Xu Xiaoyou's expression froze.

The situation was somewhat unexpected for her; the other party actually jumped out of the trap she had carefully designed.

Yes, this contract of hers had many loopholes, with many aspects being vague, such as the artist's salary, which was only vaguely passed over with words like sharing in the company's profits.

She had thought that as long as she used the 'recency effect' to attract the girl's attention entirely to that prominent final clause, it could make the other party subconsciously blur the impression of the middle terms.

The other party was more attentive than she imagined, not always being led by her.

Tang Xin's crescent-moon-like eyes deepened with laughter, as if she had stepped on the tail of a little trickster.

Actually, she wasn't entirely confident herself; she was also secretly observing Xu Xiaoyou, wanting to see if the other party would show shock, or be embarrassed and angry after being exposed.

Who knew Xu Xiaoyou's face remained calm, and she did not directly answer Tang Xin's question, her fingertips resting on her own Ginkgo Curtain.

"What's up, Jessica?"

She showed understanding, nodded, and walked towards the restaurant exit.

"You mean she's ready?"

"Understood, I'm going."

"Sorry, Miss Tang, let's end the interview here for now. If there's further interest, please contact me via my online account, and I'll reply when I see it."

"Where are you going?" Tang Xin asked impulsively.

"There's another girl waiting to be interviewed; she's already here."

"I see..." Tang Xin bit her lip slightly.

"Our Dream Chasing Media company has the capability to make every artist a star, cooperating with many luxury brands. The brands will ensure the artists' welfare, and for any financial troubles, just bring it up, and we will solve it."

"Our aim is to help artists chase their dreams and lift them to the stars."

"So we hope even more that artists focus on this path rather than be troubled and worn out by life."

"I see..."

"Miss Tang doesn't need to feel bad; we've heard plenty of such words because we are also dream chasers. On the path of chasing dreams, doubts and setbacks are indispensable."

Seeing Tang Xin look a bit disappointed, Xu Xiaoyou gently said, "What caught my attention was not your appearance, but your spirit. You are beautiful, just not confident enough."

"One day, others will notice your brilliance."

"Before others noticed Marlene's radiance, she was just a dusty-faced bakery apprentice."

"If you've figured things out, just sign the contract, and then send a digital copy to my email."

Saying this, Xu Xiaoyou left.

Leaving Tang Xin standing there alone, the girl's last words echoing in her ears for a long time.

She looked at the contract on the table, swaying internally, and finally, her gaze became firm, picking up the contract...

...

Two days later.

It was still snowing outside, the small room had no heating, and Xu Xiaoyou had long taken off her glamorous clothes, changed into cotton attire, huddled her arms, and carried a pot of hot water to the window.

"Young girl, don't look down on our profession as if it has no future, it's actually saved us decades of detours!"

The elderly man standing guard outside said, wearing a security coat, aged, with wrinkles between his brows, looking kind and benevolent.

Xu Xiaoyou was amused by his optimistic mindset, gently shook her head, and poured the hot water from the kettle into the instant noodle cup, a few pieces of fish cakes floating up with the rising steam.

The basic prices at Star of Art are indeed high; this seafood-flavored instant noodle costs one inspiration.

Not long ago, she borrowed over a thousand inspirations from Cosmic Heavy Industries, spending nearly all on registering a shell company and that high-end restaurant.

As an S-class employee, getting this loan wasn't difficult.

She now only had two inspirations left on her, and if she hadn't found a part-time security job with daily pay in advance, she would have had nowhere to stay and might have frozen on the streets.

She gently exhaled, swallowing the still-steaming noodles, the rich and savory taste spreading in her mouth.

Looking out the window, uniquely shaped skyscrapers stood, as if in a European town full of artistic atmosphere, not far away was a clock tower, solemn and elegant, beautifully decorated, the hands moving slowly, coinciding with noon.

A few distant clock chimes echoed in the streets.

In comparison, this outdated security booth seemed like it belonged to another world.

"Young girl, don't judge me by appearances, I actually have rich experiences; I used to be a painting master! I have a lot of works, there's really nothing in Star of Art I don't know, I've met all those big shots at the top," the old man said animatedly.

"Mmm mmm mmm," Xu Xiaoyou responded perfunctorily, taking another bite of noodles.

This old man called Daphne was an old senior, ever since she arrived at the security booth, he kept talking non-stop by her ear, without any intention of stopping, making her ear almost calloused from listening.

"Starry Gallery, you know? It's the board of directors at Starry Arts Academy; I used to be a member of Starry Gallery."

"So you know Principal Belvedere?" Xu Xiaoyou cooperatively asked.

She felt she was now like a volunteer companion in a retirement home, listening to a lonely old man bragging to her.

Those elderly people who have been unaccompanied for years will lavishly talk once they have a listener in their world, eager to depict their entire inner world.

"Of course! Belvedere, don't let his righteous appearance fool you, he's actually a hypocrite, stealing others' artistic achievements and being vague with female students at the academy..."

"Want to know about his embarrassing things? I have exclusive news here."

Talking about Belvedere, Daphne's face immediately changed, looking indignant as if his current situation was blamed entirely on that lofty principal.

Xu Xiaoyou thought of elders who, after drinking at banquets, began to make wild and irresponsible remarks.

"Whose artistic achievements did he steal?" Xu Xiaoyou asked casually.

This time, the old man suddenly became serious, the unexpected change caught Xu Xiaoyou off guard.

He pointed to himself: "Mine."

"He stole everything from me."

"That 'Starry Night' was painted by me."

"He stole everything from Star of Art."

"Art isn't supposed to be like this."

Xu Xiaoyou couldn't help but laugh.

She wouldn't doubt that if there were two caregivers present, they'd surely lock this babbler in a mental hospital.

In Star of Art, everyone knows that Principal Belvedere of Starry Arts Academy created 'Starry Night', that astonishing painting, flawless from every angle, took the Cosmos by storm, establishing his identity as the Corridor Master of Starry Gallery and becoming the college's principal in one stroke.

Counting from the year 450 of the New World calendar, Belvedere has already served three terms as principal, for a full eighty-two years, this Ice and Snow World has been operating under his will.

No one knows the true age of Belvedere, only that this man became a regular feature in all major news across the Cosmos since the founding of Star of Art.

Together with a few other artists, he founded Starry Gallery, this world-renowned art association.

The few great artists of the time have all faded away, forgotten by people, only he remains active in people's sights, attending all major family banquets.

He is a member of the Blood Spirit Race, with a lifespan several times that of an ordinary person, theoretically capable of maintaining immortality through the Blood Spirit conversion ceremony.

Provided that he can still maintain sanity after many ceremonies, with his mind untwisted.

"So you've lived for hundreds of years too?" Xu Xiaoyou asked, "Lived for hundreds of years and still working as a security guard?"

A forlorn look crossed Daphne's old eyes. This time, he didn't eagerly answer Xu Xiaoyou's question, instead removing his security hat, revealing his nearly bald head, and walked into the swirling snow:

"I'm going to do my shift."

Xu Xiaoyou watched him walk away, his gait staggering.

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