Chapter 394: Chapter 394 - 370, Driven to a Corner_1

After Xiao Yeyang finished painting the portrait of Daohua, it was already late, and the two of them packed up the painting and returned to Taohua Temple.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Daohua cheerfully showed the painting to Grandma Yan and the other two elders, “Grandma, Mother-in-law, Teacher, look quickly, how did Xiao Yeyang do?”

Although the vision of the three elderly wasn’t very good, they recognized Daohua at the first glance when they saw the painting.

Grandma Gu exclaimed in surprise, “Did Yeyang lad paint this?”

Daohua nodded with a smile, “Mother-in-law, do you think it looks like me?”

Grandma Gu kept nodding her head, saying, “Yes, it’s the spitting image. Yeyang lad has captured your essence completely, one can tell it’s you at a glance.”

Grandma Yan also nodded her head vigorously, “Especially these eyes, as if they were stamped on.”

Gu Jian stole a glance at Xiao Yeyang, sighing inwardly.

To paint his little apprentice so vividly and lifelike, he must have etched her into his mind!

Seeing the two grandmas holding onto the painting as if they couldn’t let go, Daohua’s eyes twinkled, and she said to Xiao Yeyang, “Xiao Yeyang, why don’t you also paint a portrait for mother-in-law, and for my grandma and teacher as well?”

Xiao Yeyang looked surprised for a moment, then smiled and nodded, “Alright, I have no problem with that.”

Daohua smiled and turned her gaze towards her own grandma, teacher, and Grandma Gu.

Grandma Gu’s eyes lit up, showing interest, but her expression quickly turned sad as she touched the scar on her face with her hand.

Gu Jian knew his sister’s feelings and after thinking for a moment, said, “You could wear a mask for the painting.”

Grandma Gu’s eyes brightened again.

Grandma Yan laughed, “The silver mask which Daohua bought last time is rather nice. Don’t you like wearing it, elder sister?”

Grandma Gu smiled, “These days, my memory is getting worse. Yes indeed, wearing a mask, I won’t scare people.”

On hearing this, Daohua hurried over, took Grandma Gu’s hand, “Mother-in-law, even without a mask, you don’t scare people.” After saying this, she turned her head towards Xiao Yeyang, “Don’t you agree?”

Xiao Yeyang nodded, “Indeed, mother-in-law, I’ve never found you frightening.”

Although half of Grandma Gu’s face was burned, when he first saw her, he did not pay much attention to the scar on her face; instead, he was captivated by her eyes that reflected sadness and kindness.

Grandma Gu’s smile grew brighter, “Mother-in-law knows, you two are good children. But you see, once a painting is done, it will inevitably be seen by others. Mother-in-law also wishes to leave the best image of herself.”

Xiao Yeyang smiled, “Then wear the mask. Mother-in-law, your eyes are the most captivating, and the mask can’t hide them. Anyone familiar with you would recognize you.”

Grandma Gu nodded with a smile, “Alright.”

Daohua looked at the sky, “I’m afraid we can’t paint today, it’s going to be dark soon. How about we paint tomorrow morning?”

Grandma Yan responded, “Good, we’ll paint tomorrow.” Then, she looked at Grandma Gu with a smile, “Tonight, let’s think about what clothes to wear for the painting.”

Daohua immediately chuckled, “Wow, grandma, I didn’t expect you to care so much about your appearance.”

Grandma Yan gave her a rap on the head, “You girl, even making fun of your grandmother now?”@@novelbin@@

Daohua covered her mouth, stealing a giggle without a word.

Grandma Yan said impatiently, “It’s going to be dark soon, aren’t you going to cook yet?”

Daohua got up leisurely, curtsied, “Yes, granddaughter will comply.” After saying that, she hopped and skipped to the kitchen.

“This girl, always up to mischief!”

Grandma Yan shook her head with a laugh and a scold.

Grandma Gu laughed, “With such a clever and spirited granddaughter, you ought to wake up from your dreams laughing.”

Grandma Yan chuckled heartily, “Life is indeed a lot better with this girl around.”

…

Meanwhile, Xiao Yeyang followed Daohua into the kitchen, intending to start the fire, but as soon as he entered, he saw Daohua staring straight at him.

“What are you doing?”

As Xiao Yeyang watched Daohua approach and stop nearby, his heart immediately grew tense, and he involuntarily retreated backward.

