Liu Chang'an, So Useful

The Xuanhe Catalog of Paintings lists the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (Along the River During the Qingming Festival) as a type of boundary painting, belonging to the "roof and tree" category. It ranks among the top three categories of painting. The History of the Song Dynasty, in its section on elections, explicitly states that outstanding boundary painters had the opportunity to be directly appointed as "Imperial Attendants" by the emperor.

At that time, because the "wooden house" painting style was highly valued and more focused on showcasing skills, it was a necessary technique for almost all excellent painters.

If Li Daoren were merely a wandering idler, the Nine Provinces Wind and Thunder Swordsman wouldn't have allowed him to follow. Sending him to the royal garden did indeed allow him to excel. However, Zhao Ji and Zhao Ji courtiers were truly boring, and Li Daoren couldn't get along with them. When Kaifeng fell, Li Daoren naturally seized the opportunity to escape.

As Liu Chang'an watched Li Hongfang leave, he no longer cared whether she would turn herself in or hand over the first edition of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" to the state.

The genre of boundary painting originated independently in the Sui and Tang dynasties, reached its peak in the Song Dynasty, and gradually declined thereafter, but it did not disappear completely, and some excellent boundary painting works were still produced.

Compared to the reclusive lifestyle of literati painters who sought to express their integrity by hiding among mountains and rivers, pursuing a style of creation that was simple and unrefined, Liu Chang'an preferred the meticulous and rigorous style of boundary painting... Today, people who want to understand the prosperity of ancient times can glimpse it from these boundary paintings, which always amazes them and even makes them wonder if our country really had such prosperous cities, temples, towers, and palaces back then?

It's like a fairyland.

Liu Chang'an took the time to get into the swing of things, and started sketching on paper with a pencil, outlining the River East's silhouette as seen from the west bank of the River West.

Today, large-format, high-resolution architectural photography has replaced the recording function of traditional Chinese painting. When it comes to reproduction and detail, human-made works can never truly compare to photographic works with hundreds of millions of pixels.

After finishing his afternoon classes, Liu Chang'an still went to the shop for Explanation. Wang Jiangzi had been coming to the shop more frequently lately, mostly in the afternoon. For a mature woman, a young man with a calm appearance and strong masculine aura sitting in front of her was very pleasing to the eye and much more comfortable to look at than those "puppy dogs" because she wouldn't get tired of him.

Many "puppy-like" men are genuinely handsome and good-looking in women's eyes. However, after seeing them many times, women tend to become critical, wondering if they are too refined or if they could get some cosmetic surgery. This kind of feeling often arises. But a man like Liu Chang'an doesn't give women that feeling because his face isn't meant to please women, and his demeanor isn't meant to evoke maternal pity and doting affection.

Wang Jiangzi sipped her tea, watching the young man's earnest expression, and lazily spent the afternoon, feeling that life was becoming somewhat gentle.

This kind of thinking from a woman doesn't mean she's plotting anything; it's just admiration. As long as one doesn't flirt and the other doesn't test the waters, and the two don't exchange tender glances, many beautiful scenes will simply remain a faint feeling in her heart, nothing more.

Liu Chang'an left quite late today. Wang Jiangzi prepared small pot dishes and had a meal with two shop assistants before going back.

Liu Chang'an is the kind of person who is always much easier to get into for meals than for other tasks.

Small pot dishes.

The dishes served in small pots are delicious.

I'll make some small pot dishes sometime.

Zhou Dongdong might be able to eat thirty bowls?

That's an exaggeration.

Liu Chang'an went home lost in thought. Under the tree, he saw Lu Si'en and Zhou Dongdong. He hugged Lu Si'en, who had gotten a little chubby.

For some reason, Lu Si'en suddenly panicked and ran back to the doghouse.

It's a misunderstanding!

"Brother Chang'an, how long until your crabs are ready to eat?" Zhou Dongdong asked with concern as she returned to the house, stroking the refrigerator.

"One week."

Zhou Dongdong stretched out both hands, pressed down three fingers, and extended the remaining fingers in front of Liu Chang'an.

"That's right." Liu Chang'an nodded, pressing her remaining fingers back in one by one. "We can eat them after so many days."

