Chapter 37: Mr. Zhou from Beijing, asking for a birthday painting
Liu Mingan didn’t know what happened in the casino. He simply thought that Jiang Ning was just too bored and went to the street to walk around. She would be back soon.
Aunt Hui, who was standing by, had a good business today. She had sold out all the sweet-scented osmanthus cakes before noon. When closing the stall, Liu Mingan helped her clean up. Aunt Hui took the opportunity to ask, “What is the origin of your sister? Why have I never seen her before?”
Liu Mingan knew that Aunt Hui was kind-hearted and was afraid that he would be deceived, so he didn’t hide it and told her everything about Jiang Ning.
“So that’s the case. She is a pitiful person.” After hearing this, Aunt Hui felt quite sympathetic to Jiang Ning’s experience, and her eyebrows revealed a sigh of regret.
Liu Mingan smiled and didn't answer. Then he heard Aunt Hui ask, "What are your plans? You are not related, and men and women should get married when they are old enough. It's not appropriate to treat them like this?"
This question made Liu Mingan feel embarrassed. He really didn't think so far ahead.
"Let's take it one step at a time." Liu Mingan answered after a moment.
Aunt Hui wanted to ask something else, but two customers happened to come to Liu Mingan's stall and were looking through one of his remaining calligraphy and paintings. Seeing this, Liu Mingan waved to Aunt Hui and went back to greet the customers.
"Two gentlemen, do you need to buy calligraphy and paintings?" Liu Mingan said to the two young men with a smile.
The two men looked young. One of them was wearing a blue shirt and was estimated to be the same age as Liu Mingan, and the other one was wearing a gray shirt and looked to be around 25 years old.
The young man in blue was holding a folding fan in his hand, wearing a jade pendant on his waist, and his clothes were made of a rare brocade. It was obvious that he was born in a wealthy family.
"Did you write this?" the young man in blue asked with a smile.
"Yes."
"Are you a scholar?"
"Yes."
The young man in blue picked up the scroll and looked at it carefully. After a moment, he turned to the young man in gray behind him and said, "Zhang Shun, look how well this calligraphy is!"
The man called "Zhang Shun" nodded in agreement: "One horizontal stroke is like the Great Wall, one vertical stroke is sonorous, one hook travels around the south of the Yangtze River, and one dot hides the fragrance of ink. It is indeed a good handwriting." Being praised
in front of him, Liu Ming'an was a little embarrassed, and hurriedly replied humbly: "You two are complimenting me. My handwriting is mediocre, not presentable."
The young man in blue laughed and said, "Why do you have to belittle yourself, sir? My brother has always been stingy with words and has a high standard. He praised you, which only shows that you write really well."
Liu Ming'an didn't know how to respond, so he could only smile.
At this time, the young man in blue put down the scroll, put away his folding fan, and bowed to Liu Ming'an: "I am Zhou Yi, this is my brother Zhang Shun, may I know your name, sir?"
Zhou Yi was dignified and spoke in a peaceful and polite manner, which made people feel good about him.
Liu Ming'an smiled and returned his greeting: "I am Liu Ming'an."
"Mr. Liu," Zhou Yi said to himself: "To be honest, Zhang Shun and I are not locals, but came from the capital to celebrate my uncle's birthday. We are both unfamiliar with this place, and my uncle is busy taking care of the family business, so he has to go out and wander around. I feel that I am very compatible with you after meeting you today. I wonder if I can make friends with Mr. Liu?"
Zhou Yi spoke openly and politely. How could Liu Ming'an refuse: "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Zhou. I'm more than happy to have two more friends."
The three of them smiled happily. Zhang Shun said, "Since we are friends, don't call me 'Mr.' or 'Young Master'. I am 25 years old this year, and Zhou Yi just turned 21. How old are you?"
Liu Ming'an answered truthfully, "Nineteen."
Zhou Yi slapped his fan and said with a smile, "You are younger than all of us, so I will call you Brother Liu from now on."
Liu Ming'an followed suit, "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang."
"Hahaha..." Zhou Yi was in a good mood and suggested: "Brother Liu, it's rare that we hit it off right away. Why don't we go for a drink together? Let's go to Fusheng Restaurant and order a table of good wine and food, and let me treat you well."
