After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 25

The man’s voice was exceptionally pleasant, like pearls falling onto a jade plate or water flowing through a mountain stream warm, smooth, and clear.

Luo Chuchen was momentarily stunned before asking curiously, “How can you tell?”

The man lowered his gaze, his eyes as cold and bright as winter stars, his lashes dark as raven feathers. He glanced indifferently at the scroll on the stall and explained, “Although Chang Hezheng emphasizes expression over form, the parts where he sketches forms are always refined and meticulous. This painting is a forgery it captures the outline but misses the essence.”

Following the man’s indication, Luo Chuchen barely managed to identify one or two flawed areas and sighed, “I had no idea there were so many nuances to consider. Thank you, sir.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Impressed by the man’s extraordinary demeanor and striking appearance, Luo Chuchen felt an urge to befriend him. “Thank you for your guidance. Since fate has brought us together, might I invite you for tea at the nearby teahouse?”

The man smiled faintly, shaking his head with the grace of a jade tree swaying in the wind. “No need for such trouble. Please, carry on as you were.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Luo Chuchen watched his retreating figure, feeling a vague sense of loss. He stood dazed for a moment before remembering the old man who had deceived him.

After being exposed, the old man said nothing, acting as if nothing had happened. He adjusted his bamboo hat and sat behind his stall, staring blankly ahead as before.

Luo Chuchen wasn’t particularly angry and couldn’t be bothered to argue. He pursed his lips, took Shechuan with him to a tea stall, ordered two cups of cold tea, and sat down to rest.

After this incident, everything at the market stalls seemed like counterfeits to Luo Chuchen. He waited at the tea stall until Qin Yu arrived, then joined him for lunch. They strolled around a bit more in the afternoon before heading home.

The next day, Luo Chuchen went to Yin Zikun’s residence for his lessons as usual.

After returning home the previous day, he had spent his time restoring the soiled painting. Reflecting on the counterfeit he had seen during the day, he found some inspiration and managed to create a restoration that satisfied him.

While working on the painting, he repeatedly recalled the man he had met.

The capital wasn’t that large, and anyone well versed in masterpieces was likely either an academy student or a painter from somewhere nearby. Given time, it wouldn’t be hard to get to know him.

As he stepped out of the carriage and entered the residence, Luo Chuchen was still pondering this. He wondered if he should mention the previous day’s encounter to his mentor perhaps Yin Zikun knew the man.

Carrying his painting, he walked inside, where Yin Zikun’s page greeted him with a bow. “The master isn’t in Suming Pavilion today. He’s at Cangshu Academy.”

Yin Zikun usually taught him one-on-one in Suming Pavilion. Cangshu Academy was a larger hall, seemingly used for group lectures, with several study desks arranged inside.

Luo Chuchen asked curiously, “Why the change to Cangshu Academy today?”

The page replied, “Two other disciples of the master have also come today.”

Luo Chuchen was taken aback and felt somewhat embarrassed. “I didn’t know about this. I haven’t prepared any gifts for the meeting. What should I do?”

The page smiled. “There’s no need for that. If you had prepared gifts in advance, the master would be displeased. They haven’t brought any either, so you needn’t worry.”

Still feeling uneasy, Luo Chuchen followed the page to Cangshu Academy.

Just outside the courtyard, he could hear Yin Zikun’s hearty laughter. His mentor was usually stern and reserved, so Luo Chuchen grew even more curious. As the page pushed open the lecture hall door, he stood on tiptoe behind him to peer inside.

In the lecture hall, Yin Zikun sat behind the lectern, with a man leaning casually against the front of the desk. The man appeared to be around the same age as himself, and the two were engaged in a lively, cheerful conversation.

At a study desk near the front of the hall sat another person, dressed in white robes adorned with black bamboo patterns. His dark hair was simply tied back with a green ribbon, and he was bowing his head, reading something in his hands.

When Luo Chuchen caught sight of the side profile of the person seated further back, he froze for a moment, then broke into a delighted smile.

It was the very man he had encountered at the temple fair the day before!

Yin Zikun noticed his arrival and waved him over with a smile. “Chuchen, come and meet your two senior brothers.”

The other two turned at the sound and looked toward the entrance. Luo Chuchen quickly approached, bowed respectfully, and said, “Greetings to both senior brothers.”

The one closer to Yin Zikun chuckled and said, “You’re ranked seventh. I’m the sixth Lian Yongyuan.”

“And this one next to me,” he continued, “is your fifth senior brother, Min Ziyu.”

Min Ziyu glanced at him and nodded. “Hello, junior brother.”

Yin Zikun pointed out, “Lian Yongyuan serves as an official in the Imperial Painting Academy, while Min Ziyu is still studying in the advanced class at the Painting Institute. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them.”