Zhou Dongdong jumped up and down to show her anticipation, then took out her homework and asked Liu Chang'an to teach her how to do it. Although Sister Egg had once been very interested and eager to teach Zhou Dongdong how to do her homework, for some reason, she never mentioned it again.

Anyone who has been a parent knows that if your child isn't a high-achieving genius, helping them with their homework is an extremely painful experience.

Some parents rolled on the ground in anger.

Some burst into tears.

Some cases involve myocardial infarction.

Some people experienced a spike in blood pressure.

Some suffered mental breakdowns.

Fortunately, Liu Chang'an is very patient and doesn't get angry like Zhou Shuling, so Zhou Dongdong also likes to have Brother Chang'an help her with her homework.

Brother Chang'an is the kind of person who can be very serious and patient even when teaching her to bark like a dog.

After a while, Zhou Dongdong finished her homework, and Liu Chang'an turned on the TV to show her cartoons.

"Brother Chang'an, who's stronger, Sun Wukong or Ultraman?"

"Sun Wukong, I guess."

Why?

"Because Sun Wukong appears to be a monkey, but he is actually a stone monkey, a rare species with only one known existence. As for Ultraman, there are many of them, indicating that they haven't evolved to their full potential. They haven't reached the point where their population must be controlled to avoid disrupting the power balance system, so they are not as powerful as Sun Wukong."

"Oh, I don't know what you're talking about. Song Taozi said Ultraman is more powerful because she has an Ultraman costume to wear. She said she could let me wear it, but she's worried I won't be able to fit into it, so she touches my stomach every day to see if I can fit into it."

"You can wear Zhu Bajie's clothes, I'll buy you some!"

"I don't want to!"

Liu Chang'an was chatting casually with Zhou Dongdong when Shangguan Dandan returned with a thermos. Seeing that she hadn't lost the thermos, Liu Chang'an was very pleased.

"There are no meat buns to eat." Shangguan Dandan walked in, looked around, and sat down. She then asked Liu Chang'an and Zhou Dongdong if they wanted to drink her effervescent water.

Zhou Dongdong drank, Liu Chang'an didn't.

"How did it go?" Liu Chang'an asked Shangguan Dandan about her card game results that day.

"I gambled away all my money this afternoon, but I didn't bring my thermos. That old man even said I was too scared to bring it..." Shangguan Dandan said, somewhat convinced, "He guessed right."

"Seeing you walk in so arrogantly, I thought you'd won a lot," Liu Chang'an said, shaking his head, and got up to walk towards the kitchen.

"How can I make money?" Shangguan Dandan followed behind Liu Chang'an.

"You can help me with housework, and I'll pay you a salary."

"That's what I should do; I can't take your money."

Liu Chang'an turned around and looked at Shangguan Dandan with a puzzled expression.

"I can't accept it." Shangguan Dandan's expression was resolute. She had never heard of a mother charging her son for doing housework. Usually, parents would use rewards to encourage their children to learn to do housework during the parenting process. Shangguan Dandan was familiar with this kind of parenting education.

"What I mean is... I Ming Dynasty. You say it's my duty to help with housework, but you've never done any?"

"I don't know how."

Liu Chang'an waved his hand, "Go out and play with Zhou Dongdong, I'll make you some instant noodles."

"Then how can I make money?" Shangguan Dandan didn't realize that Liu Chang'an was too lazy to talk to her about this topic.

"I'll give you fifty yuan a day for pocket money, so don't even think about making any more money."

"Good."

"Why did you agree so readily?" Liu Chang'an asked, somewhat puzzled. Couldn't you have been a little more reserved?

Shangguan Dandan, of course, wouldn't hold back. She had never heard of a mother being reserved when her son gave her pocket money.

It seems that my previous attempt to buy the Owl You Vessel had its effect, reminding him to be filial to his mother, otherwise he would be seen as an unfilial and evil bird.

Shangguan Dandan walked out of the kitchen and touched her beloved thermos, which was used to replace the Owl You Vessel wine vessel. Presumably, Liu Chang'an had also been inspired and moved by it.

Since Liu Chang'an had already given her seventy yuan today, Shangguan Dandan didn't ask him for any more money. She would ask him for fifty yuan tomorrow. After finishing her noodles, Shangguan Dandan carefully picked up her chopsticks and bowl and put them in the kitchen sink, which she considered as doing her chores for him.

The Empress Dowager did her best.

