MMB Chapter 39 The Art of Mind
Chapter 39 The Art of Mind
Xu Liang drove into potholes on the dirt roads many times along the way, causing him to bounce around on his motorcycle constantly.
This was originally something that only existed in nightclubs and dance floors, and it was a form of entertainment.
Even so, he still wore a helmet with protective features to prevent himself from slipping and falling into the nearby fields.
However, he was a composed person who had experienced this once before his rebirth, so he didn't want to fall into the same trap a second time. After all, after his rebirth, Xu Liang never wanted to take any pitfalls; he was a person with ambition and drive.
Young people may have lofty ambitions, but middle-aged people may have made a mess of their lives. Ultimately, the problem lies with themselves.
In less than half an hour, Xu Liang arrived at the steamed bun shop where he had breakfast with Jiang Wan earlier.
When he arrived, he found Jiang Wan still waiting for him. Of course, Xu Liang would never break his promise and rushed over as fast as he could.
Jiang Wan was lying by the roadside at that time, playing with a small white and spotted kitten.
The kitten looked disheveled, like a stray.
Jiang Wan, dressed in a red plaid dress, squatted down like a childcare worker and stroked the kitten's head.
This little cat was quite docile. It squinted its eyes, then sniffed her fragrant hand with its nose, and nuzzled Jiang Wan's hand with its head.
Jiang Wan only felt something furry approaching the skin of her hand, but the kitten's fur felt quite comfortable on her hand.
Rays of sunlight pierced the town's ground from the sky, making the place exceptionally bright.
Xu Liang's motorcycle was very loud, and people within a hundred meters could hear it.
Jiang Wan heard the voice and turned to look at the tall, handsome Xu Liang.
Xu Liang rummaged through the pocket of his white shirt and pulled out the two admission tickets for the Rongcheng Art Museum.
After taking them out, he held the two admission tickets tightly in his hand. Then, when Jiang Wan came to him, Xu Liang handed one of the two admission tickets to Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan took the admission ticket from Xu Liang and couldn't help but smile, her expression revealing her goodwill towards Xu Liang.
She looked at Xu Liang and said to him, "Thank you... thank you, Brother Xu!"
Xu Liang subconsciously scratched his buttocks, and then used the same hand that had touched his own buttocks to scratch the back of his head again.
He said to Jiang Wan with a relieved expression, "It's alright, consider this admission ticket as my compensation to you."
Jiang Wan then happily hummed in agreement.
At this moment, Xu Liang, having given away the admission ticket, turned around and looked at the motorcycle that Yu Jun had lent him. Its black exterior was incredibly stylish, which alone made it very cool.
However, in his previous life in Chongqing, Xu Liang would cross the Chongqing Bridge every year during the Spring Festival, so he inevitably encountered some beautiful internet celebrities speeding across the bridge with motorcyclists.
It's quite common for a tall, handsome guy in a black helmet and motorcycle gear to be surrounded by people seeking that kind of thrill and excitement.
If a guy on a motorcycle encounters a voluptuous, beautiful woman with a full bust, then he can not only have intimate interactions with her throughout the ride, but more importantly, his back will be like two hemispheres dividing his body.
To be honest, that was incredibly exhilarating, with that lightning speed and thrilling ride. But just seeking speed isn't enough; being able to drive steadily and safely is the most important thing.
Poor driving skills coupled with a penchant for showing off often increase the likelihood of car accidents, so it's only natural that they'll have bad luck and get into trouble.
Xu Liang's driving skills are quite smooth, as can be seen from the dirt road he just drove from his village to the steamed bun shop in town.
He didn't sway or wobble, but his balance on both sides was unstable, as if he was about to fall off the vehicle and plunge into the field.
Xu Liang's gaze returned to the motorcycle, then he turned to look at Jiang Wan, who was still smiling gently at the kitten and finally said goodbye.
Seeing this, Xu Liang said, "Jiang Wan, we've got the tickets. Should we hurry to the art museum? It might be too crowded if we go too late."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan reluctantly stroked the kitten's head, took out a small sandwich cookie from her bag, and placed it in front of the kitten.
She then stood up, patted the stains off her red plaid skirt, and quickly walked to Xu Liang's side, looking at him with bright eyes: "Then let's hurry up and go!"
At this moment, the sunlight shone on her face, making her delicate skin look like blue and white porcelain, and the dimples at the corners of her mouth carried the original sweetness of a young girl.
Looking at her like this, Xu Liang felt a slight stirring in his heart and a thought arose.
Compared to his previous life, in his muddled middle age, he had never been this pure of himself, nor had he ever found such a gentle and obedient girl.
Because in their past lives they were basically Sichuan-Chongqing tyrannosaurus rex, and a single sentence from "I, the Shu Road Mountain, will make you submit to her."
Xu Liang instinctively wanted to scratch his head again. He had just remembered that he was going to hold Jiang Wan's hand, but thinking that this small action might have some negative impact, he immediately withdrew his hand cautiously and coughed lightly.
