"Is it?" Meekly smiling, Ethan Lu asked regarding the t.i.tle of the art that caught his eye.
After putting pressure on the WW Group of Companies that nearly broke them until they almost declared bankruptcy, and then lifted his punishment towards the said company as he just wanted to teach Kevin Woo a lesson for disrespecting Lexi, he still kept a close watch on him.
During this one year and several months, Kevin Woo seemed to change and instead of involving himself in their family business, he chose a career that shook everyone to their core, to be an artist. Never in their years of being the ultimate playboys and party animals had Ethan Lu noticed that Kevin Woo was inclined of such things.
Or rather, it was not only him but everyone that knew Kevin Woo was just as shocked as Ethan Lu was. Who would have thought that this man had this side of him and his paintings emanated his feelings, his heart, and soul through it? Regardless of the shock, Ethan Lu was amazed that he appeared to be a completely changed person and was glad to find his equilibrium.
Staring at him from head to toe, right now, instead of a sequened tux that would make Kevin Woo stand out in a crowd, he was only wearing a plain and simple coat with a s.h.i.+rt and denim pants underneath. His usually clean brushed up hair had now grown longer to the point that he tied it in a bun with little strands of hair set loose on the side. Overall, Kevin Woo looked more mature in his appearance and by his tranquil temperament.
"Yeah…" After casting Ethan Lu a glance, Kevin Woo return his attention to the painting that has a memorable sentimental value in his heart. "It is a story of a brotherhood of five different boys. It was a group that was formed in the most unexpected ways but then, even after being friends for a long time, there are still some parts of them that had remained hidden… or rather, the others failed to see." Explaining the story behind the so-called painting, his eyes softened as a bittersweet smile plastered across his lips.
"They were once blissfully ignorant as each of them grew to be men. Though their colors changed through the years and their life had unexpected twists and turns, deep down, their friends.h.i.+p remained… it was not the same but, it was still there." This time, Kevin Woo finished his summarized story of the thousand or more stories behind the artwork. Nevertheless, he already made his point.
"It"s nice to see you." Turning to see Ethan Lu"s das.h.i.+ng side profile, the side of Kevin Woo"s lips curled into a genuine smile.
"Mhmm…" Nodding while his eyes were locked on the painting that has sent more stories than what Kevin Woo explained, Ethan Lu slowly turned his head to his friend that changed a lot. Be it his way of clothing, the way he speaks, or his temperament, Kevin Woo truly seemed to be more mature now.
"I like it." With a smile, Ethan Lu lowly muttered. "Good to see you doing well too." Placing a tap on Kevin Woo"s shoulder, Ethan Lu added.
Neither of them talked about what happened since their last encounter as Kevin Woo personally a.s.sisted Ethan Lu to his other artworks. After that, he invited Ethan Lu to have tea in the office of the gallery which he now owned.
"By the way, we have this small dinner party later for the twins. You should come and meet the twins." Putting down his cup of tea, Ethan Lu smiled as he invited him over to their small gathering for the twins. After all, Kevin Woo hadn"t met the twins and Lexi for a long time. Moreover, he wanted to catch up with his friend as Ethan Lu"s personal matter was kept private for safety measures.
"Ethan…" Smiling back, Kevin Woo briefly looked down before he raised his head again to meet Ethan Lu"s front. "I"m sorry and thank you." Offering him the most genuine smile he could give, Kevin Woo set aside his invitation as he opened this subject they must discuss.
"Actually, I hated you at first for choosing Lexi over your friends. Alas, after knowing the truth, about brother Mo, Chris, and everything, I was slapped by reality on how ignorant I was. But then, instead of trying to understand things, I remained arrogant for pus.h.i.+ng all the blame for your extreme action with our Woo family." Scoffing, Kevin Woo slightly shook his head sideways as he recalled how foolish he was one year ago.
"Until the time that our family business was closed due to bankruptcy, I never did anything but blame you. I don"t know how and why but I woke up one day, realizing that with or without my presence, I can"t help in the company because everything feels new to me. I realized how much of a spoiled brat I was for not knowing my purpose even for not being a help to anyone in the family. While you, on the other hand, were slowly building your career and making your name in the industry." Indeed, when the whole Woo family was shaken by the attack from the Lu Corporation, Kevin Woo tried to help his father. However, he wasn"t much of a help because he only retained the basic knowledge of the company and couldn"t do anything else to help.
Therefore, aside from the criticism he received from the other extended family members for not knowing about their own company, Kevin Woo was also hated as he already had too much freedom and used all his pocket money to sustain a luxurious lifestyle without breaking a sweat— he still failed and offended Ethan Lu. Hence, their dilemma at that time.
If not for the fact that he had this talent on art and expressed himself by doing small paintings, he wouldn"t have discovered that this had been his life"s calling— not partying all night, not flashy sportscars or sequened tuxedo.
Therefore, as he busied himself working in his artworks and attending art cla.s.ses and exhibits, Kevin Woo realized what Ethan Lu"s message was for doing what he did. That they were not getting any younger and if not for Ethan Lu, who would straighten his curved path as his family spoiled and tolerated him without teaching him how to be a man of his own, he may not have ever grown up.
"You don"t have to thank me. I did what I did because I am selfish like that especially when it comes to my wife and the twins." Little did Kevin Woo know, though he made his point and thought too much about it, alas, Ethan Lu was just really irked on how he badmouthed Lexi in front of him. Hence, without thinking much, he did what he did— no more no less. Well, since the outcome was good, Ethan Lu thought that things really happened that way and caused a good result.
"Wife? You guys got married?" Knitting his brows as Kevin Woo"s attention was sidetracked to the word "wife" instead of the other message behind Ethan Lu"s sentence, he asked out of curiosity. "I heard from Eli that you had the twins but, I never heard of a wedding yet." He added as Ethan Lu and Lexi"s relations.h.i.+p was now too lowkey. Even Ethan Lu"s Weibo account has been inactive ever since the news about their engagement dominated the online world for a month.