Deep Fog Kiss

Jiang Li maintained her smile, glanced at the time, and said, "Uncle, I have to go now, or I'll be late."

She was just about to leave when suddenly someone grabbed her arm.

Her fingertips trembled, and she looked down at the long, clean hand on her arm.

Seeing her somewhat unnatural expression, Gu Zhishen released his grip.

"We're going to the old house for dinner today, you're coming with me," Gu Zhishen said, then added, "That's what Grandma wants."

"I already have plans," Jiang Li said, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, Uncle, I'll talk to Great-Grandma."

After she finished speaking, she smiled, waved to him, and went out the door briskly.

Gu Zhishen looked at his empty palm, his eyes darkening.

......

The lighting in the exhibition hall was deliberately dimmed and soft, as if to protect the ink and oil paint flowing on the rice paper.

As far as the eye can see, there is a Jiangnan dreamscape constructed from black, white, and gray.

Jiang Li stood in the huge exhibition hall, gently inhaling the scent in the air.

As always, it lacks the usual strong turpentine smell, but instead exudes a faint, unique herbal fragrance of aged Xuan paper, mixed with the cool aroma of top-quality perfumes.

It smelled familiar and pleasant, just like the scents she had encountered at previous art exhibitions.

It also has a similar aura to Gu Zhishen.

Master Huang Huaixu's paintings are rare and not often exhibited, but Gu Zhishen always brings her along whenever an exhibition is held.

Some habits, once formed, are difficult to change.

Just like now, even though she's just standing in the exhibition hall, smelling the scents in the air, she can't help but think of the man's handsome and aloof face.

She still remembered that the last time Gu Zhishen took her to an art exhibition was five years ago in winter.

......

Five years ago, in winter.

Outside the exhibition hall, snow was falling heavily, covering everything in a silvery white.

Inside the hall, the heating was on full blast, yet the air was crisp and refreshing.

Jiang Li sat in the exhibition hall lobby, pulling at her woolen hat. Her clear almond eyes sparkled as she watched the passing crowd, finally settling on the exhibition's theme poster.

"The kite, will it not break its string?"

Jiang Li murmured, "If a kite doesn't break its string, it won't fly far."

"What are you muttering about?"

Suddenly, a clear and pleasant voice rang out.

Jiang Li immediately looked up, jumped up from her chair, her eyes sparkling, "Uncle!"

The man had clean, sharp, and deep-set features. He wore a long black trench coat over a matching turtleneck sweater, which made his already pale skin appear even more aloof. His noble and distant demeanor was like the white snow outside the hall, and his 190cm height exuded a powerful sense of awe.

Gu Zhishen reached out and handed her the things he had just bought. On her exquisite, jade-like wrist, the watch reflected an expensive, cold light.

Jiang Li took it, and the aroma of caramel wafted over her, instantly warming her slightly cool hands with its heat.

"They're roasted chestnuts!"

"Warm your hands." Gu Zhishen ruffled the woolen hat on her head, like petting a small animal, and said with a smile, "Let's go inside."

Jiang Li followed behind him with a smile, "Uncle, isn't this art exhibition a rare opportunity? Many of my classmates want to come, but they can't get tickets."

She looked up at the man's smooth profile. "They're so envious of me."

No matter how difficult it is to get tickets, it's not a problem for my uncle.

There is only what he wants to see and what he doesn't want to see; there is no such thing as what he can see and what he cannot see.

Gu Zhishen glanced at her and asked with a smile, "You like it too?"

Jiang Li nodded repeatedly, "I like it!"

She likes everything her uncle takes her to see!

Gu Zhishen raised his hand and patted her head. "You have good taste."

Jiang Li held the hot roasted chestnuts in her hands, her eyes crinkling with a smile, her heart sweeter than the chestnuts in her hands.

The man stopped in front of a painting, his deep, dark eyes fixed on it.

Jiang Li looked over and saw that the painting was called "Snow".

Gu Zhishen stood in front of the painting. His usually aloof and cold eyes softened slightly under the light ink wash of the snow scene in front of the painting.

That was a rare tenderness, brimming with lingering affection.

His slender, pale fingers slowly hovered over the edge of the picture frame, his gaze falling on the seemingly chaotic yet highly ordered ink dots.

"No matter how high a kite flies, the string must still be held in someone's hand." He said softly, his eyes reflecting the light and shadow in the painting, "that's what creates the bond."

