By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 29 My First Sculpture

Huang Xiaoyang nodded without hesitation.

In the afternoon, Huang Xiaoyang took Li Younan to a jade and jewelry store owned by his family. Huang Xiaoyang's family runs a variety of businesses, but the jade business is small, consisting of only one shop. Therefore, Li Younan felt that the jade carving masters inside were probably not very skilled, although the related tools were quite complete.

When Huang Xiaoyang brought Li Younan over, there was only a saleswoman in the shop; the master craftsman wasn't there. Huang Xiaoyang led Li Younan to the master craftsman's jade carving station and said, "I have to go to the company this afternoon. You can keep busy here for now."

Li Younan looked at Huang Xiaoyang with amusement and said, "You just handed over all your things and tools to me so readily?"

These words made Huang Xiaoyang, who was about to leave, stop in his tracks. He turned around and said calmly, "Yeah, don't worry."

Li Younan was truly speechless at Huang Xiaoyang's concise answer. What kind of salesperson is someone like that?

After Huang Xiaoyang left, Li Younan took out the jade carving of Yang Manman and placed it on the workbench. All sorts of jade carving tools were readily available. There were no customers in the shop at the moment, so the saleswoman watched curiously from the side.

But she soon discovered that the jade that Li Younan was about to work on was actually the work of the shop's craftsman, which surprised her greatly.

She knew that craftsman's temper well; he would definitely fly into a rage if anyone touched his work. Since Li Younan was brought by the boss, she couldn't say anything.

But soon, when Li Younan used his tools to remove all the patterns from the jade, the little girl was left only with shock.

What kind of approach is this?

However, Li Younan's skillful use of tools is impeccable.

There's a saying that goes, "A handsome guy becomes even more handsome when he's focused on his work." The young girl watched as Li Younan used his tools to shape the jade according to his own ideas, and her eyes were filled with nothing but admiration.

The young girl, who often watched her master carve jade, had already developed a keen eye for detail, even though she couldn't do it herself yet. She could immediately tell that Li Younan's skills were not only superb, but also demonstrated a great sense of aesthetics.

Craftsmanship and aesthetics should be discussed separately. Their master craftsmanship was actually quite good, but the older generation is stubborn and inflexible. They like things that are rustic and unsophisticated, and when they carve, they bring their own preferences into the work, making the pieces hard to describe. However, these works are very popular with the elderly ladies and gentlemen.

Li Younan's work, however, is clearly not in that style. As the image on the jade gradually becomes clearer, the little girl feels the impact of the scene. It looks like a basketball court, with a player's back to the basket as he shoots a free throw, the score 77:77 prominently displayed, conveying a strong sense of tension and excitement. This isn't a jade carving; it's more like a photograph.

Li Younan didn't finish until evening. Huang Xiaoyang picked him up in a sports car, but didn't seem interested in seeing Li Younan's masterpiece; he simply asked, "Ready?"

Li Younan shrugged: "We can leave anytime."

……

Hai Zhi Wei Seafood Buffet Restaurant. Li Younan sat alone in a corner of a private room when Huang Xiaoyang walked in, sat down next to him, and said, "The things have been given to Yang Manman."

Li Younan nodded.

There weren't many people there yet, but after a while, people started coming in in twos and threes, and almost every time someone pushed open the door, it was a familiar face. Everyone seemed a little surprised when they saw Li Younan and Huang Xiaoyang in the corner. People came over to greet them, and Li Younan responded with a smile, while Huang Xiaoyang simply nodded. Because Huang Xiaoyang was there, although everyone wanted to chat with Li Younan, looking at Huang Xiaoyang's cold face, they didn't dare to say much and went to find their acquaintances. The private room became lively as everyone chatted about their recent lives, and soon no one paid attention to Li Younan and Huang Xiaoyang in the corner anymore.

After a while, someone pushed open the door and came in. Li Younan's eyes lit up, and he waved to him: "Wang Yue!"

Wang Yue is a tall, bespectacled young man who looks much the same as he did a few years ago. His glasses give him a refined, scholarly appearance, but that's not actually the case. His nearsightedness is caused by staying up all night playing video games; taking off his glasses reveals his true nature.

He had the worst temper on the team. When he caused trouble, it was Li Younan who helped him settle things. And because only Li Younan could tolerate some of his bad habits, he didn't get along with anyone else, but he respected Li Younan the most. This is why Huang Xiaoyang called Wang Yue Li Younan's little brother.

Actually, Wang Yue is quite easy to understand. He's like a diode—he hates people intensely and likes people ecstatically; it's hard for him to be in a middle. But today, Wang Yue looked unwell, even somewhat tired. When he saw Li Younan there, he first showed surprise, then came over to greet him: "Brother Nan, you're here too! Why didn't you call ahead?"

Li Younan smiled and said, "I heard you had this gathering, so Xiaoyang brought me here."

Huang Xiaoyang sat to the side, drinking his tea without saying a word.

Wang Yue then sat down next to Li Younan and chatted with him about his recent situation. He was currently working at a startup internet company, with a modest income, but he had equity, and there was a possibility that with hard work, he could turn his life around.

When Wang Yue heard that Li Younan had resigned and was preparing to travel around the country, he was completely stunned.

During the conversation, Huang Xiaoyang continued to drink his tea, seemingly indifferent to everything.

After a while, another girl came in. She spoke softly and was a delicate, pretty girl with long, straight black hair. When Wang Yue saw her, his expression changed. He smiled bitterly and said to Li Younan, "Tian Ling and I broke up."

Li Younan blinked and glanced at the girl again. Tian Ling was the one with long, straight black hair. Li Younan knew this; Huang Xiaoyang had mentioned it.

But Wang Yue's next words made Li Younan realize that things were not so simple.

Wang Yue lowered his head, took out a jewelry box from his pocket, and said to Li Younan somewhat shyly, "Let's take this opportunity to win her back today."

Li Younan was somewhat shocked. He glanced at Huang Xiaoyang beside him, only to see Huang Xiaoyang calmly sipping his tea without saying a word.

Suddenly, Li Younan understood something. Huang Xiaoyang had said that Tian Ling already had a new boyfriend today, and he wouldn't have said that without reason. Huang Xiaoyang's information channels must be accurate, which meant that Wang Yue was the one being kept in the dark.

For a moment, Li Younan didn't know what to say... Thinking about Yang Manman, this really was a complicated love triangle.

Yang Manman came in next. She glanced in the direction of Li Younan and the others, then quietly walked to another corner and sat down.

The last person to enter was a tall, imposing boy. As soon as he came in, he said, "Classmates, I'm paying for everything today. I have some important good news to announce!"

Li Younan looked around. Wang Yue was listening indifferently, Tian Ling lowered her head, and Huang Xiaoyang continued to drink tea with an expression that showed nothing was related to him.

(End of this chapter)