“I’ve never really thought about going abroad previously. I want to be an artist. I want to participate in competitions so more people can see my works. So I’ll do what it takes…”

Xu Youyou dreamed about being a great artist like Van Gogh or Monet. However, she did not know if that was possible. Nonetheless, she did not give up. She did not set any limits for herself and continued walking toward her dream step by step.

Mo Shenbai’s thick eyelashes fluttered as he lowered his gaze silently.

“Do you think I won’t be able to achieve my dreams?” Xu Youyou asked when she recalled Mo Zhiyun’s words. She could not help but wonder if Mo Shenbai was silent because he did not want to hurt her with the truth.

Mo Shenbai looked up at her with a burning gaze and said confidently, “No. On the contrary, I believe you’ll definitely become a great artist.”

Xu Youyou could not help but ask, “Why? Didn’t you tell Zhiyun there’s a difference between dreams and wishful thinking?”

“Did you meet Zhiyun?” Mo Shenbai was not surprised. They were both studying at Mo University. It was only a matter of time before they met.

Xu Youyou nodded.

Mo Shenbai reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as he said, “There’s no why. I just believe in you.”

Xu Youyou felt the reply was quite perfunctory, but she did not mind. Instead, she asked, “You said that the members of the Mo family aren’t welcomed at Moon Pavilion? Does that include Zhiyun?”

Based on Mo Zhiyun’s expression and attitude, it was clear she wanted to come over but restrained herself.

Mo Shenbai did not answer the question. Instead, he asked, “Do you like Zhiyun a lot?”

“I think she’s very cute and honest. Like Lanlan, she’s very easygoing,” Xu Youyou replied. She had only met Mo Zhiyun three times, but they were like old friends.

Mo Shenbai was silent for a moment. Then, he said gently, “Since you like her, she can visit in the future.”

“Really?” Xu Youyou was stunned.

Mo Shenbai nodded.

“Mo Shenbai, you’re the best! Mwah!” Xu Youyou was so happy that she jumped and kissed his cheek excitedly.

Mo Shenbai was slightly stunned.

When Xu Youyou returned to her senses, she quickly turned around, intending to run away.

Mo Shenbai reached out and grabbed her wrist. He hugged her and turned her around before he leaned her against the tree trunk. He lowered his head and kissed her soft lips after that.

Xu Youyou’s legs were wrapped around his waist so she completely depended on him to support her. His kiss was overbearing and unrestrained, leaving her with no room to escape.

It was exciting, intense, and very romantic.

The spring breeze blew against her. The faint fragrance of flowers seemed to linger in the air.

In the end, the dazed Xu Youyou was carried back into the house by Mo Shenbai.

…

The bathroom was hazy from the steam, and the mirror was blurry. However, Xu Youyou could still see her red face clearly.

She bit her bottom lip before she quickly washed her face. All kinds of feelings still surge in her heart. She did not know if he was because he was too good a kisser or if she just had no immunity against him.

‘Please don’t let me have any spring dreams tonight!’

Xu Youyou tossed and turned for a long time before she finally fell asleep. She did not have a spring dream, but she had another dream.

…

The Golden Brush Competition was held on a Saturday.

Xu Youyou arrived at the venue in the exhibition center early in the morning.

In order to ensure fairness, the organizers naturally provided all the art supplies. Before entering the venue, the contestants also had to put their electronics away.

Before keeping her phone in a locker, Xu Youyou received a message from Mo Shenbai.

Mo Shenbai: Good luck. Remember to show your skills during the competition.

Initially, Mo Shenbai planned to accompany her, but he had an important meeting to attend.

Xu Youyou smiled as she read her message and quickly replied to him. Why did he sound so formal when cheering for his girlfriend? She could not help but feel amused

Youyou: I got it, Chairman Mo.

Mo Shenbai: After the competition, I’ll bring you to Sky Garden for dinner.

Youyou: Thank you, boyfriend! (cat acting cute.JPG)

Youyou: I’m switching my phone off now. See you after the competition.

After sending the reply, she waited for a minute before she finally switched her phone off and kept it in the locker.

…

The competition officially started at 10 in the morning.

The contestants were allowed to choose from two themes which were ‘Four Seasons’ and ‘Hometown’.

Xu Youyou chose the theme ‘Hometown’. She sat in front of the easel and did not think for long before she began to paint.

Bai Qingyu, who was invited as an invigilator for the competition, walked around the venue. Her expression changed slightly when she saw Xu Youyou, who was sitting in the center of the hall.

‘Why is she here?’

Xu Youyou did not tie her hair today. Her black hair cascaded down her back and shoulders like a waterfall, contrasting her pale face. Her bright and clear eyes were focused on her painting so she naturally did not notice Bai Qingyu.

Bai Qingyu did not have time to ask around when she saw a figure standing at the window. Joy surged in her heart and revealed itself on her face immediately. She hurried over with light steps and called out, “A Yin, you….”

Bai Qingyu’s voice suddenly came to an abrupt halt when she followed the direction of Lin Yin’s gaze and saw that he was looking at Xu Youyou. The smile on her face froze instantly.

Lin Yin finally turned to look at Bai Qingyu and asked, “Qingyu? Why are you here?”

Bai Qingyu’s fingernails dug into the flesh of her palms as she maintained a dignified smile on her face. She said, “I was an art student. Did you forget?”

Lin Yin did not say anything.

Bai Qingyu continued to say, “I was invited to be an invigilator for the Golden Brush Competition. Later, I’ll also be scoring the contestants’ paintings.”

Lin Yin nodded. “You’ve always been outstanding.”

It was a very typical and perfunctory reply.

Bai Qingyu moved to stand next to Lin Yin. Her eyes darkened when she looked at the center of the hall. However, her voice was soft as she said, “I heard your company is one of the sponsors for the competition? Did you come today because of that?”

Lin Yin nodded without looking at Bai Qingyu. His eyes were still fixed on Xu Youyou.

Bai Qingyun looked at Lin Yin silently. She felt as though her heart had been pierced by a sword, causing it to bleed heavily.

…

The competition lasted for five hours. That was how long Xu Youyou sat in front of her canvas. She was so focused that she failed to realize that she was the only one left in the hall. One of the invigilators had to remind her.

After submitting her work, Xu Youyou turned around and saw Bai Qingyu standing at the door. Her expression was calm as she walked past Bai Qingyu and exited the hall. It was as though she had just seen a stranger.

“Youyou,” Lin Yin, who was standing in the corridor, called out.

Xu Youyou, who assumed Lin Yin was here to look for Bai Qingyu, only nodded slightly in response before she walked past him.

Lin Yin’s expression froze immediately. He turned to look at Xu Youyou’s back, intending to call out to her again.

However, at this moment, Bai Qingyu walked out of the hall and called out, “A Yin…”

Lin Yin turned to look at Bai Qingyu and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Bai Qingyu waited for the people to leave the hall before she said slowly, “Actually, I agreed to return to the country to be an invigilator for the competition because I knew your company is one of the sponsors. Apart from that, I want to tell you that I don’t plan to leave the country again.”

Lin Yin was stunned. He looked at Bai Qingyu quietly.

Bai Qingyu moved to stand in front of him and looked at him tenderly before she continued to say, “I heard about you and her from Zhihuan. A Yin, to be honest, all these years, I’ve been…”

Before Bai Qingyu could finish speaking, Lin Yin interrupted her and said, “Qingyu, I think you’ve misunderstood something.”