Split Personality
Gong Ying was delighted to hear that. Taking advantage of their shared gender, she went over to tease the cats and dogs with Madam Ruo and told her a few amusing stories. Madam Ruo played along, laughing often.
Xu Huo stood behind them, watching their interaction without any intention of joining in. He was like an invisible man. Apart from the occasional glance from two cats grooming themselves at the edge of the room, not a single cat or dog paid him any attention.
After the two women had chatted and laughed enough, and Madam Ruo had given the Fleeting Flower to Gong Ying, Xu Huo finally offered to draw her portrait.
"A portrait?" Madam Ruo thought for a moment. "I don't have a photo of him. It's been so long that I can't quite remember what he looked like anymore."
"That's all right," Xu Huo said. "I know a little about psychology. Not being able to remember doesn't mean you've forgotten. His appearance is still stored somewhere in your brain."
Madam Ruo considered it and didn't refuse. She agreed that he could come sit at Whale Garden every day while working on the portrait, though she was busy and didn't spend much time at home each day.
"Of course, there's no need to rush," Xu Huo said. "We can take our time."
Unwilling to be outdone, Gong Ying offered to help. She said she'd studied a little of the same subject herself. She might not be as good as Xu Huo, but she was interested to see whether their depictions would differ much.
Madam Ruo didn't object, so Xu Huo had no reason to either. The three of them agreed to meet again the following afternoon.
As they left Whale Garden, the smile Gong Ying had been