Chapter 41
The time to return home with Du Chi was set for this Saturday. It was said that only on that day his father would have time.
Xiang Mo didn’t necessarily want to hold the art exhibition at Fang He Art Gallery. Back then, he used to be proud and believed that if he were to hold an exhibition, it should either be at a top-notch place or not at all. However, now he didn’t care much about these accolades; he would hold the exhibition wherever he pleased.
However, while counting the artworks, there was something that troubled Xiang Mo.
“Which one do you think is better?” He held up two similar nude sketches and asked Du Chi, who was leaning against the desk.
Du Chi looked at the left one and then the right one, touching his chin. “Truthfully?”
Xiang Mo nodded. “Of course.”
Du Chi placed his hands at his sides. “They’re both quite ordinary.”
Indeed, Xiang Mo thought the same.
All of his prized artworks had been bought, and while it wasn’t impossible to borrow them back for the exhibition, it was quite troublesome. Xiang Mo intended to invite friends and colleagues from the industry and students, hosting a small-scale exhibition without making it too grand or known to his buyers.
Although Du Chi insisted on holding the exhibition at Fang He Art Gallery, for Xiang Mo, even hosting it in their old Western-style house would be just fine.
“Aren’t you considering exhibiting that one?” Du Chi raised his chin, pointing at the freshly finished artwork on the easel.
The man on the paper had a robust physique and a handsome face akin to Zeus. Delicate strokes outlined casually yet rhythmically structured muscle lines, showcasing the inherent beauty of the human body to the extreme.
So far, this was Xiang Mo’s most accomplished piece, without a doubt.
If he were to exhibit this piece, it would undoubtedly be the highlight of the exhibition.
But Xiang Mo averted his gaze and stared at Du Chi, who was utterly clueless. “Why don’t you streak?”
Du Chi burst into laughter. “You’re being vulgar, artist.”
He came behind Xiang Mo and embraced him, admiring the artwork together. “Figure drawing is an elegant interest. How can you view it with such a lewd perspective?”
How could he accuse him like that?
Xiang Mo almost wanted to knock on Du Chi’s head to see what was inside. “Who was it that treated my exhibition like pornographic material?”
“Oh, I was just kidding.” The certain large-sized dog shamelessly defended himself.
“Well, it’s not going to happen anyway.” Xiang Mo didn’t want anyone to see Du Chi naked, so this matter was non-negotiable.
He glanced at the paw resting on his waist; the watch’s hands were approaching nine.
“It’s almost time,” he said. “We should go to the hospital.”
Aunt Zhou’s injury wasn’t severe, but her children had brought a medical team to take her overseas for treatment.
In truth, the recovery was an excuse. Everyone knew that the real purpose of her children was to have her live with them.
Given Aunt Zhou’s current physical condition, she couldn’t take care of herself, so naturally, she couldn’t refuse her children’s goodwill.
However, once she left, she would likely never come back.
The hospital room was filled with neighbors, mostly loyal customers of the flower shop. People didn’t want Aunt Zhou to leave because they had grown accustomed to the rose-covered walls, which adorned this street with only sycamore trees.
The old Western-style house had this wonderful aspect.
In tall buildings, there was cold indifference, and neighbors barely knew each other. They might exchange greetings reluctantly when they met, but if they could avoid it, they would.
But the old Western-style house was different; it was like a harmonious large community where people cared for and were concerned about each other.
“Xiao Xiang,” while Du Chi was chatting with other neighbors, Aunt Zhou quietly asked Xiang Mo, who was sitting by her bedside, “Have you two reconciled?”
“Yes,” Xiang Mo glanced at Du Chi, who had perfectly integrated into the group of older ladies, and nodded gently. “Thank you, Aunt Zhou.”
“That’s good,” Aunt Zhou patted Xiang Mo’s hand comfortingly, as if she had put down all her concerns and could finally leave in peace.
Perhaps Lao Zhang and Lao Li’s relationship was also mediated by her. Not for any other reason, just to do something meaningful before leaving.
After bidding farewell in the hospital, Aunt Zhou and her family went to the airport. The neighbors of the old Western-style house began to disperse in small groups.
Luo Yang had been busy with the renovation of his new store lately, so he rarely showed up. But to bid farewell to Aunt Zhou, he had specially come back.
“Du Ge,” he walked over to Du Chi and Xiang Mo, “I heard that you guys…?”
“Yes,” Du Chi openly held onto Xiang Mo’s hand.
“Hey, I didn’t notice. Really didn’t notice,” Luo Yang admitted, patting the back of his head as if self-reflecting. “Last time, after my breakup, I was sitting between you two. I truly lack insight.”
Xiang Mo couldn’t help but laugh. “We weren’t together back then.”
Du Chi continued, “But now you can call him sister-in-law.”
