Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Chapter 305 The Charming Painter 6

The next day, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting warm dappled patterns on the wooden floor.

When Liu Yunshu received a call from her friend Lin Chuchu, she was looking out the window in a daze.

"Yun Shu! I have something extremely important to tell you!"

Lin Chuchu's voice was like leaping musical notes; you could feel her eagerness even through the receiver.

Liu Yunshu walked to the window with her phone in hand, looking down at the green plants bathed in the morning light.

The corners of her lips unconsciously turned up, and her voice carried a lightness she herself was unaware of:

"Chuchu, I... I also have something I want to tell you..."

"Oh?"

Lin Chuchu's voice trailed off, filled with a curious and mysterious smile.

"Let's talk when we meet! Same place, I'll be waiting for you, it promises to be a big surprise!"

After hanging up the phone, she changed into a light blue dress, combed her long hair in front of the mirror, picked up her bag, and walked out.

Half an hour later, at the corner café.

Lin Chuchu was already seated by the window, with two iced Americanos in front of her.

Seeing Liu Yunshu push the door open and come in, she immediately waved vigorously, her bright eyes scanning her friend up and down.

"Yun Shu!"

Lin Chuchu lowered her voice, but the excitement in her tone was almost overflowing.

"Come on, tell me the truth! With that radiant smile and all that spring in your eyes, has something incredibly wonderful happened?"

Liu Yunshu felt a little embarrassed by her direct gaze.

He sat down opposite her, his fingertips unconsciously twirling the handle of the ceramic cup, and two faint blushes rose on his cheeks.

"Chuchu...I...I have a boyfriend."

"What?!"

Lin Chuchu slammed her hand on the table, her eyes wide with disbelief and surprise filling her voice.

"Really?! Who is it? When did this happen? Tell me in detail!"

Liu Yunshu blushed even more as she was bombarded with a series of questions.

He reached out and gently tugged at her sleeve, his voice barely a whisper: "Chuchu, keep your voice down~"

"Okay, okay, I'll speak softly, I'll calm down."

Lin Chuchu took a deep breath, but her bright eyes remained fixed on Liu Yunshu.

"Which celestial being could possibly have lured our ethereal fairy down to earth?"

Liu Yunshu lowered her long eyelashes, her voice softened with a honey-like gentleness: "His name is Jiang Chi... he's an athlete."

"athlete?!"

Lin Chuchu's eyes lit up even more, and her fingers tapped excitedly on the table.

"Is she the kind of person with a great figure, full of sunshine and energy, whose smile brightens the world? How did you meet her? Tell us!"

Liu Yunshu gently touched her burning cheeks with her fingertips, her long eyelashes drooping, and recounted in detail her encounter with Jiang Chi.

"Wow~ love at first sight~"

Lin Chuchu's eyes curved into crescent moons as she listened, and she gently pinched her flushed cheeks with her fingertips.

"But it's perfectly normal for someone as delicate and charming as Yun Shu to be remembered at first glance!"

Lin Chuchu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and patted the back of her hand, her eyes full of satisfaction.

"That's wonderful, Yunshu. Finally, someone cherishes you and treats you with love."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Chuchu seemed to suddenly remember something.

He pulled an elegant envelope from his bag and pushed it in front of her, his voice brimming with barely concealed excitement:

"Here's the surprise you promised! That national youth art competition you secretly submitted to—the 'Emerging Talent Award'—has made it to the finals!"

"This is the official notification from the organizing committee. There will be an offline final exhibition and awards ceremony at the Municipal Art Museum next week!"

Lin Chuchu's tone rose, filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

The envelope was of excellent quality, with a light gold event logo embossed on the corners, simple yet solemn.

Liu Yunshu was stunned, looking at her friend in disbelief, then at the envelope.

She reached out, her fingertips trembling slightly, and slowly unsealed the package.

A well-printed notice slipped out.

The top clearly displays a thumbnail of her entry and the eye-catching words "Congratulations on reaching the finals".

"R-Really... you made the cut?"

Her voice was light and airy, with a trembling tone of uncertainty.

When she looked up at Lin Chuchu, her eyes were already slightly red, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.

"Chuchu, am I dreaming?"

"Of course it's not a dream!"

Lin Chuchu leaned over, reached out and ruffled her hair, her tone firm and proud.

"I know best how vibrant and touching your paintings are!"

"Making it to the finals is just the first step. Next, let's prepare our entries well for the finals and aim for an even better ranking!"

Liu Yunshu clutched the notice tightly, tears welling in her eyes, her voice slightly choked.

"Thank you, Chuchu. Thank you for supporting me and being there for me all these years. If it weren't for your help in selling my paintings, I wouldn't be where I am today..."

"Stop! Stop!"

Lin Chuchu quickly waved her hand, interrupting her, her eyes gentle yet with a hint of reproach.

"Silly girl, why are you telling me all this?"

