But soon.
The shock vanished from Chen Xun's eyes, and he returned to his usual composure. He gazed quietly at the painting and said, "Qingyan, so you knew all along."
This painting...
It was identical to Gu Qingyan's final work from the Chaos Ancient Road.
And this painting was far more than merely a painting. Nor did it merely prove that Gu Qingyan was that person from back then. What mattered was the meaning behind it—why Gu Qingyan had given him this painting in the first place.
Little animals laughed beneath dancing tree shadows, their figures springing vividly to life upon the paper.
Heaven and earth fell frighteningly silent.
The atmosphere was so heavy it seemed suffocating, utterly at odds with Gu Qingyan's usual temperament when she painted.
Gu Qingyan's brushwork had also become incomparably heavy. She had sensed the subtle shift in Chen Xun's expression. She would rather he had stared in shock and cried out than become so quietly oppressive.
Suddenly.
Chen Xun smiled faintly. "Qingyan, you actually kept this from me for so many years. You're still the same as before, so... considerate. I don't know whether that's the right word. Were you afraid I'd mind? I won't."
"...This painting is good. Quite good."
Chen Xun seemed to have fallen into memory. His eyes were vacant as he began muttering to himself, chattering on without end.
"Chen Xun!"
"Hehe, this painting has certainly weathered the winds and frosts of time. From the perspective of me, the Painting Saint..."
"Chen Xun!"
"...it is still three parts inferior to mine."
"...Chen Xun!"
"Qingyan, after you painted this, I..."
Bzz—
Whoosh!
The river of stars cascaded like a waterfall, pouring down in countless streams of light and scattering across Gu Qingyan's temples and long dress, embroidering her in a