The next morning, sunlight gently diffused through the light mist, enveloping the ancient town.
The air was as fresh as if it had been washed, without a trace of impurity.
Li Jing stood by the window, taking a deep breath, feeling instantly refreshed and revitalized. He couldn't help but admit that the atmosphere and environment of the ancient town were more comfortable and satisfying than the big city.
He glanced back at Zhang Xinxin's tightly closed bedroom door. Presumably too tired from yesterday, there was no sign of her waking up yet.
Li Jing didn't disturb her sweet dreams. After eating the breakfast delivered to his homestay, he changed clothes and went downstairs alone.
The morning in the ancient town was like a serene and elegant painting, with thin mist draping over the blue tiles and white walls like gauze.
The gray stone pavement still had the dew from early morning, sparkling under the first rays of sunlight.
Li Jing strolled through the ancient alleys, savoring the rare tranquility and beauty.
Compared to the night, the morning in the ancient town had a different flavor.
The shutters of the shops on both sides were still closed, and the small river in the middle of the town gurgled.
In the river, a few small fish seemed to swim merrily, creating slight ripples on the otherwise calm water, pulling the reflected buildings into a gentle sway.
Just as Li Jing walked through the now silent and empty commercial street, he was surprised to find that the little art shop from last night was still there.
Compared to yesterday, when it was overshadowed by the brilliance of the big shops, now it stood out in the early morning, sitting there alone like an old man who has kept watch over the ancient town.
"Your art shop opens even earlier than the office workers in the big city waking up."
Li Jing walked closer, smiling at the slender figure still dressed in a blue long skirt and white canvas shoes inside: "Is business here in the ancient town so competitive now?"
Hearing the familiar voice, He Mo turned her head, seeing Li Jing walking alone, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, then she raised her paintbrush-laden hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, chuckling lightly: "I thought young tourists today usually don't wake up until noon."
"The scenery here is so wonderful, it's a pity not to get up in the morning to see it."
Li Jing, feeling a bit tired from walking, without caring whether she agreed, took a small stool from her shop and sat down beside it with an air of ease.
One has to admit, He Mo chose a great spot. In front and behind are the main thoroughfares for foot traffic, and not far to the left is the ancient town's riverbank, where one can enjoy the river's scenery at leisure.
Li Jing sat on the little stool, watching the willows waving across the river, feeling at ease and comfortable.
Seeing his unreserved manner, He Mo's delicate eyebrows raised slightly but said nothing, continuing to paint on her canvas.
This time, He Mo wasn't using markers and colored pencils, but watercolor paint. Apparently, she could paint in many styles; markers and colored pencils were just her fastest methods.
Watching her focused expression as she painted, Li Jing found it intriguing and turned the stool to face directly, watching He Mo paint intently.
He had some understanding of painting.
When he was young, learning art was popular, and given his talent, his family let him study for a few years, winning many local awards.
But later, he reluctantly gave up his hobby for academics.
After all, for ordinary families in small towns, getting into a good university was the best path.
Noticing the unabashed gaze from beside her, He Mo, whose expression was originally natural, couldn't help but turn her head and say, "Don't you know that staring at someone like this is impolite?"
"For an outdoor artist, this is an inevitable situation. I'm helping you build mental resilience."
Seeing his matter-of-fact manner, He Mo realized the extent of his shamelessness and simply ignored him, continuing to paint, deciding to treat him as if he were air.
Meanwhile, as Li Jing watched her profile, he couldn't help but compare her appearance with Zhang Xinxin and An Tong.
Compared to Zhang Xinxin's fashionable attire, He Mo seemed much more ordinary. Especially since she didn't seem to favor makeup, her overall look was more understated and simple.
But He Mo had the advantage of delicate and clean features, with eyebrows arched like a fine crescent moon, just the right thickness. Her eyes were bright and clear, like a pool of pure spring water. Her lips, naturally rosy, radiated a healthy sheen.