He retreated, she advanced.

Xiao Yeyang only stopped when his back hit the wall, with nowhere left to go, and saw Daohua drawing ever closer, his heart pounding like a drum.

Watching Daohua nearly press against him, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help swallowing hard, secretly wondering, could this person be trying to tease him?

Just as the thought arose, he saw Daohua reach out her hand, covering his mouth and nose before exclaiming in surprise, “Xiao Yeyang, I’ve just realized, your eyes really do look like Grandma Gu’s.”

Xiao Yeyang hadn’t heard what Daohua said clearly; at the moment, all his attention was on her hand—he could distinctly feel his lips pressing against her palm.

In that instant, his heartbeat quickened even more, and simultaneously, his ears began to feel hot.

At the entrance to the kitchen, Gu Jian, who had been planning to come over and prepare medicine for Grandma Gu, was startled by Daohua’s words and hurriedly entered the kitchen. Seeing Daohua covering Xiao Yeyang’s face and scrutinizing his eyes, he quickly scolded, “Yan Yiyi, what are you doing?”

Daohua jumped, and hastily let go of Xiao Yeyang. Seeing it was her master, she patted her chest and gasped, “Master, what are you doing, you startled me?”

Gu Jian glared at her: “I should be asking you what are you saying?” Turning to point at Xiao Yeyang, who was still leaning against the wall, he said, “What are you two doing standing so close together?”

Daohua’s expression froze, as she had been too absorbed in her surprise to notice her own actions, “Master, you’ve misunderstood, I just noticed that Xiao Yeyang…”

“You think he’s rather good-looking, don’t you?”

Gu Jian forcefully cut her off.

At his words, Daohua blanked out, and Xiao Yeyang was somewhat dumbfounded. They glanced at each other and then swiftly shifted their gazes away.

Daohua, with a sheepish expression, said, “Master, what nonsense are you talking about?” Well, Xiao Yeyang did indeed look quite good.

Gu Jian snorted coldly, “Don’t think just because I’m old, I don’t know your little schemes. Both of you better watch it. Otherwise, I’ll break your dog legs.”

Daohua widened her eyes, “Master, what schemes do we have?”

Gu Jian looked sternly at Daohua, then at Xiao Yeyang.

When he looked at Daohua, she returned his gaze squarely; when he looked at Xiao Yeyang, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes were somewhat evasive.

Observing their reactions, Gu Jian cast a disdainful glance at Xiao Yeyang.

This fellow is so lively, turns out it’s an unrequited love!

After a moment’s thought, Gu Jian addressed them both, “You both are from noble families; always be mindful of your behavior. Even if you want to get close to someone, unless you have the permission of your parents and elders, you must restrain your feelings, understand?”

Upon hearing these words, Daohua looked stunned, glanced at Xiao Yeyang, then back at her master. After a moment, her face fell and she loudly protested, “Master, you’ve got it all wrong…”

Gu Jian interrupted her again, “What misunderstanding? My eyes aren’t blind. Now, hurry up and cook. And remember to prepare your grandma’s medicine too, don’t miss the timing.”

Having said that, he turned and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Seeing this, Daohua wanted to chase after him to explain but was stopped by Xiao Yeyang, “No need to speak, Grandma Gu and your grandmother have heard the commotion.”

When Daohua saw her grandmother and Grandma Gu step out of the main house to look at them, she calmed down immediately. Once they had turned back inside, Daohua glared at Xiao Yeyang, “This is all your fault.”

Xiao Yeyang responded with a look of disbelief, “My fault? It was you… It was you who cornered me against the wall, okay? Stop trying to turn it around on me here.”

Daohua faltered, then stamped her foot in annoyance, “I need to clear things up with Master.” With that, she turned and left the kitchen.

Xiao Yeyang muttered, “There’s nothing to explain.”

As he finished speaking, he saw Gu Jian come in with a package of medicine.

After placing the medicine on the table, Gu Jian left, and on his way to the door, he gave Xiao Yeyang a look of disdain, “A big man like you, cornered by a young girl, you’re really something.”

Xiao Yeyang sheepishly touched his nose and muttered quietly as he watched Gu Jian’s retreating figure, “This was my first time dealing with this, I was too nervous. Next time it definitely won’t happen.”

Finishing his thought, he remembered the moment when Daohua had covered his face, and his ears began to heat up again.

“I’ll definitely get her back for this one day.”