Chapter 41: They Are Somewhat Useless

“Hello, Miss Huangpu? I accept your proposal.”

“Great, let’s meet then. Looking forward to working with you!”

“Looking forward to working with you!”

...

The next day, Shangguan Enran arrived at the beach early. Though dawn had yet to fully break, there were already many people gathered to watch the sunrise.

She found a spot and set up her easel, choosing a place where the lighting would best capture the scenery, making it easier to paint the sunrise.

Then she sat on the sand, feeling the caress of the sea breeze, listening to the waves, and the laughter and playfulness of the people around her.

She watched as the shy sun peeked out, hesitant to reveal itself, slowly pushing its way above the horizon. The darkness around her was gradually replaced by rosy clouds, creating a breathtaking scene.

Suddenly, her view was blocked by a tall figure, and someone sat down beside her.

“Mr. Huangpu?”

Why was he here? Didn’t he have to work?

“Yes. Why are you here so early?”

Not far behind, the butler sighed over the hardships of life. Yesterday afternoon, he had taught the young master how to dine Western-style, exhausting himself to the point of aching all over. And today, the young master rose early again, fussing over outfits, ties, watches, cufflinks—every detail meticulously chosen. It was enough to wear the butler out completely. He had thought the young master was preparing for work, but who could have guessed...

“I wanted to see the sunrise early. I’ve never watched the sunrise in City A before. I wonder how it compares to Country Y? Mr. Huangpu, do you not have to work these days?”

Was it her imagination, or did this man look even more handsome today than he did yesterday?

Today, Huangpu Shenqing was dressed in a black suit, far more composed and mature than his casual attire the day before. He wore a black tie, sapphire cufflinks, and was surrounded by an aura as cool and polished as obsidian. His left wrist sported a black Lobbini watch, highlighting his slender, elegant fingers.

“There’s less business at the company these days.”

Not far away, the butler nearly choked on the words. Less business? His phone was nearly exploding with calls from Mo Yi. Young master, if Mo Yi heard you say this, what would he think?

“Is that so? Then you must have many talented people working for you, Mr. Huangpu.”

Only a president with such competent staff would find business so easy.

Shangguan Enran continued gazing at the sky, letting nature gently soothe her.

“No, they’re rather useless.”

He could not stand hearing her praise others.

“Hmm? What?”

Useless? Then why keep them? Was he joking, or...?

The butler... He felt utterly useless himself. He wondered how Mo Jiu and Mo Shi, whom the young master had summoned from abroad, would react if they heard this.

Mo Jiu and Mo Shi: “Yawn, who’s talking about us?”

Mo Yi: furiously texting away.

What’s it like to work overtime until one or two in the morning, then get up at five or six? It was a bitter life.

“What will you paint today?” Huangpu Shenqing asked, looking down at her.

“I’ll paint the sunrise.”

Shangguan Enran turned her head to reply, then quickly looked back at the sky—the sun was nearly out.

“Are you here to watch the sunrise as well, Mr. Huangpu?”

To see you. Huangpu Shenqing thought to himself, but he did not say it aloud.

“Mm.”

“What made you choose to live here, Mr. Huangpu?”

Though a little remote, many people came here to sightsee. The sea attracted visitors who wanted to watch the sunrise and listen to the waves. They shouted their confessions to the waves, searched for shells on the beach, played in the sand, volleyed balls—it could be lively and chaotic. She imagined Huangpu Shenqing as someone cool and reserved.

“Gong Yi and Mu Feng are sometimes here, so I chose this place.”

When he first returned, he’d considered living closer to the company, but as Gong Yi and Mu Feng spent their summers here, they helped him pick a place as well.

“I see.” She thought that in City A, perhaps only these two could bring him any comfort.

Soon, the sun emerged, blazing across the sky in a burst of brilliance. The clouds were radiant, the sunrise was fiery, the sky was tinged with pale silver, and daylight had arrived.

Shangguan Enran picked up her brush and began to paint. She revised and erased, dissatisfied with each attempt, worried she might miss the best moment to paint. So she started afresh on a new canvas.

She was utterly focused, capturing every stroke of the sunrise vividly and expressively, striving for perfection even in the clouds nearby.

Huangpu Shenqing picked up the discarded draft she’d left behind and examined it closely. The sunrise showed only half its face—perhaps she’d failed to capture the feeling she wanted. Yet to him, it was more dazzling than any sunrise he’d ever seen.

He carefully held the draft, then turned to the butler. “I’ll go back and make breakfast. Look after her for me. I want her to join us for the meal.”

“Yes, sir,” the butler bowed.

He would certainly keep an eye on the young lady, not letting her leave.

Shangguan Enran, entirely absorbed in her painting, saw nothing else. She observed intently, sketched with care, determined to present the most beautiful sunrise on her canvas.

She wanted viewers to feel that this was the true sunrise and be awed by its beauty.

By the time she put down her brush, the sun was high overhead, the sky a pure blue, the sea surging more powerfully—each complementing the other in brilliance.

“Enran,” the butler approached.

“Uncle Butler.”

“The young master has prepared breakfast and hopes you’ll join him.”

“All right. Uncle Butler, when did you arrive? I didn’t even notice.”

Shangguan Enran packed up her painting and easel.

The butler helped her carry them. “I just got here. Perhaps you were so focused on painting, you didn’t see me.”

“Ah, I really am trouble for you, Uncle Butler.”

“No trouble at all. Your presence here makes our young master happy.”

“Ah?” What was he happy about?

“No, I mean, your presence makes things less lonely. Usually, the young master dines alone. With you here, it’s more lively.”

“What about Gong Yi and Ouyang Mufeng? Don’t they live here too?”

The butler replied as they walked, “They usually come during the hottest part of summer.”

“I see.”