The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

Young Master Liu's expression changed, but he finally snorted coldly and walked away. "You will regret this!" He left a threatening word and disappeared at the door of the painting studio.

The tense atmosphere in the air gradually dissipated.

Boss Qi put down his brush and forced a smile at Tang Youyou.

"Madam Tang, these two... friends you brought with you can use the painting studio, but they must abide by my rules." Although his tone was a little softer, it still contained a hint of arrogance.

Tang Youyou breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course, Boss Qi, we will abide by the rules."

"The rules..." Boss Qi said slowly, his eyes sweeping over Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu. "First, they can't use the best brushes, inkstones, paper, and inkstones. They can only use ordinary ones. Second, they can't occupy the best spots. They can only paint in the corner. Finally, if they dirty anything in the studio, they must pay the price."

Tang Youyou's heart sank. These conditions were indeed harsh. She looked at Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu, worried that they would not be able to accept them.

Wu Huazi simply smiled faintly, as if he didn't care about these conditions at all. "Okay, we accept."

Zheng Shizu also nodded, his expression carefree. "As long as I have a place to paint, nothing else matters."

Their calmness surprised Tang Youyou, and it also made her feel even more distressed. She knew that they silently endured these difficulties so that they could focus on their creation.

Boss Qi nodded in satisfaction and turned to greet other customers. The studio returned to its lively state, as if the conflict had never happened.

Tang Youyou walked over to Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu and said softly, "I'll go prepare some things for you." She turned and left, walking towards the backyard of the painting studio, leaving the two of them in the corner, looking a little lonely.

Wu Huazi looked at Tang Youyou's departing back, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes... He picked up an ordinary brush and lightly put down a stroke on the rough paper.

Tang Youyou returned to the backyard and went straight to the warehouse where the pens, ink, paper and inkstone were stored.

She carefully selected and finally chose a few high-quality wolf-hair brushes, a few pieces of fine Hui ink, and a few pieces of high-quality rice paper.

These are all treasures collected by Boss Qi, and they are not usually shown to others.

Tang Youyou was well aware of Boss Qi's stinginess, but she couldn't care less. She just wanted Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu to use the best materials.

Back in the corner of the studio, Tang Youyou placed the selected brushes, ink, paper and inkstone in front of the two of them one by one.

"Is this enough?" she asked softly, a hint of apology in her tone.

Wu Huazi looked at the precious four treasures of the study in front of him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "This... is too valuable."

"It's okay, just focus on your creation." Tang Youyou smiled, her tone gentle but firm.

Zheng Shizu was also a little surprised. He picked up a wolf-hair brush, gently tested it on the rice paper, and exclaimed: "Good brush! Good ink! Good paper!"

Tang Youyou's attentiveness and consideration touched both of them. Wu Huazi looked at Tang Youyou's busy figure, and a different feeling appeared in his eyes.

In the following time, Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu were immersed in creation.

Wu Huazi would occasionally look up at Tang Youyou, his eyes gentle and focused.

In between his creations, he would secretly draw some small portraits for Tang Youyou, each of which was lifelike and full of love.

Zheng Shizu noticed Wu Huazi's behavior and said teasingly with a smile: "Brother Wu, it seems that you have been tempted by worldly desires."

Wu Huazi blushed slightly, and put the painting away with some embarrassment. "Brother Zheng, please don't make fun of me."

Zheng Shizu smiled, said nothing more, and continued to paint with his head down.

The studio was quiet, with only the rustling sound of the pen tip rubbing against the paper and the occasional whisper.

Tang Youyou felt a little relieved as she watched the two of them concentrating on their creation. She walked over to Wu Huazi and asked softly, "How's it going? Have you got any inspiration?"

Wu Huazi looked up at Tang Youyou, his eyes filled with tenderness, "Well, I have some ideas..." He picked up the small statue he had just completed and slowly handed it to Tang Youyou, "This is for you."

Tang Youyou reached out to take it. The painting showed her gentle smile. She was about to speak when she heard a commotion coming from the door of the painting studio...

The noise came from the door of the painting studio. A man in gorgeous clothes and with an arrogant look walked in with several followers.

He looked around with contempt, and his eyes finally fell on Tang Youyou who was holding the small statue.

"Hey, isn't this Boss Tang? What's going on? Business at the art studio is not doing well, so you've switched to delivering portraits?"

The man's name is Zhao Jinbao. He is a famous wealthy businessman in the city and also Boss Qi's sworn enemy.

