Feng Feng stared at an oil painting of a sunrise over the sea for a long time. The painting was positioned at the entrance of the gallery, and her gaze was drawn to it as soon as she entered. It was an impressionistic piece, with colors that were very pleasing to the eye.
Noticing Feng Feng’s prolonged attention to the painting, Shen Su found a staff member while she was browsing. The staff member informed him that the painting was for sale. Shen Su then learned that the gallery was established by the artist’s family and a charity organization, with all proceeds from the sales going towards charitable causes, making it a very meaningful initiative.
After inquiring about the price of the painting, Shen Su signed the purchase contract. Feng Feng, still engrossed in the exhibition, was unaware of Shen Su’s actions. It wasn’t until she reached the second floor that she realized Shen Su hadn't followed her. However, she didn't go down to look for him, continuing to admire the artworks on the walls. A few minutes later, Shen Su reappeared by her side.
Feng Feng glanced at him but didn't ask what he had been doing. The two of them, in unspoken understanding, remained silent. After viewing the art on the upper floor for over ten minutes, they descended. As they were preparing to leave, they overheard a staff member say, "Sir, I've contacted Shansong. The package has been sent to the address you provided. Please remember to contact us by phone if there are any issues after you sign for it."
Shen Su nodded, "Alright, thank you for your trouble."
The staff member replied, "Thank you, sir and madam, for supporting the Free Lunch program. We will also be sending certificates to the address you provided."
Feng Feng didn't quite understand the conversation. After leaving the gallery, she asked Shen Su, "Did you buy a painting?"
Shen Su said, "I bought it for you."
Feng Feng: "For me?"
Shen Su explained, "Didn't you really like that sunrise seascape? So I bought it. It will look good hanging in your living room."
Hearing this, Feng Feng understood his underlying motive. The wall in her living room already had an oil painting bought by Li Yue. Shen Su had likely found those two paintings displeasing for some time, which explained his sudden interest in the gallery.
Feng Feng asked, "How much was it? I'll transfer the money to you."
Shen Su chuckled at Feng Feng's remark, "Ms. Feng’s knack for accounting only seems to grow."
Feng Feng didn't respond. For an ordinary gift, she wouldn't be so meticulous about the cost. However, that painting was likely not cheap. Given their current non-existent relationship, she subconsciously didn't want to owe him anything.
Seeing Feng Feng’s silence, Shen Su continued, "You don't need to give me the money. They sell their art non-commercially, and all the income goes to charity. Compared to my annual donations, it's nothing."
As an entrepreneur, Shen Su indeed had significant annual charitable expenditures. Feng Feng casually inquired, "What charitable projects does Jinhe undertake each year?"
Shen Su replied, "It varies. Last year, it was a nutritional supplement program for left-behind children and the popularization of sex education. This year, we built a special education school, which just opened not long ago."
Feng Feng noticed that Shen Su seemed quite invested in these charitable projects, knowing them like the back of his hand and being aware of the details. Logically, with his demanding work schedule, such matters would be handled by dedicated staff, and he would merely lend his name.
Shen Su, as if sensing Feng Feng's thoughts, smiled and asked, "Are you surprised that I know so much detail?"
Feng Feng honestly replied, "A little. Are you in charge of your company's charitable projects?"
Shen Su responded, "I wouldn't say I'm in charge, but I personally select the types of donations each year. Since we're doing it, we should do something meaningful. Perfunctory gestures are unacceptable."
Feng Feng looked at Shen Su for a moment. His words were true; men are indeed charming when they are serious. When discussing this matter, Shen Su shed his usual casual demeanor, his eyes conveying sincerity and conviction, indicating his deep commitment to the cause.
Because of the express delivery, Feng Feng and Shen Su didn't linger nearby. After returning to their parking spot, they headed back to the apartment together.
Upon reaching the apartment entrance, they coincidentally met the express delivery person. Shen Su inspected the painting frame, confirmed it was undamaged, and signed for it. He then leaned the frame against the shoe cabinet on the floor.
Looking at the painting, Feng Feng felt a mix of emotions. She hadn't explicitly told Shen Su that she liked this particular painting; she had merely spent more time looking at it, and Shen Su had noticed. He was indeed experienced in dealing with women, which explained why his previous girlfriends had been so devoted to him.
Such small gestures were the most effective in touching people's hearts.
As Feng Feng was lost in thought, she heard Shen Su ask her, "Do you have an axe and a screwdriver?"
Feng Feng snapped back to attention and pointed towards the balcony, "They're in the toolbox over there."
Shen Su walked over, took out the toolbox, and then looked back at the two paintings on the wall, asking Feng Feng in a perfunctory manner, "Ms. Feng, should these two paintings be taken down?"
Feng Feng countered, "What do you think?"
Shen Su offered an objective assessment, "It feels a bit too cluttered. Let's take them down. The painting I bought is quite large and will fit perfectly in the center."
Feng Feng replied with an "Oh," and added, "Whatever you think is best."
She could tell that Shen Su was deliberately saying this. Even if she disagreed, he would find other ways to remove those two paintings bought by Li Yue. He was being exceedingly petty.
Feng Feng kept those two paintings not for any particular reason, but simply because she found them aesthetically pleasing. She wasn't the type of person to dwell on them and reminisce about the past.
Feng Feng went to the dining room to get ice and water. She sat at the bar, sipping her water and watching Shen Su dismantle and then hang the painting. He wore a shirt and dress pants, standing on the sofa, holding a screwdriver, and occasionally she caught a glimpse of his serious profile.
His demeanor in this moment was different from his seriousness at work.
Feng Feng was surprised to find Shen Su quite adept at such tasks. In less than twenty minutes, he had hung the newly purchased painting on the wall. Feng Feng looked at it, and had to admit that the color palette of the painting complemented her home's style quite well.
Shen Su went to the balcony to put away the tools. When he returned, Feng Feng saw him wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Would you like some water?" Feng Feng asked, handing him a glass and pouring him some water.
Shen Su sat down and drank half the glass. He then glanced back at the wall opposite him. It looked much better now.
Shen Su asked, "How do you plan to handle the two paintings that were taken down?"
Feng Feng knew he was asking a superfluous question. "They're not worth much. You can deal with them as you see fit."
Shen Su smiled and said, "I thought Ms. Feng might be reluctant, after all, he was your first official boyfriend."
He was starting to speak with a hint of jealousy again. Feng Feng took a sip of ice water and said calmly, "If I were reluctant, I would have flown to New York to find him. I wouldn't be so pathetic as to stare at two paintings and overthink things."
Shen Su chuckled, "If Ms. Feng had had that kind of courage in the past, the man she liked at the time probably wouldn't have gotten married."
Mentioning Wen Zhouyuan, Feng Feng's expression stiffened slightly, and her tone became considerably more serious, "Don't joke about him."