booktalesy Chapter 270 The Three-Year Agreement
Chapter 270 The Three-Year Agreement
Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand, politely declining: "That won't do! I understand that artistic creation requires studying the human body."
However, the methods, occasions, and environments are all very important.
Drawing nude models late at night in a hotel room, even for the purest artistic purpose, will cause you unnecessary trouble and harm if it gets out.
Moreover, true artistic expression does not necessarily rely solely on a completely naked body.
A person's expression, temperament, and state in a specific environment are all things that can be studied and portrayed in depth.
Look at those portraits by masters; many of the clothed figures still convey astonishing power and beauty.
Xu Yunxi said from the side, "Banxia, stop fooling around."
"Okay, Zhiyuan, put on your clothes, strike a pose, and we'll draw a few sketches, mainly to practice capturing form and lines. Is that alright?"
Wu Zhiyuan did not refuse; to refuse again would undoubtedly hurt Su Banxia's passionate heart.
He knew that Su Banxia had no wicked intentions and no malicious intent.
Moreover, Xu Yunxi's suggestion was reasonable. It was just about drawing sketches while dressed, practicing capturing shapes and lines, which took into account the girls' learning needs while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Su Banxia smiled broadly: "Brother Zhiyuan, sit here, relax and be natural."
Look out the window, or look down and think—do whatever makes you comfortable!
Wu Zhiyuan sat slightly to the side, his right elbow resting on the armrest, his left hand on his knee, his gaze fixed on the moonlit courtyard outside the window.
This posture is both natural and relaxed, yet possesses a certain sense of structure and dynamism, making it ideal for sketching practice.
The three girls quickly got into character.
The room was quiet, with only the scratching sound of pen nibs rubbing against paper.
After about seven or eight minutes, Su Banxia put down her charcoal pencil and said with a grin, "Brother Zhiyuan, how about we change our posture?"
Wu Zhiyuan asked softly, "What position should we try?"
Su Banxia stared at Wu Zhiyuan as if examining a work of art: "How about you stand in the center of the room, sideways, one hand in your pocket, the other hanging naturally, head slightly raised, with a thoughtful or gazing into the distance look in your eyes?"
Wu Zhiyuan laughed and said, "I'll listen to you, the great director."
Su Banxia helped Wu Zhiyuan correct his posture.
"Perfect!" Su Banxia snapped her fingers. "That's it. Thanks for your hard work."
The three girls were focused, and after more than ten minutes, they finished.
Su Banxia put down her charcoal pencil first and stretched: "Thank you for your guest appearance, Brother Zhiyuan."
To express our sincerest gratitude, we've decided to send you a very special gift.
Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback: "What gift?"
Su Banxia did not answer, but instead leaned close to Wei Wei's ear and whispered a few words.
The two of them stepped forward together, one on each side, and grabbed Wu Zhiyuan's arms, pushing him toward Xu Yunxi's room.
This sudden move surprised not only Wu Zhiyuan but also Xu Yunxi.
"What are you two up to?" Wu Zhiyuan had already guessed Su Banxia's thoughts, but he still asked.
"Give me a gift! The most special gift, and the most precious gift!"
While pushing hard, Su Banxia turned around and winked at Xu Yunxi, who was standing there dumbfounded, with an undisguised mischievous smile on her face. "Yunxi, catch your big gift!"
Xu Yunxi realized what was happening and said coquettishly, "Can you guys stop fooling around?"
The room is right next door.
Logically speaking, if Wu Zhiyuan used force, the two frail girls would not have been able to push him into Xu Yunxi's room.
But how could he possibly forcefully stop him?
Besides, his legs were weak and unresponsive at the moment.
Wu Zhiyuan was thus pushed into the room.
Su Banxia pulled Xu Yunxi into the room again, grinning mischievously, "Yunxi, I'm just doing you a favor! One day, you'll thank me! A moment of passion is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"
Then she closed the door.
Wu Zhiyuan was a little embarrassed, and Xu Yunxi was also a little uneasy. She lowered her head and said shyly, "Sigh, these two girls are really good at making trouble."
"Zhiyuan, I'm sorry, I didn't expect them to do this."
Wu Zhiyuan said softly, "It's not your fault, Yunxi. Banxia is too crazy."
Xu Yunxi said in a low voice, "Actually, Banxia is a very good person. She has no ulterior motives, unlike some girls who are two-faced."
She just loves to joke and enjoys being around people; she's actually very simple-minded.
Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "Yes, Banxia has a cheerful personality and isn't very scheming, which is good. I can tell that too."
This joke was a bit too unexpected.
"Sit down." Xu Yunxi sat down on the edge of the bed and pointed to a chair in the room.
"Brother Zhiyuan, do you think Banxia is just randomly matchmaking?" Xu Yunxi suddenly asked, mustering her courage.
Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback, not expecting Xu Yunxi to ask so directly.
