Read Chapter 29: — THE RETURN TO YIDING GARDEN

Years after his first invitation, Mufeng returned to Yiding Garden for another salon.

He was no longer the unknown young painter who had arrived wounded and suspicious. He was also not the corporate executive people had once expected him to become.

Bu Suyu had aged. Hua Suxian was visiting from the United States. Professor Zhou stood near a display of old woodwork, arguing with a restorer.

For the first time, all the pieces of Mufeng's unspoken history occupied the same courtyard.

Nobody staged a revelation.

Hua asked whether he was eating properly.

Zhou criticised his latest furniture sketch.

Bu complained that young collectors cared too much about auction prices.

Yonghe watched Mufeng watching them.

"Still don't want to ask?" she murmured.

Mufeng shook his head.

Hua approached.

"Mufeng."

"Aunt Hua."

Her eyes softened.

He took her arm as they crossed a step slick with rain.

That was all.

He thought of the woman hiding behind the embroidered screen years earlier, afraid that if she stood openly in front of him she might reveal too much.

There was no screen now.

No cough suppressed behind silk birds.

No need to pretend they were strangers.

Whatever name their relationship carried, it had finally moved into the light.