Purity

Ming Qing, a man in the art store, looked around while Zhang San accompanied him, hoping that this wealthy man would buy a painting or two.

Even the smallest mosquito is meat, and when it comes to money, Zhang San always welcomes it.

However, after looking at these paintings, Ming Qing only praised, "I didn't expect the shop owner to be so young, yet his painting skills are so exquisite. Admirable."

Clearly, Ming Qing had a discerning eye for paintings. He could tell that Zhang San's painting technique was indeed impressive, even excellent. However, coming from a scholarly family, Ming Qing had seen countless famous paintings. So, he merely complimented Zhang San's skill without any intention of making a purchase, until he saw a scroll depicting a swordsman walking towards a cliff.

He stopped in his tracks, gazing at the painting, visibly taken aback.

"Such a great painting! It exudes an extraordinary aura and spirit!"

Ming Qing admired it for quite some time and couldn't help but express his admiration.

Zhang San, murmuring to himself, thought, "Of course it's good. I've been painting for ten years, and this is my best work."

Ming Qing asked, "Did the shop owner paint this?"

But before Zhang San could answer, Ming Qing replied, "My apologies, shop owner. Ming Qing has offended you. The meticulous brushwork and technique in this painting are identical to the ones I've seen before. How could it not be your creation? It's just that among all these scrolls, only this one possesses a profound essence! Hence, I had my doubts. Please forgive me."

Zhang San smiled and said, "Just from your tone, I knew you understood paintings. How could I blame you? Do you really like this painting?"

Ming Qing looked at the scroll and asked, "Like... to be honest, it's not just liking, it's loving! Does this painting have a name?"

"A name?"

This question caught Zhang San off guard. He had been thinking about selling the painting to make money, so he hadn't considered giving it a name.

Seeing Zhang San hesitate, Ming Qing exclaimed, "Could it be unnamed?"

Zhang San awkwardly smiled and replied, "I painted it yesterday and haven't given it a name yet."

"I see. When I look at this painting, I sense an indomitable spirit radiating from it. May I ask, does it draw inspiration from any classical allusions or your personal experiences?"

Zhang San turned to look at the painting, thinking to himself, "It's not based on any allusion or personal experience. It was just inspired by the desire to forget enmity, a fleeting whim."

Thinking of the forgotten enmity.

Zhang San sighed and said, "There's no classical allusion behind it. It's just that I recalled an old acquaintance and felt something in my heart, so I painted it."

Ming Qing grew more puzzled. "An old acquaintance?"

Zhang San gazed at the figure in the painting, reminiscing about his state of mind while painting the night before, and with a touch of sorrow, he said, "The old acquaintance... is already dead. I don't know why I suddenly thought of him last night. I just felt a bit envious."

Ming Qing became increasingly curious. "Envious?"

Gradually regaining composure, Zhang San said, "I envy him because he made me understand that there exists a kind of person who, despite being poor and enduring a difficult life, lives with integrity and dies without regrets. Living with integrity and dying without regrets... When I think of this, I can't help but feel a tinge of envy."

As the words left his mouth, Zhang San was momentarily stunned.

What's going on?

Did I just say that?

However, Ming Qing also stared at Zhang San in astonishment. He never expected that a poor scholar who opened a calligraphy and painting shop in a poverty-stricken area of the southern city would reveal such extraordinary qualities in his demeanor.

Ming Qing respectfully nodded towards Zhang San and asked, "Are you the shop owner who is a scholar preparing for the imperial examination?"

Evidently, Ming Qing regarded Zhang San as an ambitious scholar who, in order to participate in the provincial examination next year and prepare for the imperial examination, immersed himself in studying poetry and literature.

But deep inside, Zhang San felt a wave of regret!

It was inexplicable!

How could he suddenly feel as if he was being regarded highly on several levels?

No, as a shrewd killer, he needed to seize control of the situation immediately.

Zhang San chuckled and said with embarrassment, "How can I be considered a scholar? I couldn't even pass the county-level examination, let alone participate in the provincial examination. I just wanted to open a shop and sell some calligraphy and paintings to make a living."

Zhang San's acting skills once again shone brilliantly.

He first laughed, expressing self-mockery, and then revealed his disappointment in his literary talent through a sense of shame.

That self-mockery, that embarrassment, that disappointment in oneself were continuously displayed in a few short sentences.

