“Very well indeed. The ice wall helped.” She smiled back.
It was so cooling in there, it was impossible not to have a good sleep!
“Glad to hear that.” Dongfang Ming fanned himself. “Little Duo, would you mind drawing something for me right now? I’d like to see how you come up with such interesting artwork.”
Whenever he caught sight of those amusing drafts, he wanted to imitate them but didn’t know where to start, so he was quite curious.
Liu Duo sat in the chair but raised her index finger and waved, saying playfully, “This is the skill I use to earn a living, I can’t just show it to anyone. But if you take me as your teacher, I may consider it!”
Dongfang Ming grinned.
“Alright, then I shall take…”
He didn’t even get to finish when Liu Duo interrupted him. “No, don’t take it seriously, I’m joking!”
Then she sat up straight. “Get me a brush and some ink, I’ll show you.”
How would she be worried someone might steal her talent? It’s not something that could be picked up so easily! After all, they didn’t live in modern times.
As soon as she said that, Dongfang Ming assigned his staff to prepare the items.
When all the tools were ready, Liu Duo didn’t start immediately. Instead, she faced Dongfang Ming and asked, “Dongfang, what would you like me to draw? Animals or people?”
Since he wanted to take a look, she thought she should ask him what kind of picture he had in mind.
“Draw a person then,” he said.
He remembered the portrait he had seen on the back of her umbrella. The unique memory stayed fresh in his mind and he liked it very much.
Liu Duo nodded, picked up her brush, and began drawing.
Ye Ling observed her person and her actions. He found her remarkable. Dongfang Ming saw the profile of a person slowly appearing before his eyes and he couldn’t help being amazed.
If he really wanted to draw that well, he’d definitely need a master to teach him the secrets of the craft. It was not something to be taken lightly.
“Dongfang, can you tell who I’m drawing?” Liu Duo set her brush down and asked.
Dongfang Ming had been looking at it the whole time, so he answered without missing a beat. “That’s Ling, isn’t it?”
“Smart! This is Ling indeed.”
Ye Ling beamed at the portrait of himself on the writing paper. It was quite adorable. Even in black and white, he could tell the painting was showing his bashful side.
He thought, does Liu Duo think I get shy that easily?
He would think that, because almost every time Liu Duo drew him, that’s the expression he had!
Dongfang Ming looked at the finished portrait and then at Ling, and nodded, “It’s perfect in all the right places! It’s got nothing to do with me but, Liu Duo, you’re such a talented artist, anyone could see that.”
Liu Duo smiled so hard her dimples appeared.
After that, she drew a few more art pieces for him on the spot, since she had forgotten to bring over the drafts she had prepared for Qin Fang anyway.
Time passed quickly and pretty soon the sun had set. Dongfang Ming let them stay over for dinner before instructing his coachman to take them home.
He admired Liu Duo’s portrait on his table. The one that he had specifically requested from her.
He hadn’t been able to figure out how Liu Duo managed to capture a charming portrait so similar to the real thing.
It was incredible! He was fueled with interest now, eager to get close to her, to get to know her even more.
On the horse carriage, Liu Duo held on to Ye Ling’s arm. “Ling, are you happy today? You didn’t talk much.”
“I feel great! I’m happy being together with you, Duo Er!”
It wasn’t that he chose to stay quiet. He just didn’t know what to say.