Miss you
In the past two years, Chen Yanqiu has been holding a solo exhibition tour in Europe and serving as the curator of the Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. She rarely comes back. This is the first time Xia Tangyue has seen her in such a long time, and she is very happy.
They had dinner at home that night, and then Xia Tangyue accompanied her out to digest the food.
The greening of the villa area is very well done, with towering plane trees lining the avenue, their treetops interweaving into arches in the air. The induction floor lights gradually light up with the sound of footsteps, paving a star-studded path in the darkness. A few koi fish shuttle among the lotus leaves in the artificial lake, and the outline of wisteria flowers is reflected on the water surface.
Xia Tangyue held Chen Yanqiu's arm affectionately, and stood with her on the arch bridge, chattering about what was happening around her.
Chen Yanqiu praised her, saying that not only had her painting skills improved, her curatorial skills had become more distinctive, and her social skills had shed their former immaturity and awkwardness.
"In the past, you would get nervous whenever you had to attend a social event, clutching the corners of your clothes and not knowing what to say. Today, I see that you have a calm look and your words are appropriate. You have changed a lot and can now stand on your own."
Xia Tangyue smiled happily and hugged Chen Yanqiu's arm: "No way!"
Chen Yanqiu threw the fish food in his hand into the artificial lake. The fish popped their heads out from under the water one after another, and their tumbling tails stirred up ripples.
She said, "I heard you are in love, is that true?"
Xia Tangyue let go of his hand gloomily and looked at Chen Yanqiu: "Why did you suddenly come to my house? My dad asked you to be a lobbyist, right?"
Chen Yanqiu smiled faintly, threw all the fish food in his hand into the lake, turned around and faced Xia Tangyue.
"You know your dad. He's too concerned about his reputation. He wants to apologize to you but can't bring himself to do it as a parent." Chen Yanqiu walked to the park chair and sat down, pounding his legs from time to time.
It was obvious that her old problem had come back, so Xia Tangyue took the initiative to sit next to her and take over her.
"I don't want to talk to him." Xia Tangyue said sullenly.
These days, she didn't say a word to her family when she got home. She would eat as soon as she got home, then go back to her room to sleep and continue the next day.
Chen Yanqiu asked: "What kind of person is he? Your father seems to be very prejudiced against him. Tell me about him."
Xia Tangyue stopped his hand and the figure of Wen Zheng flashed through his mind.
"He's very good, he dotes on me, he always goes along with me in everything, he's mature, steady, gentle, yet strong." After a pause, Xia Tangyue continued, "He... he's my brother when I was a kid, my cousin, we're not related by blood, he's my aunt's adopted child."
"Yeah." Shen Yanqiu's expression became a little subtle.
"Your father was very negative about him. He gritted his teeth when he talked about this. No wonder, that's how it is."
Xia Tangyue's mood instantly dropped.
Chen Yanqiu said: "Young people are always full of fantasies about love. You are old enough, and it is a good thing to fall in love, but..." She hesitated and looked into Xia Tangyue's eyes.
Xia Tangyue blinked: "Teacher, what's wrong?"
"Your family is considered a well-known business family in Beijing. Your marriage is related to the connection of your family's business territory. No wonder your father is so concerned about it. Besides, marriage has always been a matter between two families."
"Have you and him thought about the future? For example, practical issues like settling in a city and career planning."
"You've been learning to draw since elementary school, and your artistic talent is ingrained in you. You have romantic ideas that are neither practical nor realistic. You think that as long as two people like each other, everything will be fine. But I'm an experienced person. Have you ever thought about what would happen if he couldn't handle the relationship between him and your family well? Would he elope? Tangtang, you wouldn't do such a childish thing."
"But..." Xia Tangyue retorted, "Why would you elope? I'm sure my brother loves me very much. His injuries were much more serious than mine in the car accident. He did it to protect me."
Chen Yanqiu shook his head helplessly. The Xia Tangyue in front of him was exactly the same as the Xia Tangyue when he was a child, with pure thoughts, as if soaked in distilled water, pure without a trace of impurities.
From an artistic perspective, such purity can create stunning masterpieces, but in reality, it is like using the key of idealism to turn the lock of realism, which is bound to leave your hands bruised and battered.
