Stars Fall Into The Sea, Love Never Fades Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The grand occasion of the art exhibition and the gaze spanning life and death

On the day of the exhibition, the sky was clear and clear.Flower baskets were placed outside the gallery in the city center, and the words “Missing Under the Starry Sky – Qi’s Personal Art Exhibition” were particularly eye-catching on the red banner.Azhi was wearing a well-tailored black suit with a white rose on his chest – it was Qi’s favorite flower. He stood at the door of the gallery to greet the guests who came to watch the exhibition.

Qi’s soul was always within three meters of him, and his scent of cedar was gentle and calm.Ah Zhi could feel that Qi’s aura was stronger than ever before, as if he was excited for this exhibition of his own.He subconsciously turned his head, looked into the void around him, and said softly: “Qi, the art exhibition has begun. You see, there are so many people coming to see your work, you should be very happy.”

There was a very light flow of air in the air, as if Qi was nodding in response.A gentle smile appeared at the corner of Ah Zhi’s mouth, but his eyes were slightly red.He had been preparing for this art exhibition for a month and spent all his efforts, just to fulfill Qi’s wish and to give his regrets a place to rest.

Guests entered the gallery one after another, including critics and collectors from the art world, friends and classmates from Qi’s lifetime, and many art lovers who had never met before.Everyone stood in front of Qi’s paintings, communicating in low voices, with eyes full of surprise and admiration.

“This painting “Stars Falling on the Horizon” is amazing! The integration of stars and sea is just right, and the use of colors is so smart!”

“Look at the word ‘Zhi’ hidden in this painting. It should be written by the artist to his lover. It’s so romantic.”

“It’s such a shame to hear that this painter, so talented, has passed away.”

Hearing these comments, Ah Zhi felt both happy and sad.He knew that Qi’s talent was finally recognized, but Qi would never see it again.

Qi’s mother also came. She was wearing a simple and elegant cheongsam, holding a small handkerchief in her hand. She stood in front of “Stars Falling on the Horizon” and looked at the stars and sea in the painting, tears falling silently.Ah Zhi walked up to her and gently held her arm: “Auntie, don’t be sad. Xiao Qi will be happy when he sees so many people liking his paintings.”

Qi’s mother nodded and said with choked sobs: “Yes, Xiao Qi has loved painting since he was a child. He has always dreamed of holding his own painting exhibition, and now it has finally come true. Ah Zhi, thank you.”

Just then, there was a commotion at the gallery door.Azhi looked up and saw a few uniformed police officers walking in, followed by a pale-faced man – the competitor who had previously stolen the project idea and maliciously damaged the painting.

“Hello, is this Mr. Azhi?” The leading police officer walked up to Azhi and showed his ID. “We have received a report that this gentleman is suspected of stealing business secrets and deliberately damaging other people’s property. Now we need your cooperation in the investigation.”

Ah Zhi’s eyes turned cold and he looked at the competitor.The other person’s eyes dodge, not daring to look at him.It turned out that after Ah Zhi discovered that the painting was damaged, he immediately called the police and asked his assistant to investigate the surveillance around the gallery that day. Although the surveillance in the exhibition hall was destroyed, the surveillance outside the gallery captured the competitor.Coupled with evidence stolen from previous projects, the police quickly identified the suspect.

“I didn’t! I didn’t damage the painting!” The competitor was still arguing, but his voice was trembling.

“The evidence is conclusive, so stop making excuses.” The policeman said coldly, “Come back to the police station with us for investigation.”

The competitors were taken away by the police, and there was a lot of chatter among the guests in the gallery.There was no expression on Ah Zhi’s face, but there was a feeling of relief in his heart.He is not a person who takes revenge, but he will never tolerate those who hurt Qi.

After handling this matter, Ah Zhi returned to the exhibition hall.He walked to the photo taken at the beach. The photo frame was placed in the most conspicuous position, surrounded by white roses.Many guests were looking at the photo and whispering about the relationship between the two people in the photo.

“Qi, look, they are all looking at our photos.” Ah Zhi whispered into the void, “I told Sister Chen our story, and she will write it in the exhibition brochure to let everyone know that you are the person I love most in my life.”

The smell of cedar around him became particularly gentle, as if Qi was smiling in response to him.Ah Zhi could feel that Qi’s soul was standing beside him, looking at the two people in the photo, his eyes full of love and attachment.

Halfway through the exhibition, Sister Chen walked up to Ah Zhi and said with a smile: “Mr. Ah, congratulations, this art exhibition is very successful! Many collectors have expressed their desire to collect Mr. Qi’s works, and some media want to interview you and talk about Mr. Qi’s story.”

Ah Zhi shook his head: “The interview is unnecessary. I just want to fulfill Xiao Qi’s wish and let more people know about his talent. As for the works, except for this photo and “Stars Falling on the Horizon”, all others can be sold. I want to donate the proceeds to the Depression Relief Foundation.”

Sister Chen was stunned for a moment, then nodded: “Okay, I support you. If Mr. Qi knew about it, he would also be proud of you.”

A warm current surged in Ah Zhi’s heart.He knew that this was what Qi wanted to see.Qi had always paid close attention to patients with depression during his lifetime. He always said, “They are just sick and need more understanding and help.”Now, he wants to use this method to continue Qi’s kindness and atone for his mistakes.

In the evening, the art exhibition gradually came to an end.The guests began to leave and the gallery became quiet.Ah Zhi sat on a chair in the exhibition hall, looking at Qi’s paintings with mixed feelings in his heart.This art exhibition is like a grand farewell and a belated confession.He finally fulfilled Qi’s wish and finally had the courage to face his heart.

Qi’s soul sat beside him, and the scent of cedar lingered on the tip of his nose.Ah Zhi stretched out his hand and gently held the void beside him, as if holding Qi’s hand.”Qi, thank you for always accompanying me.” He said softly, “This art exhibition is very successful, you must be very happy.”

A clear response came from my ears. Although it was still weak, it was full of tenderness: “Happy…Azhi…Thank you…”

Ah Zhi’s tears burst out instantly.He turned his head and looked into the void around him. Although he couldn’t see anything, he could clearly feel Qi’s presence.”You’re welcome, Qi.” He choked, “This is what I should do. If there is an afterlife, I will never miss you again, and I will never let you be wronged again.”

“In the next life…” Qi’s voice contained a hint of hesitation and a hint of expectation, “I will also…meet you…”

Ah Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, and his tears fell even more fiercely.He held the void tightly, as if he was holding his entire world.”Okay, we will meet again in the next life.” He said softly, “I will recognize you at the first sight, love you well, and stay with you forever, never to be separated again.”

The lights in the gallery gradually dimmed, leaving only the spotlight in the center of the exhibition hall illuminating “Stars Falling Over the Horizon” and the seaside photo.Ah Zhi sat on the chair, holding “Qi”‘s hand, and looked at the paintings quietly, as if he saw Qi’s appearance when he was painting, and saw every bit of their time together.

This painting exhibition spanning life and death not only made Qi’s talent known to the world, but also allowed A Zhi to complete a staged redemption.He knew that the road ahead was still long, and his regrets still needed time to heal, but he was no longer confused or desperate, because he knew that Qi would always be with him, within three meters, watching him and encouraging him, forever.