Chapter 46 No matter where I fly, no matter how high I fly...

My experience at the art village has come to an end.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the fields in a warm gold, and the distant mountain outlines softened, like an oil painting.

On the way back, Wen Yu leaned back in her seat, watching the pastoral scenery rushing past the window, feeling a sense of fulfillment.

After returning from the art village, Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai went back to the island together.

Compared to the city, the sunrise on the island is exceptionally soft, with golden rays leaping from the sea surface and tinging the soft white sand and swaying coconut trees with warm hues.

The salty, damp scent of the sea breeze and the faint fragrance of flowers wafted through the open French windows.

Inside the villa, Wen Yu lay asleep on the soft bed, her long eyelashes casting small shadows on her fair cheeks.

Downstairs in the open kitchen, Shen Jinhuai was carefully preparing breakfast. The sizzling sound of eggs in the frying pan filled the air, along with the faint aroma of toasted bread, all blending with the rhythm of the waves outside the window—a peaceful and pleasant scene.

Not long after, Wen Yu woke up, opened her eyes groggily, and found that the person next to her was empty.

Sunlight crept up to the foot of the bed, and Wen Yu stretched comfortably, then got out of bed as if sensing something.

Stepping out of the bedroom and opening the door, I saw a beautiful birthday cake on the dining table in the living room on the first floor.

The snow-white cream is adorned with fresh berries and golden stars, and next to the cake is a small bunch of jasmine flowers grown on an island, glistening with morning dew.

Beside it, there was Wen Yu's favorite breakfast: seafood porridge steaming hot, and delicate, cute little pastries.

Meanwhile, in the open kitchen, Shen Jinhuai, wearing an apron, was scooping poached eggs onto a plate.

The morning light outlined the man's tall and straight figure, creating a heartwarming scene that softened one's heart.

Happy birthday, Xiaoyu.

Shen Jinhuai looked up, his eyes gentle in the morning light: "Come and have breakfast, and then see if you like the birthday cake."

"Thanks."

Wen Yu happily went downstairs and lightly greeted Shen Jinhuai who was walking towards her. She tiptoed on the stairs and kissed the man.

She turned around and flew back to her room like a happy bird to wash up and change her clothes.

Half an hour later, Wen Yu was eating the food that Shen Jinhuai had made himself, and her heart was filled with warmth.

Sunlight streamed onto the dining table, the aroma of the food and the burning gaze of her beloved man created the sweetest picture of happiness in the world.

In the afternoon, Shen Jinhuai took Wen Yu's hand and they went for a walk on the rocky beach on the other side of the island.

The scenery here is completely different from that of the villa area. The waves crash powerfully against the jagged and strange rocks, splashing up white and broken foam.

Shen Jinhuai had Wen Yu sit on a flat stone, while he knelt in front of her and held her hands.

The sea breeze was stronger than before, brushing against the man's black hair and also stirring Wen Yu's skirt.

"Xiaoyu, we said we'd get our marriage certificate today, but before that, I have to ask you one more time,"

The man's voice was deep and resonant amidst the sound of the waves. His profound eyes were fixed on the girl before him, not missing a single subtle expression. His tone was tense and barely perceptible: "Choose me, marry me, become Shen Jinhuai's wife in the legal sense, and be willing to spend the rest of your life with me. Have you... really thought this through? Will you... not regret it in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Yu quietly looked at the man in front of her.

The waves roared behind him, and the sea breeze howled, but Chen Jinhuai's palms were warm.

Upon reflection, this man appeared from the blank spaces in Wen Yu's memory, yet he constantly sheltered her from the wind and rain.

Shen Jinhuai taught Wen Yu to be brave and gave her 100% respect and protection.

It was only because Shen Jinhuai was by her side that Wen Yu was able to bravely face the fog of the past and the inexplicable shadow cast by the Zhou family.

The darkness that had once made her cower seemed to have been dispelled by the light brought by the person in front of her.

