The road home suddenly filled with rain, and it wasn't a light drizzle.
Pitter-patter, it seemed like it wouldn't stop anytime soon.
Since neither of them had an umbrella, they had no choice but to seek shelter at the nearest convenience store to avoid getting drenched.
By the time Yu Wenli parked the car, the young girl had already tidied up the water stains on herself.
When he walked over, Wen Tingxue immediately grabbed new tissues, "Let me wipe you down."
She tiptoed to reach his head. Yu Wenli chuckled and deliberately bent down, "Is this more convenient?"
His voice, falling into her ears, was gentle and low. Accompanied by the crisp sound of raindrops, it was like celestial music. Wen Tingxue's earlobes flushed red, and she hastily nodded twice.
The soft, continuous breaths that escaped her were husky and sweet. Yu Wenli couldn't resist kissing her ear as she leaned closer.
*Boom.* The young girl's ears turned almost crimson, and even her neck was tinged with pink.
A black car drove past. The man in the back seat, his brows slightly tired as he reviewed a report, glanced out the window. Through the thick curtain of rain, he caught sight of a sweet young couple playfully interacting under the bright eaves.
The young man was clearly tall, yet he willingly bowed his head for the one he loved.
Coaxing her, indulging her, the affection in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Fu Yuchuan suddenly recalled past times. He too had bent down for someone, and the young girl in front of him, wiping away the rain, had also blushed.
He would never forget her shy and lovely appearance.
After a brief glance, Fu Yuchuan remained lost in thought for a long time.
It wasn't until Jiang An's worried call broke into his ears that he withdrew his gaze and asked, "What?"
His clear, indifferent voice carried a rare hint of confusion.
Jiang An felt a slight jolt and his gaze instinctively slid towards the window.
Unfortunately, the car had already driven far ahead, and he saw nothing.
"The young master has been very well-behaved lately, with no apparent anomalies. Should we continue surveillance?" Jiang An reported again.
Fu Yuchuan fiddled with his wristwatch, still somewhat distracted. After a pause of about half a minute, he said, "Continue."
"Understood." Jiang An replied. As he prepared to turn back, the man suddenly asked, "What about her?"
Her?
Jiang An pondered for a second and then responded, "Miss Wen seems to be participating in the National Art Exhibition."
Fu Yuchuan's eyes cleared. "Her teacher is...?"
"The young master."
"Oh?" Fu Yuchuan's lips curved into a meaningful smile.
The National Art Exhibition, held once every three years. The young girl must value it highly, right?
Meanwhile, at the convenience store.
The young girl entered, clinging to her boyfriend's arm, her voice soft, "I didn't really want anything to eat, just to buy an umbrella and sit for a while..."
As she spoke, the aroma of Oden wafted towards them.
The young girl's words stopped abruptly, and she blinked, looking at her boyfriend.
The turn of events was too quick. Yu Wenli couldn't help but laugh, "Greedy cat."
The young girl huffed in displeasure. The young man immediately took her hand and led her towards the counter.
Various meatballs and vegetables bubbled in small compartments, their steaming heat quickly dispelling the chill.
"Would you like a portion?" the clerk asked with a smile, "It's very tasty."
Yu Wenli wasn't interested in these things, but his girlfriend liked them.
"What do you want to eat?" he looked down. "Brother will treat you."
Wen Tingxue's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Although she wasn't short on money, the feeling of being treated was wonderful, especially by her boyfriend.
"Mm," the young man nodded with a smile. "Order whatever you like."
"Then I won't be polite," the young girl extended her fair fingers and pointed randomly. "This, this, this, and this."
The clerk filled a large cup.
Yu Wenli couldn't help but ask, "Can you finish all of that?"
The young girl replied casually, "You're here too."
After saying that, she remembered his fastidiousness and was about to change her words when she heard him say, "Yes, that's true too."
Wen Tingxue: "?"
Was he giving her face?
Without thinking too much, she picked out a few more items, and they sat down by the window.
Just then, the milk tea shop owner sent a friend request. Wen Tingxue chatted with him while eating a kelp knot.
The person who was completely ignored felt displeased. "Who is this?"
His tone carrying a slight hint of jealousy, Wen Tingxue immediately flashed a sweet smile and introduced, "The milk tea shop owner, Ding Xi."
Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow, appearing to wait for more.
After the young girl briefly explained, she held up her phone and said to him, "Did you know? He's only in his twenties, so young. No wonder he's bullied by his peers."
"His resume is quite impressive," Yu Wenli commented after a brief scan.
"Right? It's a shame they're closing. I really think their milk tea is delicious," Wen Tingxue sighed. "I hope I can help him."
Yu Wenli savored the coffee from today. It wasn't exceptional, but for the price, it was quite thoughtful.
"How about this, you give him my father's contact information. He's been in business for years, and besides connections, he should also be able to offer some experience."
Businesses may differ, but they are generally similar. In the end, it all comes down to fundamental principles.
As they say, the older the ginger, the spicier it is.
The young girl's eyes lit up. "Then I'll give him my dad's too, to help out a bit more."
She spoke indistinctly, her mouth full of a squid ball, but it was very cute.
Yu Wenli stared at her lips, glistening with soup, and asked slowly, "Then, when will my girlfriend recommend her boyfriend?"
"Uh..." Wen Tingxue paused.
How did the topic get here?
"Hmm?" He raised his voice slightly, giving her no room to escape.
The young girl said meekly, "Didn't we say we'd wait until the New Year?"
She didn't dare to look up at him, and naturally, she didn't see the amusement in his eyes. "Alright, we'll wait until the New Year. If my girlfriend breaks her promise..."