How to answer that is a skill.
I must not hurt her feelings.
After considering it for a while, Wu Zhiyuan said, "Banxia's actions may have been reckless, or perhaps a joke."
But her eyes were bright, and her heart was kind.
She locked us up here, like a mischievous child trying to break through a layer of paper that should have been addressed long ago.
After a pause, Wu Zhiyuan continued, "I know how good you've been to me. It's just..."
Xu Yunxi interrupted him: "Brother Zhiyuan, you don't need to keep saying 'just.' I know you have concerns. You're older than me, more experienced, and think further ahead. I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?"
I'm not a child anymore. I know what I'm doing and what I want.
I like you, not just on a whim, but after thinking about it for a very long time.
I don't need any promises from you right now. I just hope that you won't push me away because of those concerns, not even giving me a chance to get closer, okay?
"Yunxi, I'm not trying to push you away. I just hope you can have a wider world to see more scenery, meet more people, and then make your choice."
"Brother Zhiyuan, I'm willing to give you time, and also give myself time."
I only ask that you don't eliminate me before I've even seen the world.
"Yunxi, let me tell you my story with Lin Keke first..."
Some things are better left unsaid.
As Wu Zhiyuan spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.
The man did not shed tears, but he did not go to the sad place.
Xu Yunxi was also in tears.
"Brother Zhiyuan, I never imagined there was such a sad story behind it. I thought that the only women in your life besides Su Taohong were Han Tingting."
"Yunxi, I'm not actually as good as you think."
"No, Zhiyuan, no matter what you are like, I can accept it and I think you are perfect."
"Okay," Wu Zhiyuan said with a wry smile, "Because of Lin Keke, I've never been able to truly start a new relationship."
If one day she suddenly comes back, and I already have someone else in my life, how should I face her, and how should I face the person beside me?
"Brother Zhiyuan, I didn't expect it to be like this."
I'm sorry, I didn't know that before.
I admire your steadfastness and dedication to love, truly.
But if—and I mean if—she never comes back, are you really going to wait forever and grow old alone?
Wu Zhiyuan shook his head: "Yunxi, I don't know. Logically speaking, I should look forward."
But the emotional hurdle is not so easy to overcome.
Sometimes I feel like I'm waiting for a definite answer from her, whether it's about life or death.
There are no answers, just like a story without an ending; I'm forever trapped in Chapter Three.
Xu Yunxi remained silent for a long time, as if she were making a momentous decision.
Finally, she said earnestly, "Brother Zhiyuan, let's make a promise, okay?"
A five-year promise. If Coco returns within five years of her disappearance, or if there is any definite news, then I wish you both well, will never bother you again, and will cherish my feelings for you.
But if five years have passed and there is still no news of her, then please don't wait any longer, okay?
Give yourself a chance, and give me a chance too.
Lin Keke has been missing for two years. The five-year agreement is actually for three years.
If a person is missing for five years and does not return, it can be basically assumed that they are no longer alive.
Legally, if a person has been missing for four years, a declaration of death can be made.
If someone goes missing for two years due to an accident, they can apply for a declaration of death.
Lin Keke encountered an unexpected event.
Wu Zhiyuan was shocked.
He didn't expect Xu Yunxi to make such a promise.
This is not just a time limit, but also the greatest understanding, tolerance, and almost tragic waiting that a girl can offer.
Three years—what a precious period of youth for a twenty-year-old girl!
She was willing to gamble three years on an uncertain future, waiting for a man whose heart belonged to someone else.
"But Yunxi, this is so unfair to you. Your youth..."
"I'm in charge of my youth," Xu Yunxi interrupted him, saying resolutely, "I'm willing to spend three years waiting for an answer, and for a possibility."
Over the next three years, I will focus on my studies, pursue my art, and grow up well.
You don't need to feel any pressure. Just like before, treat me as a younger sister or a friend.
But please don't close that door completely, okay?
If, three years from now, the answer is still endless waiting, then I hope that by then you can truly let go of the past and allow yourself to accept new possibilities.
Back then, I was probably more mature and clearer about what I wanted.
These three years weren't shackles, but rather time for each other to reflect and to find answers.
Wu Zhiyuan had mixed feelings: he was touched, heartbroken, warmed, and even more guilty.
What makes him worthy of such sincere treatment from a girl?
He had absolutely no reason to refuse.
"Yunxi, I've kept my five-year promise to you."
If there is still no news of Coco after five years of her disappearance, I will try to truly move on.
But don't wait for me in the next few years.
Don't let me make you miss out on other scenery and possibilities in your youth.
You deserve the fullest and freest right to choose.
"No, Brother Zhiyuan, just agree to the promise."
Whether I wait or not is my business. I will guard my own heart.
She suddenly burst into laughter through her tears: "Maybe in the next few years, I'll meet someone even better than you?"
"Maybe I'll be the one to break the contract first!"