Chapter 416: Her Little Guardian!!!
Sunday afternoon in Beijing was anything but quiet.
The streets were alive.
Shopping districts were packed with families, tourists, students, and young couples enjoying their weekend. Restaurants had lines outside. Malls were crowded. Street vendors called out to passing customers while delivery riders carefully moved through traffic.
Miles and Chloe had already spent most of the day outside.
Their morning had started far away from the city center, walking along the Great Wall.
Chloe had been energetic in the beginning.
Very energetic.
She had taken pictures of everything.
The mountains.
The walls stretching into the distance.
The towers.
Miles.
Herself.
Miles again.
Then, after enough climbing, she had finally admitted that perhaps historical architecture did not need to be explored entirely on foot.
After that came lunch.
Markets.
Shopping malls.
Souvenir stores.
And a considerable number of shopping bags that were now safely being handled by someone else instead of Miles.
By late afternoon, their car finally stopped in front of the Chen family’s auction complex.
Chloe looked through the window.
The building itself looked more like a private museum than an auction house.
Traditional architectural elements had been carefully incorporated into the modern structure.
Stone.
Dark wood.
Decorative roofs.
Large glass sections revealing beautifully illuminated galleries inside.
Chloe immediately smiled.
"This looks beautiful."
Miles opened his door.
"You haven’t even gone inside yet."
"I can already tell."
He walked around the car and opened her side.
Chloe stepped out.
She looked around.
"Are we early?"
"A little."
Miles smiled.
"Someone wanted to see the museum."
Chloe proudly nodded.
"Correct."
They had barely reached the main entrance when someone approached them.
Miles recognized him instantly.
The same man from the restaurant the previous evening.
The same father who had used his son as the world’s most harmless disguise.
The man bowed slightly.
"Mr. Sterling."
Then toward Chloe.
"Mrs. Sterling."
He smiled.
"Welcome."
Miles laughed.
"Hehe."
The man looked slightly embarrassed.
Miles continued,
"Nice to see you again."
"It’s good to see you here too."
He gestured toward the interior.
"If you’d like, allow me to guide you through the display."
Miles looked toward Chloe.
Then shook his head.
"That won’t be necessary."
The man paused.
Miles continued,
"We’re just going to look around."
"Take some pictures."
"Then head to the auction hall."
The man nodded immediately.
"Of course."
He stepped aside.
"I’ll remain nearby."
"If you need information regarding any item, please call me."
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you."
The man bowed slightly again.
"My pleasure."
Miles and Chloe entered.
...
The interior was calm.
Soft lighting highlighted individual displays.
Glass cases stood throughout the enormous hall.
Paintings occupied carefully spaced walls.
Small sculptures.
Ceramics.
Jade pieces.
Old jewelry.
Calligraphy.
Artifacts from different periods.
Some displays contained detailed descriptions.
Others simply presented pieces meant for decoration and appreciation.
Chloe slowly looked around.
"There aren’t many people."
Miles nodded.
"It’s guest only."
She turned.
"What does that mean?"
"Invitation holders."
Miles gestured toward several visitors farther ahead.
"People attending the auction."
"Collectors."
"Dealers."
"Private buyers."
"Some museum representatives."
Chloe looked toward a ceramic piece inside a glass case.
"So everything here is expensive?"
"Most of it."
Miles nodded.
"And unlike a lot of things we buy..."
He looked toward an old jade sculpture.
"...some of these become more valuable the longer you keep them."
Chloe’s eyes brightened.
"Woah."
She looked at him.
"That’s a great business."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Since when did a creative person become interested in investment?"
Chloe looked offended.
"Excuse me?"
Miles smiled.
She pointed toward herself.
"I might still be wroking in art."
"But I’m also a partner in my company."
Miles nodded seriously.
"Yes."
"I understand."
He gave her a small bow.
"Mrs. Sterling."
Chloe smiled proudly.
Miles looked around.
"Actually..."
"What?"
"You should look into our jewelry business someday."
Chloe blinked.
"Our jewelry business?"
"We have display collections too."
Miles nodded toward the museum.
"Not exactly like this."
"But luxury jewelry can benefit a lot from presentation."
"History."
"Limited pieces."
"Private exhibits."
"It creates good marketing."
