84: save6 The Spider Web
To be honest, any painter would feel somewhat unhappy upon hearing such an evaluation, even though Liu Lili had received similar comments in the past.
However, the young woman before her was one of the few returning customers, and a very generous one at that. Therefore, Liu Lili did not display the slightest hint of dissatisfaction, speaking calmly instead:
"Miss Cola is correct. My previous mentor said the same thing. It is all my fault for not practicing enough. I have embarrassed myself before you."
"This is not a matter of practice."
Miss Cola glanced at Liu Lili and said:
"Painting is not merely a matter of mechanical imitation. Miss Liu's paintings lack the most important thing, your own essence, or what is called the soul. In my view, a painting lacking a soul does not deserve to be called a painting, it can only be called a printed product... oh, I apologize. Perhaps I spoke too harshly, but that is the meaning I wish to convey."
"When I first saw Miss Liu's paintings, I was very surprised because I could actually see such standard academic works, without a single trace of personal characteristics. Every corner of the canvas utilizes the most authentic academic painting methods, and every stroke strictly follows academic requirements. Each painting is merely a different permutation and combination of standards, just like randomly extracting and splicing together assets from a computer modeling library. It is truly astounding."
Miss Cola paused slightly here, then continued:
"Perhaps, having no characteristics is Miss Liu's characteristic?"
Liu Lili maintained a polite smile, seemingly unaffected by Miss Cola's rather critical words:
"What you say is not wrong. I understand these principles. However, the soul you speak of cannot be formed overnight. Your evaluation is sharp and pertinent. I will take it to heart and practice more in this area in the future."
Miss Cola suddenly changed the subject and asked:
"Forgive me for asking, Miss Liu, but why did you start learning to paint in the first place? Was it out of interest, or for something else?"
Liu Lili paused for two seconds and answered:
"...You could say it was an interest. At the same time, it was also for a promise with someone important."
"Heh... it seems we are quite fated. I also learned painting back then for the sake of someone by my side. It is truly surprising."
Miss Cola said this, then placed another thick stack of money in Liu Lili's hand once again:
"Miss Liu, the next time I come, I hope to buy a painting with a soul, rather than a model product produced by standard craftsmanship."
Liu Lili nodded.
Miss Cola smiled faintly, picked up the paintings, turned, and left.
Watching Miss Cola's retreating figure, Liu Lili suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity again.
Whether it was her height or her walking posture, she was very similar.
This silhouette reminded her of a very important person.
That person who forever smiled at her and waited for her to come home.
That person who gave unconditionally and loved her deeply.
At the same time, she was also her lover.
Lu Lele.
However, the conclusion that Miss Cola equaled Lu Lele only briefly crossed Liu Lili's mind before being firmly denied.
If it really were that person, given her personality and brains, she would absolutely not remain indifferent upon seeing her, nor would she be able to so calmly say so much about painting.
If it were Lu Lele, she would definitely rush over as soon as she saw her, then say a bunch of strange and cheesy words. But Miss Cola was mature, elegant, and temperamental, completely different from Lu Lele.
Even if you beat Liu Lili to death, she wouldn't believe Miss Cola was Lu Lele. Just based on the fact that Miss Cola could speak the local language fluently, Liu Lili had already ruled out this possibility.
The local language of the Cosmos Republic is a Romance language. Back in high school, Lu Lele was completely ignorant of foreign languages, placing last in every exam. For finals, after two weeks of intense cramming, she achieved a high score of thirty, only managing to pass after two make-up exams. Her spoken language was even heavier; until graduation, Lu Lele's pronunciation of letters was still inaccurate, let alone words and sentences.
Therefore, Liu Lili ultimately just felt that the two were slightly similar and had no other thoughts.
However, after recalling Lu Lele, Liu Lili could not help but feel a deep surge of longing.
I wonder what that person is doing now?
Having left for so long without a word, Lu Lele must miss her very much.
Is it really necessary to continue persisting like this, without hope in sight, or rather, lingering on in one's last gasp?
Liu Lili remained silent, then sighed in the end.
Let's just persist and see.
After all, she has now met Miss Cola, that customer who appears to be very generous.
Perhaps that stagnant, dead water life will see a turning point because of Miss Cola's appearance.
Who knows.
...
...
After leaving the street stall for a certain distance, Miss Cola looked back to confirm that Liu Lili hadn't followed, then smiled faintly.
Subsequently, she took off her sunglasses, removed her mask, and took off her hat.
A peerless face was revealed, attracting the simultaneous attention of passersby.
She was graceful and full of charm, light and ethereal as if unable to support her own weight. She once boasted of a peerless beauty, now relying on a city-toppling appearance.
Beautiful women are actually not rare, but those with temperament are extremely scarce.
And Miss Cola was exactly that kind of stunning beauty possessing both looks and temperament.
A pair of bright eyes shone brilliantly, like sparks lit in the night. The intense emotion surging within those pupils was as always, never having shifted in the slightest.
"The punishment has only just begun, my Lili."
Lu Lele, under the alias Miss Cola, murmured softly to herself. Her voice was just as gentle as ever, even though Liu Lili could not hear it.
Eight years had passed. Time had not changed Lu Lele's naturally gifted appearance, but the current Lu Lele was already completely different from eight years ago.
Her lover had betrayed the promises solemnly made in the letter, and that was why she had appeared here.
It was just that simple.
It was not only to punish the lover for leaving without saying goodbye back then.
More importantly, it was to bring the lover home.