1187 After All, She Liked Him So Much

The hill was black in color, and there was a faint hint of spring green.

There were large patches of camellias in full bloom. The white and red colors intertwined, looking gorgeous and lively.

The exuberant aura of spring seemed to want to break through the thin layer of rice paper and rush toward him.

It was truly an outstanding painting.

Wei Songze continued to explain, “My classmate said that he went to Xi Hill in April this year and saw the beautiful scenery there, so he specially drew this.”

Li Zhi smiled and nodded.

“The scenery of Xi Hill is indeed outstanding, and this painting is also good. A lot of ink was used for the hill scenery, but the camellias look lively, so the blank space is just right. Although the technique is still a little green, it’s very spiritual. The artist will have a bright future if he polishes himself more in the future.”

It was a very high evaluation for her to say such words.

Wei Songze chuckled, “If he knew that you said that, he would be so happy!”

Shen Li looked at Shi Yang and suddenly asked, “What do you think, Teacher Shi Yang?”

Shi Yang’s eyebrows twitched, and he immediately came back to his senses.

The stiffness from the moment he saw the painting quickly disappeared. When he raised his eyes again, his expression had returned to normal, and there was nothing wrong with it.

He smiled and nodded.

“It’s not bad. Teacher Li and I have the same opinion.”

It was even rarer to get Shi Yang’s praise.

Wei Songze was even happier.

“Really? Then I’ll have to go back and tell him that you praised his painting!”

Shi Yang had a smile on his face. He looked as gentle and elegant as ever.

However, at this moment, a clear voice sounded out, “I think there’s a part in this painting that could be drawn better.”

The entire office was silent for a few seconds.

Li Zhi looked at Shen Li and asked curiously, “Oh? What do you mean, Ah Li?”

Shi Yang also looked over.

Shen Li pointed at the painting,

“The camellias in this painting are dense and scattered. The handling is a little sloppy, especially the intertwining of the branches and leaves. On the whole, although the flowers are blooming in a lively manner, they appear to be a little messy.”

There was a look of pleasant surprise on Li Zhi’s face.

“I didn’t expect Ah Li to have studied Chinese paintings before.

Being able to give such an accurate and objective comment, was enough to prove that she really understood it.

What she had said just now was just a general critique. Since Shen Li was the one who had arranged for the appointment and the artist was still a student, she had focused on the merits and gave an encouraging comment.

She had planned to point out these shortcomings when she had the opportunity, but she had not expected Shen Li to mention it first.

Shi Yang seemed to be a little surprised as well. He looked at her face from behind his glasses, sizing her up.

Shen Li shook her head.

“I can’t say that I’ve studied it. It’s just that there have been more Chinese paintings produced recently. Also… this painting is of camellias.”

At this point, her red lips curved slightly, and she whispered, “This was my mother’s favorite flower.”

Shi Yang subconsciously clenched his fists.

Of course, Li Zhi knew that Shen Li was talking about Gu Tingyin.

After all, Gu Tingyin had also been a disciple of a famous family back then, and she had been extremely talented. She had already distinguished herself at a young age.

If it had not been for what had happened… she would have been a master of Chinese painting by now.

She was also clear about Shen Li’s background, so when she heard her mention it, she felt sorry for her.

“Is that so?”

Shen Li looked up, her dark peach blossom-shaped eyes curved into a beautiful arc.

“That’s right. My mom’s graduation work at Xijing Art School was of camellias.”

“Oh? In that case, your mother really likes camellia.”

“Yes.” Shen Li nodded. “When she and dad got married, they even planted a camellia tree in the yard of their house in Bai City.

When Li Zhi heard this, she could not help but sigh.

“No wonder you know so much about camellia… Your parents must be very close.”

Hearing this, Shen Li was silent for a moment before she smiled and nodded. Her expression was pure and serious.

“Yes, everyone says so. My father still often buys camellias at home, and there are many paintings that were left behind by my mother. In addition to traditional Chinese paintings, she also likes to draw comics. I can see her brushwork everywhere in my father’s book collection.”

As if she had thought of something funny, and the corners of her lips curled up into a playful arc.

“Actually, she was the one who bought those books, but she couldn’t understand most of them, so she tossed them all to my father.”

The young girl’s little thoughts were hidden in those books, but they were already so obvious without even opening them.

The whole world knew that she could not hide her feelings, and it almost seemed to be overflowing.

Li Zhi was both envious and sad.

Even though she was not familiar with Shen Zhijin and Gu Tingyin, anyone who heard this story would be moved.

She said, “Then your mother must have been very happy when she married him.”

Shen Li gently nodded.

“Yeah, after all, she liked him so much.”

After she finished speaking, she looked at Shi Yang and saw that he had his eyes slightly lowered, as if he was lost in thought.

“Teacher Shi Yang?”

She called out.

Shi Yang reacted for a moment before looking up.

Shen Li said with an apologetic tone,

“I’m sorry, I seem to have said too much about my family. Also, regarding the evaluation of this painting, it’s actually just my personal opinion. In Chinese painting, both you and Teacher Li are more professional. I hope you don’t mind that I was showing of in front of you both.”

She spoke in an exceptionally sincere tone of voice.

Shi Yang looked at her quietly.

When she smiled, they looked very similar, but her eyes… He did not like them.

“How can that be?”

He heard his calm and gentle voice.

“Well said.”