Chapter 80 Pampering Pigeons to an Excessive Dependence
Perhaps sensing the pigeon's resentment, Jiang Chao kicked the cage hard, his face darkening, and said in a low voice, "Fried pigeon, roasted pigeon, braised pigeon, pigeon soup with goji berries, you... choose one!"
The pigeon, which had been jumping around, instantly transformed into a quail, huddled in a corner of the cage, burying its head in its wings, looking like a silly roe deer.
"Ha, so you're just a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong!"
"It's probably becoming a spirit, Aunt Wu. Find a locksmith tomorrow and put a lock on the drawer to prevent this from happening again."
“Yes!” Wu Lifang nodded in agreement.
Feng Jingling caught a glimpse of the red ring on the pigeon's leg. His eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer to examine it. The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.
"Did you figure it out?"
"The red ring is engraved with rose markings, which is the symbol of the art academy in the city center. I vaguely remember that Professor He kept a flock of pigeons on the rooftop."
"Ha! That makes things easier. Find the person in charge, apologize where necessary, and pay compensation where required."
"The art academy in the city center must be very powerful, right? Ah Chao, how about we just let it go and listen to Xia Xia, put a lock on it to prevent it from being stolen again, and let the pigeon go!"
"Mom, it's 10 yuan, that's half a month's salary. Besides, we're in the right, so why should we be afraid of them?"
“Aunt Wu, Jiang Chao is right. With the truth in our hands, we have nothing to fear. Caught red-handed, how could the Academy of Fine Arts possibly renege on its debt?”
"Godmother, don't worry, Professor He is a very nice person. Your godson even studied painting under him!"
"No matter how good-tempered he is, he's still a professor. We can't afford to offend ordinary people like him. Xiaxia, watch your words later."
"Don't worry, Little Butterfly's words are sweet!"
After discussion, Feng Jingling and Yunxia took the mouse trap to the Academy of Fine Arts, while the rest of them stayed in the shop to work.
Jiangcheng, the art academy in the city center!
After asking the receptionist to go in and pass on the message, the two sat in the lobby to wait. Yunxia turned her head and observed the surrounding environment.
The decoration is trendy and grand, and the layout is full of artistic atmosphere. The walls of the corridor are decorated with outstanding student paintings, and even the potted plants are trimmed into specific artistic shapes.
"Hey, little butterfly, what are you looking at?"
"Big brother, look at that holly bush, it's been cut into the shape of a young man throwing a basketball, tsk tsk... it's really artistic!" Yun Xia said in a low voice.
"Hehe! She's perfectly fine-looking, why does she have to cut her hair like that? In my opinion, she's just bored and has too much salt in her mouth!"
"Young Master Feng, even if you don't like me, does that mean you have to insult my artwork?"
The newcomer wore gold-rimmed glasses, a white shirt, and black trousers. He was decent-looking, with a fake smile on his lips; he looked like a refined scoundrel.
"Hey, isn't this Senior Brother Mo? You've been caught plagiarizing, but you're still not out of the art academy?"
Sensing the strong scent of gossip, Yun Xia grabbed the boy's shoulder and stared excitedly at the young man surnamed Mo's face.
"Young Master Feng, we are both disciples of the same master, and our daily practice is largely the same. It is understandable that our painting styles are similar. Furthermore, Lin Shu has already issued a statement saying that my work and hers are only similar, and there is no question of one copying the other."
"Hehe! Mo Qinglan, Senior Sister Lin Shu was deceived by your sweet words, but I won't. Go do what you're supposed to do and don't get in my way."
Despite being disliked and driven away, Mo Qinglan still wore a smile on her face, which looked rather eerie!
"Young Master Feng, I'm afraid it won't be as you wish. I'm currently the professor's assistant, helping him with miscellaneous tasks. He wants you to come in, so let's go!"
If I didn't have something to do, I would have punched him if we were in a different location.
“Young Master Feng, I’m not trying to criticize you, but you are the son of a wealthy merchant. Even if the professor likes pigeons, you shouldn’t… put it in a mousetrap.”
Yunxia: Are you out of your mind? Can't you see the red ring on the pigeon's leg? Are you blind?!
"Heh! If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
"It's been a few days, and Young Master Feng's tongue has become much sharper. May I ask who this pretty young lady is to you?"
Feng Jingling rolled her eyes at him, too lazy to pay attention, and took Yunxia's little hand, walking straight ahead, turning and twisting until they arrived at a door.
After knocking three times, a hoarse, deep voice came from inside, "The door's unlocked, come in!"
As they pushed open the door, a kind-faced old man, covered in paint, put down his brush and cheerfully invited the three to appreciate his artwork.
"Professor, your painting is so avant-garde. The interplay of black and white, the implied meaning..."
Mo Qinglan spoke with utmost sincerity, showering Feng Jingling with compliments, which made Feng Jingling's lips twitch.
Professor He, whose smile didn't reach his eyes, clearly didn't take his words to heart. He waved his hand, then pointed to the teapot, indicating that he should pour tea.
Despite his attempt to flatter her, Mo Qinglan maintained a faint smile, picked up the teapot, and left the studio.
"Lingling, it's been a long time since you visited me. What are your thoughts on this painting?"
"Teacher, please don't tease me. My mediocre skills are hardly qualified to comment on your paintings."
It was pitch black, nothing but black. If it weren't for the white paint in the plate, Mo Qinglan probably wouldn't have even come up with the philosophy of black and white.
"Hehe! You...you're so clever. Tell me, what brings you here on this sweltering day?"
Feng Jingling nudged the little girl next to her, winked, and gestured for her to tell the story of the 'pigeon theft'.
Yunxia was not intimidated. She raised her head, looked obedient, and told the whole story about the money being stolen from Chao'an Supermarket recently.
Professor He's eyes narrowed. He took the rat cage, held it up to his eyes, and examined it carefully.
Pigeons are very intelligent. When they see their owner, they become very active, hopping around excitedly and cooing incessantly, as if they are complaining.
"Its name is Xiao Zha, it's my pigeon. Girl, I'm sorry for causing you trouble!"
The highly respected old professor sincerely apologized.
"It's alright, but Professor, you'd better keep a close eye on it in the future. If it gets caught by another owner, it might not be able to fly back unscathed!"
He opened the cage, took out the gray pigeon, and tapped its head. "Sigh, Little Chick has learned from the mother pigeon. It always carries other people's things. Look, a whole drawer is full of its 'trophies'."
Pebbles, banknotes, hair ties, hair clips, pencil stubs... green feathers.
Wow, what a hobby! A pigeon has a collecting habit!
Professor He took out 10 yuan from the drawer and 5 yuan from the cage, and handed them to the little girl. Then he happily petted the pigeon, patting its head and stroking its wings.
Taking advantage of its master's power, the gray pigeon looked at Yunxia with its round little eyes full of contempt and mockery.
Feng Jingling couldn't stand it any longer and flicked its forehead, earning a scolding from Professor He.
"Professor He, let me remind you, Xiao Zha is your pet. If it steals things from others, you will be held legally responsible. Take my family for example, in just half a month, it stole 15 yuan. If..."
"Stop! How can you call this 'stealing' animal behavior? In Xiaozha's eyes, 1 cent, 5 yuan, 20 yuan, or 100 yuan are all the same. Don't bother with it."
Once the old man gets stubborn, no one can persuade him. Feng Jingling glanced at the drawer, snorted, and said, "Teacher, the valuables in the drawer must be at least three hundred. People who know will say the pigeons are cute, but people who don't will think that you instructed them to steal other people's valuables."
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