Chapter 59:
Meng Shuyou stopped the brush, turned her head to look, “Mister Pei.”
“I didn’t notice.” She put down the brush and paint palette, stood up, and moved her position inward.
Fortunately, she had skin that wouldn’t tan no matter how much sun it got.
Pei Yuzhou looked down while replying to mobile phone messages and said, “Eat breakfast first before painting.”
“Okay.” Meng Shuyou raised her hand to tidy her messy hair and asked, “Can I go out to play this afternoon?”
“Have the bodyguard follow.”
“Do you still have to be busy this afternoon?”
“Meeting someone to discuss a project.”
“Alright.”
The painting still had one-third left unfinished.
In the afternoon, Meng Shuyou went to the city center to visit attractions, with the bodyguard accompanying her.
Florence is a city where art history and romance intertwine, with attractions not far apart, perfect for wandering freely as one pleases.
The Italian name Firenze means “City of Flowers,” but she preferred the Chinese name under Xu Zhimo’s brush—Fei Leng Cui, full of Eastern charm.
Along the way, one could see medieval buildings full of historical depth.
Meng Shuyou bought a cup of coffee on the street, saw the red-tiled dome and exquisite mural sculptures of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, then went to the Uffizi Gallery to view master paintings, where many Renaissance originals are collected.
The Old Bridge spans the Arno River, with many jewelry shops on the bridge.
Most girls can’t refuse pretty jewelry, and Meng Shuyou was no exception; she bought several bracelets.
The final stop was Piazzale Michelangelo, where standing on the steps one could overlook the entire city, with buildings densely clustered and staggered, and mountain ranges stretching undulating in the distance.
This was a prime spot for watching the sunset, but unfortunately, the weather suddenly turned cloudy, with the sun completely blocked by cloud layers; it probably couldn’t be seen today.
Meng Shuyou took a few photographs and turned back.
Passing a souvenir shop, she went in to browse casually and picked two bottles of perfume and a piece of wool handmade soap, all scents she liked.
There was also a velvet rose fragrance diffuser that she liked very much.
At checkout, the female boss asked, “Beauty, do you have a boyfriend?”
Meng Shuyou didn’t understand, hesitated for two seconds, and gently shook her head.
The female boss smiled, “Then this fragrance diffuser isn’t suitable for you; this one has a flirtatious effect.”
Meng Shuyou’s expression stiffened slightly, “Do you have a regular version?”
“No.” The female boss recommended, “Maybe you can look at the sweet orange rose one; it has sleep-aid ingredients.”
Meng Shuyou decisively swapped it.
The female boss toyed with a deck of tarot cards in her hand, “I feel a connection with you; want to try fortune telling?”
Meng Shuyou didn’t really believe in these things, but out of curiosity, she nodded, “Then trouble you to read for me: will my future career go smoothly?”
“Sure.” The female boss had her draw cards.
Meng Shuyou drew four cards at random.
The female boss flipped them open one by one and placed them on the table, carefully reading the cards, “Wheel of Fortune: there are gains and there must be losses.”
Meng Shuyou murmured softly, “Gains and losses?”
The female boss said: “You will receive help from a benefactor, but you will also lose something because of him. Everything has its cause and effect; fate is a process of breaking and rebuilding. The key lies in your mindset.”
Coming out of the shop, it started drizzling outside.
The weather was indeed unpredictable.
The bodyguard had Meng Shuyou wait a moment at the doorway; he went to buy an umbrella.
Pedestrians hurried on the street, shuttling through the rain.
Due to cultural habits and climate, Europeans seem not to like using umbrellas much.
The mobile phone rang; it was Mister Pei’s telephone call.
After connecting, he asked: “Where are you?”
Meng Shuyou gave a place name.
“Do you have an umbrella?”
“Frank went to buy one.”
“Stay there and wait for me.”
With that, the call ended.
Meng Shuyou was surprised; how was he also here.
