Chapter 44 She especially wants to see Shen Jinhuai right now.

At night, the sea breeze brings a coolness different from that of the daytime.

Warm yellow string lights hung on the villa's terrace, reflecting the twinkling stars in the sky.

Dinner was a delicious seafood feast prepared by Shen Jinhuai, but Wen Yu was distracted, glancing at her phone on the table every now and then.

Shen Jinhuai took in Wen Yu's reaction.

After dinner, Shen Jinhuai took Wen Yu's hand and strolled along the beach.

"Still thinking about the exhibition?"

Shen Jinhuai gently squeezed Wen Yu's fingertips.

Wen Yu stopped in her tracks.

Under the moonlight, the girl's clear eyes held a hint of confusion: "Jin Huai, I called Professor Fu, and he said he helped me register. But I always feel like something's off about this."

Shen Jinhuai cupped Wen Yu's face in his hands, his voice gentle: "Perhaps, this is Professor Fu's way of recognizing your expertise?"

"We just need to finish this piece well."

Wen Yu nodded.

Painting well and then displaying her paintings is indeed what she wants to do most right now.

"I see."

Wen Yu threw herself into Shen Jinhuai's arms: "I will prepare well for this exhibition."

"Um."

That night, after Wen Yu fell asleep, Shen Jinhuai went to the balcony, closed the balcony door, and made a phone call.

"Did you find it?"

The man asked in a low voice into the phone.

"Found it, Mr. Shen, it's Zhou Yingchen."

Meanwhile, in the CEO's office on the top floor of the Zhou Group's office building,

Zhou Yingchen sat at his desk, listening to Chen Xu's report.

"Mr. Zhou, Ms. Wen has received official notification from the art museum. She seemed surprised but did not show any resistance. It is expected that she will accept this opportunity to participate in the exhibition."

"As you instructed, no information related to the Zhou family was mentioned."

"Um."

Zhou Yingchen responded indifferently, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

He got up and walked to the window, looking down at the dazzling city below.

Shen Jinhuai will definitely guess that he did it, but so what?

He wouldn't refuse such a good opportunity for Wen Yu, even if it was one he obtained by using the connections of the late Zhou family patriarch.

Wen Yu will one day find out that it was Zhou Yingchen who paved the way for her.

Zhou Yingchen has no shortage of patience.

A few days later, Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai returned from the island.

Not long after returning, Wen Yu threw herself into preparations for the special exhibition.

When Shen Jinhuai came out of his study after finishing his work, he saw the following scene: a girl standing on a tall ladder, her face smeared with paint, her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, but her eyes were bright and focused as she gazed at the canvas.

It was as if the whole world had shrunk to just her and her paintings.

Shen Jinhuai leaned against the door frame, quietly watching Wen Yu paint.

Wen Yu's painting is no longer as silent and repressed as it used to be; instead, it has a unique brilliance.

It was as if the entire sun was shining on her; the sunlight was dazzling.

In a daze, Shen Jinhuai seemed to see the little girl from many years ago.

Pink petals fall beneath the cherry blossom tree.

The girl under the tree was drawing intently, her soft, bright eyes seemingly filled with sunshine, inspiring longing in everyone.

After an unknown amount of time, Wen Yu finally put down her paintbrush.

Shen Jinhuai walked over, ignoring the paint all over Wen Yu's body, and reached out to lift her down from the ladder.

Are you tired?

Shen Jinhuai took the paintbrush from Wen Yu's hand and put it down, then used the back of his hand to wipe the sweat from her hair.

"It's okay, I'm not tired."

Wen Yu smiled sweetly, her eyebrows curving upwards.

"Um."

Shen Jinhuai's expression softened completely: "Then you continue drawing? I'll watch from here."

"Okay, I'll continue."

Wen Yu tiptoed and kissed Shen Jinhuai on the corner of his mouth.

He turned around, picked up his paintbrush, mixed the paint, and continued painting.

Shen Jinhuai retreated to the doorway, watching the girl quickly immerse herself in her work again, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

Wen Yu just needs to focus on creating.