Her skin was also fair and smooth, as clear as a freshly peeled egg, without a flaw.
At first glance last night, Li Jing noticed He Mo had a kind of unadorned purity that was unforgettable.
Especially in this ancient and tranquil town, He Mo seemed to have an extra aura, and with fitting surroundings complementing her, her temperament even surpassed Zhang Xinxin's by a fraction.
"Can you stop staring at my face all the time..."
Unable to focus with his constant gaze, He Mo couldn't help but turn her head unhappily, "Even outdoor artists only have their work observed, not someone staring at their face like you do."
Seeing her annoyance, Li Jing didn't get angry, instead smiling, "Everyone loves beauty. I find you beautiful, so I thought I'd look a little longer."
Initially pleased by the compliment, He Mo quickly thought of Zhang Xinxin, mockingly sneering, "Is this how you rich second-generation guys hit on women? Let me guess, how many women have you complimented on their looks in your life?
A thousand? Or ten thousand?"
"Not that exaggerated."
Li Jing remembered seriously for a moment before saying, "For genuine compliments, probably not more than ten."
Hearing his answer, though unsure if it was true, He Mo felt somewhat pleased but still dismissed it, "Do you think I believe you?"
"Believe it or not, it's up to you."
Li Jing didn't care, shrugging, and suddenly noticed the name of a big company written on a cloth bag beside her, curiously asking, "Is that bag from Evergreen Group?"
Upon hearing this, He Mo glanced at her bag in his line of sight and then explained, "I used to work there. This bag was a holiday benefit. I found its design and quality nice, so I've used it ever since."
"You worked at Evergreen Group?"
This truly surprised Li Jing.
He initially thought she opened a shop in the ancient town right after graduation, only to find she'd worked in a major company in TS City.
He had heard of Evergreen Group; though not in his industry, he knew it was a massive corporation.
If she could work at Evergreen Group, her education and abilities couldn't be too bad.
"You weren't a painter at Evergreen, right?"
"Of course not. Evergreen doesn't need these useless skills."
Mentioning Evergreen made He Mo's expression turn a bit cold, but her brush never stopped: "They only need people who give up personal lives to constantly create value for the company and win in the cutthroat corporate world, which they deem as capable young people."
Her words implied different meanings, and Li Jing curiously asked, "Did you have unpleasant experiences in the workplace?"
"Does anyone really enjoy their workplace?"
He Mo glanced at Li Jing, then feigned realization: "Oh, right, you're a rich second generation, naturally unaware of these. Your usual dilemma must be figuring out how to spend money and enjoy life, right?"
"That's your prejudice."
Li Jing spread his hands, "To be frank, I've been screwed by the workplace before too, taking the fall for my boss and getting mercilessly fired in the end."
Hearing this, He Mo looked at Li Jing's expression with surprise, seeing he didn't seem to be lying, she frowned in puzzlement, "A rich second generation actually has to work?"
"I've never claimed to be a rich second generation."
He Mo looked incredulous, "Then where did you get the money to buy luxury brand clothes and have beauties accompany you on travels? Don't tell me you're broke."
"I do have money, but I'm definitely not a rich second generation."
Li Jing leaned back against the stool, smiling, "If anything, you could consider me a... first-generation wealthy."
"I see this conversation is unsustainable."
Just as he finished speaking, He Mo almost rolled her eyes to the sky, shaking her head, "Your cheekiness far exceeds my expectations.
From what I know, no one really becomes a first-generation wealthy at such a young age and still leisurely travels with beauties like you.
Saying so much, isn't it a common way to pick up girls? Sorry, it doesn't work on me."
Hearing this, Li Jing rubbed his nose, didn't explain, and picked up a drawing board from her table, saying:
"If you don't believe, then forget it. Since I've got nothing to do, and the scenery here is nice, I'll also paint a picture to cultivate my taste."
"Hey! Don't waste my paper and paint."
"Don't worry, I'll pay."