"What do you want to learn?" Xiao Yanzhi nuzzled Jiang Li's neck and asked her softly, like a very patient and responsible teacher.
Jiang Li leaned against his chest and said seriously, "I want to learn oil painting."
Although she was just a layman, she fell in love with Monet's dreamy color tones at first sight. She liked oil paintings of that style.
Xiao Yanzhi smiled and took Jiang Li's hand. As he demonstrated, he taught her the steps of oil painting:
First, use a charcoal stick to make a simple general composition. Then fill in the background color with large patches of color pigments. After that, gradually refine the details in the painting until it is completed.
An oil painting looks beautiful, but it's not as easy to create as it seems. Jiang Li felt her head spin just listening. "Is there an easier way? This all sounds so difficult."
Xiao Yanzhi was in a good mood. Considering that she had kissed him voluntarily, he skillfully drafted a simple composition for her.
"Can you do this? Just paint your favorite pigments onto the existing composition."
Jiang Li immediately gained confidence. She nodded like a pounding garlic, clasped her hands into fists, and said seriously, "This is easy!"
She couldn't wait to show off her skills. Xiao Yanzhi laughed and let her off his lap. He pointed at the sofa in the study and told her to go there to paint.
Jiang Li obediently carried the drawing board over and took all the painting tools with her, placing them on the small table beside the sofa.
Half an hour passed. It was time for the video conference. Afraid of disturbing him, Jiang Li got up to leave the study. Xiao Yanzhi raised his hand, indicating that she didn't need to go out and could just stay there.
Anyway, painting didn't require talking. Jiang Li plopped back down on the sofa, happily scribbling on the drawing board like a little girl.
Xiao Yanzhi sat lazily. He glanced at her to make sure she was sitting quietly without moving, and then started the video conference with peace of mind.
He wore earphones, so Jiang Li couldn't hear what was being said at the other end of the conference, but she could roughly guess that it was about the data report of the new quarter of the Xiao Group and the future work arrangements.
His eyes were clear as he listened attentively to the voice at the other end. Occasionally, he would ask a few questions and take a glance at Jiang Li in the gaps to make sure she wouldn't feel bored in the room.
This happened several times. Jiang Li also noticed his occasional glances. So she looked up and happened to meet his eyes.
Maybe it was because he looked so serious while working, or maybe she was just bored sitting there quietly. Suddenly, she got a mischievous idea and waved her little hand at him.
"Pause for a moment." He said in a deep voice, and the reporting voice at the other end of the earphone suddenly stopped.
"Mr. Xiao, is there something wrong with the previous report?"
The video conference fell silent, waiting for Xiao Yanzhi's next instruction.
Xiao Yanzhi got up, turned off the microphone, and disappeared from the camera.
Everyone was puzzled but could only wait quietly for him to come back.
Maybe he went to the bathroom halfway.
Xiao Yanzhi walked up to the sofa and bent down to look at her drawing board. "Are you done?"
As soon as he got closer, Jiang Li held up her paintbrush and smeared red pigment on his chin.
Xiao Yanzhi: ...
He couldn't see his own face, but he could tell from Jiang Li's excited expression that he must look very funny now.
"On purpose?" He just watched her mischief quietly.
"You're too serious. This makes you look more approachable." Jiang Li had her own theory and smiled. "Okay, go back to your meeting."
Xiao Yanzhi pursed his lips speechlessly and raised his eyebrows at her with a hint of warning.
Looking at her smug expression, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a helpless smile. He really had no way to deal with her.
"You wait."
These three simple words were very intimidating.
Jiang Li immediately sat up straight, having a bad feeling.
"... Mr. Xiao, are you still there?"
The voice of the administrative secretary came from the earphone. Xiao Yanzhi didn't have time to go to the bathroom. He had to sit back in his chair with the pigment smeared on his face.
So everyone in the video conference could see that when Mr. Xiao came back, there was a prominent streak of red pigment on his face.
It didn't look ugly, but this Xiao Yanzhi was really strange.
"Continue the report."
Xiao Yanzhi himself remained calm. His tone was still steady, giving no sign of anything unusual.
The meeting had to continue.
Although everyone in the video conference remained calm on the surface, they were actually secretly tapping their phone screens so hard that it seemed they were about to spark:
"Can you believe it? Halfway through the video conference, there was actually pigment smeared on Mr. Xiao's face!"
"It must be that actress who did it. Otherwise, I can't think of anyone else who would be so bold."
"Are they already living together? So fast!"
"Didn't they say she's his fiancée? It's normal for them to live together... It's so strange. I feel like I've been force-fed dog food."
"... "
After the meeting ended, the administrative secretary called him tactfully to remind him that he had finished the meeting with pigment on his face.
"Yeah, I know."
Xiao Yanzhi nodded. His tone was slightly helpless, but there was a smile in his voice. "There's a little girl at home. She was just being naughty on purpose. I'm sorry to make everyone laugh. I'll send out red envelopes later."
Administrative secretary: ... Enough, boss. You've really gone too far.
After the meeting ended, Jiang Li watched him close his laptop with wide eyes. Alarm bells rang in her heart. She got up and was about to run. "I'll go back to my room first. You can continue working..."
How could she run away?
Before she could even take a step, he picked her up around the waist and looked down at her.
There was a scrutinizing look in his eyes as he slightly squinted. "Did you have fun?"
Jiang Li shivered inside. Her tongue got tied. "S-sort of..."
Xiao Yanzhi nodded and said calmly, "Now, it's my turn to have fun."
Before Jiang Li could ask what he wanted to play, he had already carried her into the master bedroom and tossed her onto the bed.
The mattress was very soft. The moment her body sank into it, the man had already pressed down on her, firmly pinning her to the big bed.
Jiang Li pursed her lips tightly and opened her eyes wide. "What are you going to do?"
Xiao Yanzhi slowly raised his hand and brushed the messy hair off her face. His voice was low. "You're a naughty student."
"Naughty students deserve punishment."
He acted like a teacher, which made Jiang Li laugh in his arms. She immediately begged for mercy. "Teacher Xiao, I was wrong. I'll never do it again."
"It's too late." Xiao Yanzhi's answer was concise. He pushed up her nightgown, revealing her long, fair legs.
His knee also naturally pressed between her legs.
It was almost second nature to him.
He said in a hoarse voice, "This place should be punished on behalf of its owner."