Liu Ming'an also smiled and said: "Thank you for your kindness, brothers. If it were any other day, I would definitely not refuse, but I can't today."
Zhou Yi's smile froze, thinking that he was too enthusiastic. Liu Ming'an just reluctantly agreed to be brothers with him, but didn't want to have a deep friendship with him.
"Why not?" Zhang Shun asked. He could see that Liu Ming'an was not the kind of person who would be shy, and there must be a reason for his refusal.
Sure enough, the two heard Liu Ming'an say: "I can't leave here. I have to wait for my sister, lest she can't find me when she comes back."
"Then we will accompany you to wait for your sister, and then the four of us will go for a drink together, how about it?" Zhou Yi suggested again.
Liu Ming'an's mind flashed with Jiang Ning's expressionless face and cold eyes. He smiled helplessly and shook his head at Zhou Yi: "Brother Zhou, my sister... has a cold personality and doesn't like strangers. I can't control her. Just consider it as my impoliteness today."
After that, Liu Ming'an bowed to the two of them again to express his apology.
Zhang Shun looked at Liu Ming'an's sincere eyes and knew that he was not lying. He comforted him: "Brother Liu, what are you talking about? There is a long way to go. Zhou Yi and I will stay here for a few months. There will always be a chance to drink and chat."
"Yes, yes, why apologize, it's no big deal." Zhou Yi agreed and patted Liu Ming'an on the shoulder.
Liu Ming'an felt bad for being rejected such a kind invitation. After thinking for a while, he bent down, rolled up a calligraphy and painting, handed it to Zhou Yi, and said: "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang, our meeting is fate. If you don't mind, this calligraphy and painting will be my meeting gift to you two brothers."
"Oh, no, no! How can I take your things for no reason?" Zhou Yi waved his hands to refuse.
Liu Ming'an still stretched out his hand with a faint smile on his face: "Brother Zhou, as the saying goes, 'a sword is given to a hero, and a rouge is given to a beautiful woman'. I have nothing but writing. It is rare that you two appreciate me so much . This painting is well deserved by you.
" Having said that, Zhou Yi had no choice but to take the scroll, shook his head and said self-deprecatingly: "I am so ashamed. I have to refuse this disrespectful offer."
Zhang Shun suddenly remembered something, and said to Zhou Yi with an "Ah", "Didn't you say before that you wanted to give you a birthday painting?" Uncle? We left in a hurry and forgot about it. Brother Liu is good at calligraphy and painting, why don't you ask Brother Liu to draw a picture for you?"
Zhou Yi's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he clapped his hands excitedly: "Yes! How could I forget this?"
After saying that, Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming'an: "Brother Liu, I wonder if I can ask you to draw a birthday picture? I will definitely thank you!"
Liu Ming'an replied: "It's a simple favor, Brother Zhou, you don't need to thank me. But I don't know the name, age, and congratulations of the person who is celebrating the birthday. I hope Brother Zhou can tell me one by one to avoid any mistakes."
"That's easy. My uncle is quite famous here." Zhou Yi pointed in a certain direction and said, "He is the owner of Fusheng Restaurant. His name is Hong Fusheng. He will be turning 60 on the 28th of this month. As his nephew, I wish him good health and happiness to his family."
"It turns out to be Boss Hong!" Liu Mingan was surprised.
"Hahaha... my uncle is really famous." Zhou Yi looked at Zhang Shun and smiled.
Liu Mingan nodded in agreement: "Fusheng Restaurant is the best restaurant in Lingshan Town. Boss Hong has a generous and open personality. Who wouldn't know him?"
Zhang Shun asked again: "Brother Liu, I guess you are selling calligraphy and paintings here on the day of the gathering?"
After Liu Mingan's affirmative answer, Zhang Shun said: "The next gathering will be on the 25th. Zhou Yi and I will come to you to drink. Don't refuse again."
"Sure! Sure!" Liu Mingan replied: "Next time I will bring a birthday painting and toast with my two brothers!"
"Okay!" Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun said in unison.
After the three agreed on the specific time and place for the next meeting, Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun said goodbye to Liu Mingan and then left.
After their figures disappeared in the crowd, Liu Ming'an lowered his head to pack up his writing brush and ink, then put the bamboo couch back in Aunt Hui's shop. He put on his bag and waited patiently by the bridge for Jiang Ning to return.