As for the favor she owed Zhou Yingchen, she didn't need to know; he could repay it.

In the days that followed, Wen Yu devoted all her energy to her creative work.

Her inspiration flowed like a spring.

On the enormous canvas, the colors are no longer just oppressive, but also more conflicting and hopeful.

Like a silkworm pupa, struggling and transforming within its confinement.

Gu Muqing often came to the studio to keep Wen Yu company when Shen Jinhuai was not in the apartment.

Seeing the progress of Wen Yu's painting, Gu Muqing exclaimed in amazement: "So beautiful."

"Once this painting is completed, it will definitely cause a sensation."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yu simply smiled, wiped the sweat from her sweaty hands covered in paint, and continued mixing colors.

She was completely focused and enjoyed every moment of creating.

While busy with group affairs, Shen Jinhuai also began his repayment plan.

He used his network of contacts to provide the Zhou Group with "convenient information" on several key milestones in its overseas new energy projects.

These actions directly helped the Zhou family avoid risks and reduce huge costs to a certain extent.

The shareholders of the Zhou Group were overjoyed.

Only Zhou Yingchen knew that Shen Jinhuai was making an equal exchange with him.

Shen Jinhuai was telling him in this way that he had repaid Wen Yu with commercial benefits that he could not refuse.

The president's office of the Zhou Group.

Zhou Yingchen stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the endless stream of cars below, a cold smile curving his lips.

How could he possibly repay what he has given so easily?

Zhou Yingchen picked up his phone and made a call: "Contact several influential art critics under the guise of an anonymous collector, focusing on the upcoming special exhibition at the Municipal Art Museum, especially the works of a young artist named Wen Yu. I need to see professional, objective, but also highly significant positive reviews."

Zhou Yingchen was not only giving Wen Yu the opportunity to participate in the exhibition, but also aiming to elevate her to the level she deserved.

How can Shen Jinhuai ever repay this kindness and the contribution that made her successful?

Time slipped away quietly as Wen Yu immersed herself in her creative process.

On the eve of the special exhibition, everything on the canvas became more complete, full of the power of inner tension and choice.

The following evening, the city art museum was brightly lit during the special exhibition.

Numerous art celebrities, collectors, critics, and media representatives gathered.

At the opening reception of the special exhibition, elegantly dressed women mingled and toasts were exchanged.

Wen Yu wore a bamboo-colored satin dress, simple and elegant, which perfectly highlighted her pure yet slightly aloof temperament.

The girl stood in front of the artwork, watched by the surrounding crowd, her palms sweating.

This was the first time Wen Yu had presented her work on such an important occasion, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.

Wen Yu's painting "Summer Echoes" was placed in a relatively independent and well-located area.

The enormous image, filled with strong and layered colors, conveyed complex emotions of confinement and liberation, attracting many people to stop and admire it.

Many people discussed the painting in hushed tones, nodding frequently, all casting admiring glances at it.

Several seasoned art critics even lingered for a long time in front of Wen Yu's paintings.

This includes Ms. Dong Yue, an art critic and columnist for "Art Frontiers".

Dong Yue went straight to Wen Yu, smiled and extended her hand: "Ms. Wen, congratulations. I heard Professor Fu mention this painting before, and she thinks highly of you."

"And this painting is more powerful than I imagined. Your control over the emotions of color is admirable."

"Thank you, Teacher Dong."

Wen Yu quickly suppressed her excitement and shook hands with Dong Yue.

At this moment, the surrounding crowd moved to make way, and Wen Yu turned her head and saw Zhou Yingchen appear in her line of sight.

Zhou Yingchen wore a custom-made suit, as always, calm and reserved, with a powerful aura.

Accompanied by the person in charge of the event, the man went straight to Wen Yu.

He first nodded slightly to Wen Yu as a greeting, and then looked at Wen Yu's painting.

A moment later, Zhou Yingchen turned to Wen Yu.

"Congratulations, Xiaoyu."

Zhou Yingchen's voice was mellow and pleasant: "The work is outstanding."

"You flatter me, Mr. Zhou."

Wen Yu responded politely.