Jiang Li followed his gaze and saw that the spring snow in the painting had melted, and a few new green leaves were faintly visible on the branches. Under the tree, with just a few strokes, the figures of a woman and a child were depicted, each holding a kite flying high in the sky.

At that moment, the hustle and bustle of the exhibition hall seemed to fade away, leaving only the black and white poetry of this room, and the gentleness in his eyes and brows.

Jiang Li stared intently at the man's facial features, her heart pounding faster and harder with each beat.

There was a deep-seated emotion in my heart that was about to burst forth.

At that moment, she suddenly understood why the kite never broke its string.

She thought that if she were that kite soaring high, the other end of the string must be firmly held in Gu Zhishen's hand.

That's what makes them a bond.

......

"Do you like this painting?"

A man's clear, soothing voice came from beside her, pulling Jiang Li back to her long-lost thoughts.

She turned around, bought coffee from Jing Cheng, and wore a beige coat that accentuated his tall and slender figure. His smile was as gentle as a spring breeze.

He handed her a cup of hot coffee and looked at Jingcheng at a painting in front of her called "Zhuang". "This is the most iconic composition of Huang Huaixu, which uses dots, lines and planes. To others, it may look like a jumble of colors, but under the spotlight, the dark tiles with their rich colors look just like the layered and closely packed old houses in Jiangnan."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li turned to look at him, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.

I thought Xiang Jingcheng invited her to the art exhibition because she liked Huang Huaixu's paintings.

I never expected him to know so much.

Xiang Jingcheng smiled gently and pointed to a few rhythmic geometric lines on the painting, "The water is flowing blue, the houses are solidified black. The master used seemingly random dots to capture the unique mystery and prosperity of the ancient town in the misty rain."

"You told me that your hometown is in Nancheng." He turned to look into Jiang Li's clear eyes. "Your hometown must be as beautiful as in the paintings."

"If you have the chance in the future, take me to see it."

Jiang Li stared blankly at the man. His words, voice, and even his smile were gentle and refined, captivating yet not glaring.

The coffee in my hand is rich, fragrant, and at the perfect temperature.

He is so considerate even in the smallest details.

She should have been attracted to such an outstanding, gentle, and considerate man, but her chest felt empty.

"Sister Xiaoli!"

Suddenly, a woman's voice entered Jiang Li's ears.

Gentle, yet jarring.

Jiang Li suddenly tightened her grip on the coffee and turned her head away.

Upon seeing who it was, my empty heart felt a pang of pain.

At the entrance of the exhibition hall, a man and a woman walked in side by side.

The man was tall and imposing, dressed in a well-tailored dark gray three-piece suit. His features were sharp and aloof, yet also conveyed a sense of nonchalance.

"Are you here to see the art exhibition too?" Yu Wanqing smiled, her red lips curving upwards. "What a coincidence! Zhi Shen and I are here to see the art exhibition as well."

She turned to look at the man beside her, smiling gently, "Zhi Shen's mother loved this master's paintings."

As she spoke, she looked at Jiang Li and said, "I didn't expect Little Li to like it too."

Jiang Li stopped in her tracks and looked at Yu Wanqing's beaming face.

She then realized that Gu Zhishen liked Huang Huaixu's paintings because of his mother.

He took her to so many art exhibitions, but never mentioned this incident.

And her affection over the years was nothing more than liking him because of his affection.

Jiang Li felt a dull ache in her heart. She gripped her coffee tightly, smiled brightly, and looked at the cold-faced man beside her. "It is quite a coincidence."

Didn't he say he wanted to go back to the old house for dinner?

Why did you bring Yu Wanqing to the art exhibition?

"Jiang Li, who are these two?"

Xiang Jingcheng slowly walked to Jiang Li's side and looked at the man in a suit and leather shoes opposite her.

The man exuded a powerful aura, remaining silent, his icy eyes like blades, carrying a hint of disdain.

Arrogance that looks down on everyone.

He looks familiar; I feel like I've seen him somewhere before.

As he was pondering this, a slender hand suddenly took his arm and snuggled close to him affectionately.

Turning his gaze to Jing Cheng, he saw Jiang Li smilingly taking his arm as she stepped forward to introduce him.

"Jing Cheng, let me introduce you."

"This gentleman," she looked up and met Gu Zhishen's proud eyes, "is my uncle."

"Uncle," she smiled sweetly, her dimples appearing, "this is my boyfriend, Xiang Jingcheng."