Chapter One: An Oil Painting

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The morning sun rose in the east, casting a thousand rays of rosy light.

Yin Nian, draped in a gray long robe, sat in a wicker chair on the balcony, a cup of delicate tea in her hand, gazing at the crimson clouds at the edge of the sky.

The glow of dawn touched her face, lending a flush to her fair cheeks. Her expression was calm, her gaze gentle, and in her pupils, the reflection of the red sun seemed to flicker with flames kindling in her eyes.

“You’re up so early?” Liang Zhicheng’s voice drifted out from the bedroom.

“Yes,” Yin Nian replied, turning her head slightly. The glow of dawn leapt from her face, and the fire in her eyes was suddenly extinguished.

“I’ll make breakfast,” Liang Zhicheng said, rising from bed.

“I’ve already made it,” Yin Nian smiled, “Why don’t you go wake Yangyang?”

“That’s wonderful...” Liang Zhicheng sounded a little surprised. He came out onto the balcony, stretching his arms. “How do you feel?”

“I feel great, as if all the pressure is gone. I’m at peace,” Yin Nian answered with a smile.

“That’s good,” Liang Zhicheng nodded thoughtfully and returned to the bedroom.

The sun continued its ascent, the red glow turning to gold. The red light felt warm, but the golden rays were a bit dazzling.

Yin Nian finished her tea and was about to stand up when she suddenly felt a strange weakness—not in her body, but in her heart. Yet, it was this very sense of enervation that made her so tranquil.

She heaved a long sigh and left the balcony. By chance, her eyes fell upon a new oil painting on the living room wall. At the center of the painting sat a stern-looking man, holding a scepter, seated with an air of authority. On his right, a beautiful woman knelt, clutching his arm, while on his left, a small boy stood upright and proper.

At the sight of the painting, Yin Nian instinctively felt a discomfort.

“What’s wrong?” Liang Zhicheng emerged from the bathroom.

“That painting—did you put it up?” Yin Nian asked.

“A friend gave it to me. I didn’t really understand it, but the living room looked a bit empty, so I hung it. If you don’t like it, I can take it down,” Liang Zhicheng replied.

Once, Yin Nian would have removed it at once, perhaps even thrown it out. But now, she no longer felt the urge. “It’s fine, just leave it for now,” she said.

Liang Zhicheng nodded silently, offering no more words.

Yin Nian went to stand before the full-length mirror and noticed her complexion had improved—no longer so haggard as before. With the pressure gone, her sleep had improved, and so had her whole being. Yet she realized something was different about her eyes.

What was it?

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After scrutinizing herself for a moment, Yin Nian finally realized—the light in her eyes was gone.

Once, her eyes had sparkled, bright and lively. But now, they were dim and serene.

Yin Nian understood this was not a problem with her eyes, but her heart. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and it was some kind of inner drive that had faded. She had sensed it two days ago, blaming the constant reversals and rewriting of the truth for her soul’s exhaustion. But now, even after two days’ rest, she was no better.

“Yin Nian, breakfast is ready,” Liang Zhicheng called out.

“Oh, alright.” Yin Nian turned around. Facing Liang Zhicheng’s gaze, she suddenly offered a slight smile—as if seeking favor, which surprised even herself. She quickly smoothed away the smile and went to the table.

After breakfast, Liang Zhicheng was meant to take Yangyang to school while Yin Nian headed to the office. That afternoon, she would meet with the opposing lawyer about a settlement. This time, the settlement was formal; most details had been agreed upon the previous day, and all that remained was to sign in person. The hearing was scheduled for tomorrow, and Yin Nian wanted to resolve everything before then.

As Liang Zhicheng and Yangyang were preparing to leave, Yin Nian suddenly decided to join them in taking Yangyang to school. She didn’t know where the thought came from, but once it had, it would not leave. She voiced her suggestion; Liang Zhicheng was both surprised and pleased, agreeing with a smile.

Liang Zhicheng drove, while Yin Nian and Yangyang sat in the back.

The scene resembled a family outing—mother and child in the backseat, father at the wheel, driving to some spot for a picnic. Yet in Yin Nian’s family, this hardly ever happened.

For one, they had never traveled together all these years. Even when the three of them went out, it was always Yin Nian driving, with Liang Zhicheng and Yangyang in the back.

All the way, Yin Nian tried to converse with Yangyang, asking about his school life. Yangyang was more talkative than before, clearly sensing the change in Yin Nian and her care for him.

Soon, they arrived at the school.

Yin Nian led Yangyang out of the car. Yangyang scampered toward the school, seemingly much happier.

When Yangyang’s figure disappeared completely, Yin Nian instinctively clasped Liang Zhicheng’s hand.

Liang Zhicheng embraced her silently, drawing her into his arms. Sunlight bathed his face, tinting his cheeks with red. He squinted into the distance, a smile playing on his lips.

Back home, Yin Nian began to put on makeup and change her clothes.

The morning light streamed into the bedroom, fresh and bright on the floorboards.

Liang Zhicheng was watering the flowers on the balcony. As he turned, he caught sight of Yin Nian slipping off her clothes, trying on another outfit. The sunlight made her skin glow, porcelain white and luminous.

Liang Zhicheng set down the watering can and entered the bedroom.

Yin Nian looked up to find Liang Zhicheng watching her. She couldn’t help but smile—a smile that, in the sunlight, was dazzling, suffused with tenderness and warmth. In that moment, it was as if the intimacy of marriage was restored, their souls once again in communion.

Liang Zhicheng stepped forward, standing close before her.

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Their breaths mingled, each gazing into the other’s eyes, cheeks tinged with red.

Suddenly, Liang Zhicheng gathered Yin Nian into his arms and kissed her lips.

The act was so sudden that Yin Nian instinctively recoiled, trying to push him away.

Liang Zhicheng paused for a heartbeat, then held her tightly once more, pressing another kiss to her lips.

“No…” Yin Nian’s voice was so soft, she could barely hear herself.

“I love you,” Liang Zhicheng whispered in her ear.

Yin Nian’s gaze drifted beyond the balcony, up into the sky. The sunlight was blinding, dazzling her into a trance. She felt her consciousness drift from her body, floating heavenward. With a soft sigh, she embraced Liang Zhicheng.

Liang Zhicheng was her husband.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips again. This time, Yin Nian did not retreat, letting him kiss her as he pleased.

Liang Zhicheng pressed her down onto the bed, kissing her lips, cheeks, and neck.

Sunlight poured over Yin Nian, flowing like water, bathing her skin until it was alabaster and radiant, luminous and clear.

In that moment, Yin Nian suddenly felt like a woman—truly, over the past few days taking Yangyang to school, her repressed maternal instincts had awakened; she had already begun to feel like a woman once more.

In her ears came the sound of water, like waves beating against the shore—a deep, melodious, and stirring rush. With every crash, she could sense the hidden vitality in the water—a tenacious, enduring force. Beneath its depths, some unknown dread lay in wait.

For some reason, the image of that oil painting in the living room surfaced in Yin Nian’s mind…

The sound of water gradually faded, the tide receded.

Disheveled, Yin Nian emerged from the bedroom and stood before the oil painting, gazing at the three figures within it.

“My dear, I’m heading out,” Liang Zhicheng called, unusually dressed in a suit, a triumphant smile on his lips. “Got something to do today.”

“Alright,” Yin Nian replied without turning.

Even after Liang Zhicheng left, she remained there, her eyes fixed on the painting.