Lian Yongyuan hastily waved his hand. “If you have questions, ask your fifth senior brother. I’m not well-read, I wouldn’t want to lead you astray.”

Luo Chuchen acknowledged this and went to sit at the study desk beside Min Ziyu. Only then did he belatedly realize something odd. “Why is Fifth Senior Brother still at the Painting Institute, while Sixth Senior Brother has already entered the Imperial Painting Academy?”

Lian Yongyuan grinned cheerfully. “Because my skills are lacking! See, even after joining the academy, I still have to bring my work to ask the master for guidance.”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense he never knows when to hold his tongue,” Yin Zikun interjected. “He started learning painting much earlier than Min Ziyu, but he became a disciple later, which is why his seniority is lower.”

Lian Yongyuan added, “Even so, I’m quite content to be Min Ziyu’s junior brother. He’s a true prodigy, a dragon among men, a phoenix among people.”

“Junior Brother Lian!” Min Ziyu frowned slightly and cleared his throat.

Lian Yongyuan shrank back. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking.”

Yin Zikun explained, “Aside from you, these two are my only disciples in the capital. Next month, you’ll be taking the selection exam for the Imperial College’s Painting Institute. If you want to know more about the specifics of the institute, you can ask him directly. It’ll help you feel more prepared.”

Luo Chuchen agreed.

He stealthily glanced back and unexpectedly met Min Ziyu’s gaze. Min Ziyu gave him a slight nod, startling Luo Chuchen, who quickly returned a smile.

Min Ziyu’s attitude seemed less distant than it had been the day before. Luo Chuchen thought happily to himself that it must be because Min Ziyu now recognized him as a junior brother, making him feel more familiar.

If he wanted to take this chance to grow closer, perhaps he should mention yesterday’s encounter when Min Ziyu had helped him in front of their master. But Luo Chuchen hadn’t found the right moment earlier and had already missed the best opportunity during their initial meeting.

Now that their master was busy answering Lian Yongyuan’s questions, bringing it up abruptly would feel awkward and out of place.

Luo Chuchen pressed his lips together and, in the end, couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

Lian Yongyuan had only come to ask a few questions and, once finished, took his leave, saying he had matters to attend to at the painting academy.

Min Ziyu sat to the side, quietly reading with his head lowered. Luo Chuchen stole a couple of glances, and Yin Zikun said, “Bring your scrolls up. His questions are done, so he’s just reviewing here. Not only do you have the selection exam next month, but the students at their Painting Institute also have public exams. They’re all very busy.”

Luo Chuchen handed over his painting scroll, which Yin Zikun then evaluated, pointing out its strengths and weaknesses before offering targeted advice on painting techniques.

By the time they finished, nearly two hours had passed.

Yin Zikun concluded, “Not bad. You’ll definitely make it into the upper division of the Painting Academy. The only uncertainty lies in the classics examination. From now on, focus your efforts on preparing for that.”

Luo Chuchen obediently agreed.

Having taught three students, Yin Zikun was somewhat fatigued and did not invite them to stay for a meal.

Luo Chuchen and Min Ziyu packed up their belongings and walked out together.

As they passed through the winding corridors, the once-familiar path now felt as if they were treading on thin ice. Luo Chuchen carefully restrained his breathing, trying to match Min Ziyu’s pace beside him.

Not a word was exchanged between them until they had left the Yin residence.

Luo Chuchen felt a little disappointed. Despite mustering his courage for a long time, he still didn’t dare to initiate a conversation.

Just as he was about to bid a polite farewell, Min Ziyu spoke up, “Junior Brother, wait a moment.”

Luo Chuchen turned back in surprise.

Min Ziyu nodded slightly and said, “I only realized today that you are my junior brother. I was somewhat rude yesterday my apologies.”

Luo Chuchen quickly replied, “Not at all! I should be thanking you, Senior Brother, for helping me. Otherwise, I would have been swindled out of quite a bit of money and made a fool of.”

Min Ziyu said, “I noticed you’ve already submitted your painting to our teacher, so it might be a bit late, but the original of yesterday’s painting is stored at my residence. Would you still like to have it?”

“Oh, really?” Luo Chuchen exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. “That would be wonderful! Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Min Ziyu smiled faintly. “It’s nothing. However, I’m returning to the Painting Academy today. The academy will be closed in a few days for the Winter Solstice. If you’d like, you can wait for me at the academy gate after 3 p.m., and I’ll take you to my residence to retrieve the painting. Is that alright?”

He added, “It’ll also be a good chance for you to see what the Painting Academy looks like, since we’ll be classmates soon.”

Luo Chuchen hadn’t expected this seemingly aloof and unapproachable senior brother to be so kind. He nodded eagerly in agreement.

This senior brother is really amazing!