The Remaining Warmth Of Fog Harbor Chapter 15
byOld Shadows Disturb the Heart
Su Mans return to the country was like a lingering, thick fog, pressing heavily upon every inch of air between the investment bank tower and the old art studio. Within just three days, she had completely mastered Lu Wanhengs daily routine—down the elevator at exactly six o’clock every evening to escort Shen Zhiyi back to the Old Town District studio, rain or shine, without fail.
On the evening of the fourth day, a fine, cold rain began to fall in Wugang. The drizzle mixed with the mist and clung to the skin, chilling to the bone. As usual, Lu Wanheng wrapped her own cashmere coat tightly around Shen Zhiyi, carrying the drawing tube and shielding her as they walked toward the electric scooter. Just as her fingertips touched the handlebars, a bright camel-colored figure holding a black umbrella stepped out from under the plane trees by the buildings side entrance, precisely blocking their path.
It was Su Man.
She had changed into a sharply tailored white suit skirt, her makeup exquisite and flawless. A few strands of her long hair were dampened by the rain, adding a touch of lazy charm. The custom black umbrella in her hand tilted slightly, keeping herself perfectly dry while allowing the drizzle to fall on Lu Wanheng and Shen Zhiyis shoulders. With a perfectly measured smile and a tone that was intimate and natural—as if the street confrontation from the other day had never happened—she spoke.
Wanheng, what a coincidence to run into you again. Su Man took a step forward, her gaze landing directly on Lu Wanheng, completely ignoring Shen Zhiyi beside her. I just finished discussing a collaboration nearby and thought I would come over to try my luck. I didnt expect you to actually be here.
Lu Wanhengs brows furrowed instantly, her usual tenderness replaced by a layer of cold, hard distance. She quietly pulled Shen Zhiyi further behind her, using her body to block the slanting rain. Her voice was flat and emotionless: Is something the matter?
Its nothing major. Its just that I havent had a proper chance to catch up with you since I returned. Su Man let out a soft laugh, her gaze finally drifting slowly toward Shen Zhiyi. Her eyes swept over the obviously oversized cashmere coat, the rain-stained canvas shoes, and the drawing tube clutched tightly in the girls arms. The contempt in her eyes was hidden beneath a gentle smile, yet it was entirely visible. This must be Miss Shen, right? I was in a hurry last time and didnt get to introduce myself properly. I am Su Man, an… old acquaintance of Wanhengs.
She deliberately drew out the words old acquaintance with a soft, lingering tone, carrying a weight and special meaning that made Shen Zhiyis fingertips tighten. The fabric of the coat was bunched into deep wrinkles by her grip. Shen Zhiyi kept her head down, not daring to meet Su Mans eyes. She felt as though the coat Lu Wanheng had given her was a scalding shell, wrapping her so tightly she could hardly breathe.
In the face of Su Mans bright and dazzling aura, she felt like a sparrow that had accidentally wandered into a magnificent palace—awkward, humble, and completely out of place.
Zhiyi, you dont need to pay her any mind. Lu Wanheng sensed Shen Zhiyis stiffness and reached out to gently grasp her cold hand. The warmth from her palm transferred steadily, offering silent comfort. Lets go. The rain is getting heavier.
As she prepared to twist the throttle of the scooter, Su Man took another half-step forward, using the tip of her umbrella to lightly press against the front basket. The movement was small but carried an inescapable obstruction. Her tone remained gentle, but her words began to hide thorns.
Wanheng, dont be in such a hurry to leave. I just want to chat with Miss Shen for a bit. After all, we will be seeing each other around Wugang in the future. It never hurts to get to know someone.
Without waiting for Lu Wanhengs rebuttal, she turned her gaze back to Shen Zhiyi. Her tone was overly intimate, yet every sentence was a probe and a provocation. Miss Shen is an illustrator, right? I saw you carrying so many drafts last time; it must be very hard work. That area in the Old Town District is damp and old; the studio conditions must be poor. Unlike how Wanheng used to be—a private studio with constant temperature and humidity, custom-made pigments, and a whole wall of professional tools. That is what being an artist should look like.
