NOVGO.NET Chapter 395 - Chapter 395: Chapter 371, Joint Drawing_1
Chapter 395: Chapter 371, Joint Drawing_1
Interrupted by Gu Jian, Daohua was busy explaining and completely forgot about the similarity between Xiao Yeyang’s eyes and those of the elderly woman.
During dinner, Gu Jian noticed his little apprentice exchanging glances with himself, eager to say something, but he didn’t give her any attention.
The apprentice was too observant; it would be better to give her something to worry about, so she wouldn’t keep staring and overthinking, creating unnecessary complications.
The sister was very content with her current life and didn’t want to change anything. Since that was the case, they might as well continue living this way.
Seeing Daohua still occasionally glancing his way, Gu Jian said sternly, “Is there a flower on my face, or do I look too handsome to eat properly?”
At those words, the corners of Daohua’s mouth twitched, and she dared not look at her teacher again, burying her head in her bowl of rice. As she did, she noticed an extra piece of braised pork in her bowl, and looking up, she realized that Xiao Yeyang had added it, immediately glaring at him, “Take it back, I don’t eat fat.”
Xiao Yeyang: “…It’s not fat, it’s half-fat.”
Daohua: “I don’t eat half-fat either.”
Xiao Yeyang sulkily took the braised pork back and then ate it with a huff.
Seeing his little apprentice who got snubbed by him now picking on her nephew, and the nephew looking like a pushover, Gu Jian’s eyelid twitched with disapproval, prompting him to also focus on his meal.
At the dinner table, the elderly woman and Mrs. Yan looked at the three of them with puzzled expressions: “What’s with you all?”
“Nothing!”
The three of them said in unison.
Seeing this, the puzzled look on the faces of the elderly woman and Mrs. Yan deepened.
Mrs. Yan looked at the dishes that were almost untouched: “If there’s nothing wrong, why is everyone just eating rice and not picking any dishes?”
After her words, three pairs of chopsticks reached for the dishes at the same time.
Gu Jian was fine, going directly for his favorite dish, the cold cucumber salad.
However, Daohua and Xiao Yeyang reached for the same piece of boiled pork at the same time, and both happened to grab the same slice.
Xiao Yeyang, unyielding and using his strength to his advantage, snatched the slice for himself, then smugly raised an eyebrow at Daohua.
Seeing this, Daohua became so annoyed she turned her head away from him.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yeyang quickly put the pork slice in her bowl, “Here, you eat it!”
Then Daohua smiled, “Why bother, you should have just given it to me earlier.” After speaking, she picked up the slice and put it in her mouth.
Watching the two of them, the elderly woman couldn’t help but cackle with amusement, saying to Mrs. Yan, “These two little ones, still acting like children.”
Mrs. Yan glared at Daohua, “Exactly, they’re becoming more childish as they grow older.”
After dinner, Daohua hovered outside Gu Jian’s door for a while, but still couldn’t find the opportunity to explain herself and could only return to her room feeling listless.
The next day, Gu Jian, worried about Daohua noticing again that her sister’s eyes resembled Xiao Yeyang’s during the painting session, sent her to the pharmacy to organize herbs.
Daohua had her own medicinal garden and had previously sent Xiaoliu to bring some medicinal materials to Gu Jian. Some materials Gu Jian hadn’t had the chance to sort through were still piled up in the pharmacy.
Daohua wanted to watch Xiao Yeyang painting, especially since the elderly woman and her teacher dressed more formally than usual for the portrait. She really didn’t want to leave.
But seeing her teacher staring at her sternly, she could only reluctantly shamble into the pharmacy.
“Let’s begin then. Grandma, Mrs. Yan, who wants to go first?”
After preparing the paper and brushes, Xiao Yeyang smiled at the two elderly ladies. As for Master Gu, sorry, but Daohua said ladies first, so he would have to wait.
Lady Yan’s grandmother chuckled and turned to Gu Grandma, “Elder sister, you first.”
Gu Grandma replied, “No, you first, please.”
As the two were courteously deferring to each other, Defu hurried over to Xiao Yeyang with a letter in hand.
Xiao Yeyang’s brow furrowed as he set down his brush and opened the envelope, quickly reading the contents.
Gu Grandma and the others watched him with concern, “Has something happened?”
After reading the letter, Xiao Yeyang put it away and, with a hint of apology, addressed the elderly trio, “Grandmother, Lady Yan, Master Gu, my uncle has some urgent matters that require my attention. I must leave this afternoon, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to paint individual portraits for each of you today. How about I paint a joint portrait of the three of you instead?”
Gu Jian responded, “Our matter is not urgent, if you need to attend to something, you can go now.”
Xiao Yeyang paused for a moment, then, looking at the three elders who had dressed up especially for this occasion, he said with a smile, “We’re not in a rush for half a day. Since I’m only painting portraits rather than scenery, half a day will be enough.”
With that said, he turned to Defu.
“Go get some stools and place them in the center of the courtyard for the grandmothers to sit on.”
Seeing Xiao Yeyang starting to grind ink and mix colors, Gu Jian and the others refrained from further comment. After Defu brought the stools, they sat upright on them.
Immediately after, Xiao Yeyang began to paint.
Defu and Wang Manman stood by to assist.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang looking up from time to time while painting, Wang Manman whispered to Defu in puzzlement, “Yesterday, when the Little Prince was painting the young lady, he merely glanced up occasionally and painted very smoothly. Why is he so much slower today?”
Defu replied softly, “What else could it be? When it comes to Miss Yan, our master is profoundly familiar with her every move, every slight smile, as if they’re etched into his brain, so painting her comes naturally and fluidly.”
“But with Gu Grandma, your Lady Yan, and Master Gu, the master pays less attention, so he naturally needs to observe them more while painting to capture their likenesses accurately.”
Wang Manman suddenly understood, “So that’s why.”
Defu nodded, “Exactly.”
Xiao Yeyang finished the joint painting of the trio by 11:00 AM.
By then, Daohua had finished sorting the herbs and came out, seeing Xiao Yeyang put away his brush, she immediately drew close and exclaimed, “It’s so lifelike! Grandmother, come and see for yourself, even if you were wearing a mask, one could easily recognize you.”
Gu Grandma and the others approached eagerly and gazed at the portrait, smiles involuntarily spreading across their faces.
In the portrait, Gu Grandma was in the center, Gu Jian to the left, and Lady Yan to the right. The three were seated side by side, Gu Grandma and Lady Yan clasping hands tightly, while Gu Jian was slightly turned towards Gu Grandma.
At first glance, they looked like three siblings from one family.
Lady Yan, smiling, said, “Elder sister, you look so dignified. Next to you, I seem like the naïve little sister.”
Gu Grandma chuckled and glanced at Lady Yan, “I’m older than you, so you calling me ‘elder sister’ is only right.”
Lady Yan smiled and nodded, “Exactly that!”
Daohua also chimed in, “Both grandmother and great-grandmother have smiles on their faces, only the master has a stern look. Master, you should have smiled.”
Gu Jian gave his apprentice a sideways look and then continued to study the portrait. Although he wasn’t smiling, he was quite pleased with his own image.
Seeing that the three elders were reasonably satisfied, Xiao Yeyang said with a smile, “There wasn’t enough time for the background, I’ll add it when I come next time.”
Daohua nodded, “Next time you come, you can paint a portrait for each of them.”
Xiao Yeyang readily agreed, “Alright!”