Chapter 44: Piercing Through the Years

Duan Rong set up his easel, and with practiced ease, he ground the ink and mixed the pigments, soon immersing himself in his diligent labor...

After Duan Rong had painted three pieces, he was startled to discover that his painting speed had increased.

At this rate, he could finish painting for these ten people in less than an hour.

Duan Rong immediately slowed down on purpose!

He did not want to paint that many!

He wanted to let the bullets fly for a while.

Only hunger marketing could allow him to hold out for a better price!

When Duan Rong was painting the fifth piece, two refined-looking young men in brocade robes suddenly walked over and silently moved to the end of the line.

Just as Duan Rong was about to call out to them and tell them to come back tomorrow, he suddenly noticed that the two Personal Attendants at the end of the line stood up and gave their spots to them.

"So those two Personal Attendants were just holding spots!" Duan Rong's eyes brightened, and the doubt he had felt when he first arrived was finally resolved.

At the end of the Shen period, just as it was about to turn into the You period, Duan Rong finally handed the last painting to a refined-looking young man.

Duan Rong glanced at the Huaying Pavilion diagonally across from him; the doors of the Huaying Pavilion had just opened, and in the dusk, two lit lanterns had just been hung in front of the door.

Duan Rong smiled slightly and thought to himself: The timing was just right!

Just as Duan Rong was preparing to pack up his things and leave, he suddenly caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance.

His heart stirred, and he looked up; he did not know when, but Hu Huanhuan had already walked over with a gentle sway of her skirt, saying, "Master Duan, could you paint one for me?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong smiled slightly, set up the folded easel again, and laughed, "That Sister Hu can come is the greatest compliment to me! How could I dare not to serve you?"

Although half of Duan Rong's words were slick, the other half came from the heart; although Hu Huanhuan was a woman, she was fierce and thunderous, and even he felt a bit intimidated when he saw her.

Hearing this, Hu Huanhuan couldn't help but smile; having met twice, he found that this painter named Duan Rong had a quick mind and a witty way of speaking, making him quite a delight.

"Master is really flattering me! Actually, Master need not praise me falsely. I am just an old courtesan who is past her prime and unwanted by anyone. To use the words of those scoundrels, I am just an old madam running a brothel!"

Duan Rong was slightly startled; he had not expected Hu Huanhuan to be so frank. Once these words were spoken, Duan Rong felt even more admiration for her.

"I am not praising you falsely. In my view, Sister Hu is the number one entrepreneur in this Xiangu County! This Huaying Pavilion, famous throughout the prefecture and county, is that not proof enough?"

As Duan Rong spoke, his gaze turned toward the Huaying Pavilion diagonally across the way.

The Huaying Pavilion was open by now, with red lanterns shining high and gauze windows glowing bright; faint, wonderful music drifted over along with the hidden fragrance. Who among the passersby could not help but feel their heart stirred by it?

Moreover, it was indeed as Duan Rong said: this Huaying Pavilion was truly the largest taxpayer in Xiangu County!

When Hu Huanhuan heard the three words "entrepreneur," her heart trembled slightly.

When she, Hu Huanhuan, was young, she was also a famous courtesan in the Prefecture City. If she had really wanted to marry, how could she have been unwanted? It was precisely because she did not want to rely on those disgusting, stinking men that she returned to Xiangu County and poured all her heart and blood into building this Huaying Pavilion!

But these thoughts of hers had long been buried in the dust of the world, and almost even she herself had forgotten them; how could others perceive them?

Yet, she did not expect that today, they would be laid bare by this fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth in a single sentence!

"Master has extraordinary insight, unlike the common herd!"

While the two were talking, Duan Rong had already begun to apply ink to the painting paper.

Duan Rong gazed intently at Hu Huanhuan!

The former famous courtesan of the Prefecture City had naturally charming features, sword-like brows, and a jade-like nose, possessing an inherent air of elegance and grace!

However, time treats everyone equally, rushing past, and Hu Huanhuan had been working harder and harder.

Her skin no longer had its former luster, and no amount of fine powder could make up for it!

