Little Fool Chapter 71

Chapter 71: 100 Conditions

The old painter had his own standards for accepting students. He wouldn’t agree to take Mu Mu simply because General Yan had personally contacted him without even seeing Mu Mu’s abilities.

He only agreed to let Yan Gui Xing bring Mu Mu over for an assessment; he would decide whether to accept him after seeing his skill.

Of course, while maintaining his impassive expression, the old painter was inwardly anxious.

He had heard about General Yan’s temperament and actions. He was truly afraid of offending General Yan and provoking his wrath.

The old painter was quite comfortable living on Liuli Star and had no intention of moving.

Having met some artists in Capital Star, Yan Gui Xing knew artists were often proud and eccentric. Hearing that the old painter was willing to give Mu Mu a chance, he thanked him sincerely, promising to bring Mu Mu to visit in the next two days.

Looking at the darkened screen, the old painter took a moment to react, scratching his thinning white hair and muttering, “Gossip shouldn’t be believed; General Yan doesn’t seem so bad.”

This time, Yan Gui Xing didn’t make excuses to delay Mu Mu. The next day, after breakfast, he pulled Mu Mu into the dressing room, seated him on the long, antique white sofa in the center of the room, and then plunged into the closet to choose his clothes.

Watching Yan Gui Xing’s back, Mu Mu’s hands rested on his sides, his legs swaying, asking, “Gui Gui, are you going out?”

Before Mu Mu arrived, this dressing room was solely Yan Gui Xing’s. Due to his love of fashion, its size was almost as large as his master bedroom, which had an inner and outer room and a bathroom.

When Yan Gui Xing planned on bringing Mu Mu back, he intended to raise an easy, well-behaved, beautiful pet, not expecting Mu Mu to enter his private space.

After bringing Mu Mu back, the suspicious Yan Gui Xing ceased being suspicious, letting Mu Mu live in the master bedroom, sleep in his bed, and share his blanket.

When the clothes he had chosen for Mu Mu arrived, he immediately had Xiao Ting send them to his dressing room.

Mu Mu didn’t need to do anything; Yan Gui Xing had already accepted him. Perhaps it was love at first sight, one Yan Gui Xing hadn’t yet realized.

After all, those living in darkness yearn for the light.

Now, Yan Gui Xing was going through the clothes he had personally chosen for Mu Mu, finding fault with every item, feeling none could adequately showcase Mu Mu’s best side.

“We’re going out together,” Yan Gui Xing corrected without turning around, quickly walking to a nearby closet and rummaging through the clothes hanging inside.

Hearing that they were going out, Mu Mu’s eyes lit up, his legs still. Counting on his fingers, he said, “It’s been a long time since we last went out together. The last time we went out was to the hospital for a checkup.”

It had only been a week since their last visit to the military hospital.

But Mu Mu’s expectant tone made Yan Gui Xing feel like he hadn’t properly spent time with Mu Mu in a long time.

Remembering their recent cold war, he felt a pang of guilt.

Yan Gui Xing softened his tone, coaxing, “This time, I was wrong. As compensation, I’ll take you to the art gallery today. Mu Mu, don’t be angry with me, okay?”

Mu Mu excitedly jumped off the sofa, limping to Yan Gui Xing’s back, throwing his arms around his neck, excitedly saying, “Wow! Gui Gui is the best!”

It wasn’t surprising that Mu Mu was so excited; Yan Gui Xing had only mentioned taking him to the gallery yesterday, and now he was actually taking him today.

Mu Mu didn’t suspect Yan Gui Xing of lying; he just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

The internet said that painters who could run private galleries were incredibly busy; they had to go on field trips and retreat to paint, busier than his Gui Gui.

Yan Gui Xing smiled, holding Mu Mu’s arm hanging down his chest, his other hand supporting Mu Mu’s behind.

Thinking about the reason for Mu Mu’s happiness made him feel a pang of jealousy, a sour edge to his smile.

“Taking you to learn painting makes Gui Gui the best. If I didn’t take you, would a certain someone be sleeping on the sofa with a blanket again?”

Yan Gui Xing was essentially accusing Mu Mu first. Mu Mu slept in the living room because Yan Gui Xing had refused to let him work and locked all the bedrooms.

Even if Mu Mu was a simpleton, he understood Yan Gui Xing was settling the score for his “living room exile.”

If an ordinary person heard their boyfriend, who was clearly in the wrong, trying to settle the score for an incident that wasn’t their fault, they would immediately start arguing about who was right and wrong.

It might even turn into a physical fight.

But Mu Mu, the victim of this score-settling, had no temper; he was as soft as cotton candy.

Even when angry, his anger came and went quickly. Moreover, Yan Gui Xing had apologized, so he dismissed the matter.