These words were like a fine needle, precisely stabbing at Shen Zhiyis insecurities. Her studio was drafty and damp, her tools were bought in bulk at discount prices, and she saved every bit of pigment she could. She had to revise commercial commissions dozens of times just to get by. Compared to the past Lu Wanheng that Su Man described, it was a world of difference. She opened her mouth, her throat dry and aching, only managing to squeeze out a faint, Almost like a mosquito’s hum, Its fine.
Lu Wanhengs expression darkened completely. Her grip on Shen Zhiyis hand tightened further, her voice as cold as ice: Su Man, Zhiyis studio is the result of her hard work. It has nothing to do with you, and it is not your place to judge it.
I was just offering a kind reminder. Su Man spread her hands, looking innocent, though the provocation in her eyes grew stronger. Miss Shen is so young. Following Wanheng, you shouldnt just learn to depend on others. A girl still needs her own abilities. Otherwise, if the person beside you leaves one day, wouldnt you be left with nothing? Isnt that right, Wanheng?
The last sentence was aimed directly at Lu Wanheng. On the surface, she was advising Shen Zhiyi, but secretly she was reminding them of their ten-year history, implying that Shen Zhiyi was merely a temporary substitute who could be replaced at any time.
Shen Zhiyis face turned deathly pale. Her fingertips were icy, and the unease in her heart surged like a tide. Su Man was right. She had nothing—no family status, no background, only a dilapidated studio and a paintbrush. Meanwhile, Lu Wanheng was an elite in the investment banking world, never lacking for excellent people around her. Once Su Man turned back, she might be heartlessly pushed away, returning to that swamp where she struggled alone.
Su Man, shut up. Lu Wanheng interrupted her sharply, the pressure around her dropping to the extreme. My relationship with Zhiyi is not for you to speculate on. I will say this one last time: move, or I will call security.
Dont be so angry. Su Man wasnt afraid at all. Instead, she smiled even more gently, stepping closer to Lu Wanheng with a familiarity that only the two of them could understand. Wanheng, you were never this fierce with me before. Do you remember our studio in Paris? You said you wanted to open a gallery with me, to collect the finest works. Have you forgotten all of that?
She deliberately brought up their youthful promise, using shared memories to sting Lu Wanheng and hurt Shen Zhiyi. Shen Zhiyi looked down at the patches of light reflected in the rain on the ground. Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She didnt want to show weakness in front of Su Man, and she didnt want to make things difficult for Lu Wanheng.
I havent forgotten, but that is all in the past. Lu Wanheng turned her head to avoid Su Mans proximity, her voice resolute. In my current plans, there is no gallery. There is only Zhiyis illustration exhibition, only her creations, and only her.
An illustration exhibition? Su Man laughed as if she had heard a joke. Her gaze swept over the drawing tube in Shen Zhiyis arms, her tone full of disdain. Miss Shens work? I’m afraid it wouldnt even pass the preliminary selection for my gallery. Wanheng, dont you understand art best? Why has your vision become so shallow? This kind of niche watercolor cant carry a major event.
Her paintings do not need the approval of your gallery. Lu Wanheng shielded Shen Zhiyi, her words firm and powerful. I have already secured the exhibition hall at the Riverside Art Center. Zhiyis solo exhibition will open next spring. I will be fully responsible for all investment and promotion. Her talent does not require your comments.
These words were not just for Su Man; they were for Shen Zhiyi. It was a certain recognition, a blatant display of favoritism, and a promise that provided total security. Shen Zhiyi looked up at Lu Wanheng, the tears in her eyes reflecting tiny glimmers of light. The hand holding hers gradually regained its strength.
