The art studio was finally running smoothly, so the two of them started planning the upcoming exhibition.
They quickly settled on the exhibition’s name: “When Winter Ends.”
When winter passes, spring arrives.
All unhappy things will fade away, and new hope will emerge.
The meaning was simple. The exhibition would be held on Christmas Day. There wouldn’t be too many pieces—maybe just a dozen.
The works could be by art lovers, students at the studio, or any artists willing to donate.
The whole point was that every painting sold that day would have its proceeds donated in full to Project Hope (a charity helping children in poor rural areas) to buy them books, clothes, art supplies, and more.
Cecilia now had a Little Rice Cake (her daughter), Mia Moore would soon have a child too. They both hoped these efforts might help other kids with dreams. Maybe the help was small, but even the tiniest bit counted if it came from the heart.
Once everything was finalized, Cecilia posted about the exhibition on the studio’s Weibo page. Though their account didn’t have the reach of a major influencer, lots of art students followed and immediately wanted to sign up and submit their work.
They also put up promo posters all over the studio.
Still, with just the two of them, their influence wasn’t enough. The exhibition needed a couple of well-known pieces to really attract attention.
Cecilia prepared one of her previous works and started painting another new one. Time was tight, and Mia Moore was busy with her upcoming wedding, so Cecilia wouldn’t let her paint something new and just used Mia Moore’s earlier work.
Neither of them was exactly famous, but their art usually sold, so it would do for now.
Cecilia spent two days straight busy with exhibition prep. Xavier Fostern was left on his own. Even in the evenings, his wife was either painting or scrolling through her phone.
Her new painting was her very first figure study—light and shadow around a young girl. The colors weren’t finished; it was just a sketch so far.
Xavier Fostern had converted the best-lit room on the first floor into her studio. If he came home early, she’d be there painting for a while.
Cecilia kept the painting hidden from him, sternly warning him not to peek.
Little Rice Cake had gone to bed early after being coaxed to sleep. Cecilia sat by the headboard and picked up her phone.
She always replied thoughtfully to the many comments on Weibo. Of course, not every submission made it into the exhibition—everyone was more enthusiastic than she’d guessed. To keep the quality high, there would need to be a round of selection.
Xavier Fostern came out of the shower, hair still damp, and walked over when he saw her sitting there looking so focused and obedient.
“Baby, are you still busy?”
“Yeah, go dry your hair already.”
His wet hair tips brushed her cheek as he leaned closer, cool and damp, so she pushed him away lightly and mercilessly.
Xavier Fostern frowned. Didn’t his wife love him anymore?
After he finally dried his hair and came back, he could finally pull her into his arms, letting her sit comfortably against him.
“How’s the exhibition prep coming?”
He asked sincerely. Cecilia felt a little awkward. She remembered that for Xavier Fostern, a single contract could be worth billions, while her exhibition…
It all seemed kind of insignificant in comparison—plus, this was their first time. She didn't even know if they'd do it well.
She glanced up at him, her beautiful eyes slightly confused.
“Well, the main activities are all set, and a lot of people want to donate artwork. But since the studio is new, it doesn’t have much impact yet, so…”
Xavier Fostern took her phone, studying her Weibo post. Casually, he said, “Isn’t there a lot of art on the second floor? You could add a couple of those pieces.”
“No, I can’t. Those are all gifts from you,” Cecilia explained earnestly. “It’s not that I can’t bear to part with them, it’s just… gifts from you should be carefully kept. Oh, and the exhibition works must be donated personally by the artist.”
Okay, maybe she did sound a little reluctant to let them go…
Xavier Fostern let out a short laugh, understanding her perfectly. It reminded him of the birthday gifts he’d given her—she always packed them away in boxes for safekeeping, too precious to wear or risk damaging.
“I get it. Here, let me take a look for my baby.”
Cecilia blushed and reached out for her phone. “Hey, I already told Yao Yao—we’re not letting you or your brother help.”
Xavier Fostern regarded her quietly. “Why not? Can’t we pitch in, too? We want to help, but we can’t paint, so we have to help in other ways.”
“…I guess you have a point. But you can’t just give us money or anything like that, got it?” Cecilia wriggled away from his arms, waving a slender, pale finger in front of his face in a mock-serious warning.
He caught her hand with a sigh. Did she really think all he could do was throw money around?
“No money then. Let me just see if there’s any way to improve your plan.”
Looking over the studio’s Weibo, he saw it had sixty thousand followers. Not bad for a new account, but publicity would still be limited if they only promoted it here.
So Xavier Fostern took his own phone, pulled up Weibo, and reposted the exhibition info, adding just one line: “My wife’s exhibition.”
…
Cecilia stared, alarmed. “Wait—you—now everyone’s going to come just because of you!”
Xavier Fostern kissed her on the temple. “Sometimes, popularity is a resource too. And you’re requiring that all work be personally created by the artist. I don’t actually know many professional painters, so I’m just helping with the publicity.”
“…Alright then.”
Not even a minute after Xavier Fostern reposted it, the Fu Corporation’s official Weibo also shared the post, only with the line: “The CEO’s wife’s art exhibition.”
The PR team even attached a few photos from opening day at the studio—by the lake, golden autumn, a dreamy, beautiful art studio. Perfect!
Cecilia felt like crying—this was completely over the top.
Xavier Fostern, hugging his wife, was very pleased with his PR department’s efficiency and decided to send them a generous bonus tomorrow.
He turned off his phone and tucked Cecilia under the covers.
“Alright, stop overthinking. It won’t have the kind of impact you’re imagining. Maybe there won’t even be much of a ripple tomorrow.”
Pretending to comfort her, he thought to himself that her Weibo was probably going to be overwhelmed with messages tomorrow. Maybe he’d have the PR team help manage the studio’s account too.
Also, tomorrow he should reserve a bigger venue—there were going to be a lot of submissions.
“Xavier Fostern, you’re being sneaky,” Cecilia said angrily, pinching his cheek. “We promised we’d do this ourselves, just me and Yao Yao, and you managed to rope yourself in with just a few words.”
Xavier Fostern pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes, feigning exhaustion. “I’m not helping you; I’m hoping you’ll help me. Charles Chase and I are launching a new project. Let us do our part for charity and get a little halo effect, okay?”
“Besides, more artwork means more impact. We can help more children. Maybe we can even set up a foundation so it becomes something long-term and organized.”
His voice was gentle and so certain that Cecilia’s tangled thoughts calmed down as well.
It was, after all, a good deed. She couldn’t really take away their wish to help.
“…Alright, I’ll grudgingly let you participate.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Fu.”
“You’re welcome. Goodnight.”
“No, not goodnight.”
A big hand slipped around her slim waist, pulling her on top of him.
Xavier Fostern’s deep, mesmerizing gaze locked on her. Turns out, hardworking Cecilia was even more captivating than he’d imagined.
“Baby, why do I feel like I love you more every day?”
Cecilia pressed her palms to his chest, her cheeks suffused with blush, feeling something was about to happen.
“You—you’re just trying to keep me up again…”
“That’s right. I don’t want you to sleep.”
The night was long. Xavier Fostern had every intention of making up for these past two nights he’d been neglected.