Ashton Marshall stood up and stared at Bella Woods, "Are you sure?"
"I’m sure," Bella Woods replied with certainty.
The next second, Ashton Marshall smiled, bent down, and pulled Bella Woods into his arms.
"The house near the school is already arranged, I’ll come over a month later," Ashton Marshall said softly in Bella Woods’ ear.
Bella Woods was surprised, "Does this mean... you had prepared for my going abroad long ago?"
"Country A has always been the art school you wanted to attend. From the moment you said you’d leave in a year, I started making arrangements."
This is why Ashton Marshall knew Bella Woods was preparing to go abroad but never mentioned it.
"Sometimes it makes me angry too, knowing you’re just focused on leaving, ignoring everything, letting things go," Ashton Marshall still complained.
Bella Woods had already buried her face in Ashton Marshall’s chest.
Meanwhile, Cyan Marshall had quietly left as the two embraced.
She was sure that neither Bella Woods nor Ashton Marshall would attend the banquet.
The sensational proposal by Third Young Master Marshall, the lovers chose their preferred low-key way, and Cyan Marshall had to manage the situation and comfort the guests who came tonight.
After Bella Woods finished talking with Ashton, she got into a car heading to the airport.
Ashton Marshall accompanied her all the way to the airport.
As she was about to go through security, Ashton Marshall still held onto Bella Woods’ hand.
Bella Woods smiled, "I have to go, Third Young Master."
Ashton Marshall didn’t speak, he just kept holding her hand.
Bella Woods rose on tiptoe to hug Ashton Marshall, "Didn’t you say you’d come to find me in a month?"
"Yes, things need to be arranged. I can’t let the Woods Family fall apart, it would make you feel bad. So they must be forced back to your hometown to live an uneventful life.
I need to arrange everything for the Marshall Family, to ensure you marry into it without any trouble."
"So many things, little one."
Ashton Marshall held Bella Woods tightly, and all of those many things he mentioned were for her future arrangements.
"Ashton, I have prepared a gift for you," Bella Woods said.
"Oh?"
"A painting I made for you at Peace University," Bella Woods said.
Originally it was a parting gift for Ashton when she left, concealing all her true feelings and emotions.
But the airport broadcast had already announced that Bella Woods was boarding her flight to Country A, and they couldn’t linger.
Bella Woods let go of Ashton Marshall and stepped back, until their hands could no longer hold.
"Remember to get your gift," Bella Woods shook Ashton’s hand briefly.
Though reluctant, Ashton Marshall nodded, slowly released her hand, and watched Bella Woods go through security.
He waited at the airport until Bella Woods’ plane took off before leaving for Peace University.
It was late at night, and the campus was silent.
The venerable Third Young Master Marshall’s arrival still put everyone on alert, from the board of directors to Bella Woods’ department head.
Several teachers from Bella Woods’ department brought a painting to Ashton Marshall.
The head teacher said, "Third Young Master, this is the painting Bella Woods left at our school."
With Ashton’s permission, the teacher unveiled the curtain, and as the painting was displayed, everyone looked at it in amazement.
Ashton’s usually indifferent expression suddenly softened.
It was a painting rich in color.
Under the sunset sky, a man in a suit held the hand of a girl reaching his shoulder, one hand was held while the other held a book. Although of different heights, they walked in step.
Their leather shoes and sneakers walked side by side forward.
And the surrounding prosperity and brilliance symbolized the beautiful future awaiting them.
Ashton Marshall lowered his head, the corners of his mouth subtly lifted.
Meanwhile, on the plane, Bella Woods obviously anticipated that Ashton would look at the painting after leaving the airport.
That painting, previously because of separation, was considered a parting gift, representing Bella Woods’ brilliant and happy inner world during her time with Ashton.
With thoughts lingering on each other.
And now, it already took on a different meaning.
That painting became the future for Bella Woods and Ashton Marshall.
...
Seven years later, at the airport.
The airport’s LED screen was broadcasting news.
"According to the latest news, renowned painter Bella Woods will hold her first domestic painting exhibition at Peace University, please look forward to it."
The broadcast repeated the news, people hurried, some stopped for photos, some remained indifferent.
As the news’ protagonist, Bella Woods wore sunglasses and a camel trench coat, enthusiastically heading in a specific direction.
A man in a black trench coat stood waiting, opening his arms to receive her.
"I’ve missed you so much, Ashton," Bella Woods snuggled in his embrace.
Ashton raised an eyebrow, "It’s only been a few days, and you missed me this much?"
Bella Woods let go, unhappy, "Except for that one month when I first arrived in Country A, we’ve never been apart again." Searᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
This year Bella Woods was twenty-five.
But after seven years immersed in the art world, her aura was uniquely artistic, with a touch of womanly charm.
Long gone was the naive girl from seven years ago.
During those years, Bella Woods was absorbed in art, Ashton’s Marshall Clan Group’s domestic business was left to other family members while he focused on expanding in Country A, with the most important priority being accompanying his wife.
And with Ashton’s strong insistence, Bella sometimes would put aside art to travel with her husband.
Oh, they had already traveled for their wedding in the second year in Country A.
Ashton Marshall led Bella Woods out of the airport.
"Aunt Cyan says, on my return I must stay overnight at the Hughes Family, and tomorrow I can accompany you to the Marshall Family," Bella said, "We’re also supposed to have dinner there first."
Ashton frowned, "She still sees you as a daughter."
"The Hughes Family is my family!" Bella protested.
In the third year in Country A, during an academic exchange, Bella Woods encountered a haggard Oliver Hughes.
He specifically came to Country A to apologize to Bella Woods for the past pains caused by his immaturity, sincerely apologizing.
Bella Woods, immersed in happiness, didn’t mind the past events.
Finally, she and Ashton had a meal with Oliver, and as they saw him off, Bella called out Brother Oliver.
Oliver said, "The Hughes Family will always be your family. You’re not my little aunty but our beloved sister who will always be protected by us."
While Ashton Marshall treated her wonderfully, the Hughes Family remained Bella Woods’ strongest support.
The Woods Family lived neither well nor poorly in their hometown small villa.
As Ashton promised, not too badly off in the village they lived freely, but stepping out brought life dangers, so they accepted things. Ron Woods, Jade Patel, including Rose Woods and the academically unsuccessful Elliot Woods all spent peaceful lives back home.
In the car to the Hughes Family, Ashton suddenly asked.
Ashton Marshall: "Why agree to stay in Peace City for three years with Cyan Marshall?"
Bella Woods: "Aunt Cyan wants a grandchild, and since Oliver Hughes isn’t stepping up, it’s up to me."
Ashton Marshall: "I’ll raise one kid, not two."
Bella Woods: "So, Aunt will raise the child, you won’t have to."
Ashton Marshall: "It’ll be tough, only one child allowed."
Bella Woods: "Alright, just one."
Love rises and sets, romantic till the end.
For the rest of life, with you day and night, year by year.
[The End]
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