Chapter 77 Qingqing... He... he knew everything??...
"Hmph hmph hmph~ I'm a happy little green flower, little darling little green flower~"
Qingduo hummed a song and skipped along the road, the package on her back bobbing with her movements, like a sail riding the waves.
How come so many good things keep happening to me!
Not only is he about to become the main character, but he also accidentally learned some news from Qingqing and made a fortune!
Ah! Could I really be a lucky star descended to earth?
Qingduo had just stepped into the house with a happy smile when Fangqing pulled her aside and whispered, "Young Madam, the young master is inside. He looks gloomy and unhappy."
"Are you unhappy again?" Qingduo pouted and muttered, "Why are the Zeng family members always unhappy?"
Was it because of something at the shop, or was she troubled by something related to Zhengji? It couldn't possibly be directed at her; she hadn't offended him!
No matter the reason, I have to coax him.
Who can blame her for being both smart and kind!
Looking at the small bundle in her hand, Qingduo had an idea.
"Thump!"
Qingduo tossed the small package onto the table with a decisive and bold gesture. Zeng Zhengqing, who was sitting at the table, looked up at her upon hearing this, his gaze carrying a strange and inexplicable quality.
Qingduo was already used to his demeanor; the taciturn Qingqing often wore an inscrutable expression, and she was used to it.
"Qingqing, guess what good stuff is inside?" Qingduo asked mysteriously.
Zeng Zhengqing remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together. Qingduo keenly sensed that Qingqing was shrouded in resentment.
Oh dear, it's Qingqing looking so wronged! This is quite a rare sight!
Qingduo felt a pang of affection.
"Qingqing," her tone softened, "I made quite a bit of money selling paintings today, look!"
She opened her bundle and said generously, "Is there anything you want? Just tell me! I'll buy it all for you!"
Huh?
Was she blinded by the dazzling silver?
Why does Qingqing's face look even more gloomy?
*
Zeng Zhengqing's mind went blank.
Isn't this the money I got from selling myself?
She actually showed it to me so brazenly?
Using the money he earned from selling himself to buy him things, what kind of behavior is that?
Taken from "you," used for "you"?
Do you really think he's a sucker?
A surge of anger welled up inside him, and even the person who started it noticed something was wrong with him. Qingduo blinked and asked, "Qingqing, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," he said, avoiding her gaze. He quickly picked up his teacup, took a sip to calm his anger, but before the fire could be extinguished, fuel was added to it from the other side.
"Qingqing, my paintings are worth much more than before. If I keep painting like this, who knows, one day my achievements might surpass my father's!"
What?
Will she continue painting?
And those paintings based on him?
The image of the naked figure reappeared before his eyes, and for some reason, he felt as if the person in the painting was moving, the clothes slipping down to reveal more of the skin on their back.
"You!" Zeng Zhengqing was furious and couldn't help but say in a deep voice, but as soon as he said that word, he met Qingduo's blank eyes. He suddenly remembered the wronged look in his wife's eyes after he got angry last time they argued. The accusation that was about to come out of his mouth was swallowed back down.
He got up without even glancing at her, tossing out a sentence: "I'm going to take a bath." He then left the room and instructed Fangqing to bring in water. Fangqing, noticing his expression, quickly agreed and said she would bring the water as soon as it was boiled.
“No need, cold water will do,” Zeng Zhengqing said. Seeing Fang Qing about to say something, he added, “Do as I instruct.”
A bucket of cold water was poured over his head, and Zeng Zhengqing shivered. The cold water trickled down his hair, and the chill seeped into his body through his pores. But the anger in his heart was not extinguished in the slightest; on the contrary, the cold made his limbs feel even hotter.
The jumbled thoughts did not become clearer due to the sudden cold; instead, they were like paste, becoming thicker and thicker the more they were stirred.
The paintings of the gentleman in December, the Qingming Festival, the horseback riding scene at the Winter Solstice, and the scene after a bath, along with Qingduo's blushing cheeks, innocent eyes, the smug look on her face as she opened the package, and the silver spread out on the table... all flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern, scene after scene, making him forget the chill on his body.
This matter is now a done deal. Zeng Zhengqing inquired with Manager Fang about the appearance of the person who delivered the painting. From his description, it was clearly Aunt Zhu. He just didn't know if his father-in-law knew about what his wife was doing.