Chloe looked interested.
"Really?"
Miles suddenly looked at her.
"Wait."
She became cautious.
"What?"
"You’ve never been to one of our jewelry stores?"
Chloe looked away.
Miles stared.
"We have stores in New York."
Chloe rubbed her fingers together.
"Ahh..."
Miles waited.
"Sorry."
She smiled awkwardly.
"I was mostly in my apartment."
Miles sighed.
"Of course."
Chloe immediately escaped toward another display.
"Look at this."
Miles followed.
She pointed toward a small stone figure.
"This bunny idol is cute, isn’t it?"
Miles stared at it.
Then at Chloe.
Then back at the sculpture.
"Isn’t that a frog?"
Chloe froze.
"What?"
She leaned closer to the glass.
Miles stood beside her.
Chloe tilted her head.
"Hun?"
Another angle.
Then another.
Her expression slowly changed.
"Now that I look at it..."
Miles covered a smile.
Chloe started laughing.
"Oh."
She looked at him.
"Am I stupid?"
"Not at all."
His answer came instantly.
Chloe stared suspiciously.
Miles remained completely serious.
"Hmph."
She walked away.
Miles followed while smiling.
Then Chloe suddenly stopped in front of a painting.
This one was quieter than many of the other pieces.
A woman sat near a window.
A cat rested in her arms.
There was warmth in her expression, but something about the colors made the scene feel strangely melancholic.
Chloe pointed.
"That’s definitely a lady holding a cat."
Miles laughed.
"Definitely."
She looked at him proudly.
"See?"
"No frog."
"No frog."
Miles stepped closer.
Then his expression changed.
"This is..."
Chloe turned toward him.
Miles looked at the portrait.
"’Her Little Guardian.’"
Chloe blinked.
"You know the name?"
"Yes."
She looked beside the painting.
There was no large title plaque.
Only a small internal catalog number.
"I don’t see any description."
She tilted her head.
"I thought it was just a decorative piece."
Miles looked toward the painting.
"It’s about the artist’s wife."
"And her cat."
Chloe became interested.
Miles continued,
"His wife died."
Her smile faded.
"The cat survived her."
He looked toward the animal in the portrait.
"And during the artist’s grief..."
"The cat stayed with him."
Chloe’s expression softened.
"Took care of him?"
"In its own way."
Miles nodded.
"Stayed beside him."
"Followed him."
"Slept near him."
"He wrote that during the worst days, the cat was sometimes the only reason he got out of bed."
Chloe looked at the painting differently now.
"So it’s a sad portrait?"
Miles thought for a moment.
"Not entirely."
She looked toward him.
"He was jealous of the cat."
Chloe blinked.
"What?"
Miles smiled faintly.
"His wife loved the cat."
"After she died, he found himself resenting it."
"Because every time he saw the animal, he remembered her."
Chloe became quiet.
Miles continued,
"But eventually..."
"He realized the cat had lost her too."
Chloe looked back toward the painting.
Miles’ voice softened.
"So it’s more about acceptance."
"Two living beings grieving the same person."
Chloe smiled sadly.
"That’s beautiful."
A voice suddenly came from behind them.
"I didn’t know young people still knew so much about art."
Miles and Chloe turned.
An elderly man stood several meters away.
A cane rested in one hand.
His posture was straight despite his age.
His eyes were sharp.
Observant.
Miles recognized him immediately.
The head of the Chen family.
Mr. Chen’s father.
But Miles didn’t say anything.
The old man walked closer.
"You’re not even from China."
He looked toward Miles.
"Yet you seem familiar with our history."
Miles smiled politely.
"I’m familiar with some traditional Chinese art."
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"I studied art in Shanghai for about a month."
He paused.
"But I wouldn’t say I know Chinese history particularly well."
The old man studied Miles’ face.
For longer than normal.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"You look familiar."
Miles remained calm.
The old man asked,
"Have we met before?"
"No, sir."
Miles extended a hand politely.
"My name is Miles Sterling."
Then gestured toward Chloe.
"My wife, Chloe. We are from Haven"
Chloe gave a respectful nod.
"Nice to meet you."
The old man nodded back.
"Sterling..."
He repeated the name silently.
Then looked toward the invitation card partially visible in Miles’ pocket.