Su Mans expression finally shifted. She hadnt expected Lu Wanheng to go to such lengths for an obscure little illustrator, booking the Riverside Art Center—the top art venue in Wugang, where many established artists fought desperately for a spot. Jealousy grew wildly in her heart, yet she maintained a polite smile, changing her tactic to test their intimacy.
So that’s how it is. Then I must congratulate Miss Shen in advance on a successful exhibition. Su Man nodded slightly, her tone seemingly sincere before she pivoted. By the way, Wanheng, your stomach isnt good. It always hurts when it rains. Does Miss Shen know the brand of stomach medicine you always keep on hand? Does she know you dont eat cilantro, onions, or ginger? That you only drink sugar-free cold brew coffee? Does she know you need to listen to classical music to sleep, and that your pillow needs to be higher on one side?
A string of questions poured out, all of them life details that only an intimate old friend would know. Su Man looked at Shen Zhiyi triumphantly, waiting to see her embarrassed and helpless. She was certain Shen Zhiyi didnt know these habits, certain this relationship was just a temporary novelty, and certain that there was still a place for her in Lu Wanhengs heart.
Shen Zhiyi indeed did not know these details. She had been with Lu Wanheng for a short time, and her heart was full of creativity and gratitude; she hadnt yet reached the level of such mundane life details. She opened her mouth but couldnt answer, her cheeks flushing red as the sense of inferiority and powerlessness wrapped around her again.
But before she could feel too distressed, Lu Wanheng spoke first, her voice calm but carrying an unquestionable firmness: Zhiyi knows all of my current habits. She makes me warm lemon water to replace coffee. She cooks millet porridge for me when I stay up late. She sticks her drafts in my office so I can look at them when I am tired. These are things you never did, and they are what I want most now.
She paused, lifting the hand that was tightly clasped with Shen Zhiyis in front of Su Man, declaring her sovereignty. Su Man, the person you know is the Lu Wanheng from ten years ago. Zhiyi loves the me of the present. Past habits are not important. What matters is that in my future, every habit will be formed together with her.
These words were like a heavy hammer, completely shattering Su Mans illusions. She stood frozen, her face turning pale and then flushed, her hand holding the umbrella trembling slightly. The gentleness in her eyes cracked completely, revealing a foundation of resentment and unwillingness. She hadnt expected Lu Wanheng to protect this young girl so fiercely, or to discard their ten-year history so cleanly.
The rain grew heavier, wetting Lu Wanhengs hair and the hem of Shen Zhiyis skirt, but their locked hands never loosened. Shen Zhiyi looked at Lu Wanhengs resolute profile, and the unease and inferiority in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a burning sense of moving comfort and peace. She knew that no matter what Su Man said, no matter how the old shadows disturbed her heart, Lu Wanheng would stand in front of her, shielding her from all the wind and rain.
It seems I am redundant here. Su Man took a deep breath, retracted the tip of her umbrella, and slowly stepped back. A smile returned to her face, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness. However, Wanheng, in relationships, it is never about who came first; it is about who is suitable. I have plenty of time to wait—to wait for you to see clearly who is truly worthy of you.
She gave Shen Zhiyi one last look, her gaze like a cold blade, full of naked provocation. Miss Shen, cherish these days while they last. After all, things that dont belong to you will eventually slip away, no matter how tightly you hold on.
With that, Su Man turned and walked into the curtain of rain under her black umbrella. Her camel-colored figure gradually disappeared into the mist, leaving only the crisp sound of high heels clicking against the wet stone pavement, echoing in Shen Zhiyis heart.
Only after that figure had completely vanished did Lu Wanheng relax her furrowed brows. She immediately took off her coat to wrap it around Shen Zhiyi, reaching out to wipe the rain and tear tracks from the girls cheeks. Her voice was so tender it could melt: Dont listen to her nonsense. Dont take a single word she said to heart.
She knows all your habits. You have so many shared memories… Shen Zhiyis voice carried a slight sob, the lingering fear not yet gone.