Ming Qing felt somewhat disappointed and couldn't discern Zhang San's true intentions. He secretly thought, "If he couldn't even pass the county-level examination, then he is indeed lacking."

However, the painting was indeed excellent.

Ming Qing said, "If the shop owner doesn't mind, I can give the painting a name."

Zhang San speculated that this person must have grown fond of my painting and might even be willing to buy it later if I play along with his words. With that in mind, Zhang San quickly responded, "Please, go ahead."

Ming Qing said, "Let's call it 'Serene'."

Zhang San questioned, "For a painting depicting a swordsman wielding a sword, wouldn't 'Serene' be somewhat inappropriate?"

Ming Qing explained, "Firstly, the shop owner mentioned that the person depicted in this painting possesses purity in life and a clean death, which perfectly aligns with the meaning of 'serene.' Secondly, the swordsman in the painting faces a perilous cliff, surrounded by imminent danger, yet fearlessly forges ahead without any hesitation. Only someone with a clear conscience and free from distracting thoughts can achieve this state, which also corresponds to the concept of 'serene'."

Ming Qing's explanation was, why shouldn't a swordsman be associated with the concept of serenity?

A pure mind and a tranquil heart constitute serenity.

After understanding this, Zhang San exclaimed, "What a great name! You, sir, seem to understand this painting even better than I do. In that case, I am willing to part with it for five hundred taels."

Although the initial asking price was three hundred taels, upon careful observation, Zhang San believed that this person could definitely afford five hundred taels.

In business, one should always try to make the most profit. How could he go soft?

Ming Qing looked at the painting and said, "Five hundred taels? I actually believe that the shop owner's painting is worth over a thousand taels of silver..."

Zhang San felt immense joy inwardly.

So painting can earn this much money?!

It's even faster than robbing people! What use is there in being an assassin in the future?

However, Ming Qing's tone suddenly changed as he sighed, "Unfortunately, I am not its rightful owner. Even if I can afford it, it doesn't belong to me. If I were to buy it and keep it at home, it would only gather dust. Shop owner, you should wait a little longer. I believe someone else will come."

Zhang San felt as if he had fallen into an abyss.

Dammit!

Later on, Ming Qing still bought two paintings from Zhang San's shop. Although Zhang San raised the price to ten taels per painting, he never expected Ming Qing to not even haggle and readily pay the money.

Zhang San couldn't help but sigh, realizing that he had been too cautious, afraid that the other party would find it expensive. It was clear now that the concept of wealth for this affluent individual was worlds apart from that of an ordinary person like himself.

After finishing the payment, Zhang San glanced at Ming Qing, who wore a somewhat awkward smile and said, "Shopkeeper, I bought this painting, so I can consider myself your customer, right?"

Zhang San thought to himself that this person was setting a trap with his words, but it was too obvious.

Zhang San carefully observed Ming Qing. Although it was evident that he had read some books, Zhang San suddenly felt that this person was a bit "simple," or to put it more nicely, "innocent."

However, Zhang San didn't seem to have any reason or need to object. He smiled and said, "Of course, I must thank you for your support. As a customer on the first day of my shop's opening, you are truly a valued guest."

Ming Qing said, "If I come here in the future, would the shopkeeper allow me to stay in your shop for a while?"

Doubts arose in Zhang San's mind, but he still replied, "Naturally, if you want to look at the painting, feel free to do so."

"Um... actually, Shopkeeper, I have a small request. I hope that when I come to your esteemed shop and stay here for a long time, you will keep it a secret from anyone, especially people nearby."

"Ah? People nearby?" Zhang San was slightly puzzled but quickly answered, "Alright."

With Zhang San's agreement, Ming Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, his purpose in trying to get close to Zhang San all this time was precisely for this. However, coming from a prestigious family, he had no talent or experience in this kind of approach.

Then Ming Qing walked to the corner and, in a rather ungraceful posture, looked out of the window of the shop towards the stall in front of the neighboring tofu shop.

Zhang San was secretly curious but immediately understood what was going on.

No wonder why a person dressed in expensive clothing came to my small shop and chatted with me for so long. It turns out the drunkard's intention is not in the wine.

But who is over there?

Zhang San cautiously walked out of the shop and looked towards the tofu shop next door, where a woman in white caught his eye.

Zhang San was taken aback.

There's something wrong!