"You’re guests for the auction?"
"Yes."
Miles nodded.
"We were invited."
The old man smiled.
"Where did they find an interesting young man like you?"
Miles blinked.
"Hun?"
The old man waved one hand.
"Nothing."
He looked toward the painting again.
"You said you learned art in Shanghai."
Miles nodded.
"Who taught you?"
The old man smiled slightly.
"Perhaps I know the teacher."
Miles almost laughed.
"Miss Meiling."
The old man’s expression changed immediately.
"Meiling?"
Miles nodded.
"You definitely know her."
"She’s popular."
The old man smiled.
"So you’re one of her students."
He looked Miles over again.
"Then you must be talented."
Miles chuckled.
"I wouldn’t say that."
The old man frowned.
"I’ve seen many of her students."
"They are very refined."
"Their technique is excellent."
Miles nodded.
"I agree."
"Her students are amazing."
He smiled.
"But I wouldn’t include myself among them."
The old man became curious.
"Why?"
"I wasn’t really there to learn art."
The old man’s eyes narrowed.
A moment passed.
Then...
"You were there for anger management."
Chloe immediately looked toward the elderly man.
Miles’ eyebrows rose slightly.
Interesting.
The old man smiled.
"I know about it."
He tapped the floor lightly with his cane.
"When you said one month, I understood."
Chloe looked toward Miles.
Then toward the old man.
Miles simply smiled.
The old man continued,
"Meiling occasionally accepts unusual students."
"Young people whose families or mentors think they need patience more than technique."
Miles chuckled.
"That’s one way to describe it."
The old man nodded.
"But..."
"I imagine you were a good student."
Miles smiled politely.
"Thank you, sir."
The old man turned toward the painting.
"So..."
"About ’Her Little Guardian.’"
Miles looked toward the portrait.
Then smiled.
"It’s fake, isn’t it?"
Chloe immediately turned toward him.
The old man froze.
For the first time...
His calm expression genuinely broke.
"How..."
He stepped closer.
"How do you know?"
Miles pointed toward the cat.
"The whiskers."
The old man stared.
Miles continued,
"The person who replicated it did almost everything perfectly."
"Color."
"Composition."
"Brushwork."
"The aging is convincing too."
He smiled.
"But the cat has one extra whisker."
The old man stared for two seconds.
Then suddenly laughed.
A deep, genuine laugh.
"You really are interesting."
Chloe looked between them.
The old man continued,
"You even read the book."
Chloe immediately asked,
"What book?"
The old man turned toward her.
"The artist later wrote a memoir."
He pointed toward the painting.
"It had the same title."
"’Her Little Guardian.’"
Chloe listened.
The old man’s expression softened.
"He wrote about his wife."
"Their home."
"The years after her death."
"And the cat."
He smiled faintly.
"His wife had a strange habit."
"What?"
"She kept the cat’s fallen whiskers."
Chloe blinked.
"Really?"
The old man nodded.
"Whenever she found one..."
"She placed it safely inside a small box."
He looked toward the portrait.
"After she died..."
"The artist continued doing the same."
Chloe’s eyes softened.
The old man continued,
"In the book, he even wrote down how many whiskers the cat had when he painted this portrait from memory."
Chloe looked toward the replica again.
Then quietly said,
"Somehow..."
"I feel sad for him."
The old man nodded.
"That’s life."
He looked toward the painting.
"Sometimes..."
"We spend our entire lives rejecting something."
"Hating it."
"Refusing to accept it."
His eyes became distant.
"And then one day..."
"We realize we became fond of the very thing we spent so long pushing away."
Miles looked toward him.
Then smiled.
"I agree."
For a brief moment...
The old man seemed to think about something else entirely.
Someone else.
Then he returned to the present.
"Regarding the replica..."
Miles waited.
"The original is kept at another branch of our auction house."
"Understood."
The old man adjusted his cane.
"I won’t disturb your tour anymore."
He looked toward Chloe.
Then Miles.
"Enjoy your day."
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you."
Miles nodded.
"You too, sir."
The elderly man slowly walked away.
Chloe waited until he was far enough.
Then leaned toward Miles.
"Do you know him?"
Miles looked toward her.
"He didn’t even tell us his name."