No matter how many memories there are, they are in the past. Lu Wanheng lowered her head, resting her forehead against Shen Zhiyis. The rain falling between them was steamed into a light mist by their body heat. Habits can be changed, and memories can fade, but a heartbeat cannot be faked, and favoritism cannot be feigned. Zhiyi, can you not feel my heart for you?
Shen Zhiyi looked up, meeting Lu Wanhengs deep eyes. They were filled with her reflection, filled with tenderness and determination, without a single trace of doubt. She nodded vigorously, her tears finally falling, but they were tears of relief. I feel it, Wanheng.
That is enough. Lu Wanheng gently wiped away her tears and helped her onto the back seat of the scooter. Lets go back to the studio. I will make you hot ginger tea, and you can change out of those wet clothes. I will stay with you tonight. Paint what you want to paint, or just rest if you dont feel like it. I am here for everything.
Shen Zhiyi nodded obediently, wrapping her arms around Lu Wanhengs waist and pressing her face tightly against her warm back. Smelling the familiar scent of cedar, all her unease and panic were smoothed away. The scooter drove into the rain and mist, the wheels splashing through puddles. The lights of the Old Town District blurred into gentle spots of light in the rain, like a path leading toward warmth.
Back at the studio, Lu Wanheng first wrapped Shen Zhiyi in a blanket, brewed the hot ginger tea, and found her own clean sweatshirt for the girl to change into. The oversized sweatshirt enveloped her, smelling purely of comfort. Lu Wanheng spread the rain-dampened drafts in front of the heater to dry and tidied up the art supplies, her movements gentle throughout, without a single word of complaint.
Shen Zhiyi sat on the sofa, holding the warm ginger tea and watching Lu Wanhengs busy figure. Her heart was filled with warmth. Su Mans provocation had been like a cold rain, momentarily dousing her confidence, but it had also allowed her to see Lu Wanhengs favoritism and resolve. It made her more certain that she was not a substitute or a passing traveler; she was the present and future that Lu Wanheng wanted to protect.
After finishing her tasks, Lu Wanheng sat beside her, pulling her into her arms and gently patting her back. If you run into Su Man again, dont mind her and dont be afraid. I will always protect you. Her provocations cannot shake us in the slightest.
I am not afraid anymore. Shen Zhiyi leaned against her shoulder, her voice soft. Because you are here.
Lu Wanheng lowered her head and pressed a gentle, solemn kiss onto the top of her head. Outside the window, the rain continued to fall and the mist had not dispersed. Su Mans shadow remained a dark cloud overhead, but she knew that as long as their hearts were close, there was no hurdle they couldnt cross and no storm they couldnt weather.
She picked up a paintbrush, laid out a new sheet of paper, and held Shen Zhiyis hand, letting the brush touch the paper together. We will paint the studio on a rainy night. We will paint the warm light. We will paint us. We wont paint the storm, and we wont paint the old shadows. We will only paint the tenderness that belongs to us.
The nib of the pen rustled against the paper. The warm yellow light enveloped the two leaning figures. The scent of turpentine mixed with the warmth of the ginger tea, dispelling the chill of the rain and mist. Shen Zhiyis brush strokes fell steadily, painting all her peace and her heartbeat onto the paper, into Lu Wanhengs eyes, and into the lingering tenderness of Wugang.
Meanwhile, Su Man sat in a high-end club by the river, looking toward the Old Town District through the rain and mist. Her fingers gripped a wine glass, and a flash of ruthlessness crossed her eyes. She would not give up just like this. She had waited ten years; she had the means and the time. She would definitely take Lu Wanheng back and make that unremarkable illustrator disappear from Lu Wanhengs world forever.
In Wugang, shrouded in rain and mist, old shadows disturbed the heart and gentle words hid thorns. A contest of love and protection had only just begun. But the two people in the studio, holding each others hands, showed no sign of retreat in their eyes—only a firm tenderness and the courage to run toward one another.