He misinterpreted Yan Gui Xing’s emotions as distress, feeling immense sympathy and taking the blame upon himself.

Mu Mu leaned his head against Yan Gui Xing’s cheek, acting like a pet, rubbing against his face affectionately.

“Mu Mu is bad, for leaving Gui Gui alone. Mu Mu will cuddle, Gui Gui be good, don’t be angry~”

Yan Gui Xing smiled, his eyes shining, “If you want me not to be angry, okay. Then, Mu Mu, promise me one condition.”

Mu Mu’s chin rested on Yan Gui Xing’s shoulder; he hung on him like a koala. Hearing Yan Gui Xing’s words, he nodded vigorously, “Okay, not just one, Mu Mu will promise a hundred.”

“Alright, let’s start with one, and save the other 99 for later,” Yan Gui Xing laughed even more happily, “Even if Mu Mu gets angry again, you can’t sleep separately, understand?”

Mu Mu thought Yan Gui Xing’s request would be difficult, considering his own simplicity. Hearing it was so simple, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Fearing Yan Gui Xing might change his mind, he quickly responded, “Okay! Mu Mu promises you~”

Seeing Mu Mu so obedient, Yan Gui Xing felt soft and sweet inside, squeezing Mu Mu’s hand before carrying him to choose clothes.

At 10:00 sharp, Yan Gui Xing and Mu Mu arrived at the old painter’s gallery located at the intersection of Jin Yi District and Yin Er District.

The gallery was a half-hour walk from Yan Gui Xing’s private residence, practically under his nose.

Its location was also one of Yan Gui Xing’s considerations when selecting a painter for Mu Mu.

There were many famous painters on Liuli Star, but not too many, perhaps fifteen or sixteen. The reason Yan Gui Xing thought of the old painter first was his gallery’s location.

Compared to other private galleries, the old painter’s gallery was not large; it was a three-story villa with a garden.

The first floor was approximately 300 square meters, decorated in gray tones, with pillars and shelves in a light gray approaching white; clean and austere.

However, the paintings hung on the walls were diverse in color, reflecting the environment of the animals depicted.

Stepping inside felt like entering the animal kingdom.

The second floor housed the old painter’s studio and office. The third floor was the old painter’s living quarters, off-limits to outsiders.

The gallery owner was an elderly man with white hair, a stern expression, and round, black-framed glasses.

Likely due to the meeting with Yan Gui Xing, the old painter had changed his usual somewhat sloppy attire, shaved, worn a khaki painter’s hat, a beige shirt with a brown bow tie, and light brown suspenders with pants, looking refined and elegant.

However, the old painter remained impassive, his clean face devoid of expression, his wrinkles appearing stern.

Mu Mu was somewhat awestruck by the old painter, politely greeting him before quietly hiding behind Yan Gui Xing.

He was already cute, but the white, collegiate-style short-sleeved shirt, light blue shorts, white knee socks, black shoes, and beloved strawberry hairpin made him even more adorable, the image of a well-behaved grandchild.

Though the old painter had never married and had no children, this didn’t stop him from liking well-behaved children, especially those with clear eyes like Mu Mu.

Actually, after receiving Yan Gui Xing’s call last night, the old painter had deliberately checked Yan Gui Xing’s news, seeing his past lovers, and nearly falling over.

The poor old painter didn’t fall asleep until 3 a.m. When he received Yan Gui Xing’s message that morning, learning that he would bring his lover at 10:00, he felt a wave of despair.

The old painter was afraid that Yan Gui Xing would bring one of those glamorous beauties he had seen online; a solitary old man feared interacting with that type of beauty.

Seeing Mu Mu, such a well-behaved child, he was surprised and delighted, his expression softening, immediately deciding that he would keep Mu Mu, regardless of his talent.

But he still needed to follow the process. The old painter looked at the painting Mu Mu had brought, took Mu Mu upstairs, seated him in front of an easel, gave him a box of colored pencils, and let him draw freely to assess his skill.

Mu Mu’s skill, of course, was insufficient to be the old painter’s student. The old painter was prepared for this and didn’t have high expectations.

Moreover, while Mu Mu was painting, Yan Gui Xing had explained Mu Mu’s situation in the gallery downstairs.

So, after seeing Mu Mu’s painting of a Border Collie chasing butterflies, the old painter sincerely praised its resemblance.

But the old painter was also direct, pointing out that Mu Mu lacked talent and aura and couldn’t be his student.

While expecting this answer, Mu Mu was still somewhat disappointed. But the old painter’s next words rekindled the light in Mu Mu’s eyes.

The old painter agreed to teach Mu Mu to paint, but as an apprentice. Mu Mu would also help with the gallery—cleaning frames and the gallery when there were no customers, and assisting with customer reception and introductions.

[Author’s Note]: The old painter: A not-so-important but necessary tool character.