Because of the washing machine issue, Liu Chang'an never really expected her to help with housework. Liu Chang'an was very free and patient, but he had no interest in helping her with housework.

The next morning, Liu Chang'an received a call from An Nuan. Liu Yuewang had a nightmare the night before, in which a bloody human head was smiling at her. She was so frightened that she woke up twice. Although An Nuan stayed with her, Liu Yuewang was too scared to go back to sleep.

It was just dawn when Liu Chang'an glanced at the sky and said he would wait for him to come over so they could have breakfast together.

Liu Chang'an went to the market, bought some rice noodles and fresh meat, and ran to An Nuan's home.

"You really came," An Nuan said, her smile showing relief.

As girls grow up, they naturally understand how to handle many unexpected situations. However, even if they have someone they like but don't know what use he can be, they still hope that he can be by their side when they are nervous or uneasy.

Liu Chang'an handed the rice noodles and pork to An Nuan, gesturing for her to put them in the kitchen.

An Nuan quickly came out of the kitchen and said, "Actually, it's nothing... My mom said it's already dawn, and she can't sleep anymore. She shouldn't have any more nightmares tonight."

"She was severely frightened, causing her adrenal glands to secrete a large amount of catecholamines in an emergency. This substance can cause spasms in the small arteries throughout the body, leading to increased blood pressure, which in turn causes spasms in the cerebral arteries, resulting in cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, causing her to fall into a coma. Generally speaking, she can recover. In theory, Professor Liu's body should be fine. Her nightmares are due to poor psychological resilience and a life that is too simple and comfortable." Liu Chang'an didn't think it was a big deal. "Does she not dare to watch horror movies?"

An Nuan nodded vigorously. Actually, Professor Liu liked to watch it and even liked to drag An Nuan to watch it, but he would only watch a little bit each time before stopping, so he had never really developed the mental fortitude to watch it.

"How do you know everything?" An Nuan couldn't help but admire her boyfriend again, even though that wasn't the point right now.

"Chang'an, you're here?" Liu Yuewang called out from the bedroom.

"Let me massage your mother's head; that should help. We can give her some medicine later to help her recover," Liu Chang'an asked An Nuan for her opinion.

An Nuan nodded repeatedly.

So Liu Chang'an and An Nuan went into Liu Yuewang's bedroom together.

"Professor Liu, let me massage your head. And... An Nuan, take a tiny bit of the face cream I gave you and dissolve it in a glass of water," Liu Chang'an said to An Nuan.

An Nuan didn't ask any further questions about why face cream was needed and quickly went to prepare it.

"I'm sorry to trouble you... I heard that massage can also calm the nerves and help you sleep." Liu Yuewang a little tired and casually picked up a thin blanket to wrap around her upper body.

She was wearing a nightgown, and there was no bra underneath, nor was she the kind of woman whose figure could be easily concealed.

As for the long, slender, white legs that looked like they were casually placed on a plate by a chef, the nightgown revealed them without any attempt to conceal them. Such a display of strict separation between men and women was too deliberate and too formal.

"It will hurt a little at first, just bear with it."

"Does it hurt a lot?" Liu Yuewang worriedly, as she was very afraid of pain.

"Just a little bit, you'll feel better in a while."

"Okay... then be gentle..." Liu Yuewang took a deep breath. Why did this guy have to remind her? It made her so nervous, her scalp was tingling.

Liu Yuewang sat up straight, and Liu Chang'an's fingers rested behind her ear.

Liu Yuewang couldn't help but chuckle. Her ears were quite sensitive, and Liu Chang'an's fingers didn't have the smooth feel of delicate skin. The rough fingertips of the man pressed against her skin, making her feel unbearably itchy.

"Did the head you dreamed about have blood flowing from its eyes?"

Liu Yuewang thought back for a moment, and was so frightened that she almost trembled. When her attention was diverted, the itching stopped. Liu Chang'an suddenly tightened his fingers, and Liu Yuewang was stunned by the pain when she came to her senses. She even forgot to scream.

Liu Chang'an had some experience dealing with women who had sensitive skin and liked to shout; as long as he could distract them, they were easy to handle.

Just like pediatricians are good at soothing children.

Just as Liu Chang'an said, it hurt at first, but after the pain subsided, his mind felt much better. The discomfort caused by the nightmare last night, as well as the various brain conditions caused by lack of sleep and anxiety, all disappeared completely with his magical finger pressure.

