemy’s son delivered into the lion’s den thrilled her to no end—-it was killing with a borrowed knife, without needing to lift a finger.

Wa Zicong gently brushed her hand away:"I can’t be with you."

"What did you say?" Lin Yishan’s expression changed suddenly, looking at him, "Say it again. You can’t be with me? You were always with me before. Don’t forget, without me, you can’t accomplish anything!"

"I’ve lived just fine without you these past years," Wa Zicong responded.

"Then, all these years chasing after you, my feelings—-you understand them clearly, yet you still don’t believe in my sincerity?" Lin Yishan suddenly teared up.

Wa Zicong saw her eyes brimming with tears, a sight that would have deceived him in the past. But he had long seen through her facade, and now found it tiresome. He said, "Stop acting. If you truly want to follow my advice, then throw away the painting."

"You want me to throw away the painting?" Lin Yishan suddenly gleaned something from his words, "That’s right, you know, don’t you? You know it was her, don’t you? She must have done something to make Christie’s abandon the idea of auctioning the painting." As she spoke, she stomped her foot: "What exactly did she do? Did the painting end up in her hands? That’s impossible."

"It is impossible," Wa Zicong replied.

"You also know it’s impossible?" Lin Yishan looked back at him in disbelief.

"After all, I’ve been with her for many years and know her personality well. After analyzing all the pros and cons, it became evident that if she couldn’t stop Christie’s from auctioning it and couldn’t possibly steal it, she might as well destroy it early."

Upon hearing him mention their childhood days, Lin Yishan was very angry. But upon reflecting on his words, they made some sense.

Gu Nuan is a peculiar person; she always acts unpredictably, never allowing anyone any advantage. So, if Gu Nuan indeed destroyed the painting, deciding no one else would have it either——it’s not impossible——

"So, quickly dispose of the painting you have."

"Why?"

"Because soon those who want paintings will realize the one you hold becomes crucial; having one is better than none. What do you think they’ll do?"

Lin Yishan’s eyes flashed with light, a swift glimmer passed through them. She smiled slightly: "You really are a clever person."

Anyway, Wa Zicong wasn’t planning on dealing with her anymore. Given her repeated tendency to act behind his back, he found her troublesome. As he reached to open the door, he heard footsteps coming from the staircase.