Chen Yanqiu: "If he possesses you but cannot give you a future, you should not be with him. If he cannot resolve the conflict between him and your family, you should break up with him right now."
"A girl's youth is very precious. Don't waste it on unnecessary people. You deserve better."
Xia Tangyue's brows became more and more furrowed and his breathing became rapid.
"But..." She opened her mouth, but found that she didn't know what to say.
She had never thought about what Chen Yanqiu said. She liked Wen Zheng and Wen Zheng liked her too, so it was natural for them to be together, hugging, kissing and making love. There was no such thing as an illusory future. She was very happy this way, because she knew Wen Zheng would always be with her.
She has confidence that her brother will not abandon her.
But...what if her family still can't accept him? Between her parents and her boyfriend, who should she stand for?
What the teacher said was very true. She could not possibly do something as elementary school-like as eloping. She had a career and friends here, and it was impossible for her to abandon everything and go far away.
What about Wen Zheng? What does he think? About their future?
Chen Yanqiu stood up and walked back, and Xia Tangyue quickly followed.
"Some things should be cut off at the right time. If he really loves you, he should make a promise to you."
After bidding farewell to Chen Yanqiu, Xia Tangyue pondered for a long time. After taking a shower in the bathroom, he sat on the sofa blankly, and the phone on the table buzzed.
The three words "Brother Bear" jumped and glowed blue.
For the first time ever, she didn't press the answer button immediately.
"Hey, brother."
Wen Zheng chuckled: "Why did you answer the phone so late? What are you doing?"
Xia Tangyue sat cross-legged on the sofa: "I just came out of the shower. I'm a bit busy today. My old mentor is here. I'll accompany her for dinner and a walk tonight."
"Yeah." Wen Zheng responded. Xia Tangyue's ears moved, and he keenly heard the sound of files being shuffled over there.
"What is my brother doing?"
"I'm looking at the report." Wen Zheng said, "I'm a little busy these days. I'll accompany you when I'm free. Don't worry about the exhibition. No one will embarrass you in the future."
"Huh? What did you do?" Xia Tangyue was extremely curious. She suddenly remembered that the painter who had rejected her before actually called her this morning and asked her which painting she wanted to borrow and he could help.
Wen Zheng fell silent over there, speaking half-truthfully: "A big guy I knew before helped me to settle it. It's just a small matter, a little misunderstanding."
Xia Tangyue never understood the twists and turns of these interpersonal relationships. In addition, she has always had a good reputation in the industry, and she doesn't think that with her personality, she will offend any big shots. She believed it without thinking too much. In her opinion, Wen Zheng would not lie to her.
She wiped the water off her body and lay on the bed. When she heard Wen Zheng's steady breathing on the other end of the phone, she felt a little uneasy. After a moment of silence, she finally said, "Brother, do you love me?"
Wen Zheng smiled, sounding very cheerful.
"What's wrong? Did someone tell you something?"
Xia Tangyue threw herself on the pillow sullenly and said coquettishly: "You never said this to me!"
It was true. She was not making it up. Although Wen Zheng took great care of her, he had never said such a thing.
"My dear sister, I love you. You are the most beloved one in the world. You are the cutest baby in the world."
Wen Zheng said this for a long time. If words had sweetness, the air at this moment might be filled with honey. There was a rustling sound from the other end of the phone, like a little girl holding a stuffed bear and rubbing it against the receiver: "Brother, I love you too."
"My birthday is coming up, you have to accompany me."
"Yes, of course."
"Go to bed early. If you need my help with the leak, just tell me. Cha Chunfeng is very famous in the industry and specializes in cases in the art world. With her help, it shouldn't be a problem."
Xia Tangyue also thought so, and she already had an idea of how to do it. So she mentioned it to Wen Zheng, wanting Zhu Shang to take over the investment of Furen Group.
As she was talking, she began to feel drowsy and left the phone to her ear without hanging up.
Wen Zheng silently listened to her even breathing and flipped through the financial statements of Yaoying in his hand. He did not take off his Bluetooth headset until Xia Tangyue's phone ran out of battery.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