Miles watched the old man’s back.
"He’s the head of the Chen family."
Chloe’s eyes widened.
"What?"
Miles smiled.
"Mr. Chen’s father."
Chloe immediately turned to look again.
"Oh."
She studied the old man in the distance.
"He doesn’t seem like a bad person."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Why would he?"
Chloe looked toward him.
"Didn’t you say his relationship with his son was bad?"
"Yes."
"So why doesn’t he like him?"
Miles smiled faintly.
"I don’t think he doesn’t like him."
Chloe waited.
Miles looked toward the painting again.
"Like he just said..."
"We sometimes become fond of things we spend years rejecting."
Chloe understood.
Her expression softened.
"Yes."
Then her attention immediately shifted again.
"Look."
Miles followed.
"There is another painting."
She pulled him toward it.
This one showed a traditional wedding procession.
Red garments.
Ceremonial decorations.
Family members gathered around.
Miles smiled.
"This one shows a traditional Chinese marriage."
Chloe looked toward him.
Then laughed quietly.
"What?"
"I was wondering earlier..."
"Why you refused that man’s offer to guide us."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
Chloe wrapped one arm around his.
"Looks like I already have a guide all to myself."
Miles smiled.
"Exclusive service."
Chloe nodded.
"Very exclusive."
Then she lifted her phone.
"Let’s take pictures."
Miles sighed dramatically.
"Again?"
"Yes."
She pulled him toward the display.
"Stand there."
"Why?"
"Just stand."
Miles obeyed.
Chloe took several photographs.
Then they switched places.
Then selfies.
Then another painting.
Another sculpture.
Another display.
By the time they reached the end of the museum...
Chloe’s phone gallery had gained an unreasonable number of new photographs.
Miles had stopped complaining long ago.
...
Eventually...
Staff began directing auction guests toward the main hall.
Miles and Chloe followed.
The atmosphere changed completely.
The museum had been quiet.
The auction house felt alive.
Collectors.
Business families.
Private buyers.
Representatives from museums and investment groups.
Some guests wore traditional clothing.
Others formal Western suits.
Conversations happened quietly across the hall.
Numbers.
Collections.
Expected prices.
Historical authenticity.
Chloe looked around with obvious curiosity.
Before they entered the main seating area...
Chen appeared.
"Miles."
Miles smiled.
"Mr. Chen."
Chen looked toward Chloe.
"Mrs. Sterling."
"Hello again."
Chen gestured toward an elevated private chamber overlooking the auction floor.
"Join me."
Miles looked toward it.
"VIP?"
Chen smiled.
"Of course."
Chloe looked excited.
They followed him upstairs.
The chamber offered a perfect view of the stage.
Comfortable seating.
Private bidding controls.
Refreshments.
And enough privacy to speak without disturbing other buyers.
Chloe sat beside Miles.
Chen took the seat on the other side.
A few minutes later...
The lights dimmed.
The conversations below slowly stopped.
Then...
A woman walked onto the stage.
Ruoxi.
She wore an elegant traditional outfit.
Refined embroidery.
Graceful colors.
Her hair had been arranged carefully to match the style.
She carried herself with quiet confidence as she walked toward the center of the stage.
Chloe immediately leaned toward Miles.
"She looks pretty."
Miles smiled.
"That’s Mrs. Chen."
Chloe’s eyes widened.
"Really?"
She looked toward Chen.
Then back toward Ruoxi.
"Mr. Chen."
Chen smiled.
"Yes?"
Chloe spoke honestly.
"Your wife looks like a royal empress."
Chen laughed.
"I’ll make sure she hears that compliment."
Chloe smiled.
On the stage...
Ruoxi greeted the guests.
Her voice carried clearly throughout the hall.
She began introducing the auction.
Chloe listened for several seconds.
Then slowly turned toward Miles.
Her expression became blank.
Miles already knew.
Chloe leaned closer.
"Mr. Sterling."
"Yes, Mrs. Sterling?"
She pointed subtly toward the stage.
"Please be my translator."
Miles smiled.
"I don’t understand Mandarin."
He leaned closer to her.
"Of course."
Chloe settled comfortably beside him.
Ruoxi continued speaking on stage.
And Miles quietly began translating every word into Chloe’s ear.