The crow's feet at the corners of her eyes and her lips, which were no longer rosy, all signaled that her prime had faded!

But, through all this, Duan Rong saw a Hu Huanhuan of the past!

With a clever smile and beautiful, expectant eyes!

That famous courtesan of the Prefecture City, whose every smile and glance was soul-stirring and had once made countless Youthful Martial Artist Paintings fall for her, had miraculously crossed through the dusty years and stood before Duan Rong's eyes!

Duan Rong's heart trembled slightly, and he became obsessed with his brushwork!

In less than a quarter of an hour, the painting was already finished!

Duan Rong took down the painting and handed it to Hu Huanhuan!

Hu Huanhuan took the painting and was shocked at the sight!

Duan Rong looked at Hu Huanhuan, who stood there holding the painting, petrified, and smiled slightly.

After the practical experience of painting over these two days, his technique had become increasingly mature.

This painting of Hu Huanhuan was proof that he had pushed his painting style forward by another small step.

Duan Rong did not disturb the petrified Hu Huanhuan; he packed up his things and, turning into a walking display rack, left the place.

A long time later, when Hu Huanhuan raised her head, Duan Rong's figure was no longer under the Old Locust Tree.

Hu Huanhuan sighed slightly, and in her eyes, there was actually a trace of loneliness.

She gently rolled up the painting paper and walked back to the Huaying Pavilion...

The welcoming courtesans at the door of the Huaying Pavilion, who had originally been chattering away, immediately stood still with their heads drooping like quails as soon as they saw Hu Huanhuan walk past.

Hu Huanhuan walked back to her room, sat down at the desk, spread the painting paper out on the desk, and looked at it for a while...

The gaze with which she looked at the person in the painting was filled with deep, intense emotion!

After a long while, Hu Huanhuan suddenly raised her head and looked toward the corner by her bed; there was a chest there, one of the trunks she had brought from the Prefecture City.

Hu Huanhuan stood up, walked gracefully to the chest, lifted the hem of her skirt, and squatted down.

She opened the trunk and rummaged through it for a while.

Finally, from the very bottom of the chest, she pulled out a scroll of painting!

It was unknown when that painting had been done, but it had already turned slightly yellow.

Hu Huanhuan used her slender, nimble fingers to untie the red silk thread bound around the scroll, and with a gentle unfurl, she opened the painting!

In the painting was a young girl watching fish by a lake, with bright eyes and white teeth, and eyebrows like ink; especially the way she smiled, it was like a spring breeze blowing past...

Hu Huanhuan looked at the person in the painting, feeling slightly dazed.

She had not looked at this painting for too long.

"It has been twenty years..." Hu Huanhuan muttered to herself, and two lines of clear tears rolled down from her eyes before she realized it.

Hu Huanhuan moved with light, lotus-like steps, placed this painting on the side table from just before, and set it together with Duan Rong's painting!

Although the backgrounds of the two paintings were different, the two people in the paintings seemed to be the same person!

They had passed through the dust of the years, and in a unique way—reunited!

For a moment, Hu Huanhuan's eyes were blurred with tears.

She seemed to see the light flickering in the star-bright eyes on Duan Rong's swarthy, square face!

Within that light, it seemed to contain a certain power that could pierce through the years!

Duan Rong returned to the Yuanshun Escort Agency, first went to the dormitory to put his things away, then went to the Middle Courtyard canteen to eat, and then came directly to the Martial Arts Arena.

He had gotten up late today and had already delayed two hours of cultivation, so he would have to work harder tonight.

Duan Rong arrived at the Martial Arts Arena, went to that familiar corner, lowered his waist and straightened his back, and began to stand in his stance.

Once he started standing, he stood until the Hour of the Ox!

When a breath of white Qi shot out from Duan Rong's mouth, everything around was silent, with only the stars filling the sky flickering with cold light.

Dispersing his cultivation and rising to his feet, Duan Rong felt refreshed all over!

He walked back to the dormitory courtyard, washed his body by the well, and then slipped naked into his blanket!

As soon as he hit the bed, he fell into a deep sleep.

A night without dreams!

(End of this chapter)