Meeting Shen Jinhuai's tense and burning gaze, Wen Yu earnestly grasped his hand and nodded firmly, her clear eyes showing no hesitation: "Yes, I've thought it through, and I won't regret it in the future."

"Shen Jinhuai, I love you, I love you so much, so I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and spend every ordinary or extraordinary day with you."

Before Wen Yu could finish speaking, she was pulled into a tight embrace by the man beside her.

The rapid, powerful heartbeat from the man's chest resonated in Wen Yu's ears, blending with the rhythm of the waves on the other side, becoming the most moving declaration.

Two hours later, Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau in the center of Haicheng City.

Sign, stamp, take a photo.

Everything went smoothly.

After receiving the two little red books, Wen Yu looked down at the names and photos side by side on them, and a sense of relief welled up in her heart.

She glanced sideways at Shen Jinhuai beside her.

Seeing that the man was also looking down at the marriage certificate, and that his usually calm lips were unable to suppress the upward curve of his mouth, and his eyes were filled with undisguised precious joy, as if he possessed the most precious treasure in the world, Wen Yu's lips also curved upward.

A moment later, Shen Jinhuai carefully put the two men's identification documents into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

He then held Wen Yu's hand tightly, interlocking their fingers.

"Mrs. Shen,"

Shen Jinhuai lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against Wen Yu's ear, his tone full of affection and satisfaction: "Let's go home."

Wen Yu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and a blush rose to her cheeks: "Yes, let's go home, Mr. Shen."

The two walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau hand in hand.

The afternoon sun was scorching, but the joy of being newlyweds filled my heart.

The joy was shattered the moment I stepped out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

It was Zhou Shiye and Zhou Yingchen.

Two men stood a few steps away from Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai at the bottom of the steps in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Zhou Shiye looks terrible.

His hair was disheveled, his expensive shirt was wrinkled, his eyes were bloodshot, and the dark circles under his eyes looked like he hadn't slept for many days. His face was unhealthy and pale, and even his lips had lost their color.

Zhou Shiye stared intently at Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai's clasped hands, and at the blushing, happy smile on Wen Yu's face.

His chest heaved violently, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.

Zhou Yingchen stood half a step in front of Zhou Shiye.

The man was impeccably dressed, but his face was colder than ever before, and his eyes were covered with a layer of frost.

Zhou Yingchen glanced at Wen Yu, his expression complex and unreadable, before looking at Shen Jinhuai.

The man's jawline was taut, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and behind his glasses, his eyes surged with a suppressed, turbulent, and sinister aura.

Although his emotions weren't as outwardly expressed as Zhou Shiye's, the low pressure and chill emanating from him were even more oppressive than Zhou Shiye's excitement, making the surrounding air seem to stagnate.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment as the four people stared at each other.

In a daze, the flow of people coming and going at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau and the sounds of cars on the street not far away became indistinct background noise.

When Shen Jinhuai saw Zhou Shiye and Zhou Yingchen, the gentle smile on his face vanished.

He pulled Wen Yu behind him, using his body to partially block the gazes of the two people in front of him from looking at her.

Wen Yu never expected to run into Zhou Yingchen and Zhou Shiye here.

The blush of shyness on her face quickly faded, replaced by a slight, uncontrollable nervousness.

Zhou Shiye's murderous gaze made Wen Yu's heart tighten, while Zhou Yingshen's cold scrutiny also made her uncomfortable.

Wen Yu unconsciously moved closer to Shen Jinhuai, her fingers curling slightly in his palm as if trying to draw strength from him.

This action undoubtedly provoked Zhou Shiye.

He took a step forward uncontrollably, a hoarse, broken voice squeezing out from his parched throat, trembling with disbelief and despair: "Xiaoyu, you, you and him... got your marriage certificate?"

"No, how could you? How could you get a marriage certificate with him? You..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Shiye staggered, and the rest of his words caught in his throat, leaving him unable to utter a sound.