Before Luo Yang could say anything, Xiang Mo nudged Du Chi with his elbow and gave him a meaningful look: “Do you still want to get intimate tonight?”
Du Chi chuckled softly, then turned to Luo Yang. “You don’t have to call him that.”
Luo Yang’s attitude towards them was similar to the other neighbors; seeing two grown men in love didn’t strike him as odd.
As the matchmaker aunties at the matchmaking corner would say, “Aunties these days are quite modern. What’s there that’s unacceptable?”
Being modern was the aspiration of most old Western-style house residents. In such an atmosphere, even if some found it abnormal, they would try their best to accept it.
After returning to their courtyard, Xiang Mo picked up the watering can from a corner and decided to water the roses next door.
The flower shop had closed for good, its contents emptied. Only the roses at the courtyard entrance remained.
Aunt Zhou had entrusted the key to Xiang Mo, asking him to take care of them. But even without Aunt Zhou’s request, Xiang Mo would have taken the initiative to do so.
Since Du Chi didn’t have work to occupy him, he grabbed a spare watering can and followed Xiang Mo out of the courtyard.
Just at that moment, there was a sudden burst of enthusiastic cheers from the knife-cut noodle shop. Xiang Mo and the other puzzled neighbors went over to see what was happening. It turned out that the college entrance exam scores had been released, and Zhao Xiaoqiao’s results were more than satisfactory. She had secured a spot at her dream school.
The couple who often quarreled were now hugging and crying as if to say that all these years of hard work hadn’t been in vain.
Not long ago, Zhao Xiaoqiao had felt that her parents’ relationship was tense, and divorce was likely. But now, from Xiang Mo’s perspective, these two exhausted middle-aged individuals seemed to have taken off a heavy burden. The trivial matters of life that had bothered them before had become inconsequential.
“Xiang Ge, Du Ge,” when Zhao Xiaoqiao saw the two, she came over to greet them.
Compared to her parents’ excitement, she appeared much more composed, as if she had expected these results.
Xiang Mo offered his congratulations and asked, “Have you decided on a university?”
“Yes,” Zhao Xiaoqiao mentioned a school in Beijing that she had set her heart on. The school was known for its famous “Yi Ta Lake Pavilion.”
“Impressive,” Du Chi playfully gave Zhao Xiaoqiao a thumbs-up. “You’re the hope of our entire village.”
Zhao Xiaoqiao smiled and said, “My boyfriend did well too. He’s decided to enroll in the school right across from mine.”
A talented girl and a talented boy, the futures of these two young individuals were full of endless possibilities.
“When will you be going to Beijing then?” Xiang Mo asked.
“It depends on my parents,” Zhao Xiaoqiao turned her head to look at her parents, who were receiving congratulations from their neighbors. “They want to accompany me to Beijing.”
Xiang Mo was slightly taken aback. “Is the shop closing down?”
“Yes, we’ll reopen it in Beijing.” Zhao Xiaoqiao redirected her gaze and lightened her tone. “I need to take back what I said about them being foolish. They sacrificed themselves, dedicating their time to me. Although I don’t agree with this approach, I’m still grateful to them.”
“Yes,” Xiang Mo let out a sigh of relief, feeling unexpectedly comforted for Mr. and Mrs. Zhao.
In the end, whether being single or forming a family, both were choices, and not necessarily one being better than the other. The couple who seemed to have an unsatisfying life also had their own moments of brilliance.
As Xiang Mo continued watering the plants, he couldn’t help but get lost in thought.
Aunt Zhou had left, the Zhao family was moving away, Luo Yang’s focus was on his new store, and he hardly came around here anymore.
This sudden departure seemed to confirm Xiang Mo’s view on relationships – nothing was eternal, so relationships would eventually come to an end.
“Wife,” Du Chi’s voice interrupted Xiang Mo’s thoughts. “Are you trying to drown them?”
Realizing that he had overwatered the plants, Xiang Mo quickly lifted the watering can.
“What are you thinking about?” Du Chi asked. “Are you sad to see Zhao Xiaoqiao and them leave?”
“No,” Xiang Mo shook his head, adjusting the pot of roses to get more sunlight. “I was just thinking that people always seem to part ways.”
“Are you thinking about when we’ll break up again?” Du Chi raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of displeasure. “Can’t you have a little more faith in me?”
“I do have faith.” Xiang Mo reassured the disgruntled “dog,” but in reality, he himself wasn’t entirely certain.
“Don’t think I can’t tell when you’re just placating me.” Du Chi’s displeasure was brief; he seemed to have grown accustomed to Xiang Mo’s personality. “Come home with me this weekend, I have something to show you.”
“What is it?” Xiang Mo asked.
“You’ll find out when you’re there.”
