Luo Jiujiang leaned over to take a look, and just one glance made him smile. His voice was soft, and he openly pointed out You Su's work, like a frank soulmate: "Ah... you're painting the world of fireworks."
So You Su was satisfied.
This was just a casual sketch on the dust, yet it was so vivid and alive that it seemed ready to burst forth. For a moment, Luo Jiujiang and You Su locked eyes, each confirming with their eyes that they had indeed smelled the aroma of food emanating from the painting.
"...I did it?" You Su's throat moved slightly, a little bit unable to believe that he had regained his lost talent so easily. "I did it!"
Seeing him like this, Luo Jiujiang felt like he was scratching his hands. He rolled up his sleeves and used his fingers to draw a few strokes on the other half of the table.
If You Su's paintings were meticulous, then Luo Jiujiang's were freehand. You Su was captivated by his movements, and upon seeing them, he was filled with admiration, his voice quickly calming. "It's all here... Brother Luo, I'm not as good as you. If we were in each other's shoes, you would definitely master the 'Soul of Painting' better than I can."
There seemed to be a human face on the table. The strokes were simple, but the expression was lifelike, as if it were still before my eyes.
"No, I only know how to draw this person." Luo Jiujiang blew away the dust on his hands. "I was planning to entrust you with this solemn task tomorrow, but since the topic is right now, I'll just mention it. This person's name is Han Qianling, and he's even better looking than the one I drew. He can't be unknown, he must be known to many people by now. Ah Su, have you heard of him at Qinglong Academy?"
You Su shook his head: "No. But I can ask for Brother Luo."
"Then I'd be incredibly grateful." Luo Jiujiang hovered his palm over the gray painting for a moment, ultimately unwilling to erase it. He casually added a flower to the hair of the painted Qianling. "A-Su, I've heard people comment on 'painting the soul,' and it's said the essence can be summed up in eight words: 'The form is the portrait, the spirit is the soul.' I don't know the specifics of those beauties you painted in the past, but if you're really like sitting withered and sifting through bamboo, then it's no surprise you've failed numerous times... It's not because you're incompetent, but because the way you were raised has sealed your mind."
"I've heard a bit about Patriarch You's deeds. Rumor has it he's incredibly good at judging people. If that's true, it's no surprise he can inspire a soul with just one glance. I see you've hung a plaque upstairs that reads 'Gathering Talents.' Are you trying to emulate your ancestor and meet countless people first? But you spend countless sums of money on the academy's independent cultivators every month, yet you don't even have a concrete idea of what they're doing with the spirit stones.
"Master You always responds to requests and believes what others say. A gentleman's heart is open and sincere. So if thousands of people show the same face to you, what difference does it make whether you meet so many people or not?"
These words were extremely serious. You Su sat there in a daze, as if struck by lightning.
Luo Jiujiang struck the drum with a heavy hammer, striking while the iron was hot. He pointed at the portrait on the table and said slowly, "I have a naughty nature. When I was a child, I only learned to paint from March, but I drove my teacher away. But I can even draw him and get your praise... It's all because Qianling is in my heart."
Seeing You Su's expression showing signs of enlightenment, he slowed down his tone, "Ah Su, you just went to the market and you can already draw such a beautiful picture. Do you still doubt that you are not as good as me? If you are still not confident, I can only draw some food for you to see. Even if you succeed in turning the soul, only flies will fly out."
You Su smiled.
It is said that Hun Dun was born ignorant, and a friend's kind attempt to open his seven orifices resulted in his death. Yet, humans are born with seven emotions and five senses, yet someone has chosen to fashion them into a jade statue, sealing them inch by inch within the stone. They mistake dullness for humility, and insensitivity for warmth. A perfectly healthy human being has been transformed into chaos. Forget salty, sweet, bitter, spicy, pain, itchiness, smoothness, or astringency; even the temperature of contact remains almost constant. How can one blame a pearl for being like a fish's eye?
You Su felt that he was the jade statue at this moment, and the thick blockage in front of his eyes and nose was finally brushed away inch by inch by Luo Jiujiang.
"Brother Luo..." You Su called out tentatively, meeting Luo Jiujiang's encouraging eyes.
A thousand words suddenly caught in his throat. You Su was belatedly aware of a chorus of emotions: sweet, sour, tender, and numb. Though the sensation was still hazy, as if through a curtain, it was already as fresh as a baby opening its eyes to see the world for the first time. His Adam's apple slid up and down for a moment, and the words that came out were almost completely unrelated.
“…I want to walk through the snack street again.”
This was a nonsensical remark, but Luo Jiujiang smiled in understanding. He pulled You Su to his feet, walked out of the pavilion with him, and asked softly, "Did you eat more than just 80% full for dinner?"
It turns out Luo Jiujiang knew.
"Usually it's 70%." You Su corrected him. He thought of himself a day ago and couldn't help but laugh. "But this time I want to eat 120%..."
He was a little stuck at this point, as if he didn't know what to say in this situation. Luo Jiujiang laughed and taught him: "Fuck self-cultivation and not greed. Who cares about this tonight!"
"Go...cultivate yourself and don't be greedy. Who cares about this tonight!" You Su didn't curse out that part after all, but Luo Jiujiang turned around and looked at him with a smile: He knows how to do it and can do it, but he just doesn't do it. This is what it means to be a gentleman.
If you can't see anything except the marked lines like before, then you can't be considered a gentleman, you can only be said to be someone's obedient grandson.
Luo Jiujiang motioned You Su to stretch out his hand and placed a handful of spirit beads in his palm: "Next, you can pay for it yourself and buy it from the stall owner."
This time when they walked into the short street again, Luo Jiujiang let go of You Su's sleeve and was no longer worried that he would get lost.
The author has something to say: Thanks to Tu Bai for the mine x1
Thanks to Tanxia for the mine x1
Thanks to Mozhu for the mine x1
Thanks to the boring guy for the mine x1
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