I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Piercing Through the Years

Duan Rong set up the easel, skillfully mixing ink and preparing dyes, and quickly immersed himself in diligent labor...

After painting three pieces, Duan Rong was astonished to find that his painting speed had increased.

In this case, he could finish painting these ten people in less than an hour.

Duan Rong immediately slowed down on purpose!

He didn’t want to paint that many!

He wanted to let the bullets fly for a while.

Hunger marketing can sell at a higher price!

When Duan Rong painted the fifth piece, two young men with refined features walked over, silently joining the end of the queue.

Duan Rong was about to call them and have them come back tomorrow when he suddenly noticed that the two servants at the end of the line stood up and gave them their seats.

”Those two servants were placeholders!” Duan Rong’s eyes lit up, resolving the confusion that had burdened his heart when he first arrived.

As it approached the end of 3 p.m., transitioning to the next hour, Duan Rong finally handed the last painting to a refined young man.

Duan Rong glanced diagonally at the Huaying Building, whose doors had just opened. In the dusk, two lit lanterns were just hung up in front of the door.

Duan Rong smiled slightly, thinking: Timing was just right!

As Duan Rong was about to pack up and leave, he suddenly caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance.

A feeling stirred in his heart as he raised his head to see Hu Huanhuan gently stepping over and said, ”Mr. Duan, could you paint one for me?”

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong smiled slightly. He set up the folded easel again and smilingly said, ”Sister Hu’s coming is a great compliment to me! How dare I not oblige?”

Although half of what Duan Rong said was smooth talk, the other half was sincere. Although Hu Huanhuan was a woman, she was strong and formidable, making even him feel somewhat intimidated.

Hu Huanhuan heard this, could not help but smile. After meeting him twice, she found this painter named Duan Rong to be quick-witted and humorous, truly a jolly fellow.

”You do flatter me, sir! In truth, there is no need for such praise. I’m just an aged courtesan, unappealing and unwanted. As they say, I’m an old procuress running a brothel!”

Duan Rong was slightly taken aback, not expecting Hu Huanhuan to be so candid. Her words made him even more impressed.

”I am not exaggerating. In my view, Sister Hu is a first-rate entrepreneur in Xianggu County! This Huaying Building, renowned in the region, isn’t it evidence enough?”

As Duan Rong spoke, his gaze shifted towards the Huaying Building diagonally opposite.

The Huaying Building was now open, with its red lanterns glowing and silk-screened windows bright, and a distant melodious sound wafted in with a hint of fragrance, enchanting all who passed by.

It was indeed as Duan Rong said, the Huaying Building was, in fact, the highest taxpayer in Xianggu County!

The word ”entrepreneur” struck a chord in Hu Huanhuan’s heart.

In her youth, Hu Huanhuan was a famous courtesan in the Prefecture City. Had she wished to marry, men would surely have lined up. She just didn’t want to rely on those revolting men, which is why she returned to Xianggu County and, with great effort, built this Huaying Building!

However, these thoughts of hers had long been buried in the dust, almost forgotten by even herself. How could others perceive them?

She hadn’t expected this teenager, no more than fifteen or sixteen, to expose them with a single remark today!

”Sir, you are insightful and unconventional!”

As they conversed, Duan Rong had already started applying ink onto the paper.

Duan Rong gazed intently at Hu Huanhuan!

The once-famous courtesan of the Prefecture City, her natural features graceful, with arched brows and a finely chiseled nose, exuded a unique charm!

However, time moved on impartially, and Hu Huanhuan, burdened with managing affairs, had aged.

Her complexion had lost its youthful luster, no amount of makeup could restore it!

The crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes and her lips, no longer rosy, signaled the passing of youth!

Yet, through these, Duan Rong saw a past Hu Huanhuan!

A captivating smile, beguiling eyes!

The courtesan who once turned countless young knights’ heads with her every move stood once again before Duan Rong, as though she had traveled through time’s dust!

Duan Rong’s heart trembled slightly, and he became engrossed as his brush moved!

In less than fifteen minutes, the painting was complete!

Duan Rong removed the painting and handed it to Hu Huanhuan!

Hu Huanhuan took the painting, startled upon viewing it!

Duan Rong watched Hu Huanhuan, who stood like a statue with the painting in her hands, and smiled slightly.

Through the hands-on painting of the past two days, his skills had become increasingly refined.

The painting of Hu Huanhuan was indeed proof that his style had progressed by a small step.

Not disturbing the stilled Hu Huanhuan, he packed up his things, transformed into a walking commerce, and left the scene.

After a long time, when Hu Huanhuan raised her head, Duan Rong’s figure was no longer under the old locust tree.

Hu Huanhuan sighed softly, a trace of desolation appearing in her eyes.

She gently rolled up the painting and returned to Huaying Building...

The welcoming courtesans at Huaying Building’s entrance, previously chirping away, immediately quieted down and stood properly as soon as Hu Huanhuan passed by.

Hu Huanhuan returned to her room, sat in front of her table, spread the painting on it, and stared at it for a while...

Her gaze on the person in the painting was filled with rich emotion!

After a long while, Hu Huanhuan suddenly lifted her head, glancing at a corner near the head of her bed, where there was a chest, one she had brought from the Prefecture City.

Hu Huanhuan stood up, walked over to the chest, picked up her skirt, and squatted down.

She opened the chest, rummaged through it for a while.

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

The painting’s creation date was unknown, but it had slightly yellowed.

Hu Huanhuan skillfully untied the red silk cord binding the scroll and gently unfurled it!

The painting depicted a charming young lady admiring fish by the lakeside, with bright eyes and white teeth, and arched brows like ink strokes. Her smile was especially like a breeze in spring...

Hu Huanhuan stared at the figure in the painting, slightly lost in reverie.

She hadn’t looked at this painting for a long time.

”Twenty years...” Hu Huanhuan murmured, and two teardrops rolled down her cheeks.

Hu Huanhuan softly moved, placing the painting on the table next to Duan Rong’s painting!

The two paintings, although set against different backdrops, seemed to depict the same person!

They seemed to travel through the dust of time, reuniting in a unique manner!

Hu Huanhuan, for a moment, was teary-eyed and blurred.

She seemed to see the radiant gaze, like shining stars, in Duan Rong’s dark, square face!

Within that light, there seemed to reside a certain power penetrating through years!

Duan Rong returned to Yuan Shun Escort Agency, first went to the dormitory to put his things away, then headed to the central dining hall to eat before going directly to the Martial Arts Arena.

Having woken up late today, he’d already missed out on two hours of cultivation, so he had to intensify his efforts in the evening.

Duan Rong arrived at his familiar corner in the Martial Arts Arena, stood with a solid, upright posture, and commenced his training.

He remained standing until the second watch!

When Duan Rong exhaled a plume of white breath from his mouth, all around was silent, except for the cold gleaming stars scattered across the sky.

Rising from the stance, Duan Rong felt a sense of comfort throughout his body!

Returning to the dormitory courtyard, he washed at the well and crawled exhausted into his blanket!

He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep as soon as he lay down.

Not a single dream for the whole night!