"I'm so happy to see you shine on this stage."

Wen Yu forced a smile: "Thank you, President Zhou."

Zhou Yingchen glanced indifferently at Shen Jinhuai's hand around Wen Yu's waist, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes before he quickly composed himself.

"Looking forward to more great works from you."

After leaving those words, Zhou Yingchen turned around and calmly walked to the other end of the exhibition hall.

After Zhou Yingchen left, Dong Yue also left, and the others around them whispered among themselves.

The discussion revolved entirely around Wen Yu's identity.

"Isn't Wen Yu the adopted daughter of the Zhou family? How come she's with President Shen of the Shen Group?"

"Could she have gotten involved with the Shen family again? Wen Yu is too lucky."

Whispers and curious glances kept falling on Wen Yu.

Wen Yu's smile faded, and she frowned slightly as she watched Zhou Yingchen's departing figure.

Shen Jinhuai's originally gentle gaze gradually darkened, and the hand around Wen Yu's waist tightened. His fingertips pressed lightly on her side, conveying silent support.

Then, he turned slightly to the side, shielding Wen Yu more securely under his shadow and blocking most of her view.

“I think you’ve all misunderstood something.”

Shen Jinhuai slowly raised his eyes and glanced indifferently at the people who were talking.

The man's gaze carried an imposing aura of authority born of someone accustomed to a position of power.

Those people involuntarily stopped talking, took a step back awkwardly, and their speculative and scrutinizing gazes, which had been focused on Wen Yu, all turned to Shen Jinhuai.

"I am fortunate to have met Miss Wen."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Jinhuai ignored the shocked and surprised looks of the others, lowered his head, and whispered in Wen Yu's ear in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Are you tired?"

"Shall we leave here?"

Enveloped in a warm and safe atmosphere, Wen Yu felt a warmth in her heart, and her tense shoulders relaxed.

"good."

But the next moment,

“Xiaoyu,”

Zhou Shiye hurriedly pushed through the crowd to stand in front of Wen Yu.

The man seemed to have arrived in a hurry; his silver-gray hair was slightly disheveled, and he hadn't even buttoned up his suit jacket properly.

Zhou Shiye stared at Wen Yu, his deep eyes swirling with complex emotions.

“Xiaoyu,”

Ignoring Shen Jinhuai's presence, Zhou Shiye was agitated and his voice was hoarse: "Your painting is very good."

Zhou Shiye's praise was stiff, but his eyes were burning with passion.

Wen Yu took a half step back and moved even closer to Shen Jinhuai.

Zhou Shiye's reckless and aggressive attitude made her heart race again, which had just begun to calm down because of the discussions.

Seeing this, Shen Jinhuai stepped forward to meet Zhou Shiye's gaze and shielded Wen Yu behind him.

"Attorney Zhou, we have a few friends to say hello to, please excuse us."

"friend?"

When Zhou Shiye saw Wen Yu being shielded behind Shen Jinhuai, and Shen Jinhuai's hand still recklessly wrapped around her waist, the string of the man's rationality snapped.

He chuckled, his voice rising, immediately drawing even more attention.

"Shen Jinhuai, how long have you known Xiaoyu? What do you know about Xiaoyu? Do you know what she likes and dislikes? Do you know what brand of paint she likes to use when she paints?"

Zhou Shiye's question was filled with jealousy and resentment: "I am Xiaoyu's brother. What right do you have to keep her away from us just because she has amnesia?"

"Zhou Shiye".

Wen Yu's body trembled involuntarily: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"When did I talk nonsense?"

Zhou Shiye looked at Wen Yu, his eyes filled with pain: "Xiao Yu, I don't want you to be blinded by this man? I don't want you to drift further and further away from us because of a man? This art exhibition, why do you think it happened..."

At this time,

"Tokino".

A cold voice interrupted Zhou Shiye's out-of-control words.

Even though the volume wasn't loud, the warning contained in those two simple words made Zhou Shiye choke up.

Everyone turned their heads and saw that Zhou Yingchen had returned at some point and was standing a few steps away.

The man's expression grew even colder and harder than before, and his gaze at his distraught brother became increasingly dangerous.