"Let's go then. I'll take you there on my bike, and I'll drive. Don't worry, it'll be perfectly safe."
Jiang Wan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded gently.
Her gaze remained fixed on the black-bodied motorcycle, her eyes occasionally flashing with curiosity, because even though she was considered a little princess at home, she rarely rode a motorcycle.
In 1995, most people in the town still rode bicycles, and this was the first time she had ever been so close to such a cool motorcycle.
Xu Liang straddled the car, put on his helmet, and handed the remaining helmet to Jiang Wan.
"Wear it, safety first."
Jiang Wan took the helmet from Xu Liang and clumsily put it on her head, missing many details.
This caused her hair to become a little messy from being rubbed.
Jiang Wan puffed out her cheeks and fiddled with it for a long time, but she still couldn't get the buckle on properly. Hearing the fussing around, he turned around and couldn't bear to watch any longer.
Xu Liang looked at her flustered appearance and felt helpless. After a while, he found her cute and reached out to get closer to her.
"Don't move, let me help you put it on."
In an instant, Jiang Wan's ears turned bright red, and she froze on the motorcycle, only slightly lowering her head to feel Xu Liang's action of putting on her hat.
Xu Liang's movements were swift and efficient; he fastened the buckle in just a few moments.
However, when his fingertips touched her soft hair, Xu Liang's heart also trembled.
After his rebirth, he was focused on running a small restaurant and never thought about romance. But now, facing the obedient girl Jiang Wan, his heart, which had been hardened by the years of his first life, was stirred.
"Alright, once you get in the car, remember to hold onto my back." Xu Liang patted the car body and said to Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan did not straddle the back seat because the red plaid skirt she was wearing today would make her feel very uncomfortable if she sat astride it for a long time.
She made a decision to lift her skirt up to the front and under her buttocks, but this was risky. It was springtime, and the wind was strong. Motorcycles were going fast, and it was easy for the skirt to be blown up.
Needless to say, they certainly won't take these measures. If they accidentally expose themselves, they'll be seen by passersby and inevitably feel extremely embarrassed.
A series of patting sounds...
Xu Liang started a fire.
Then, Jiang Wan placed one hand on the rack behind the motorcycle, squeezed her legs together with the front of her plaid skirt, and gently placed her other hand on Xu Liang's side waist.
She didn't dare to squeeze Xu Liang's kidneys hard, but only gently placed her hand on them.
The motorcycle started up quickly and smoothly drove away from the steamed bun shop, heading towards the Chengdu Art Museum along a main road in the town.
The wind brushed past my ears, carrying the fragrance of spring flowers.
Jiang Wan looked up slightly and saw Xu Liang's broad back, but all she saw was his strong back.
I felt inexplicably reassured by Brother Xu's presence, and my initial slight tension gradually dissipated.
She quietly tightened her arms and gently wrapped them around his waist. Several times when the car braked due to road obstruction, Jiang Wan's cheek pressed against his back.
Xu Liang couldn't help but smile.
The dirt road is long gone, and all that remains is a cinder road. Yet, the receding scenery is full of springtime beauty.
On the way, he seemed to recall those days in his previous life, when he encountered all sorts of people. Although some had given him warmth and others had condemned him, he had never felt this peace and tranquility.
Compared to the high-speed motorcycles I encountered in my previous life, this kind of leisurely ride, carrying the flavor of a slow-paced life, is the true comfort.
A dozen minutes later, the two arrived at the Chengdu Art Museum.
This art museum is a famous cultural landmark in Chengdu and the earliest art museum established in Sichuan.
Buildings made of red bricks bear the marks of time.
The art gallery is not only like that, but also has exquisite potted plants on both sides of the entrance. Many men and women dressed in artistic attire come and go, creating an elegant and refreshing atmosphere.
It looks like a theatrical performance, perhaps a traditional opera, or possibly a local dance.
After Jiang Wan got off the bus, she took off her helmet.
Then, she tidied her messy hair, looked up at the entrance of the art museum, and her eyes were full of anticipation.
She couldn't help but say to Xu Liang, "Brother Xu, this is the art museum! It's even more beautiful than I imagined."
"By the way, have you ever been to an art museum? I certainly haven't."
After considering for a moment, Xu Liang also said, "I don't have any either."
He then added, "But you'll see once you go inside; the art exhibitions inside the museum are the real highlight."
Xu Liang parked his motorcycle and led her toward the entrance.
Jiang Wan's body trembled again, and she obediently followed Xu Liang forward.
Upon arriving at the ticket checkpoint, I found that the environment here was completely different from the hustle and bustle outside.
Ticket inspector: "Please show your admission tickets."
Xu Liang took it out first, and the ticket inspector cut a small opening in it.
Following closely behind, Jiang Wan also took it out of her handbag, but the ticket inspector still cut a small hole in it.
Inside the art museum, the silence was eerily quiet, broken only by the soft footsteps of people.
The exhibition hall is spacious and bright, with paintings in exquisite frames hanging on the walls, covering various themes such as landscapes, flowers and birds, and figures.