Zhou Shiye originally came to celebrate Wen Yu's birthday.

Even though Wen Yu didn't need his presence.

But unexpectedly...

As Wen Yu looked at Shen Jinhuai's tall and upright figure blocking her way, the familiar, reassuring, and refreshing scent filled her nostrils, and the familiar fear and unease in her heart gradually faded away.

Wen Yu took a deep breath and gradually stepped out from behind Shen Jinhuai. She looked up and tried to calmly face the two men blocking her way.

"I think I have the right to decide who I marry."

Wen Yu gripped Shen Jinhuai's hand tightly behind her back, drawing strength from his palm: "Mr. Zhou, Attorney Zhou, as my brothers, aren't you going to congratulate me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shiye looked at Wen Yu in shock.

The light in the once arrogant man's eyes shattered instantly, and his body went limp.

Zhou Yingchen, supporting Zhou Shiye who almost fell to the ground, gave Wen Yu a deep look.

She turned around and half-dragged, half-pulled Zhou Shiye toward the black sedan parked by the roadside.

Zhou Yingchen's back was upright but stiff, as if every step he took was suppressing heavy anger and some kind of unspeakable frustration.

Zhou Shiye, feeling utterly powerless, was dragged forward like a soulless shell.

Before getting on the bus, Zhou Shiye turned back unwillingly, his bloodshot eyes staring straight at Wen Yu.

In the end, Zhou Shiye didn't say anything more and was shoved into the car by Zhou Yingchen.

The black sedan drove away and quickly disappeared from Wen Yu's sight.

Wen Yu breathed a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxed, and she then realized that her back was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Then, the man beside her pulled her into his arms: "It's alright, let's go home."

Wen Yu nodded: "Okay."

After that day, Zhou Shiye refused to see anyone, including Zhou Yingchen.

He stopped yelling and smashing things, and spent his days sitting in the apartment where Wen Yu used to live, staring blankly at the blank canvas.

The curtains in the apartment were drawn, the room was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the lingering smell of smoke.

Zhou Shiye's eyes grew increasingly vacant, and stubble appeared on his chin, his whole being shrouded in an inescapable aura of decay.

The old professor visited the apartment once, and upon seeing Zhou Shiye in this state, he sighed and left with the words: "Cultivating the mind is the first step to painting."

He shook his head and left.

The apartment fell silent once again.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Zhou Shiye's water glass was full; his assistant had quietly come in and changed it.

Zhou Shiye stopped eating and visibly lost weight.

The assistant brought over another light lunch. Glancing at the full water glass, she couldn't help but whisper, "Attorney Zhou, why don't you drink some water and eat something? Or perhaps you could go for a walk? Don't just stay cooped up here..."

"Your health will collapse if you continue like this."

Zhou Shiye did not react.

The assistant sighed and put down the tray.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard Zhou Shiye's hoarse, barely audible voice.

"How...is she?"

The assistant was taken aback, then realized who Zhou Shiye was asking about, and quickly replied, "Miss Wen has returned from the island. Everything is fine, and Mr. Shen is treating her very well."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the assistant regretted it and cautiously observed Zhou Shiye's expression.

The words "Mr. Shen" stung Zhou Shiye like a needle.

He closed his eyes briefly, and his prominent Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty.

"Is there... anything else?"

Upon hearing this question, the assistant hesitated for a moment before reporting truthfully: "President Zhou wants to arrange a more high-level lecture for Miss Wen through Professor Fu, but..."

"Mr. Shen intervened and expanded the scale of the lectures in the name of a public welfare fund, turning high-end lectures into more accessible ones. There were more participants, and the response was very good."

Zhou Shiye slowly opened his eyes, a self-mocking look in them.

Sure enough, even his brother couldn't do anything about it.

All roads have been blocked, and all possibilities have been extinguished.

Or perhaps, they're all married, regardless of legal, ethical, or practical reasons...

Even if it were Zhou Yingchen, what else could he possibly do?

