Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 42

The Promise of Growing Old Together

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France, the small town of Giverny.

The brightly coloured houses and gardens stand out against the blue sky, like a beautiful painting.

The town is world famous for the famous French painter Monet. Monet was the father of Impressionism and a pioneer of modernist painting. Thanks to his remarkable influence, it has attracted painters from all over the world to settle here, and there is a romantic and poetic atmosphere.

Morgana owns a small two-storey building here, and in front of the house there is a small garden filled with a variety of greenery.

She also has a golden Pomeranian and a Chartreux cat. The dog's name is Simba, inspired by The Lion King, and the Chartreux cat, also known as the French Blue Cat, is named Pearl. The name had no special meaning, it just happened to be the first word that popped into her head when she was naming them.

When they met, Morgana hugged Liang Jin warmly and kissed him on the cheek, saying in Chinese, "Welcome home, my boy."

The moment Ji Xiuyuan walked into the courtyard with his suitcase in tow, Simba rushed over excitedly, wagging his tail happily. Pearl also paced out from the door and jumped on the windowsill, meowing softly a few times as if welcoming her master home.

Simba was a warm and welcoming dog, not at all afraid of new people. Within five minutes, he had become acquainted with Liang Jin, lying on the floor and rolling around begging to be petted.

Opening the light blue wooden front door, Morgana ushered Liang Jin into the living room.

The two sat on the sofa, and Morgana introduced in a pleasant tone, "Giverny is a wonderful place, let Vincent show you around later. There's Monet's former home and the Museum of Impressionism. But the museum was actually previously called the American Art Museum and was founded by the Terra Art Foundation. In other words, there are many American painters here. Therefore, it's okay to use English."

Liang Jin said, "But, my English is also very bad."

"How could that be? When we first met, didn't you greet me in English?"

"Yes, I only know how to say hello."

Morgana smiled gently, "It's okay, you can ask Vincent to translate for you."

After settling the luggage, Ji Xiuyuan came down from upstairs and sat beside Liang Jin.

Morgana said, "I've made an appointment with Reverend Wesley and the wedding is scheduled for this weekend at Sainte-Radegonde Church. What do you think?"

Ji Xiuyuan asked, "How many people did you invite?"

"I'm not sure," Morgana shrugged, "The only people who will definitely be there are Xiao Jin, you and me. Oh and of course, Reverend Wesley."

"Very well." Ji Xiuyuan had never liked noisy environments, "But this doesn't seem like your style."

"Ha ha, I really can't hide it from you," Morgana said excitedly, "Let me show you something!" She opened a cupboard and took out a stack of beautifully drawn cards from it, "Surprise!"

Liang Jin looked at the stack of cards, which were as beautiful as the artwork sold in stores, and since he couldn't read French, he asked Ji Xiuyuan, "Ji Shen, what's written on them?"

Ji Xiuyuan: "An invitation."

"Yes!" Morgana's eyes sparkled, "Aren't they beautiful, Xiao Jin?"

"Mmm."

"I drew these myself!"

"So," Ji Xiuyuan asked, "who did you send invitations to?"

"Pretty much the whole town."

Liang Jin: ????

Ji Xiuyuan: ......

Morgana spoke happily, "There are many artist association meetings in the town of Giverny, and during this time, whenever I attended an exchange meeting, I shared this joy with my friends who were there. I also gave Reverend Wesley many invitations to leave in the church so that residents who said their prayers could pick them up. When passing by a coffee shop or florist, I would also give some to them if I was in a good mood. Also, when I went shopping in the city, I gave some to my friends there."

Liang Jin: "I'm curious, can the church seat that many people?"

Morgana explained, "Xiao Jin, although people receive an invitation, they may not actually come. You can think of it as a kind of performance art. Don't worry, it's no problem."

The day before the wedding, Morgana took the two to the church to meet Reverend Wesley and discuss the details.

Wesley was a kind-faced old man, whose face was covered in creases when he smiled.

Liang Jin was surprised that he could speak Chinese.

Wesley winked at Liang Jin: "Welcome, my friend. Is my Chinese okay? It's not as good as dear Morgana, but I've been practising for a long time. I've studied it for ten years and I have to say, God, Chinese is so difficult."

"Your Chinese is already very good, why do you want to learn Chinese?"

"Because of my son, who works in China. I have a Chinese daughter-in-law who is beautiful and lovely, and they encourage me."

Morgana added, "There are three reverends in the church, and it just so happens that Wesley knows Chinese, so I asked him."

Wesley took off his hat and saluted, "It's my pleasure, Ma'am."

Liang Jin said, "Wonderful, then we don't have to worry about the language."

"That's right, child," Wesley smiled lovingly, "the church bells will ring for you. Many blessings to you and Vincent."

Ji Xiuyuan shook his hand and sincerely said, "Thank you, Reverend."

Wesley drew a cross on his chest, "May God bless you."

While Morgana stayed in Wesley's office to continue discussing the arrangements for the next day, Ji Xiuyuan took Liang Jin on a tour of the church's main nave.

The afternoon sun poured in through the semi-circular windows, and the white marble facade was carved with ornaments. A few white doves were perched on the spire, occasionally passing by the windows.

