Chapter 153: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 152: Painting Graduation Portraits

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Among this group of chatting classmates, Ai Jiao, Qianqian, and Qi Xi were huddled together whispering. Suddenly, Qianqian asked curiously, "We're about to graduate from the Shangshufang; do you two have any specific plans after graduation?"

Ai Jiao replied without hesitation, "My greatest wish has always been to join the military camp like Elder Brother Yan Wang!" Qianqian thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Hmm... if you really want to go to the military camp, you can try asking my father; with my father's ability, this matter shouldn't be too difficult."

Hearing this, Ai Jiao's originally somewhat dim eyes instantly brightened. She tightly grasped Qianqian's hand and pleaded excitedly, "Qianqian, you must help me! I really, really want to enter the military camp; please, you must persuade your father to help me!"

Seeing her friend so earnest, Qianqian hurriedly nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, Ai Jiao, I'll definitely do my best to help you!" Immediately after, Qianqian turned her gaze to Qi Xi beside her and asked about her thoughts.

Qi Xi hesitated slightly before responding softly, "To tell the truth, I don't really have any clear plans for the future. Usually, after we girls graduate from the Shangshufang, most of us start learning all kinds of tedious etiquette, then just wait at home for the day we get married."

Hearing Qi Xi's words, Qianqian couldn't help but frown and complain, "Ah, if one spends a whole lifetime just following the conventional path like that, how boring! I don't want my life to pass in such a dull and uneventful way."

Qi Xi blinked her lively big eyes, walked up to Qianqian with a face full of curiosity, and asked, "Qianqian, what exactly do you want to do after graduation?" Qianqian tilted her head and thought, then replied playfully, "Ah, this... I haven't figured it out yet! But once I graduate, first I have to sleep a few good lazy sleeps at home!"

Just like that, the few of them chatted away laughing and joking, lively and bustling; time flew by. Before long, it was the three of them's turn to have their portraits painted. At this moment, the Painter was heard smiling and reminding them, "Next up is the three of you; please pose!"

Hearing this, the three hurriedly answered in unison, "Okay!" As soon as the words fell, Qi Xi swiftly sat upright on the chair, her back ramrod straight, like a straight young poplar; Ai Jiao grinned wide, revealing a mouthful of neat white teeth, smiling as brilliantly as a blooming sunflower;

As for Qianqian, she lightly propped her slender neck with her left hand, casually rested her right hand on the table edge, and secretly pondered: This painting session probably won't be short; I'd better pick a comfortable pose!

When all three held still and stopped moving, the Painter picked up his brush and began painting with swift strokes. Time passed minute by second; Qi Xi could barely maintain her dignified sitting posture at first, but gradually she felt her waist and back growing more and more sore, as if countless tiny ants were crawling all over them;

Ai Jiao could beam fully at first, but before long the corners of her mouth turned sore and numb from holding the same expression for so long; as for Qianqian, because the pose she found to support her neck and hand was truly too comfortable, she unknowingly started dozing off, looking like she was about to drift into dreamland.

Finally, after a long wait, the Painter completed his work and shouted excitedly, "Done!" Hearing this, Qi Xi breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly moved her stiff body; Ai Jiao also hurriedly rubbed her sore mouth corners, relaxing her facial muscles; while Qianqian blearily opened her eyes, looking sleepy-eyed.

After finishing the portraits of these three, the Painter continued without stopping to paint the other classmates one by one. When all the classmates' portraits were finally complete, the Painter let out a long breath, his face beaming with satisfaction. He turned to look at Ai Chun and said with a smile, "Master Ai, look, they're all done now!"

Ai Chun wore a smile, stepped forward briskly, and said sincerely, "Ah! Truly worthy of the Yongyong Painter! This painting is simply lifelike, vivid and realistic! Thank you for your hard work gracing us with your presence today!"

The Painter chuckled, the wrinkles on his face like blooming chrysanthemums, and replied happily, "Haha, being able to paint portraits for such a group of innocent and lovely children, this old man also feels extremely honored and happy! In a bit, let the children all come take a look; after viewing, put them away. After all, this old man is advanced in years and energy is limited; I must take my leave first."

Ai Chun hurriedly nodded, "Alright! I'll immediately send someone to escort you, Elderly person." The Painter didn't decline and gladly accepted the kindness.

After the Painter turned and left, Ai Chun coughed lightly twice, cleared her throat, then called out loudly, "Classmates, quiet down! The portraits are completed!"

Finishing speaking, she carefully held up the portrait, as if cradling a priceless treasure, and slowly walked around the entire class.

To ensure every classmate could clearly appreciate this exquisite portrait, Ai Chun didn't dare be the slightest bit careless, not even daring to let the classmates swarm forward to look, fearing the scene would become chaotic and the precious portrait might accidentally get damaged.

Like this, Ai Chun walked step by step, steady and sure; the portrait in her hand seemed to emit a charming glow, attracting every pair of curious and longing eyes.

When Ai Chun finally finished a full circle and returned to her original spot, the originally somewhat noisy classroom instantly fell dead silent, followed immediately by a thunderous cheer.

The classmates were all exceptionally excited, whispering and discussing animatedly; some praised the Painter's superb skill endlessly, others were immersed in the joy of being depicted so vividly and couldn't extricate themselves.

For a moment, the classroom was extraordinarily lively, filled with a joyous atmosphere. "The Painter painted it so incredibly alike!" came an exclamation from the crowd.

"Exactly! I feel like he even painted that little pimple on my face!" another agreed.

"Ah, really! I stayed up late last night, my complexion wasn't good; didn't expect he could actually capture it so precisely!" someone complained annoyedly.

The discussions below rose and fell incessantly. At this moment, Ai Chun standing at the front had to raise her voice and shout, "Everyone, quiet down!"

This shout indeed worked; the originally clamorous scene instantly fell dead silent, the classmates all turned their gazes toward Ai Chun, quietly waiting for what she would say next.