My Aloof Husband Can't Stop His Devoted Affection-Chapter 489 - 001: No longer belongs to her

Chapter 489: 001: No longer belongs to her
Nan Jiayan.
How long has it been since I heard this name? Oh, it seems it has been about seven years!
The rain patters against the floor-to-ceiling window, bringing a slight chill, casting a thin mist over her bright, autumn-like eyes. The cigarette butt between her fingers glows red as she lightly inhales, exhaling gray smoke rings from her crimson lips, adding a hint of haziness to the night.
On the nearby glass round table sits a nearly empty glass of red wine and a document detailing an art exhibition, paused on the last page. Below the gallery director’s signature, the three characters ’Nan Jiayan’ are written, words she can’t ignore.
This is a name she has refused to mention for seven long years, like all the pain buried deep in her heart now resurfacing in full force.
She had exchanged her best years and youth for the heaviest wounds and pain, believing that time was the best healer for all things, capable of mending those once heart-wrenching scars. But now she realizes that even if healed, there will still be scars left behind.
After a long while, a melodious tune suddenly breaks the silence, disturbing her thoughts as the cigarette butt at her fingertips nearly burns out. The ringtone sounds for a second time before she turns to the table, extinguishes the cigarette in the ashtray, and glances at the caller ID on the phone screen. Picking it up, she puts it to her ear and replies, "Speak."
"Sister Shishu, the Xuan Mo Su Hua Art Gallery just called. They’ve confirmed the time. There will be a detailed meeting about the exhibition tomorrow at 10 AM, and the exhibition is scheduled for the 28th of this month. As for the works you requested for the exhibition, they will respect your wishes," her assistant Lin Zhiyuan’s slightly playful voice comes through the line.
Lu Shishu listens clearly but doesn’t speak. After a while, Lin Zhiyuan on the other end thinks she isn’t listening and asks again, "Sister Shishu, are you listening?"
"Understood, we’ll discuss it in detail tomorrow." Lu Shishu softly moves her lips, speaking in a clear and cold voice before hanging up the call.
Throwing the phone back onto the table, Lu Shishu slowly lifts her hand to let down her casually tied-up hair, walking with a light step towards the bathroom.
***
The next day’s sky remains gloomy, with countless strands of rain falling, and the temperature noticeably cooler than the previous day.
Lu Shishu wears a simple beige sleeveless long dress, a misty blue trench coat over it, paired with beige flats, looking neither overly formal nor losing her mature essence. Her exquisite makeup enhances her already beautiful face, further highlighting the innate sensuality she exudes.
A red Porsche exits the apartment parking lot, heading directly to the Xuan Mo Su Hua Art Gallery. On the way, assistant Lin Zhiyuan calls to inquire, but she only replies faintly, "On the way," and then hangs up.
By the time she arrives at the art gallery, it’s already 9:55 AM. Standing anxiously at the exhibition hall’s entrance, Lin Zhiyuan spots her silhouette and excitedly jogs over, "Sister Shishu, you’re finally here, quickly go inside! Director Nan and the others are already waiting for you."
Hearing the words ’Director Nan,’ Lu Shishu slightly halts her step, her expression displeased, but her eyes remain calm as ever, stepping inside.
The entire exhibition center spans three floors, spacious and housing classical works from many famous painters worldwide. The first and second floors are exhibition areas, often hosting exhibitions of painters with a personal style. In the art world, these exhibitions are quite renowned, and most painters take pride in holding individual exhibitions here.
The third floor has a unique design, completely white, offering a visually irregular effect, serving as the working and management area for the gallery’s staff.
Lu Shishu is actually visiting this gallery for the first time. Initially, one of her paintings was auctioned at this gallery for three million, after which the gallery proposed collaborating on her solo exhibition.
In every painter’s heart, the greatest dream is to one day hold a solo exhibition, and Lu Shishu is no exception. She is slightly famous in the art circle, with several paintings auctioning for seven figures. The Xuan Mo Su Hua solo exhibition could greatly benefit her, making it an offer she couldn’t refuse. However, she never expected the gallery’s director would turn out to be someone most familiar to her—a stranger she knew well, Nan Jiayan.
"Ding—"
The elevator doors slowly open from both sides. Lu Shishu lifts her eyes and steps out in her flats, greeted by staff outside who nod slightly and smile, "Lu the Painter, thank you for choosing Xuan Mo Su Hua. It’s a pleasure to meet you, please follow me."
"Thank you." Lu Shishu nods calmly in response, walking with them toward the meeting room.
They arrive at an invisible door blending into the wall. A staff member gently knocks thrice before stepping aside to open the door, nodding towards the silhouette standing by the blinds, "Director, Lu the Painter has arrived."
Lu Shishu walks in, her eyes filled with disdain as she looks ahead, seeing a back she hasn’t seen in seven years. Yet, her heart remains unmoved, as calm as a still pool of water.
Upon hearing this, Nan Jiayan turns, colliding with those autumn-like eyes and that face now devoid of youthful innocence, filled instead with worldly disdain.
The atmosphere in the meeting room becomes tense due to their gaze, and Lin Zhiyuan and other staff exchange glances, sensing the awkwardness and thinking to break the silence.
"Hello, Lu the Painter, I am Ling Wan Yi, the curator responsible for your personal exhibition this time. I hope we can work together quickly and provide you with a satisfactory plan. This is our new director, Nan Jiayan," the short-haired woman at the hexagonal conference table walks over gracefully, extending her hand in introduction, breaking the slightly heavy atmosphere.
Lu Shishu lightly shakes her hand and once again focuses on the man in front of her.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Nan Jiayan strides over to her, the retro chain glasses reflecting her features clearly. His deep eyes carry a trace of a smile as his mouth curves slightly, and his warm, low voice pierces through her eardrum, "Lu the Painter, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you."
Lu Shishu regards him, noticing that in seven years, he hasn’t changed much. The youthful gentleman who had settled in her memory for seven years has returned, still as spirited and dazzling as ever, smiling in a way that makes a girl’s heart flutter, but no longer belonging to her.