They sat in the first row of the main hall and Ji Xiuyuan whispered, "Xiao Jin, I once had a dream."

"Mhmm, you told me about it. I remember."

"The scene in the dream was almost exactly the same as right now."

"It's a little different." Liang Jin said as he wrapped his arms around his neck and tilted his head up to kiss him.

Ji Xiuyuan wrapped his arms around his waist and sat him on his lap.

After the kiss, Liang Jin looked at him with bright eyes, "This is exactly the same."

Ji Xiuyuan touched his lips again, "Why do you have such a good memory this time? Hmm?"

"What do you mean? You act like I always forget things."

"Don't you? You can even forget a confession."

"Wow, Ji Shen, how long ago was that, and besides, wasn't that because I was drunk?"

"Mhmm, and then being jealous of yourself and not answering the phone."

"Ah, forgive me Ji Shen, I don't want to remember things like that!!!"

Ji Xiuyuan rubbed his hair, "So, this dream, how come you remember it so clearly?"

Liang Jin paused for a moment, then buried his head on Ji Xiuyuan's shoulder and whispered, "Because, I once had the exact same dream, Ji Shen."

Hugging the person in his arms tightly, Ji Xiuyuan whispered, "I thought of a piano song that would be perfect for tomorrow."

"Which one?"

"Mariage d'Amour."

———

Sunday, Sainte-Radegonde Church.

The red carpet was rolled down from the main nave to the bottom of the steps outside the door, flanked by a tapestry of white flowers.

The white flowers chosen were tulips, symbolising pure love and confession.

In the upper right-hand corner of the main nave, a piano was set up and a musician, a friend of Morgana's, was playing 'Marriage d'Amour'.

The melodious music attracted a passing violinist, who, upon receiving permission, happily joined in the performance, mesmerised by the melody of the piano.

The ceremony started at nine o'clock, and by eight o'clock, local residents were sending their blessings.

Some of those who received invitations and did not have time to come to the ceremony sent roses, Chinese roses, lilies or daisies.

These bouquets were carefully placed at the witness stand in the main nave, and the fragrance of the flowers was overflowing with sweetness.

As the melodious ancient bells rang out, Ji Xiuyuan and Liang Jin walked hand in hand down the aisle. As the audience stood up, the hall was filled with enthusiastic applause and warm blessings.

The piano and violin ensemble began to play and the children from the choir began to sing 'Sundial Dreams'.

As the couple approached the witness stand, Reverend Wesley announced in a loud voice, "We are gathered here today under the watchful eye of God to witness this sacred marriage. This is a glorious moment, a moment that God has ordained since Adam and Eve walked the earth, and therefore is reverent and solemn. Now, these two people are about to be joined together in this holy wedding."

He asked Ji Xiuyuan, "Do you accept Liang Jin as your lawful partner, and from now on, love him, respect him and be faithful to him until the end of your life?"

Ji Xiuyuan gazed into Liang Jin's eyes, "I do."

Wesley asked Liang Jin: "Do you accept Ji Xiuyuan as your lawful partner, and from now on, love him, respect him and be faithful to him until the end of your life?"

Liang Jin: "I do."

Morgana, overcome with emotion, handed Ji Xiuyuan a bouquet of flowers. The bouquet consisted of pale orange and peach gradient roses, white freesias and pink Chinese roses with pale silver calla lilies.

Ji Xiuyuan handed the bouquet to Liang Jin.

Wesley said, "You may now kiss."

The nave once again erupted in applause as the children from the choir carried baskets of flowers and showered the two with petals as they kissed.

The music reached its climax and when the atmosphere was at its most passionate, Wesley gave them the final blessing: "Love is patient and kind. It bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Love never ceases."

"God has blessed you and made your love solid as a rock."

"God will be at your side so that you will never be separated."

———

The day after the wedding, a letter arrived in the mailbox in front of Morgana's house.

The letter was written by Anderson, the curator of the American Art Museum, who wrote that he had attended their wedding yesterday and had been deeply touched. Knowing that Ji Xiuyuan is an internationally renowned painter, he wanted to invite him to create a painting on the theme of platonic love, which he intended to include in the American Art Museum.

At the end of the letter he left his contact details and expressed his sincere hope that Ji Xiuyuan would reply as soon as possible.

Ji Xiuyuan sent him an email stating that he was currently on his honeymoon. After his holiday, he would get in touch with him again.

The two of them stayed in the small town for almost a week.

Liang Jin followed Morgana every morning, tending to the plants, playing with the cat and walking the dog. In the afternoon, he spent his time wandering around town with Ji Xiuyuan, and occasionally went to art galleries with him. Their days were quite leisurely.

That is, until a phone call from Wen Di ended their long holiday early.

Wen Di said, "Director Ji, have you forgotten that you also run a company? I'd like to take the liberty of reminding you that more than ten thousand employees from all over the Tian Han Group haven't seen you for almost a month. Oh I almost forgot, all except for Liang Jin."

Ji Xiuyuan: "What? Has something happened?"

Wen Di's voice was a little worried, "It's not a big problem, but anyway, you still need to come back and take charge of the situation."

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: June 21, 2023