Zeng Zhengqing remembered that Qingduo had boasted to him last time that her painting could finally sell for one or two taels of silver, so he ordered the shopkeeper to bring the account book to look through it. As soon as he looked, he saw a familiar painting title: "Autumn Breeze and Silk Fan". When he unfolded the painting, it was indeed the one he had seen on Qingduo's desk.
However, the painting was not signed with her real name, only the poem "Dreaming of Immortals" was left, and it was given to her beloved student.
"A dreamlike immortal?" he asked, puzzled.
Shopkeeper Fang explained, "'Dreamy Immortal' is a famous erotic painter who has been retired from painting for a long time. I didn't expect him to be training an apprentice."
“…What?” Zeng Zhengqing couldn’t believe his ears. He loosened his grip, and the painting fell from his hand. Manager Fang quickly reached out and caught it.
Ah Zhao's master is his father-in-law, so does that mean... his father-in-law is the "Dream Wanderer"?
this! ! !
The father and daughter... they actually... actually!
No wonder A-Zhao's paintings after her bath were so alluring! It turns out this is a skill passed down through generations!
Thinking about it this way, Zeng Zhengqing felt even more like he had been taken advantage of. He had even asked knowledgeable friends to give their opinions, and he was single-mindedly trying to make "Xiao He Fan" famous, but he didn't know that he had been completely kept in the dark by them.
What happened?
In places unknown to him, does A-Zhao possess other paintings that are beyond his comprehension?
Ah-Chao appears innocent in public, but can paint pictures with a wide range of charms in private. Why is there such a big contrast?
They were clearly so close, at least closer than Aunt Zhu, yet even she knew about the painting, while he knew nothing. Why did she hide it from him?
Could it be that... she doesn't trust him? She doesn't believe he would understand her creative process, which is why she kept it from him?
Realizing that A-Zhao didn't completely trust him, Zeng Zhengqing's heart clenched tightly.
He was in a daze, his mind filled with unanswered questions, until he suddenly sneezed and realized that he was shivering with cold. He hurriedly got up, grabbed his clothes and put them on, and walked unsteadily into the inner room, his mind filled with "why did she hide it?"
After walking a few steps, another sneeze broke out. Zeng Zhengqing then remembered that he had just been doused with cold water and hadn't dried himself off at all. The clothes he had just put on were now soaked and stuck to his body, making him feel cold and sticky as he walked.
He had no choice but to turn around and rummage through the closet for clean clothes. As he put them on, he pondered how he should find an opportunity to have a proper talk with her, but his mind was a jumbled mess and he really didn't know how to start the conversation.
What should he do? Should he just tell her to stop drawing those kinds of pictures in the future?
He had seen A-Zhao's joy at bringing home the money today; her eyes shone so brightly. She saw it as recognition of her artwork, and she was overjoyed. If he were to force her to stop painting simply because he minded the use of the original model, it would be a huge blow to her.
Moreover, when I bought the art shop, I originally wanted to support her to continue creating. Now that her paintings are popular and sell well, she has an even greater desire to create. Doesn't this align with her original intention?
No wonder A-Zhao wouldn't tell him. Zeng Zhengqing sighed softly. She must have already guessed that he would object if he knew, which is why she didn't tell him and did it secretly.
Yes! If we really stop her this time, she'll probably never be honest with us again if she wants to do something in the future.
Zeng Zhengqing thought about it more and more and felt that he couldn't force her. He had to come up with a way that would satisfy both of them. He couldn't spoil her mood, but he had to subtly get her to stop painting pictures based on him. In this way, neither of them would feel embarrassed.
As he was deep in thought, the discomfort in his body pulled him back to reality. Zeng Zhengqing looked down and saw that his soaked undergarment was only half off, stuck in the crook of his arm, neither up nor down. He guessed that he had just taken a bath and his body was tight and it was not easy to take it off.
He raised his hand and pulled hard, finally taking off his clothes. Just as he was about to put on his new clothes, he suddenly felt a burning gaze on him from behind.
Zeng Zhengqing slowly turned around and looked back, only to find that Qingduo was already sitting at her desk, holding a paintbrush in her hand, looking at him. He had been so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed where she was.
but--
What is she looking at?
Zeng Zhengqing followed her gaze and looked down, his eyes landing on his naked upper body.