It's all just a futile struggle.

Meanwhile, in the president's office of the Zhou Group, the light was bright, but the atmosphere was cold.

Zhou Yingchen walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and swirled the glass.

The plan to sponsor high-end art lectures has failed once again.

Zhou Yingchen gripped the wine glass tightly, his knuckles turning white.

The wine glass could not withstand the pressure and shattered in Zhou Yingchen's palm.

Sharp shards of glass cut Zhou Yingchen's palm.

A sticky liquid mixed with alcohol flowed from the man's palm and dripped onto the floor.

A sharp pain shot through his palm, and Zhou Yingchen frowned, his eyes darkening with a sinister intensity that paled in comparison to the wound on his palm.

·

Not long after returning from the island, Wen Yu started school.

The campus was filled with youthful energy.

Now, Wen Yu walks briskly on campus, her eyes bright.

Her paintings are no longer simply oppressive in terms of color; instead, they feature strong and impactful colors.

Like a somber blue, it begins to struggle to reveal a bright and fiery golden yellow.

It is like a flame burning in the abyss, brimming with indomitable vitality.

In the studio, sunlight streamed in through the large windows, illuminating Wen Yu's profile and the rich, vibrant paint on the canvas.

Professor Fu stood behind her, gazing at the canvas for a long time. He was deeply moved by the intense emotions that seemed to burst forth from the canvas and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wen, your painting... is different."

It's not just about improving skills, but also about a transformation of the soul.

Wen Yu put down her pen, turned to look at the professor, her eyes clear and bright: "Yes, Professor Fu, I used to always want to escape and seek pure freedom, but now I feel that the struggle itself, and the process of breaking through, is an amazing power."

"It's not beautiful, it's even painful, but it's real."

“Wen Yu,”

Professor Fu's voice was full of satisfaction: "You're breaking through your own limits, and this is your best state. By the way, there's a very important international exhibition for young artists at the end of the year, open to submissions nationwide, and the competition is fierce. I think your new work is very powerful, and I'd like to recommend you to participate. Are you interested?"

Wen Yu's heart tightened.

An international exhibition for young artists?

This is a significant exhibition, a platform that countless young artists dream of, and a ticket to a wider world.

“Professor, I…I am interested, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.”

Wen Yu's voice trembled with excitement: "I will definitely prepare well and do my best."

"Okay, then prepare the plan well, and feel free to contact me if you need anything."

Professor Fu patted Wen Yu on the shoulder encouragingly, his eyes full of expectation: "I believe in you."

After leaving the school, Wen Yu walked along the tree-lined path, so excited she almost jumped for joy.

The autumn breeze felt cool and refreshing on my face.

When she got home, Wen Yu didn't even bother to change her clothes before picking up her paintbrush and immersing herself in her own world to continue creating.

The studio was filled with the rich scent of paint, mingled with the girl's vibrant inspiration, making even the air feel lively.

For the next period of time, Wen Yu devoted herself to preparing her works for the international young artists exhibition.

Aside from attending classes, Wen Yu locked herself in her art studio, working tirelessly day and night, repeatedly refining her ideas, leaving sketches scattered all over the floor.

The almost primal sense of life force that was awakened gradually condensed and took shape under Wen Yu's pen.

More than a month later, the prototype of the new work gradually became clear: a sunflower standing stubbornly upright in the storm.

The golden petals, with their edges curled, scorched, and damaged, still struggle to unfurl; the sturdy stems and leaves, meandering and vigorous, are deeply embedded in the muddy soil.

The background is a dense, oppressive gray-black and deep blue that seems to devour everything, with rolling clouds and torrential rain creating an immense sense of oppression.

But in the center of the picture, several sunflowers bravely face the wind and rain with a tragic and proud posture, persistently chasing the faint light that leaks through the gaps in the clouds.

Wen Yu named this unfinished work "Chasing the Light".

On the day of the preliminary selection for the exhibition, the weather was very cold, but the sky was a clear, deep blue.