He usually likes to cause trouble for Boss Qi, and he came to the painting studio today on purpose to cause trouble.

His followers also joined in the commotion: "That's right, who is the person in this painting? She's quite good-looking, could she be Boss Tang's new lover?"

Tang Youyou's face darkened. She recognized Zhao Jinbao and knew that he was not someone to be trifled with, but she was not someone who would allow herself to be bullied.

"Boss Zhao, please be respectful when you speak. This is the work of the artist I sponsored. It has nothing to do with you."

Zhao Jinbao sneered, "Funding? Just you? I think you're trying to use this opportunity to raise your own value." He reached out to grab the small portrait from Tang Youyou's hand, "Let me see how good this painter's painting skills are. Is it worth Boss Tang's effort?"

Seeing this, Wu Huazi immediately stood in front of Tang Youyou, protecting the small statue behind him. "Boss Zhao, please respect yourself."

Zhao Jinbao was angered by Wu Huazi's behavior, "Who do you think you are? How dare you block my way?" He waved his hand, and the followers behind him immediately stepped forward and tried to pull Wu Huazi away.

Zheng Shizu also stepped forward, blocking Wu Huazi. "Boss Zhao, this is a painting studio, not your residence. Please abide by the rules."

Seeing that a conflict was about to break out, Tang Youyou took a deep breath, stepped forward, looked directly at Zhao Jinbao, and said in a cold and firm tone: "Boss Zhao, if you dare to act unreasonably again, don't blame me for being rude." A cold light flashed in her eyes, which made Zhao Jinbao's heart shudder.

He didn't expect that this seemingly weak woman would have such a strong aura.

Zhao Jinbao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Tang Youyou, who are you trying to scare? I want to see what you can do to me!" Before he finished speaking, he heard a voice behind him... "Zhao Jinbao, you are so brave!"

Boss Qi walked in aggressively with a few of his men, pointing his finger at Zhao Jinbao and yelling, "You rascal, you've come to my studio to cause trouble again!" Zhao Jinbao was startled by this sudden turn of events, and then said in a timid tone, "Boss Qi, don't mind your own business! I just came to see how good Boss Tang's painters are." Boss Qi snorted coldly, "It's not your turn to dictate what happens in my studio!" He turned to Tang Youyou and said, "Boss Tang, don't worry, no one dares to act wildly here while I'm here."

Seeing Boss Qi protecting Tang Youyou, Zhao Jinbao knew that he would not get any good results today, so he had to leave in shame.

The storm subsided, but the atmosphere in the studio became subtle.

The other painters felt a little dissatisfied when they saw Tang Youyou's special care for Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu.

An older painter walked up to Tang Youyou and said in a sour tone, "Boss Tang, you really take good care of these two new painters. I wonder when we old friends will be treated like this?"

Tang Youyou understood their thoughts and explained with a smile: "The paintings and poems of the two gentlemen will greatly benefit the reputation of the painting studio, so I will naturally take more care of them. You don't have to be discouraged, as long as you work hard, I will also give corresponding support." She paused and added: "I will hold an art exhibition in a few days, and I hope that everyone can bring out their best works." After hearing this, the painters' expressions eased a little.

After Tang Youyou comforted the other painters, she walked up to Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu and asked with concern, "Gentlemen, were you scared by what happened just now?" Wu Huazi shook his head, his expression still cold.

Zheng Shizu smiled carefreely: "They are just some clowns, not worth mentioning."

Seeing that they were fine, Tang Youyou felt relieved.

She knew that Wu Huazi and Zheng Shizu were both proud people who needed a quiet environment to create.

She told the studio staff not to disturb them and then quietly left.

Peace returned to the studio. Wu Huazi began to paint with his brush while Zheng Shizu recited poems and composed couplets on the side.

There seems to be a tacit understanding between the two. One uses a paintbrush to depict the artistic conception in his heart, and the other uses poetry to express his inner feelings.

Tang Youyou stood outside the studio, watching them concentrate on their creations, a smile appearing on the corner of her mouth.

In the evening, Tang Youyou came to the painting studio again.

She walked over to Wu Huazi and asked softly, "Mr. Wu, do you have any inspiration today?" Wu Huazi put down his paintbrush and looked at Tang Youyou. There seemed to be a little more tenderness in his eyes. "I have a lot of inspiration today, thanks to Boss Tang..." Before he finished speaking, Zheng Shizu came over and interrupted him, "Boss Tang, we..."