"Hey handsome and beautiful, would you like a sketch for a memento?"
Just as Li Jing and Zhang Xinxin walked into a relatively quieter alley, a gentle and clear voice stopped them.
Li Jing turned his head and saw a small stall at the entrance of the alley, with a graceful and refreshing young woman sitting there.
The young woman had long, smooth black hair casually tied into a low bun, with a few strands fluttering lightly in the breeze. She had a slender figure and wore a light blue long dress, with white canvas shoes on her feet, simple yet artistic.
The stall was small, consisting of a simple umbrella stand and two tables. Hanging on the umbrella stand was a cute banner with the words "Momo’s Painting Shop" written on it. Various artworks were displayed on the table, mostly cute line-drawn cartoons.
"Wow, so cute! Did you draw all of these?"
Clearly, the young woman had no resistance to cute things. Even the materialistic Zhang Xinxin found herself immediately drawn to the paintings, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes, and since you’re so pretty, I’ll give you a discount if you want a drawing."
The owner of the painting stall seemed skilled in business, as just a few simple words had sparked Zhang Xinxin’s keen interest.
"I get a discount for being pretty?" Zhang Xinxin asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Of course, I love drawing beautiful people and scenes. If it’s something unattractive or unappealing, I wouldn’t draw it even if you paid extra."
Saying this, the owner of the painting stall turned to Li Jing: "I was captivated by how you two were strolling around just now. You’re both visually appealing and seem very happy.
If you’d like a sketch together, I can charge you for just one person."
Initially hesitant about the 200-yuan price tag on the stall, Zhang Xinxin was swayed by the offered discount. She eagerly turned to Li Jing beside her: "Brother Jing, can we get a sketch?"
Li Jing had studied art in the past, so he didn’t mind. Considering they were tired from browsing, he agreed, thinking it would be a nice rest.
Seeing his approval, Zhang Xinxin was overjoyed and immediately told the stall owner: "Sketch the two of us then, and make sure we look good!"
"Sure, if I draw you poorly, I won’t forgive myself."
The owner of the painting stall joked and, after seating Li Jing and Zhang Xinxin on stools, skillfully took out a sketch pad and pen to start drawing.
Li Jing glanced at her tools; it seemed she was using a mix of markers and colored pencils. This method produces quick results but significantly tests the artist’s skills.
However, judging by the works on her table, she likely had adequate skills.
Li Jing noticed the signature on the works at the stall and understood why it was called "Momo’s Painting Shop."
The night breeze blew gently as Li Jing, half-squinting, enjoyed the leisurely comfort of the ancient town.
In contrast, Zhang Xinxin seemed a bit nervous, trying her best to pose at her most beautiful angle, hoping the artist would capture her at her finest.
Of course, she didn’t forget to inch closer to Li Jing, thinking it would make the drawing show them closer together.
These subtle moves were obvious in He Mo’s eyes, although she didn’t point them out. She merely maintained a faint smile, intentionally drawing the two closer in the composition.
He Mo worked quickly, finishing in about twenty minutes, just when Li Jing and Zhang Xinxin were beginning to feel a bit bored. She finally set down the pen and said, "All done, it’s finished."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xinxin immediately stood up, excitedly leaning over to He Mo. Seeing the drawing, she was immediately amazed: "It’s drawn so well!"
Seeing this, Li Jing raised an eyebrow, curious and looking over as well, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The cartoon depiction captured the expressions and physical features of Li Jing and Zhang Xinxin so accurately.
In the drawing, the two were pressed together, with Zhang Xinxin holding Li Jing’s arm, a look of sweet happiness on her face, and her beloved LV purse dangling from her arm. Even her impressive bust was prominently featured.
Li Jing appeared calm, with a slight, almost imperceptible smile on his face, exuding a laid-back demeanor.
After viewing the sketch, Li Jing couldn’t help but admire the artist’s skill and observational abilities.
Clearly, she wasn’t merely drawing a portrait of the two, but artistically capturing their features and essence through prior observation.
"Glad you both like it."
Receiving customer approval, He Mo was pleased as well and picked up the paper: "I’ll frame it for you, but it might take a little time."
"Sure, be careful when framing it, don’t mess it up. I want to take it home and keep it as a collection!"
Zhang Xinxin truly loved the sketch and, without waiting for Li Jing to pay, she herself took out 500 yuan and handed it to He Mo: "Here, your work is amazing, worth every penny of 500."
Surprised by the unexpected amount, He Mo accepted the money with a smile: "Thank you, the next time you visit, I’ll draw you both another sketch for free."
"Really? It’s a deal then, next time I’ll definitely find you again!"
Feeling exceptionally cheerful tonight, Zhang Xinxin initially planned to wait for the framing, but then spotted a vendor selling special baked goods in the distance. Overjoyed, she said to Li Jing: "Brother Jing, that stall is selling special buns! I’ll buy some for you, they’re super tasty!"
Before Li Jing could respond, Zhang Xinxin excitedly rushed off.
Watching her lively figure disappear, Li Jing could only smile helplessly and shake his head: "The energy of women is truly a mystery."
"Perhaps because she’s with you, that’s why she’s so dynamic."
He Mo, who was busy framing, suddenly chimed in after witnessing this scene.
Raising an eyebrow at these words, Li Jing looked at her: "You seem to read people quite well. You captured Xinxin’s concerns perfectly in the drawing."
"In this line of work, you have to be sharp-eyed, otherwise, you won’t earn a living."
He Mo smiled casually, her eyes clear but harboring a certain calm rationality, making her appear far from as simple as her outward demeanor suggested.
"I thought you artists who set up stalls were all arty, lost in your own world," Li Jing remarked matter-of-factly: "But you seem to have seen right through Xinxin, you must observe people a lot, right?"
Li Jing could faintly sense that He Mo wasn’t someone who was simple-minded, but rather someone deep and thoughtful.
"Yes," He Mo didn’t deny it: "Sitting here every day allows me to observe different men and women from all over. Don’t you think it’s interesting? Everyone is truly different.
After seeing many, it feels like each person is a book, each containing their own unique story, which forms their unique cover."
Saying this, He Mo looked at Li Jing with intrigue, smiling:
"Let me guess, you’re not a couple with that young lady, right?"
As she finished speaking, Li Jing’s brows shot up as he turned to look in her eyes: "Why do you think so?"
"Because if you were a couple, that young lady wouldn’t be so cautious around you, always needing to seek your opinion first."
"So what do you think our relationship is?"
"Since it’s not as a couple, then the relationship is obvious. You’re the rich boy, and she’s the gold-digger hanging around for the money."
Seeing He Mo’s confident look and the barely perceptible disdain in her voice when mentioning ’gold-digger,’ Li Jing frowned slightly.
He looked at her flatly: "She’s not stealing or robbing, pursuing what she wants through her own efforts. I don’t see a problem with that.
If it’s just because I’m wealthy, that she likes my money. Then I have to ask...
Don’t you like money?"
After saying that, Li Jing deliberately glanced at the 500 yuan in her hand, then took the framed picture, saying: "Nice sketch, as for the rest, let’s leave it at that."
Watching Li Jing walk away, He Mo blinked and didn’t show any anger from his sarcasm, instead, revealing a look of interest and appreciation:
"After observing so many people, it’s my first time seeing a rich heir speak up for a gold-digger.
Compared to those playboys who treat the women around them as commodities, this young lady is indeed fortunate."