Over the past few days, Shen Yanzhou had noticed that he was becoming more and more affected by Cheng Ye. Despite his best efforts to remain composed and avoid being drawn into unnecessary emotional entanglements, every time Cheng Ye approached him, that familiar aura seemed to stir something in his heart. Cheng Ye's enthusiasm, persistence, and even that subtle underlying sadness made Shen Yanzhou's emotions stir like waves.
However, nothing could change Shen Yanzhou's deeply rooted, cold heart. He still firmly believed that he could and should never be easily influenced by anyone. The pain of the past was deeply etched into his soul, making it impossible for him to truly trust anyone or even expect warmth.
That day, Cheng Ye arrived as promised, bringing a set of new photos to showcase the latest proposal. The photos depicted buildings seamlessly integrated with nature, light and shadow intertwined, exuding a serene yet profound beauty. Shen Yanzhou stared at the photos, his heart subtly stirring.
"These are the ones I took recently," Cheng Ye stood in front of Shen Yanzhou's desk, pointing to the photos of the buildings. "I tried to blend architecture with natural elements, allowing them to echo each other. By using different lighting angles, I hoped to evoke different emotional responses from people."
Shen Yanzhou didn't immediately respond but carefully flipped through the photos. Each photo of the building seemed to have a life of its own, perfectly matching its surrounding environment. That kind of liveliness and emotional transmission was something Shen Yanzhou had never experienced in his own designs.
"These photos have an interesting treatment of light," Shen Yanzhou finally spoke, "but what do you think these designs will bring to people? Apart from beauty, don't you think these buildings might appear too fragile due to their openness?"
Cheng Ye smiled faintly: "Fragility is the kind of relationship we have with the world. People are always used to hiding behind their solid defenses, but they often overlook the fact that real emotions come from the vulnerable display of our true selves. Isn't that what architecture is as well?"
Shen Yanzhou's fingers paused on the edge of the photo, and he looked at Cheng Ye for a moment. There was a complex emotion in his eyes. Cheng Ye's words had struck a sensitive chord deep within him—he had never allowed himself to display vulnerability because he knew that once others saw it, he could never return to his former calm and rational state.
"You're always so sentimental," Shen Yanzhou murmured, his tone somewhat indifferent but with an unnoticeable tinge of being moved.
Cheng Ye didn't get offended, he just smiled gently, his gaze warm and firm: "Sometimes, sentimentality can touch the soul more than rationality. Don't you think?"
Their eyes crossed in the air, and there was an invisible pull between them, as if each was trying to touch the other's heart. But soon, Shen Yanzhou averted his gaze and hastily began organizing the documents on his desk, as if to create a distance between them.
"I'll think about the project," Shen Yanzhou said calmly, "but you know, I'm not someone who changes easily."
Cheng Ye didn't respond immediately. He knew Shen Yanzhou was always the one who stood high above, never letting others get too close, never letting others see his most vulnerable side. And he, Cheng Ye, had always tried to break through that thick ice shell, even if the road ahead would be difficult.
"I understand," Cheng Ye said softly, his tone calm, "but I believe that one day, you will realize that sentiment and rationality are not opposites, they can coexist."
"You talk too much," Shen Yanzhou replied softly, his eyes cold, "What you can do is produce works that are convincing enough."
Cheng Ye didn't say anything else, only smiled slightly and packed up the photos. He knew that such conversations would only make Shen Yanzhou more defensive, so he wasn't in a hurry to break through that icy barrier. Gradually, he understood that the calm and rationality Shen Yanzhou clung to concealed a deep pain, and that pain was what made him the most difficult person to approach.
After Cheng Ye left the office, Shen Yanzhou once again sank into thought. He looked at the photos on the desk, and for the first time, he felt a slight admiration. Cheng Ye's eyes saw more than anyone else's, and the way he approached architecture wasn't just about its surface beauty—it was about the emotions it conveyed, the power it could express.
This made Shen Yanzhou feel an unease he hadn't felt before. Every time he tried to keep his composure, that inexplicable emotion would creep in, making him feel that he was gradually losing control. And he, who feared nothing more than uncontrollable emotions, couldn't help but wonder if this was the moment when everything might begin to change.
That night, Shen Yanzhou couldn't sleep. The ticking sound of the clock beside his bed seemed louder in the silence, and once again, he couldn't shake the image of Cheng Ye's bright eyes, along with that faint warmth hidden beneath them. Cheng Ye's calm demeanor masked something much deeper, something full of perseverance and, perhaps, even pain.
Shen Yanzhou quickly turned over in bed, trying to dismiss the thoughts. He had never allowed himself to be vulnerable, but why was it that, with Cheng Ye, he could feel that vulnerability seeping through despite his best efforts to block it?