Chapter 112: The Bird and the Fish, Crossing Paths on the Same Journey

Wu Heng held her paintbrush, watching the crowd before the wall as they each painted the stories hidden within their hearts. Yet, she herself still did not know where to begin.

When she reached the far end, she found Lin Shenlu crouching on the ground, painting something. Wu Heng leaned in to inspect his work. By now, Lin Shenlu had already finished the waves, and along the edge, he was painting a lighthouse—a lighthouse perched upon a jagged rock.

"Brother Lin, why are you painting in such a low spot?" Wu Heng asked, curious.

In her eyes, Lin Shenlu, as the organizer of this entire event, ought to be painting something eye-catching right in the center. But instead, he was tucked away in a corner, painting something so inconspicuous. Compared to the surrounding works, his sea and lighthouse looked like nothing more than a base coat, a mere backdrop for the others.

"What of it?" Lin Shenlu said with a smile. "Does only the light at the very center shine bright? Among the myriad lights of the world, it is enough if one is meant for me."

Wu Heng nodded, thoughtful.

"Look at this lighthouse," Lin Shenlu continued. "What is its purpose? It is to point the way for the lost, to help those who cannot find their way home. A lighthouse is the one thing life needs most, so that one does not lose oneself or lose one's way. Don't you agree?"

Wu Heng nodded. "Thank you, Brother Lin. I hadn't thought of it that way."

Lin Shenlu chuckled. "Don't just stand there. Come, join in. On this wall, it doesn't matter if your painting is good or bad; as long as you paint, it is brilliant."

Wu Heng pondered for a moment. "Brother Lin, I want to paint a bird, but I don't know where to place it."

"If you don't know where to put it, paint it over a small patch of my sea! It's quite empty out there, anyway..." Lin Shenlu gestured to the space above his waves.

The suggestion made Wu Heng’s cheeks flush slightly. What was he saying? It felt strange, like a player adding fish to his own pond. Fortunately, she knew Lin Shenlu’s character well enough.

"Brother Lin, I want to paint a bird of freedom, but I’m not sure how to express it," she asked.

"A bird of freedom... it’s not just about flying high. What defines 'high'? Must you paint a moon beside the bird to prove it has reached the heights? A bird of freedom must fly in a place that belongs to freedom—like this sea of mine. The ocean is the paradise of the fish; if the bird and the fish share the same path, the mountains and rivers will naturally meet. Is flying over the endless, boundless sea not free enough?" Lin Shenlu said, adjusting the shading on the rocks.

He paused, then added, "If you don't believe me, look up."

Wu Heng looked up. At the very top of a ladder, a cold, expressionless girl was painting a stretch of sky. The blue she used was captivating. Fluffy white clouds drifted across it.

"That girl was painting beside me earlier, and now she's painting the sky above me. But look at the person next to her..." Lin Shenlu said.

Wu Heng looked again. Beneath the sky the girl was painting, right beside a white cloud, a man was painting a large goldfish—a goldfish wandering through the clouds in the sky.

"If a fish can wander among the white clouds, that is its own kind of freedom. Why can’t your bird fly over the sea?" Lin Shenlu said with a smile.

In that moment, Wu Heng felt as if she had come to a realization. "I understand now. Thank you, Brother Lin."

"There we go. My lighthouse is finished. This little blank space on the sea is left for your bird. May the bird be like you, and may you be like freedom itself." Lin Shenlu gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

Wu Heng nodded, and the brush in her hand slowly moved toward the seemingly carefree sea. *Be a free bird,* she thought. *Fly high. Life remains as it is, but one must always keep their heart turned toward the sun.*

"Little Wu, I’m done with the bathroom... hurry and give me that pen! Inspiration strikes the moment I finish. I’m going to paint Lu Fei and Jiang Jiang holding hands under those roses in my story! Then I’ll take a photo to post as an easter egg chapter..." Xiao Shou walked over while pulling up his pants, then thought for a moment and added, "You know, this scene just gave me ideas for another thirty or fifty thousand words! I'll start writing as soon as I get back! Don't worry, I won't let you down—the hundred thousand words will be ready by the end of the month," he said cheerfully.

Wu Heng laughed. Everything in the world was two-way; change your perspective, and beauty would always arrive as expected.

...

As Lin Shenlu walked along the wall, he glanced at Su Youzhi, who was still on the ladder painting the sky. The girl who painted "Goodnight Blue" occupied the highest point of the wall. While most people gathered to create below, she stood alone at the summit.

The boy who had finished painting the goldfish climbed down the ladder with a beaming smile. He wondered if he had finally managed to impress the cold girl with his goldfish.

Little did he know, when Su Youzhi returned to her spot, she saw her clouds had been "invaded" by a goldfish. The imperious Su Youzhi immediately covered it with a layer of blue... *My sea of clouds does not keep goldfish.*

...

When Lin Shenlu returned to the open space by the entrance, very few painters remained. He knew that those who stayed were likely the most dedicated creators, those who pursued perfection in their work.

Of course, this was only a day of creation; many great works take months or even years to complete. True masterpieces are not easily won. They didn't labor for any reason other than to ensure their works were flawless. That was the best proof of their existence in this world.

There were many, of course, who chose not to participate in the "Art Wall" after finishing, choosing instead to leave quietly. Lin Shenlu held the utmost respect for them.

By now, Hai Lanjing had collected over a hundred works. Inside and outside the house, there were still twenty or thirty unfinished pieces. This spontaneous art exhibition could be considered a complete success. He would leave the rest to Hai Lanjing—choosing her favorite pieces to keep and planning the future direction of the inn. Lin Shenlu had already told her everything; as long as the promotion and follow-up were handled well, this Whale-Deer Inn would become the most renowned inn in Dagangtou Town.

Lin Shenlu had not labored in vain. Perhaps he could finally leave with peace of mind.

Just as he was packing his things, a figure quietly appeared. He checked the time; it was nearing five in the afternoon. He would head back to rest; he was truly exhausted today.

Bent over his gear, Lin Shenlu did not notice the tall figure approaching him. The figure wore a faint smile and a light gray peaked cap. She walked softly behind him and gave his shoulder a light tap.

"Hey, Little Deer, long time no see!" the figure said.

Lin Shenlu froze. Who was it?

He turned around and looked at the figure—three parts strange and seven parts familiar—until the person removed her oversized sunglasses.

Lin Shenlu’s eyes lit up.