He looked up again and met her dazed eyes, and couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
Those eyes, unwavering, clearly conveyed a single, unmistakable message:
greedy.
*
"lady."
"lady!"
Qingduo suddenly woke up with a start. She stared blankly at Zeng Zhengqing, who was looking at her with a searching gaze.
"What is Madam looking at so intently? I called her several times but she didn't hear me." His tone was teasing.
Oh no, oh no, oh no!
Qingduo hurriedly turned around, her back to him: "No, no, that's not it. I was thinking about painting. I just got lost in thought for a moment, and... well, I was just thinking about painting!"
“Oh—” His tone rose slightly.
Qingduo's palms were sweating; if he continued to ask, she wouldn't be able to answer!
Thank goodness, he didn't ask any further questions. Qingduo finally breathed a sigh of relief and cursed herself for being a coward.
How could that be considered lying? She was clearly thinking about it just now. It's just that Qingqing came in and made so much noise that she couldn't concentrate, so she drifted off!
Yes! It's all because he's too noisy!
Qingduo stared at the blank canvas in front of her, her brush motionless.
Her mind was still blank, without a single spark of inspiration. The image she had "accidentally" seen earlier kept replaying in her mind: those broad shoulders, that smooth waistline, those tiny water droplets... everything made her face burn, and she couldn't concentrate at all!
She shook her head in annoyance: Tang Qingduo, be serious!
"Wasn't Madam painting? Why is there nothing on it?"
A voice suddenly rang out beside her, startling Qingduo so much that she flinched and drew a crooked line on the canvas with her paintbrush. The man then chuckled, "Oh, is Madam painting an 'earthworm' or a 'pine branch'?"
Qingduo hurriedly looked to her right, not knowing when Zeng Zhengqing had walked over and was standing silently beside her.
"You scared me to death! Why didn't you make a sound when you came over?" Qingduo glared at him. "Next time—"
Before she could finish speaking, the words caught in her throat. Her mouth hung open, her pupils dilated instantly, and she stared intently at Zeng Zhengqing, unable to utter a word. Although he was wearing a robe, the front was wide open, revealing his well-defined chest. For a moment, her heart began to pound wildly.
Qingduo turned her head away, not daring to look anymore. She touched her cheek with her left hand, using her cold fingers to cool her burning face: "Why didn't you tie your clothes up? You'll catch a cold!"
“It’s alright,” Zeng Zhengqing said slowly. “It’s just that there’s only one lamp lit here, which is a bit dim. I’ll go and add another one for you so that we can paint together.”
What are you drawing!
With the lamp added, the room instantly became much brighter. She could clearly see Qingqing's chest, even the faint damp marks on her clothes. All these random thoughts rushed into her mind, like dry tinder, setting her face ablaze like a stove.
That wasn't all. Qingqing bent down to watch her paint, her open collar brushing against her wrist as if beckoning her to explore further.
Qingduo's hand trembled as she held the pen. In that instant, she suddenly thought of Tang Sanzang. He had remained steadfast in the face of the Queen of the Women's Kingdom's deep affection, no wonder he had achieved enlightenment. If it were her, she probably would have given up long ago and stayed to be the king.
Ah! Qingqing smells so good, fresh and cool. She longs to snuggle in his arms, take a deep breath, and calm the heat in her heart.
Hello! ! !
Tang Qingduo, you big pervert!
What are you thinking!
Shameless!
Calm down, Tang Qingduo repeatedly told herself. He was right next to her. Did she want him to realize that she was a sexually frustrated woman? Thinking of this, she reached down with her left hand and pinched her thigh hard.
She had just let go when she grabbed it again, because Zeng Zhengqing was holding her right hand.
"What are you doing?" Qingduo's voice trembled.
"Madam, could you teach me to paint?"
"Draw, draw what?"
“Draw me,” he said, enunciating each word clearly.
In an instant, her heart, which had been racing like a wild horse, was suddenly pulled back on its reins. Qingduo looked at Zeng Zhengqing in disbelief, only to see him looking back at her with a half-smile.
What does "he he he" mean?
Could it be that,
Qingqing...he...he knows everything??
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Author's Note: Qingduo: May all the gods, including Buddha, Guanyin, and others, protect me! I don't want to be discovered, waaaaah! I haven't earned enough yet! [Crying]
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