Zhou Yingchen stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Shiye's arm with such force that Zhou Shiye staggered.

Then, the man looked at Shen Jinhuai and Wen Yu, his tone regaining its usual composure:

"Sorry to bother you, Shi Ye has had too much to drink."

After saying that, Zhou Yingchen forcibly stopped Zhou Shiye, who was still unwilling to say something, turned around, and strode away.

Zhou Shiye kept turning back to look at Wen Yu, his eyes filled with sorrow.

The brief farce ended, and the exhibition hall was quiet for a moment before suppressed discussions erupted again.

"Could it be that Attorney Zhou doesn't like my sister being with President Shen?"

"Why do I feel like there's something off about the way Attorney Zhou looks at Wen Yu?"

"Something doesn't seem right to me either. Could it be that the lawyer has taken a liking to keeping a younger sister this week?"

"No way, Attorney Zhou is a golden man, what kind of woman can't he have?"

"But I heard that during the time Wen Yu was missing, Attorney Zhou was frantically trying to find her?"

Wen Yu stood there, listening to the whispers around her, and a hazy image suddenly appeared in her mind.

The scene in the picture is also at a dinner party.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Princess Zhou Yingchen held Wen Yu in her arms, and Wen Yu wrapped her arms around Zhou Yingchen's neck.

The surrounding area was filled with curious or inquisitive gazes from the staff and guests.

The waiters carrying the trays turned to the side and lowered their eyes respectfully. The guests exchanged knowing glances, but the smiles on their lips were particularly meaningful.

Wen Yu in the scene was embarrassed and awkward, and when she met Zhou Shiye's warning and gloomy smile from not far away, she felt a surge of fear.

But she was so afraid of Zhou Yingchen, who was holding her, that she dared not resist.

He could only let Zhou Shiye stare at him like he was prey, and let him be treated like an object, exposing his embarrassment to everyone's eyes.

The feeling of panic reached its peak at this moment, and Wen Yu's body went limp.

Shen Jinhuai quickly helped Wen Yu up, his face turning completely grim.

He bent down, picked up Wen Yu, and strode away from the exhibition hall.

Once inside the car parked by the roadside, Wen Yu leaned back in her seat, her face pale.

"It's alright now."

Shen Jinhuai held Wen Yu's hand, his deep voice filled with heartache and worry: "It's just us here."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yu looked blankly at Shen Jinhuai, the image still lingering in her mind: "Jinhuai, I'm scared."

"Don't be afraid."

Shen Jinhuai pulled Wen Yu into his arms: "I'm here."

Shen Jinhuai gently patted Wen Yu's back: "Listen, Xiao Yu, you are excellent. Your paintings have touched many people. This is what everyone should be paying attention to tonight."

"Don't let the buzzing of a few flies make you doubt your brilliance, okay?"

The man's words were firm and powerful, gradually dispelling Wen Yu's unease and self-doubt.

She slowly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in the man's arms: "Okay."

But why was she so afraid of Zhou Yingchen in my memory?

Why are you so afraid of Zhou Shiye?

What was her past like?

The image kept swirling in my mind.

This made Wen Yu even more panicked.

Fortunately, being held in Shen Jinhuai's arms, surrounded by familiar and reassuring scents, Wen Yu's fear, which had resurfaced due to the images that had suddenly flashed through her mind, gradually faded and was replaced by warmth.

Wen Yu knew that no matter what happened in the past, no matter why she was afraid of Zhou Yingchen and Zhou Shiye, she shouldn't care about it now.

As long as there is Chen Jinhuai, that's fine.

"Shall we go home?"

"good."

Meanwhile, inside Zhou Yingchen's car, the atmosphere plummeted to freezing point.

Zhou Shiye sat in the passenger seat, his face completely pale.

His hands, resting on his knees, were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

A profound sense of powerlessness almost overwhelmed Zhou Shiye.

What did he just do?

On the most important night of Xiaoyu's life, he rushed over like a madman who had lost control, almost ruining her brilliance and embarrassing her in front of everyone.

