The Versatile Master Artist

Chapter 668: Chapter 307: Hope and a Lovers’ Journey

Tony, with tearful eyes, looked at the screen, the light and shadows on it illuminating his slightly wrinkled face.

In the sketches, he gradually aged, slowly melding his appearance with who he was now.

The last sketch sent by Detective Cat was paused in the bedroom on the ranch, depicting a photo taken three months ago, where he stood in a light sweater on the porch, with an old, quaint, weathered little house at his feet.

That was Amy’s old cat house—a small craft he made as a child using wood, duck feathers, and an old mailbox, with the help of the servants.

Exactly thirty years ago from now.

He gazed at the screen as if staring at a dream from thirty years ago, his eyes reflecting the flickering light of the television.

Dr. Jin Anqing, on the other hand, was focusing intently on Tony’s expression.

Mr. Tree Sloth said, a person can only awaken when faced with their soul.

In psychology, there isn’t an exact medical definition for something as vague and literary as “awakening.”

However,

Judging by Dr. Jin’s professional experience, when someone decides to make a significant change in their life,

the look in their eyes is always intriguing.

He once saw a local bestselling drama director, after so many years of the bustling world and long infidelity, came to realize that what he loved the most was his wife, who was on the verge of divorce, and was determined to do everything to save the marriage.

At that moment, the director’s eyes, long numbed by alcohol and “leaves,” were astonishingly bright.

Dr. Jin Anqing discerned that kind of faith and hope to do everything to preserve beautiful things.

So after the psychological counseling session was over, he called another psychotherapist located in the West Suburbs of Auckland to share this news.

The other party was the therapist for the director’s wife, and happened to be familiar with Dr. Jin, both being in the same industry supervision group.

As the therapists for both spouses, they would communicate with each other to some extent, discussing their judgments on the director’s marital status.

“He won’t succeed.”

On the phone, after listening to Dr. Jin Anqing’s account, the therapist of the director’s wife summed it up in a very flat tone.

“Why? This time it’s different, I can see he’s really made up his mind. Furthermore, their family income is good, the director is a respectable upper-class individual, with excellent performance and substantial income. Without external pressure, if he’s willing to change, why not wish him success?”

Dr. Jin asked curiously.

In the industry, generally speaking, if a married couple has long been on the verge of divorce yet remains entangled without actually divorcing, and both parties are undergoing psychological counseling to adjust their states,

there is a considerable possibility of saving this marriage.

At least, in some part of their hearts, the husband and wife’s hearts, there’s some attachment to each other and to beautiful past memories.

“No, I won’t wish him success; it’s not good for my client. Moreover, this time it’s different. Misha has finally realized that her husband is a scum. She is set to break free from this struggling life.”

“She intends to free herself from everything and start a new life.”

“Are you sure it’s not just a moment of anger?”

“Misha has grown desperate and weary, she told me with her eyes,” the other party softly said on the phone. “Facing those already sorrowful eyes, I understood her determination.”

“Doctor, the relationship is ended, gone for good. His wife will never return. If the director is determined to be a good husband, he might get through the next successful marriage, growing old with another girl, however, it won’t be Misha.” The colleague asserted.

Dr. Jin Anqing sought to determine through Tony’s eyes whether he had reached the “awakening” described by Mr. Tree Sloth.

If awakened, what kind of expression would be revealed at that moment?

Would it be like that director, understanding that Amy was always by his side, rekindling the desire for life?

Or would it be like his wife Misha, accepting the irretrievable nature of the past, no matter how beautiful the memories, and gathering the courage to embark on a new life?

Dr. Jin stared into Tony’s eyes for a long time.

He found himself somewhat uncertain.

It seemed to be both things, or maybe between them, or perhaps neither.

Detective Cat’s sketch had undoubtedly caused a tremendous upheaval in Tony’s emotions, with some current surging beneath the gray pupils.

It is by no means a single thought of merely wanting to save or break free; countless emotions were like numerous currents entwined together.

Suddenly.

The eyes of this forty-one-year-old adult who’s like a child were so complex that Dr. Jin couldn’t understand them.

Perhaps for Tony, the matter of awakening can be encapsulated by an equally vague, literary term, which is…

Hope.

“Pandora.” Dr. Jin pondered the name of this sketch collection.

Mr. Tree Sloth named this set of sketches “Pandora,” probably suggesting more than just that love is the punishment of human suffering.

According to legend, in the box given to humans by the gods, war and famine surged, plague and disaster whirled fiercely.

After all the misfortunes.

The last thing hidden at the bottom of the box was “hope.”

Besides bringing pain, love also brings hope.

“Pandora” is akin to that Wisdom Fruit in Eden; Tony’s deluded, self-deceiving life resembled Adam and Eve before the Forbidden Fruit was eaten.

Living, enlightenment, awakening, like reading this set of sketches, is indeed a very painful thing.