The next day, He Ruochen said that he would take her to the city for a walk. Lin Banxia didn't think much about it at that time, but she was very happy because strictly speaking, this was the first time that He Ruochen took her initiative to take her out to play.
The city is not big, and due to the heavy snowfall these days, there are not many people walking on the street, but you can still see many children running out of the elementary school and playing around an old jujube tree in the alley. .
He Ruojin was afraid of starving Lin Banxia, so he bought her a lot of snacks along the way. Lin Banxia was obedient at first and she agreed to whatever he bought her, but then she felt a little full and couldn't help it. He pulled his sleeve and told him not to eat.
He Ruochen then gave up and took her to the alley.
Lin Banxia subconsciously grabbed his hand and stared blankly at the alley that became quieter and quieter as she walked in. She didn't know where He Ruojin was going to take her.
He Ruojin seemed to sense Lin Banxia's uneasiness. He put her little hand into his palm, lowered his head slightly and said in her ear, "Go draw and take a picture."
His voice was not loud, but it came through clearly and lowly in his ears, which was a little itchy.
Lin Banxia subconsciously raised her face, and accidentally touched his chin with her forehead. She quickly lowered her head, blinked and asked in a low voice, "What kind of portrait is that?"
He Ruochen took her hand, held it tighter, and led her around the corner of the alley, while gently replying: "When I first entered the city, I met an old man who made portraits of couples. I was very fond of him at that time. I want... to own a painting like this."
As he spoke, he paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something. He looked at her and asked in a low voice, "I made an independent decision on this matter. Will you be angry?"
Lin Banxia was dumbfounded, as if she hadn't fully reacted to He Ruochen's words, so she couldn't answer He Ruochen immediately, but He Ruochen thought she was unwilling, so he paused slightly and said, "If you don't want to, we will I won’t go…”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Banxia shook her head, fearing that he would really regret it, so she grabbed a few of his fingers, opened her mouth and said stutteringly: "No, I'm not unwilling, I..." For the first time, she felt that she My mind was blank and my mouth was dry. I couldn't say anything nice, so I just repeated those few words to him seriously and dryly, "I'm very willing."
…
He Ruojin took Lin Banxia to the old gentleman's house. The doorman came out to open the door. He thought it was an ordinary person coming to ask for a painting, so he refused the visitor directly, saying that the old gentleman didn't want to see people recently.
But after He Ruochen reported her name, the doorman was stunned for a moment, then changed his attitude and invited He Ruochen to come in.
The old gentleman he was talking about happened to be sipping new tea in the tea room at the moment. When he saw He Ruochen leading a little girl over, the old gentleman understood the relationship between the two with just one glance.
"Is this the general's young lady?"
He Ruojin lowered his head and looked at Lin Banxia. Seeing that Lin Banxia had no intention of refuting, he shamelessly said yes.
The old gentleman smiled and asked them to sit down, and asked He Ruoxin why she had the time to come to see him.
He Ruojin did not beat around the bush, she directly stated her purpose and wanted to ask the old man to make a painting for him and Lin Banxia.
"The general has made countless contributions to the Northern Kingdom over the years. A mere painting by an old man is nothing."
The old gentleman agreed. He took the young couple to his studio and asked them to sit down on the couch under the screen. Finally, he thought of something and asked He Ruoxin if he wanted to take off his mask.
(End of chapter)