“Public auditions?”

Master Long Yan nodded and then explained further.

“There are many talented people in the Art industry that are not in any association. But this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the right to compete.”

“Because of this, we would give everyone a fair chance and then select the best few.”

This was the Association’s way of pleasing the people.

Deep down, they didn’t believe that their students could be beaten down by people that were outside the association.

Also, other than pleasing the people, they would also justify their decisions.

In the last few years that they had lost the competition, a lot of people had mentioned that the Art Association only sent out the incapable people in their association rather than the real talents of their country.

“When would this audition hold?”

“Hehe, the Art Gathering is in two months. For us to be well prepared, the audition and selection process would be in a week and it would last for two weeks.”

After that, the details and venue for the audition was shared.

The reporters asked some more questions, and eventually, the conference was brought to a close.

“This time around, those people in the Association would have some work to do,” Master Pei said with a chuckle.

Although they were the ones that released the news, most of the works would be done by their juniors.

As for selecting the candidates, they felt there was very little chance that someone could actually beat the students they had trained all these years.

They parted ways soon after, and Master Wang Shu called Rong Yue immediately.

Rong Yue had just gotten back home with Qin Yichen and had no idea such a press conference was going on.

But when she saw his name on her screen, she picked up at the first ring.

“Xiao Yue, this old man has finally clarified matters to the whole world,” Master Wang Shu’s excited voice rang out from the other end of the call.

However, Rong Yue didn’t understand what he meant and could only wait for him to continue.

“Now that the whole country knows that you are my student, I’m sure they would be looking forward to your performance during the auditions.”

“You should come over tomorrow so that I can discuss our grand plan with you.”

“Also…” Without getting any response from her, Master Wang Shu finally said everything that he had in mind before keeping quiet to hear her response.

“Master, I don’t seem to understand anything. What Gathering and audition are you talking about?” Rong Yue confessed.

“Also, I’m in City A at the moment. I’ll come to your place as soon as I get back.”

Hearing that she had no idea about the Art Gathering, Master Wang Shu was stunned, but at the same time, he decided that he would tell her when they met.

By that time, she would have also heard one or two things from the media.

“In that case, call me when you are back in the capital. Since your resumption is soon, I’m sure you will be here in a few days..”

Unlike before, now that the secret was out in the open, Rong Xia didn’t have to feel guarded around Qin Yichen and was instead grateful to him. After all, he hadn’t exposed her and didn’t also treat her in anyway.

She was already making dinner when the both of them entered and she smiled up at them.

“Yue’er, you should take a shower before dinner is ready,”

Rong Yue nodded and went into her room, leaving them alone.

“Mr Qin, thank you.” Rong Xia started.

“Xiao Yue doesn’t want me to run an investigation on you. Even though I don’t understand your intentions in wanting to be around my Yue’er, I would hope that her judgement of people is good.”

In truth, Rong Xia had always secretly watched Qin Yichen. Because for a laboratory like that to exist, she believed that they would have the backing of certain strong people.

But after watching him for a while, she could tell that he didn’t come with ulterior motives. Besides, a man like this would not come down from his high throne just because he wanted to catch her.

Most importantly, she had sensed the hurt and worry that he was feeling when he discovered that she had deceived Rong Yue.

“The people I’m fighting against are strong. And they are also in the shadows. So while I cannot guarantee that they won’t come to me. I want to be able to guarantee my daughter’s safety.”

Qin Yichen sat down by the kitchen island. His brows were drawn as he replayed her words in his mind.

“They are strong enough that the most I can do is protect her?”

From how Rong Xia had said it, he had picked up two things. She valued Rong Yue’s life more. Secondly, whoever the enemy was, they were strong enough that the most he could do was to protect Rong Yue and even his own power wasn’t enough to defeat them.

“They have the backing of several countries. If you want to go against them, you will face opponents of your level in dozens.”

Every country had its top echelons. If Qin Yichen wanted to take down the organisation, she could already tell that he would offend several people.

Rather than pulling him into the mess that she owned. She would prefer that both of them stay out of it and protect themselves.

“Protecting you is protecting Yue’er. If I can’t even protect you, then I’m not qualified to stand beside her.” Qin Yichen said frankly.

Rong Xia’s brows furrowed as she felt that he wanted to back out.

Had she really misjudged him?

“If you want to protect Rong Yue, send me everything you know about them. It is only by knowing our enemy we can plan our battles.”

Qin Yichen stood up.

“I have some meetings to attend to now. Tell Rong Yue that I already left.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep