Chapter 7: The Dragon and Phoenix Bring Prosperity; Saying Goodbye to the Little Troublemaker

The four words “helpless” may seem ordinary, but in reality, they represent the greatest sorrow and pain in life. (Gu Long)
……
Opening his eyes, he saw the first harsh rays of sunlight. Shi Jieyi sat up, stretched, and felt extremely comfortable. Truly, when one is in good health and in a good mood, anywhere is comfortable to sleep—until the sun is high in the sky. Huh… Where did the boss go? Shi Jieyi muttered to himself.
Turning around, he ran toward the back garden, guessing that the boss must be there. Every time the boss got up early, he would definitely go there to listen to Bing Er’s music; it seemed to have become a habit.
Sure enough, Shi Jieyi knew his boss quite well. Liu Yi was indeed in the back garden, but… he wasn’t listening to Bing Er play music, nor was he watching Qing Er dance. Instead, Bing Er and Qing Er kept passing brushes to Liu Yi—turns out Liu Yi was painting the picture that A Jiu wanted.
Shi Jieyi hurried over and said, “Boss, why did you get up so early? Hehe, you’re painting! It’s so beautiful! Hehe, why does this snake have claws? Wait, no… adding extra things to a snake—what was it called again?”
Qing Er giggled and said, “Yes, adding extra things to a snake.”
Shi Jieyi quickly replied, “Oh, right, adding extra things to a snake… Wait, boss, isn’t this rooster too thin? And why is its tail so long?”
Liu Yi, even with his good temper, could no longer tolerate Shi Jieyi. He slammed the table and said, “Are you trying to annoy me on purpose? Get lost quickly, or I won’t finish this painting. Have your A Jiu find someone else.”
Shi Jieyi was completely confused, not knowing where he had gone wrong again. But to ensure A Jiu’s painting was completed, he quickly shut his mouth.
Just then, Bing Er whispered beside him, “Young master, that’s just how Brother Eleven is. Why get angry with him?”
Liu Yi ignored Bing Er’s words and continued painting attentively.
Although Liu Yi usually appeared like a playboy, distracted and casual, once he started painting or reading, he became utterly focused. Ordinary people couldn’t disturb him—of course, Shi Jieyi was an exception.
At that moment, a very pleasant voice came from the entrance of the back garden, “Who has made our talented Liu angry?”
Shi Jieyi looked in the direction of the voice—it was A Jiu. She was dressed differently today, wearing a purple dress with a layer of white gauze over it, looking stunning, like a fairy from the heavens.
Liu Yi also moved then. He handed the brush to Qing Er beside him and sighed, “It’s done…”
Just then, A Jiu walked over. Hearing that the painting was done, she quickly looked at it on the table. But instead of showing joy, her expression seemed disappointed. She said to Liu Yi, “Young Master Liu, is this the ‘Dragon and Phoenix Bring Prosperity’ painting? It seems quite ordinary to me. I could paint something like this too… Young Master Liu, are you lying to me?”
Hearing this, Bing Er immediately retorted, “Hmph, you girl! Our young master spent two hours painting this. How dare you insult him and doubt his skills? You really…”

Before the painting could be finished, Liu Yi stopped Bing Er. Waving his folding fan a few times, he said, “Miss Ajiu doubts Liu’s painting so much. Have you perhaps seen the first ‘Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Picture’?”
A hint of panic appeared on Ajiu’s face, but it vanished quickly, making it hard to notice. She shook her head and explained, “It’s not that I’ve seen the first picture. It’s just that this one is too ordinary. If my best friend were to paint it, it might be better than what Young Master Liu has done… I think Young Master Liu is just average. If that’s all there is to it, I don’t need this painting. I’ll go back and tell my best friend just how mediocre Liu really is!”
Hearing this, Qing Er snapped angrily, “You… The young master painted it for you out of kindness, and you dare to insult him like this?”
But Liu Yi wasn’t angry after hearing Ajiu’s words. Instead, he calmly took out his folding fan, waved it a few times, and murmured, “Eternal rivers and mountains… Where lies the heart of a ruler…” He shook his head and turned to Bing Er, saying, “Bing Er, go get me a cup of green tea.”
Bing Er nodded and replied, “Yes, young master,” before turning and leaving.
Ajiu stared at Liu Yi, her eyes seemingly capable of killing him. “It seems the rumors in the jianghu aren’t true after all. I never thought Young Master Liu was also someone who seeks fame and glory. It seems the talented scholars from the south have exaggerated greatly.”
At that moment, Shi Jieyi interjected, “A-Ajiu, isn’t what my boss painted good? I think it’s beautiful.”
Hearing this, Ajiu snapped angrily, “What do you know? Since Young Master Liu doesn’t want to paint this for me, I won’t force him. I’m leaving.” With that, she turned and walked away.
Shi Jieyi was now panicked. He had wanted to win Ajiu’s favor, but his boss had ended up creating a terrible painting. He paced anxiously, unable to do anything.
Just then, Bing Er brought over a cup of green tea and handed it to Liu Yi. Liu Yi took the tea and said to Ajiu, “Miss Ajiu, please wait a moment. Although scholars are often useless, Liu Yi is someone who keeps his word. I promised to paint it for you, and I will definitely complete it.” After saying that, he took a sip of the tea.
As Ajiu turned away, she snapped angrily, “After creating such an ordinary painting, you still have the leisure to drink tea? Is this what you call keeping your promise…?” She turned back, but before she could finish speaking, she froze, her eyes wide open as if she had seen something unbelievable.
Indeed, the green tea Liu Yi had drunk hadn’t gone down his throat—it had been sprayed onto the painting. And at that moment, a strange sight appeared.
A golden light, brighter than sunlight, shone forth. The golden dragon in the painting soared into the air, circling majestically. The phoenix followed beside it, emitting beautiful cries from time to time. The golden light illuminated everyone, warming their hearts and filling them with an indescribable sense of warmth and excitement.
Everyone was amazed and in awe. Suddenly, Shi Jieyi shouted loudly, “The snake and rooster painted by my boss are alive! This is amazing!”

