Corpse Recovery Diver
Chapter 287 - 51

Chapter 287: Chapter 51

Yesterday during dinner, Tan Wenbin mentioned that there will be a lottery event this weekend in Shigang Town square.

Nowadays, although the lottery industry has not been established for long in mainland China, the culture of prize-drawing has already become popular with very public-friendly methods.

On a large ground, both sides are lined with uniformed salespeople; the crowd mingles in between. Tickets can be bought one at a time or in boxes, then scratched and claimed right there on the spot.

The first prize is typically a car, prominently displayed at the highest, most visible spot.

Li Zhiyuan feels like each night before he sleeps, it’s like holding onto a lottery ticket and waking up is the time to claim the prize.

Moreover, every time there are decent guaranteed wins and often delightful surprises.

For instance, when he woke up this morning, he saw Alii wearing a dark-gold patterned horse skirt matched with a white top, appearing both striking and refined.

Perhaps noticing his preference, she has recently been wearing horse skirts more frequently.

This is also the result of Liu Yumei’s persistent persuasion: "Oh, my granddaughter, even if he likes you, you can’t wear the same style every day. It’s easy to get tired of."

The room now also has a large table covered with paper and various kinds of paints.

All these were directly moved over from Liu Yumei.

From paper to brushes, none are ordinary, even the paints are made using ancient methods; Liu Yumei isn’t particular about food, but the everyday items she uses are all rare, even considered antiquities.

Of course, she herself probably doesn’t see this as extravagant because it’s the kind of life she has always lived.

Just like earlier when she gave gifts, it wasn’t a jade ring then it would be earrings; the money for gifts was always counted in stacks, it really wasn’t about showing off.

The difference between showing off and generosity lies in the sincerity of giving.

Right now, Alii is painting.

She doesn’t need to get up early and sit there waiting for the boy to wake up anymore.

Li Zhiyuan sat up and stretched lazily.

The girl holding the brush looked over and slightly tilted her head.

Li Zhiyuan smiled, got out of bed to wash up, and when returning with the washbasin, Grandma Liu beckoned below.

"Grandma Liu."

"Come, take down your painting, let Grandma have a look."

"Sure, Grandma."

Liu Yumei sat down with a smile. She can only teach Alii the "Liu’s Qi Observation Technique" once her illness is completely cured and when she officially takes this stinky kid as a disciple.

But regarding musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting, there’s no harm in teaching.

In fact, this kid doesn’t need her guidance in chess anymore; he’s even better than her.

Li Zhiyuan brought down two paintings, spreading them out on the tea table.

One was just completed by him, and the other painted by Alii.

Both paintings depict the morning scenery as viewed from the second-floor terrace overlooking the fields, which was the scene that inspired Li Zhiyuan to learn painting.

Liu Yumei glanced over them and then slightly frowned, saying:

"If it were a general teacher, they would have given you a genius-level compliment because it is very well painted."

"Grandma, please enlighten me."

"But here lies the problem, your technique is almost indistinguishable from Alii’s, but you handle it too effortlessly, so effortlessly it feels deliberate.

At first glance, it indeed looks good, but upon a closer look, it’s full of craftsmanship."

"Grandma is right, this is indeed my problem."

Although the two paintings depict the same scenery, and although Alii’s style is more somber while his own is more sunny, Alii’s painting seems alive, but his own, even though dynamic, still feels lifeless.

"In the world of painting and calligraphy, many spend their entire lives studying techniques, but a real master has to make it interesting through innovation and by integrating feelings," Liu Yumei remarked.

Li Zhiyuan’s gaze darkened.

"You’re young, and to paint like this is already incredible. You don’t need to force new expressions of frustration."

"Thank you for your guidance."

"I can’t really call it guidance because it is you, I spoke more harshly, it’s nitpicking."

Li Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, collecting the paintings.

Aunt Liu came out in time, shouting, "Time for breakfast!"

Sitting down, he went to peel a salted duck egg for Alii, but the girl beat him to it.

When he tried to grab another one, she took it again.

Soon, the girl peeled an egg and handed it towards him.

His vision had improved, but some habits, the girl did not wish to change back now.

As Li Zhiyuan ate, he pondered over Liu Yumei’s words; after a month of learning, his painting level was actually competition-worthy, considering he was still in the youth category.

But in front of real masters, his works, unlike those specialized in imitative painting, had even stronger traces of craftsmanship.

As he continued to paint diligently, his probable endpoint might be a well-known master of counterfeit paintings domestically.

But how could he integrate emotions into his work?

Perhaps, it was an issue with the scenery; maybe change the painting subject altogether?

Li Zhiyuan looked at Alii carefully picking duck eggs with chopsticks, an idea formed in his mind.

"Aaaaah..."

Tan Wenbin’s yawn sounded long and loud.

His father agreed to let him continue staying here, also agreed to let him accompany Xiao Yuan to school without attending morning or evening self-study, but he wasn’t actually having an easy time.

No matter how many problems he solved, none were as fast as Xiao Yuan creating them for him, and he could feel, Xiao Yuan was also improving in this regard.

Initially, he gave him tough problems, but now he started mixing in easier ones; some problems were designed by Xiao Yuan deliberately, allowing him to rack his brains and step by step figure them out for pleasure.