Liu Yuewang bit her lip. She actually quite liked to hum, but she felt embarrassed. As long as she held back, her two legs were crossed and tense. Her ten white and tender little pig-like toes couldn't be restrained and kept jumping around restlessly.

An Nuan brought in the things Liu Chang'an had asked for. Seeing the pained expression on her mother's face, she quickly asked, "Mom, are you feeling better?"

"That's about enough," Liu Chang'an said, releasing his grip.

Liu Yuewang couldn't help but roll her eyes at Liu Chang'an. What kind of approach was this? She was feeling really comfortable and wanted him to massage her a little longer. Usually, the first thing to ask was, "How are you feeling?", "Would you like a little longer?", or "Shall I massage you a bit more?"

Liu Chang'an took the bottle from An Nuan's hand. Inside was a drop of face cream. The drop of face cream was round and smooth, as delicate as a pearl, but it did not dissolve in the water at all.

"I've heard that only skincare products that can completely dissolve and mix in water are truly natural, green, and healthy; otherwise, they contain chemicals," Liu Yuewang couldn't help but share some knowledge from her WeChat Moments.

"Mom, I've explained to you countless times what chemical substances actually mean," An Nuan said helplessly.

"So what if you're a science student?"

An Nuan rolled her eyes at her. This mother, she just got a massage and she's already acting all high and mighty. Last night she was all teary-eyed and pitiful.

Liu Chang'an took a spoon and stirred the water and face cream together. Soon, the mixture resembled crushed pearl powder mixed in the water, creating a cloudy white color.

"Just a small sip is enough; it will calm your body's hormonal imbalance, which is the main cause of your nightmare spasms." Liu Chang'an handed the water glass to Liu Yuewang. "Just a small sip, don't drink it all."

"What would happen if I drank it all?" An Nuan couldn't help but ask curiously.

"If you drink it all, you'll suddenly become younger and prettier, and other people will find it strange," Liu Chang'an said with a smile.

"Then my mom would definitely drink it all." An Nuan poked Liu Chang'an with her finger.

"I'm young and beautiful, no one would find it strange," Liu Yuewang said, dissatisfied, then somewhat puzzled, "Isn't this face cream? How can it cure this?"

"Because it's all-natural." Liu Chang'an had found the key to reassuring the middle-aged women in his WeChat Moments.

Liu Yuewang nodded. Although she wouldn't do something like injecting juice into her veins, she really couldn't resist the word "all-natural," so she obediently took a small sip.

"It's surprisingly quite delicious... but it doesn't really have much flavor. It's just that it feels like a pleasant sensation bursts forth in my mouth." Liu Yuewang looked at the water glass in surprise, ignoring the blanket that had fallen off her.

"Is that amazing? Can I have a little too?" An Nuan tilted her head to look at Liu Chang'an.

"Take a small sip too." Liu Chang'an affectionately patted her head. She was such a curious little one, especially adorable.

An Nuan also took a small sip, exchanging glances with her mother as she drank, then gave a knowing look, pouting at Liu Chang'an, "You told me not to drink more, so I only had a small sip. Was I good?"

"Good."

"Always acting cute." Liu Yuewang teased, but suddenly felt incredibly comfortable... It turned out that her daughter's boyfriend could even help her solve her insomnia and nightmares. She had originally planned to grind the roots of the Virginia creeper into powder, but what he had prepared was much more useful.

"You should rest for a while. I'll give An Nuan a massage first, and then I'll make breakfast," Liu Chang'an said to Liu Yuewang.

Liu Yuewang nodded. After all, she had just had Liu Chang'an massage her, so why shouldn't he massage An Nuan? Besides, she had woken up early in the morning. Did he dare to be too unrestrained in An Nuan's room? He had to be careful about who was eavesdropping.

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I wrote the extra chapter last night. Welcome everyone to join the VIP group. The current threshold for the VIP group is 7000 fan points. Don't worry, with Xia Hua's current update speed, regular members will reach that threshold soon.

I was delayed by something the past two days, and I was writing this chapter until after 4 a. m. today. I'm worried about dying from overwork, so I'm going to sleep now. Don't forget to vote, everyone! Especially the monthly votes, which count towards fan points!