Yingqu Liuzi was pampered by her wealthy daddy.

Four days after the graduation exhibition ended, Shen Yu'an found an unfamiliar email in her inbox.

The sender was Ms. Harper, the head of the Royal Academy of Arts Gallery. The wording was very formal, saying that she appreciated his work in the graduation exhibition and invited him to the gallery to discuss signing a cooperation agreement.

Shen Yu'an read the email in the studio, then read it again, before taking her phone downstairs to find Xize.

Xize was on the phone in his study. Shen Yu'an stood at the door without going in, waiting for him to hang up before opening the door.

"Daddy, look at this."

He handed the phone over. Xize took it, scanned the email, and then returned the phone to him.

"The Royal Academy of Arts' galleries?"

"Um."

"They contacted you on their own initiative?"

That's what it said in the email.

Xize leaned back in his chair and looked at Shen Yu'an: "This is good news. That gallery doesn't just sign anyone; go and hear what terms they offer."

Shen Yu'an nodded and said they arranged to meet the day after tomorrow morning.

On the day they met, Shen Yu'an changed into a collared shirt and wore a dark coat over it.

Xize stood at the door to see him off, and helped him straighten his collar, saying that the collar wasn't properly adjusted.

Shen Yu'an asked, "Now?" Xize replied, "Okay." Shen Yu'an said, "Then I'm leaving." Xize said, "Go ahead."

Ms. Harper from the gallery received him. She spoke slowly and professionally, showing Shen Yu'an the draft contract page by page.

The residency period is three years, during which at least eight works must be completed each year for gallery exhibition and promotion, with the revenue split 50/50.

Each point is written very clearly.

Shen Yu'an read through all the terms, closed the contract, and placed it on the table. He didn't sign it on the spot, saying he needed to go back and think about it.

Ms. Harper nodded and said yes, just reply by next Monday.

Shen Yu'an took the contract home.

That evening, he and Xize sat in the living room. Shen Yu'an spread the contract out on the coffee table, and Xize read it through from beginning to end.

His gaze paused for a moment when he saw the option for a three-year stay, then he continued reading.

"Three years." Xize put down the contract. "You think that's too long?"

"Long." Shen Yu'an leaned back on the sofa, his fingers twirling the edge of the contract. "I can't go back to China casually for three years; I can't explain it to my parents."

"Anything else?"

Shen Yu'an remained silent for a while. He turned to the page with the profit sharing clause in the contract and tapped the paper lightly with his knuckles.

"There's also the matter of money."

Xize looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"It's a 50/50 split. I paint eight paintings a year, and after taxes and the gallery's cut, I don't get much. I spend more than I earn." Shen Yu'an closed the contract and put it back on the coffee table. "I can't live here comfortably, eating your food and using your services, and then claim I earn money by painting."

After listening, Xize didn't speak immediately. He leaned back on the sofa, looked at Shen Yu'an, and only spoke after a few seconds.

"How do you want to resolve this?"

"I'll first talk to them about changing the residency period to a one-year contract. I'll sign a one-year contract and see how it goes each year; if I don't want to renew, I'll leave."

"Where's the money?"

"I'll figure out the money myself. The gallery contract guarantees a minimum income, and if that's not enough, I can take on illustration jobs or contribute to magazines. I'll spend my own money as I please, and I'll pay you rent monthly if you live here."

After Xize finished speaking, he remained silent for a moment. Then he leaned forward and reached out to take Shen Yu'an's hand, which was resting on his knee.

His palms were warm, enveloping Shen Yu'an's fingers.

"Baby, listen to me." His voice wasn't loud, but every word was spoken firmly. "If you want to support yourself with your paintings, I won't stop you. Go ahead and negotiate, fight for what you want to fight for, don't be afraid."

Shen Yu'an looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"It would be best if we reached an agreement. But don't worry if we don't." Xize tightened his grip on his hand slightly. "I'm here. I'll back you up no matter what you do. Just keep pushing forward; nothing will happen."

Shen Yu'an's fingers curled slightly in his palm.

"You're not my possession. You're mine," Caesar said. "I'll support you no matter what you do. You paint your paintings, you forge your own path, I'll be there to back you up."

"My love, you are meant to shine in your own field. You paint yours, and I'll take care of the rest."

Shen Yu'an's throat tightened. He wanted to say something, but no sound came out when he opened his mouth.

He looked down at their clasped hands, and after several seconds he spoke, his voice a little softer than before.

"Then you can collect the rent once the money for my gallery arrives."

"Rent isn't urgent."

"It needs to be collected."

"Sign the contract first, then we'll talk."

Shen Yu'an nodded.

He lowered his head and remained quiet for a while, feeling Caesar's thumb slowly rubbing against the back of his hand. After a long while, he called out, "Daddy."

"Um."

"I've remembered what you just said."

Xize didn't reply, but just tightened his grip on his hand.

A few seconds later, he let go of Shen Yu'an's hand, stood up, and went to the kitchen to pour water. As he passed Shen Yu'an, he bent down, touched the top of Shen Yu'an's head with his lips, and then left.

Shen Yu'an sat on the sofa and touched the top of his head where he had been touched. He sat up straight, picked up his phone, and sent an email to the gallery, clearly stating his thoughts.

After typing, he read it again and clicked send.

The gallery replied the next day that the team needed to discuss it. Shen Yu'an waited for two days, and on the third day, Ms. Harper called in person.

She said she agreed to a one-year contract, with renewal if she passed the year-end assessment.

Shen Yu'an was standing in his studio answering the phone call, still holding a paintbrush in his hand.

When he heard the other person agree, he put down his paintbrush, the pen tip hitting the edge of the palette with a soft sound.

"Okay, thank you."

"Then let's come next Monday to sign the new contract."

"good."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Yu'an stood there and looked out the window for a while.

Footsteps came from downstairs; Xize had come up. He walked to the studio door but didn't come in; he leaned against the doorframe and looked at Shen Yu'an.

"Signed?"

"The official signing will take place next Monday."

Xize nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. Shen Yu'an saw him standing there, his suit jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and a glass of water in his hand.

"Daddy."

"Um?"

Shen Yu'an walked over, stopped in front of him, and reached out to hug his waist.

My face was pressed against his chest, and I could hear his heartbeat, steady and steady.

Xize placed his hand on the back of his head and gently rubbed it.

"Why are you crying?"

"I didn't cry." Shen Yu'an's voice was muffled inside his clothes. "It's just that I feel like I'll keep what you said in mind no matter what I do in the future."

"Then think about it."

Shen Yu'an stayed in his arms for a while, then let go and took a step back. He lowered his head and rubbed the corners of his eyes. When he looked up, his eyes were a little red, but the corners of his mouth were upturned.

"I'll start taking on jobs next Monday after I sign the contract."

"Okay. Answer it."

Shen Yu'an turned around and walked back to the easel, picked up a paintbrush, dipped it in the palette, and then made a stroke on the canvas.

When he was drawing, he felt that Xize hadn't left yet and was still standing at the door.

He didn't turn around, but said, "Tomato noodles for dinner."

Xize's voice came from the doorway: "Add an egg."

"Fried."

"Know."

The footsteps went towards the stairs, and the sounds of people going downstairs gradually faded away.

Shen Yu'an lowered his head and continued painting, his hand steady.

He will always remember what Xize just said—"Go forward, I'll support you from behind."

Keeping these words in mind gives me more peace of mind than ever before.