He leaned in, his warm breath completely engulfing her ear. "I'll kiss you until your legs go weak."
Wen Tingxue: "..."
Isn't that what happens every day?
The thought had barely formed when she heard him slowly add, "Every day."
Ten minutes later, the rain began to subside. Yu Wenli tidied up the trash on the table.
While drying his hands, he noticed her eating speed had significantly slowed, mechanical, as if she were swallowing medicine.
"Good girl, if you're full, stop eating. Don't make yourself sick," he stroked her head.
The young girl leaned her head back to look at him, still with food in her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out as she spoke, like a hamster.
"But I don't want to waste food."
Why did she order so much!
No matter how delicious something is, if you eat until you're stuffed, it's no longer delicious.
Wuwuwu.
Eating was so difficult!
She would never order this much again.
Yu Wenli was amused by her sulky and regretful expression. He reached out and poked her cheek. "Give me what you can't finish. I'll clean up after you."
"?" The young girl's eyes widened. "Aren't you a germaphobe? I'll just slowly finish it myself."
Saying that, she was about to pop the remaining half of the meatball into her mouth.
Yu Wenli held her small hand and changed its direction. The meatball went into his own mouth.
"You—" Wen Tingxue stared at him in astonishment.
Yu Wenli slowly swallowed the meatball and said with a lingering gaze, "We've already kissed. What germaphobia do I have for you? Silly girl."
Wen Tingxue blinked. It did seem to be the case.
"It's all yours." She thrust the Oden into his hands, as if discarding a ticking time bomb.
Afraid she would feel uncomfortable from overeating, Yu Wenli asked, "Do you want me to buy you some digestive aids?"
"Not necessary. I just need to rest for a bit."
"Alright." Yu Wenli sat down beside her again, quietly eating the Oden she hadn't finished.
Wen Tingxue cupped her face and looked out at the streetlights. She suddenly remembered that they had also taken shelter from the rain in a convenience store about a year ago.
At that time, she had thought Jiangcheng was truly wonderful.
In reality, it wasn't Jiangcheng that was wonderful, but he was. Being with him made everywhere worth cherishing.
So, where you are doesn't matter; who is by your side does.
-
Time quickly advanced to November. The weather had completely turned cold, and the studio door was tightly shut.
In the not-too-large space, Fu Yushen's gentle and deep voice was as captivating as if it were spoken beside her ear.
"To draw the human body structure beautifully, we need to capture the sternal notch, the clavicular fossa, and the navel..."
"What are you doing?" Lu Youran couldn't help but nudge Wen Tingxue with her shoulder.
Wen Tingxue, holding her paintbrush and propping her chin, replied listlessly, "I'm preparing a speech."
"Hmm?" Lu Youran was bewildered. "Is there a speech coming up recently?"
"No," Wen Tingxue paused for a moment and then truthfully said, "I want to add Professor Fu on WeChat, but I don't know how to ask."
Although Fu Yushen seemed approachable, he always exuded an undeniable aura of power.
It made one hesitant to approach him casually.
"Add Professor Fu?" Lu Youran's expression was subtle. "I think you should give up on that."
"Hmm? Why? Is it hard to add him?" Wen Tingxue immediately became anxious.
Lu Youran shook her head. "It's not a question of difficulty; it's a question of impossibility.
"With Professor Fu's looks and talent, how many people are clamoring to add him? But as far as I know, no one has succeeded. Plus, he's a visiting professor, not a permanent staff member. He might leave tomorrow."
"..." Wen Tingxue sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "Then what should I do? I still want to ask him questions."
Lu Youran said, "Since the result is the same, you might as well try."
After all, it was unlikely to succeed.
Wen Tingxue stared at the sketch in front of her, not responding.
Even after class, she was still contemplating.
"Go on, quickly," Lu Youran urged her impatiently. "Once everyone has asked their questions, the professor will leave!"
"..."
Wen Tingxue looked at Fu Yushen, surrounded by male and female students.
A moment later, she gritted her teeth and approached him with her drawing.
"This transition isn't very natural. The structure here could be clearer, like this..."
Fu Yushen held his brush and was meticulously making corrections.
The incandescent light fell on his face, making it exceptionally gentle.
Wen Tingxue was mesmerized. It wasn't until he called her name that she snapped back to attention. "Professor."
"Yes, is there something you need?" he asked with a smile in his eyes.
Wen Tingxue's mind was filled with all the ways she could ask for his WeChat. Her heart involuntarily began to race.
Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Fu Yushen asked Napa to step aside.
In the less crowded hallway, he didn't even keep Napa by his side.
"Go ahead."
Fu Yushen looked up at her, his eyes like glass filled with tenderness.
Wen Tingxue's nervousness lessened, but her voice was still a little strained. "I... is it... convenient... for me to add your WeChat?"
All the prepared speeches were useless. In the end, she simply gave up and asked directly.
Fu Yushen chuckled. "That's it? I thought it was something important, you were so nervous."
"Ah..." The young girl awkwardly rubbed her nose. "So, will you add me?"
When she asked, she hadn't expected to succeed.
Just like Youran said, since the outcome was the same, she might as well try. She hadn't truly held out any hope.
So, when he nodded in agreement, Wen Tingxue was stunned for a long moment.
"...Really, really?"
Fu Yushen's smile deepened as he curved his lips. "Otherwise?"
He took out his phone and opened WeChat's scan function. "I'll add you."
Wen Tingxue quickly handed over her QR code. The moment they were connected, she was still a little dazed.
"Good heavens, didn't you say you don't add strangers?" the young girl asked curiously.
Fu Yushen lowered his gaze. "I don't like adding strangers, but you're different."
Wen Tingxue: "?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.