Wen Yu arrived at the review office of the city art museum with her carefully prepared proposal and portfolio.

She was in a very good mood.

But the next moment, an unexpected man appeared in Wen Yu's line of sight.

It was Zhou Yingchen.

Zhou Yingchen appeared to have just finished talking with the museum director and was walking out of the office inside.

He was dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, with a cool and outstanding demeanor, which was out of place in Zhou's artistic environment.

Wen Yu pursed her lips and paused slightly.

Just as she was about to avoid him, Zhou Yingchen strode towards her.

Zhou Yingchen glanced at the file bag in Wen Yu's hand before looking at Wen Yu.

Perhaps it was because of a different mindset, but Wen Yu intuitively felt that when Zhou Yingchen looked at her now, there was less of the intimidating pressure in his eyes, and instead more of an indescribable complexity.

"Here to submit your competition materials?"

Zhou Yingchen spoke first, his voice calm and revealing little emotion.

"Um."

Wen Yu nodded and gripped the file bag in her hand tightly.

Zhou Yingchen stared intently at Wen Yu.

The man's prominent Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something, but all he managed to say was, "Prepare well."

After speaking, Zhou Yingchen brushed past Wen Yu.

Only a straight, aloof back remains.

Wen Yu watched Zhou Yingchen's departing figure, a sense of doubt rising in her heart.

Is Zhou Yingchen's appearance here a coincidence? Or... does he know she's going to participate in the competition?

And his phrase "prepare well," was it just polite talk, or was there a deeper meaning?

Wen Yu shook her head, trying to shake off these annoying thoughts.

Whatever Zhou Yingchen's intentions may be, it has nothing to do with her.

The process of submitting the documents went smoothly.

The teacher who collected the materials even praised him.

Stepping out of the art museum, Wen Yu took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air.

Shen Jinhuai was already waiting by the car at the door.

Upon seeing Wen Yu emerge, Shen Jinhuai came forward, took her hand, led her to the car, and opened the car door for her.

On my way home, the setting sun painted the sky a beautiful orange-pink hue.

The carriage was quiet, with soothing music playing, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Wen Yu leaned back in the soft passenger seat, glancing sideways at Shen Jinhuai's profile as he drove.

The light from outside the car window flowed between the man's eyebrows, his high nose bridge, and his well-defined jawline, outlining a profile that Wen Yu knew all too well.

"Jinhuai".

Wen Yu softly called Shen Jinhuai's name.

"Um?"

Shen Jinhuai looked at the road conditions ahead, but his body naturally turned to the side of the passenger seat.

"Today I was at the art museum, looking at my own paintings and listening to the teacher's comments..."

Wen Yu's voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself, or perhaps sighing: "Suddenly, I feel that those things that used to scare me and that I wanted to escape seem... very, very far away from me now."

It's so far away, like something from a past life.

Before he finished speaking, Shen Jinhuai gripped the steering wheel with his left hand and held Wen Yu's left hand, which was resting on her knee, with his right hand, their fingers interlocked.

A man's dry palms possess a reassuring power.

"That's because our Xiaoyu has grown wings strong enough to fly anywhere she wants to go."

The man's voice was deep and resolute, and above all, it was filled with pride.

In an instant, Wen Yu felt as if her heart had been brushed by the softest feather, a warm and itchy sensation that made her eyes well up with tears.

Yes, it was Shen Jinhuai's companionship and countless encouragements that gave her the courage to face her fear.

Wen Yu grasped Shen Jinhuai's hand in return, a smile involuntarily spreading across her face: "Yes."

"And no matter where I fly, no matter how high or far I fly, my home is always with you. Similarly, your home must be with me, understand? You are not allowed to go anywhere else."

"good."

Shen Jinhuai chuckled softly.

Just then, the light turned red, and Shen Jinhuai stopped the car, turned to the side, and quickly kissed Wen Yu on the forehead.

"Yes, my dear wife."