The ink on the drawing board had yet to dry, and the Water Kirin knew that touching it now would smudge the painting.
She studied it carefully, liking it more with every glance. Her irritation at having her sleep disturbed had long since vanished like smoke. Her beautiful eyes turned toward Li Hao.
"Did you paint this for me?"
"Do you like it, senior?"
Seeing the delight in her eyes, Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "If you like it, senior, it's yours."
The Water Kirin smiled, seeming to brighten the entire Cold Pond. She said with a soft laugh:
"To think there was such a skilled painter among the Human Race. This really is beautifully done. I almost feel as though I'm standing on the paper myself."
"As long as you like it, senior."
Painting was not merely copying reality; it involved artistic embellishment too. It was essentially adding a filter, so naturally it looked good.
Li Hao glanced at her a couple of times and asked quietly, "Senior, how about letting me paint you in your current transformed appearance too?"
This time, the Water Kirin did not object. Instead, she looked at Li Hao with interest. "You can paint more?"
"It's painting. As long as you cooperate, senior, I can paint all day!" Li Hao said with a smile.
"All right. Paint another one for me to see." The Water Kirin agreed.
"Great!"
Li Hao readily accepted. This was a rare chance to shear some wool.
"Senior, please stand beside the pool and turn slightly sideways. Yes, just like that..."
Li Hao had her adopt a sideways pose. Combined with her exquisite beauty, she looked like a gentle, sorrowful woman standing beside the Jade Pool.
He swiftly set his brush to work and began painting.