The brushstrokes are lively and bold, fully demonstrating the beauty of traditional Chinese painting.
Jiang Wan couldn't take her eyes off the exhibition hall as soon as she entered.
She herself used to draw in class, and her drawings even won awards, but those were all shallow sketches and comics from picture books.
He instinctively grabbed Xu Liang's hand and walked toward the nearest painting.
Her palms were just the right temperature, soft and warm like marshmallows.
Xu Liang let her lead him and followed behind Jiang Wan.
She looked like a bouncy little bird.
"Brother Xu, look! This landscape painting is absolutely stunning!"
Jiang Wan stood in front of a traditional Chinese ink painting of mountains and rivers, and exclaimed softly in amazement.
In this painting, rolling green mountains are shrouded in mist, the river flows gently, and a small boat floats on the water.
The artist's brushwork is magnificent and grand, conveying a profound and far-reaching artistic conception.
Although Xu Liang was busy with life in his previous life and didn't have much free time to appreciate paintings, he was still in a good state of mind. He also knew that looking at paintings was like looking at one's state of mind, and that every flower, every blade of grass, and every tree was a world in itself.
He looked closely and was able to discern the underlying meaning.
He leaned closer to look and commented softly:
"The use of blank space in this painting is excellent, and the layers of clouds and mist are very well done. Looking at it makes people feel calm and immersed in the landscape."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan immediately realized that Xu Liang was no ordinary person.
She hadn't expected that Xu Liang, despite his few words, was actually a knowledgeable person.
However, those few sentences were just something he made up, and he actually managed to fool everyone.
Jiang Wan turned to look at Xu Liang, her eyes filled with surprise.
"Brother Xu, you also know about traditional Chinese painting? I thought you didn't like it."
"I wouldn't say I understand them, but these things just feel comfortable to look at, and I always want someone to comment on them!"
Xu Liang smiled. At this moment, he couldn't very well say that he had also seen some of his friends paint and, after their explanations, he had remembered some of the tricks of the trade.
In the 1995s, those who could appreciate art exhibitions were mostly literati, scholars, and young students.
People like him, who come from the village, rarely venture here. That's why Jiang Wan felt that he was exceptionally different from others, yet possessed insights that were beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Jiang Wan pulled him along, looking at each picture one by one.
They would linger over each painting for a long time, sometimes looking at its content, sometimes sharing their feelings.
Jiang Wan is interested in painting and clearly has some understanding of traditional Chinese painting.
Although they can talk fluently about various brush techniques and schools, the deeper levels are beyond the reach of such enthusiasts. Generally, in-depth research is entrusted to highly professional teams.
I do have a passion for it, but it's only superficial.
Sometimes Jiang Wan would share her thoughts, and Xu Liang would listen quietly from the side, occasionally echoing her, but his gaze would mostly fall on her cheeks.
Xu Liang felt that her focused expression was more moving than any painting in the exhibition hall.
Jiang Wan stopped in front of a painting of flowers and birds.
The painting depicts a blooming peach blossom with delicate pink petals and a golden oriole perched on the branch, its feathers clearly visible. It is unknown which artist depicted it so vividly and realistically.
Jiang Wan stretched out her slender, white fingers and gently traced the outline of the petals through the glass.
She then said softly, "Brother Xu, I love peach blossoms the most. When I was a child, there was a peach tree in my yard. Every spring when it bloomed, my backyard was filled with the fragrance of peach blossoms."
"I feel this painting depicts peach blossoms so realistically; they look as if they're really blooming right in front of you."
Xu Liang followed her gaze and saw that the bright and beautiful peach blossoms in the painting were just as charming as Jiang Wan in front of him.
He immediately said, "When you have time in the future, I'll take you to the outskirts to see a real peach blossom forest, which is even more beautiful than the ones in paintings."
Jiang Wan turned her head and looked up at Xu Liang, her eyes filled with shyness, and nodded heavily.
"Yay! Brother Xu, you can't lie to me."
"I will never break my promise."
Xu Liang solemnly promised.
After looking at the painting, the two rested for a while.
Afterwards, Jiang Wan dragged Xu Liang to tour the remaining exhibition halls.
The last painting is a picture with a pastoral scene as its theme.
The painting depicts rice paddies in the countryside, wisps of smoke rising from chimneys, and farmhouses; the scene is simple and full of the atmosphere of rural life.
Looking at the painting, Jiang Wan said softly, "I think this kind of idyllic life is also very good, peaceful and reassuring."
Xu Liang looked at the painting, his mind churning with thoughts.
In his past life, he longed for the prosperity of big cities, only wanting to make a lot of money and gain fame, fantasizing that he could get ahead by being a chef.
In the end, he was laid off by his superiors. His fantasies could not withstand reality, and he ended up with nothing.
After being reborn, Xu Liang wanted to settle down in the town and start a small restaurant business to preserve local traditions. Only then did he realize that his hometown was the best place to return to.