"elder brother,"

Zhou Shiye spoke weakly, his voice no longer the flamboyant and unrestrained one that outsiders perceived, but a hoarse and indistinct murmur: "Did I mess up again just now?"

Zhou Yingshen paused as he was about to start the car, glancing sideways at Zhou Shiye.

At this moment, Zhou Shiye was no longer the sharp-tongued and invincible lawyer in court in the eyes of outsiders, but just like a child who had done something wrong but did not know how to make amends.

Before his brother could answer, Zhou Shiye lowered his head and gave a self-deprecating smile: "I originally wanted to congratulate her properly, to tell her how amazing her painting was, how dazzling she looked standing there, but I..."

Zhou Shiye's Adam's apple bobbed violently. He took a deep breath and continued in a broken voice, "But when I see Shen Jinhuai standing next to her, on such an important occasion, only Shen Jinhuai can stand next to Xiaoyu, I just... I just can't control myself. I'm insanely jealous, but brother, Xiaoyu must hate me even more now."

Zhou Shiye slowly leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let his tears fall.

Zhou Yingchen, seeing the undisguised pain and regret on Zhou Shiye's face, felt a flicker in his cold eyes.

·

“Xiaoyu, look! Art critic Dong Yue, who writes a column for Art Frontier, mentioned your exhibited work in her latest column.”

Gu Muqing happily handed the phone to Wen Yu.

In the art studio, Wen Yu's hand trembled, and she almost made a wrong stroke.

She steadied herself, put down her pen, and took Gu Muqing's phone.

The screen displays a column article published in an authoritative art media outlet.

In the article, Dong Yue devoted considerable space to analyzing several emerging artists exhibiting at the city art museum. Regarding Wen Yu, she wrote: "Of particular note is the work 'Summer Echoes' by the young artist Wen Yu. The painting deeply explores the vitality and strength of women breaking free from constraints, showcasing a depth of thought and artistic potential that transcends age, making her future highly anticipated."

Dong Yue is an authority in the industry known for her sharp insight and incisive commentary.

Wen Yu's heart raced at the affirmation she received from her.

She returned the phone to Gu Muqing and picked up her own phone to make a call.

As soon as the call connected, Wen Yu, suppressing her excitement, spoke first: "Where are you?"

"Wait for me, I'm coming to find you right away."

After hanging up the phone, Wen Yu looked at Gu Muqing, wanting to say something to her, but Gu Muqing stopped her first, smiling teasingly: "Stop, I know what you're going to say? You want to go share your joy with your dear husband, don't you?"

"Granted, granted. I was just about to go home to check on Gu Muyan's exam results. Shall we go together?"

"Um."

The two walked to the door together.

Just as I was about to open the door, there was a knock.

Wen Yu opened the door and saw Xu Ying, who usually stayed here during the day, holding a package.

"Madam, this is your package."

Xu Ying: "The deliveryman just brought this. Do you need me to open it for you?"

Wen Yu was taken aback.

She hasn't bought anything online recently.

"Open it and take a look."

Xu Ying then opened the express delivery.

Inside, they discovered a complete set of a top-tier, yet extremely niche, professional-grade oil paint.

Next to the paint box is a photocopy of a notebook by the brand's senior colorist on methods for mixing special hues, complete with handwritten annotations.

"Oh my god, these paints are so hard to find. I tried to find a source, but there's no way to get them. And these notebooks..."

Gu Muqing frowned: "Who delivered this?"

Wen Yu shook her head: "I don't know."

But one thing is certain: it was definitely not Shen Jinhuai.

If it were him, he would tell Xu Ying directly, or bring it back himself after get off work.

This set of paints and notes was precisely the professional tools and materials Wen Yu needed to try and break through, and it was a real help to her.

Who sent this?

Zhou Yingchen?

Or Zhou Shiye?

She can't accept anyone, no matter who it is.

"Xu Ying, could you please deliver these to the Zhou family's old house?"

After giving Xu Ying her instructions, Wen Yu bid farewell to Gu Muqing.

She was going to find Shen Jinhuai.

She desperately wants to see Shen Jinhuai right now.