Chapter 29: The Ocean of Art Has No Bounds

“I love your ‘Birth of Spring’ the most. I think technique is secondary; the life in that painting stands out. Especially the mountain—it’s so natural, as if an endless range is right before your eyes.”

The old man’s ears perked up at once, visibly delighted. His paintings were far from famous; he painted in his leisure and sometimes only displayed his work within the association.

“You have a keen eye, young lady. Where did you see my painting?”

“I used to paint too, and I know Master Xiao. He once spoke to me about you and even showed me your paintings.”

“Oh, that old fellow Xiao Shengyue! We often have tea and chat together. Last time, he mentioned a painting called ‘Moonlit Brook’—was that yours?”

Zhong Huayan put the crab meat Fu Yanyan had prepared into her mouth and nodded. “Yes, it was me. I’m still young and have much to learn.”

The old man’s admiration was obvious. He put down his chopsticks and began to speak at length, his tone both earnest and heartfelt.

“You have real artistic talent, young lady. Attending Jingfu University will only stifle your gifts. I have two tickets to an international art exhibition. That’s where true masters gather. Third, you should take her to see it. If a master appreciates her work, that would truly honor her abilities. Our capital city lacks a real artistic atmosphere—most are just tutors from after-school classes or association members with a superficial grasp. They’re not real scholars or art masters. Sometimes, you have to travel the country and the world to truly develop.”

Zhong Huayan was overjoyed, for Fu Hongxue had mentioned that very exhibition—a rare event held only once every three years. She had always wanted to go, but work at the company had kept her too busy.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, Fu Yanyan?” The old man stroked his beard and teased, “Third, he’s either a stickler for rules or always breaking them. If you say he’s not, he’s the quietest at table and in bed.”

Fu Yanyan was a little flustered, feeling uncertain for the first time about whether he should speak, so he answered as rationally as possible. “I haven’t been silent. If you want to go, I’ll go with you.”

As he thought about it, a secret joy flickered in his heart—another chance to be alone with her.

“Alright, thank you, Grandpa.”

“No need to thank me. I just want Third to take a break from work now and then, to relax a little.”

Zhong Huayan truly admired Fu Hongxue’s way of handling things. In her previous job, her relatives in the Zhong family had been wary of her lightening her workload even a little.

After lunch, Fu Yanyan sent her back to her rental apartment.

He looked at the old neighborhood with some concern. “Huayan, are you really comfortable living here? If not, I could get you a villa.”

“No, thank you. I want to experience an ordinary life.”

She had lived half her life in luxury and understood that comfort and ease were what truly mattered.

After their farewell, the car window slid shut, and Fu Yanyan’s demeanor changed abruptly. The air in the car turned cold and shadowed—aloof as the moon, commanding as the sun—untouchable, impossible to look at directly.

He loosened his tie, put on his gold-rimmed glasses, and glanced at the latest financial news.

“Place some bodyguards nearby, in plain clothes. If anything happens to her, they’ll answer for it.”

His assistant returned to his usual, cautious efficiency, ruthless and precise.

“Yes, Mr. Fu. Last time, dealing with Guan Yujing’s remnants overseas—”

“Clean it up.”

His face remained impassive, eyes calm even as he spoke.

The assistant knew well—his boss always acted decisively, leaving no loose ends.

When Zhong Huayan opened the door to her rental, she found her second brother sweeping the floor and her third brother playing video games.

As soon as they saw their sister, both rushed up to check if she was hurt.

Their anxious looks made her uncomfortable, so she spoke up. “What are you two doing?”

“Sis, that Fu Yanyan didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

“I heard his past is a bit violent. I was worried something might happen to you. I’m just glad you’re alright.”

Zhong Huayan set down the bags in her hand—gifts Fu Yanyan insisted on giving her despite her repeated refusals.

Her third brother opened a bag to find it filled with luxury-brand jewelry and clothes, each item worth a fortune.

“Sis, tell us honestly—Fu Yanyan isn’t courting you, is he? This is a big deal for our Li family.”

She touched her chin. “He does like me, but I’m really just grateful to him.”

“Just grateful?”

She pulled out her phone and showed them a video: Xu Yuan, drenched and kneeling by a pond, only ten seconds long.

“It was Fu Yanyan who found out I was bullied and decided to teach Xu Yuan a lesson too.”

“That’s great! Did Xu Yuan end up in the hospital? Last time, she put you there for half a month—your wounds only just healed, and you even lost your memory!”

“I… just returned the favor. Anyway, from now on at school, I won’t let her off the hook.”

Her second brother noticed a ticket in the bag.

“Don’t touch that. Can I take a few days off school? I need to go abroad for three days. It’s for my art—a teacher gave me a chance to study overseas.”

Her third brother answered first, “No problem! Traveling is a good thing. I’ll buy your ticket, but you must stay safe! Update me often.”

Her second brother was about to say something, but the third pulled him aside and whispered, “The doctor said getting out more is good for her memory. Besides, she’s an adult now. You can’t be so controlling.”

“Who’s being controlling?”

“Alright, alright—you’re not. You’re just a bit old-fashioned. You need to keep up with the times.”

Zhong Huayan happily transferred two hundred thousand each to her brothers’ accounts.

“I’ll be away for a few days, so take care of yourselves too.”

The two stared blankly at the transaction, surprised, delighted, and worried all at once.

“How can we take your money? Send it back, send it back!”

“If you don’t take it, you’re not my brothers anymore.”

Frightened, they both accepted the money at once.

With one last day of vacation, Zhong Huayan packed her luggage and bought ink and rice paper.

This trip abroad would bring her face to face with art masters and renowned professors—perhaps even her former teachers. She had made a name for herself in the capital, but in a place teeming with talent, she wondered if she could distinguish herself, win her teacher’s renewed respect.

She hadn’t been this happy in a long time. Indeed, one must do what one loves to find joy.

If she could win the recognition of a celebrated teacher, she would have a much better chance at national and even international art competitions.

Perhaps the world was improving. Three years ago, such competitions didn’t exist, nor was there this constant emergence of talent.

Art had become a pastime for the wealthy. For ordinary people, the only way to pursue it was to climb the mountain of books and row the endless sea of art with relentless effort.