"You've always been incredibly talented, but you're too soft-hearted and lack confidence. I was just giving you a push."

"Seeing you recognized, seeing you loved and happy now, makes me happier than if I won the lottery myself."

Liu Yunshu sniffed, her almond-shaped eyes always glistening with moisture.

At this moment, besides feeling moved, there was also a faint trace of my usual uncertainty about myself.

"Chuchu, can I really... do it?"

Lin Chuchu looked at the familiar unease in her friend's eyes and gently tapped her forehead with her finger.

"Of course you can! Stop secretly doubting yourself. Your talent deserves to be seen by everyone."

She paused, then suddenly smiled slyly, put her arm around Liu Yunshu's shoulder, leaned closer, and her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Besides, now we have Jiang Chi! He's definitely your number one fan and strongest supporter."

"On the day of the final exhibition, let's make sure he's there too, so he can see his girlfriend receiving her award under the spotlight. I guarantee he'll be strutting around like a mile a minute!"

Liu Yunshu was amused by her vivid description and burst into laughter through her tears. The moisture in her eyes dissipated and was replaced by a warm smile.

"By the way, have you got any inspiration for your final piece? What theme do you want to draw?" Lin Chuchu asked with concern.

Liu Yunshu pondered for a moment, and when she looked up again, her eyes were filled with an extremely gentle light and shadow.

"I want to paint... the sunset and the light and shadow under the Ferris wheel."

"That day... the light of the setting sun bathed the cockpit, the sky was a beautiful color, and... us in the light."

Lin Chuchu's eyes lit up as she listened, and she tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"This theme is fantastic! It captures the moment of falling in love and the most beautiful scenery on the canvas."

"It's both memorable and visually stunning, with a compelling story! The drawing will definitely move the judges!"

Liu Yunshu lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently tracing the cool glass, a shy yet content smile in her eyes.

"I also feel that...every ray of light that day, the scent in the wind, was sweet. I really want to keep that feeling forever."

The two chatted enthusiastically for a long time.

From the composition and colors of the finalist works to the exhibitions they want to visit together in the future, their words were filled with anticipation for tomorrow.

As they parted, Lin Chuchu smiled and gave him some words of advice:

"Remember to share this good news with Jiang Chi! He'll be even more excited than you!"

Liu Yunshu's cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded gently, her heart already rippling with sweet emotions.

After parting ways with Lin Chuchu, she didn't go straight home, but instead walked slowly along the sidewalk shaded by sycamore trees.

After hesitating for a moment, she took out her phone, tapped the screen lightly, and sent Jiang Chi a message:

Jiang Chi, I have some good news to tell you!

The phone vibrated almost instantly after the message was sent, and Jiang Chi's name appeared on the screen.

She pressed the answer button, and his clear, yet anxious and concerned voice immediately came through the receiver:

"Yun Shu? What good news? Tell me quickly."

The boy's voice came through the receiver, carrying a warmth like sunshine.

Her heart softened, and she couldn't help but lower her voice:

"My drawing competition entry has made it to the finals! There's also an offline exhibition next week."

Jiang Chi burst into undisguised, delighted cheers on the other end of the phone: "Really?! Yun Shu, you're amazing!"

His speech quickened, filled with genuine pride, as if he himself had won the award.

"When is the exhibition? Can I go with you?"

Hearing his enthusiastic and sincere response, Liu Yunshu's lips curved into a wider smile.

Her cheeks flushed, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of hair, her voice soft and sweet: "It's next weekend... if you have time..."

"I have time! I absolutely must have time!"

Jiang Chi's answer was resolute.

"I have to witness this moment with my own eyes. My Yunshu is so amazing, everyone should see it."

"Thank you, Jiang Chi," she whispered, her heart filled with warmth.

"You're thanking me?"

Jiang Chi's voice was incredibly gentle.

"I'm so proud of you. By the way, are you free tonight? Let's go out for dinner and celebrate properly, my great painter."

Without hesitation, Liu Yunshu softly replied, "Okay."

That evening, Jiang Chi made a special reservation at a restaurant located on a high floor with a panoramic view of the city lights.

As soon as Liu Yunshu sat down, he magically produced a small bunch of carefully wrapped sunflowers from behind him.

The bright yellow flowers are vibrant and exude a faint, warm fragrance under the soft lighting of the restaurant.

"This is for you."

Jiang Chi handed the bouquet to her, his eyes reflecting the myriad lights outside the window and her figure, overflowing with tenderness.

"Sunflowers face the sun, forever bright."

"I hope you shine brightly on the path you love, just like it does. Best of luck in the finals."

Liu Yunshu accepted this unexpected joy, her fingertips gently tracing the delicate petals.

A blush rose on her cheeks, and a clear sense of gratitude welled up in her eyes: "Thank you... I really like it."

During dinner, Jiang Chi remained considerate, constantly serving her food, his eyes overflowing with doting affection.