Qing’er continued to stare at the incredible scene in the air, while her mouth replied to Shi Jie, “Idiot, those are dragons and phoenixes, not snakes and roosters.” Everyone except Liu Yi had their mouths wide open, their eyes seemingly doubling in size. Finally, after a short while, the dragons and phoenixes flew back into the painting. Everyone shook their heads in disbelief, trying to prove they were awake… While A Jiu bit her finger to prove what she had seen was fake. Everything returned to calm. A Jiu ran over, looked at the ordinary painting on the table, and said to herself, “Strange, even Father’s painting isn’t this magnificent!” Liu Yi flicked his folding fan and asked, “What did Miss A Jiu say? Is she still doubting that I’m deceiving her?” A Jiu quickly replied, “Young Master Liu, your paintings are becoming more and more amazing.” Just then, Liu Muxi arrived with a group of servants. Upon seeing Liu Yi, he asked loudly, “Someone said they saw dragons and phoenixes in this direction just now. Where are they now? Did they get mistaken?” Liu Yi hurriedly said, “It must have been a mistake.” Liu Muxi looked at Liu Yi, walked over to the table, glanced at the painting, and shook his head. “Yi’er, you haven’t painted for two years. You’ve regressed. This painting lacks all spirit.” Liu Yi nodded. “Yes, I was lazy. I’ll work harder from now on.” At that moment, a servant rushed over anxiously, “M, master, something bad has happened!” Liu Muxi, seeing the servant’s panic, asked, “What’s the matter? Why such haste?” The servant replied urgently, “Master, many people have come to the door. They say they saw dragons and phoenixes appear just now and want to enter to pay homage to them.” Hearing this, Liu Muxi muttered to himself, “So it’s true. Was it just an illusion? Come, let’s go to the door right away.” Then, the group hurriedly headed toward the door. Watching Liu Muxi leave, Liu Yi shook his head and said, “It seems we’ve caused trouble for Liu Fu again.” A Jiu looked at the painting and thought to herself, “I never expected this bookworm’s painting skills to improve so rapidly. He can even infuse his own spirit into the painting. What a rare talent!” At that moment, Shi Jie ran up, laughing. “Miss A Jiu, my boss brought the paintings to life. How can you still say his paintings are bad?” A Jiu then bowed to Liu Yi and said, “I’m truly ashamed, Young Master Liu. It was my fault for being shortsighted and rude just now.” Liu Yi shook his head gently. “A talented person and a discerning eye aren’t on the same level. It’s not Miss A Jiu’s fault. Perhaps my paintings are too hard to understand. It’s actually my fault.” A Jiu’s face turned red. “Young Master Liu, may I take this painting with me?” Liu Yi looked at her and nodded. “Seven days. Don’t forget our agreement.” A Jiu nodded. “Thank you for giving me this painting, Young Master. I will definitely keep my promise.” Bing’er gave A Jiu a disdainful look and said deliberately, “Hmph. Now you realize my master’s paintings are treasures. What were you thinking just now? Did your eyes grow on your back?”

Upon hearing this, A Jiu snapped angrily, “You…”
Liu Yi gently patted Bing Er’s head with his fan and said, “Little girl, don’t be unreasonable.”
Seeing this, Bing Er pouted in distress.
A Jiu packed up her painting and bowed, saying, “Young Master Liu, I’ll see you again soon.”
Liu Yi nodded without showing much reaction.
But Shi Jieyi couldn’t hold back anymore and shouted, “Miss A Jiu, please go quickly and come back soon!”
Thinking that Shi Jieyi was worried the painting might be lost, A Jiu bowed and said, “Elder Brother Shi Jieyi, don’t worry. I’ll definitely return as soon as possible.” With that, she turned and left the back garden.
As soon as A Jiu left, Bing Er and Qing Er started shouting excitedly, “The young master is so amazing! He even brought the painting to life!”
Liu Yi looked at the two of them and sat back down at the stone table. “Since the young master is so great, isn’t it time for you two now? Qing Er and Bing Er, it’s your turn to perform for the young master.”
Hearing this, Bing Er and Qing Er exchanged smiles…
Melodic sounds, graceful dances, fine wine, beautiful fairies—amidst a sea of flowers, Liu Yi sat back. Did this paint a picture of a playboy?