Old Harden, can you handle having your vision-shifting abilities on all the time?

Xu Xing was also somewhat surprised, not expecting to encounter someone in the know here.

Nodding, he said, "It's me. That Yuhuchun vase was indeed just restored a couple of days ago. Professor Feng, do you know President Wang?"

Professor Feng smiled with a mix of emotion and joy, saying, "Benquan is a nephew I watched grow up. To be honest, the S-grade Qing Yongzheng celadon vase with double dragon handles that he's so eager to find an expert to restore is my wife's family heirloom."

He had an accident a few years ago and had been troubled by it ever since. Last night, when he called me, he said that Benquan had found him a top expert in repairing celadon porcelain.

I never expected to run into her today, and she's even a friend of Yuting's. What a coincidence!

Xu Xing smiled and said, "That is indeed a great coincidence. President Wang has already handed over the project of the Double Dragon Ear Bottle to me, but I just finished the previous project and need to adjust my condition for a few days."

The restoration work will officially begin in a few days, so please rest assured, Professor Feng and your spouse, I will do my best.

Professor Feng said, "If Benquan praises your skills so much, then your craftsmanship is absolutely superb. Mr. Xu, please don't feel any pressure."

Li Yuting and her classmates listened in stunned silence.

Although they studied painting, they were not completely ignorant of the antique collecting and artifact restoration circle.

Judging from Professor Feng's reaction, they could guess that Xu Xing held a very high position in the antique industry.

The classmates exchanged glances, their surprise mixed with obvious envy and sadness as they looked at Li Yuting.

Xu Xing not only has an outstanding appearance and figure with an extraordinary temperament, but also possesses such superb professional skills and a high social status.

Although she looked much older than Li Yuting, she was superior in figure, appearance, temperament and social status, and it was Li Yuting who took the initiative to invite her over.

With her looks and personality, she could probably win him over very quickly if she took the initiative a little.

Having trudged along the arduous path of art, they know all too well the value of such a high-quality boyfriend.

That could mean future resources and connections, or even a certain degree of protection and confidence.

Li Yuting herself was also full of surprise. She only knew that Xu Xing was in the antique business, but she did not expect him to be so capable that even Professor Feng valued him so much.

However, she has a cheerful personality, and after her initial surprise, she was mostly happy for Xu Xing.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Yuting pulled Xu Xing aside to have his portrait drawn.

"Brother Xu, don't move! I promised to draw you a picture, I'll start now!"

"However, my main focus and study is traditional ink painting and freehand style. It may not be as similar as oil painting or sketching, but I will capture your spirit. If I become famous in the future, this painting might be very valuable!"

Xu Xing was amused by her lively manner and cooperated by finding a large rock by the stream and sitting down in a relaxed posture.

He laughed and said, "Alright, then I'll be the model for you today. But since it's a gift, there's no reason to exchange it for money. Whether you become famous or not, I will cherish this painting."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuting nodded with a smile, then focused intently on observing, composing, and beginning to draw.

Professor Feng watched from the side and nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval.

Li Yuting was a student she had high hopes for; she was talented, quick-witted, and willing to put in the effort.

She has a solid foundation in traditional ink painting, and her control over lines and understanding of the properties of water, ink, and paper far surpass those of her peers. What is even more commendable is the unique spirituality in her brushstrokes.

She focused her mind and observed for a moment before decisively putting pen to paper.

First, sketch the general outline and posture on rice paper, then switch to a mountain horse brush dipped in ink of different shades to begin texturing and rendering.

Her brushstrokes flowed smoothly, sometimes using the central tip to outline Xu Xing's facial features and expressions, sometimes using the side tip to depict the texture of his clothes and the ruggedness of the rocks beneath him, and sometimes using light ink to smudge the stream and distant mountains in the background.

As a restorer, Xu Xing has also mastered painting techniques, since the restoration of some patterned porcelain pieces requires painting with different glazes.

He could sense Li Yuting's focus and the gradually forming artistic conception under her pen. He nodded to himself, thinking that this girl was indeed very talented.

In about an hour, a four-foot square ink painting of figures was completed.

Xu Xing, leaning against a rock by a stream, appears relaxed and at ease. The background landscape is hazy, and the overall atmosphere is lively. The brushwork is fluent yet exquisite.

"It's finished! Brother Xu, come and see!"

Li Yuting put down her pen and let out a long sigh of relief. Her face showed excitement at completing her work, and she raised her chin slightly, looking very confident.

Xu Xing got up and walked over to examine the painting carefully. The painting captured five parts of his form and eight or nine parts of his spirit, especially his eyes, which were calm yet powerful, a reflection of his recent changes in state of mind.

The surrounding landscape is depicted with just a few strokes, yet the overall artistic conception is fully conveyed, making the characters stand out even more.

"It's really well drawn."

Xu Xing sincerely praised, "You painted me even more elegantly than I am in real life. I really love this gift from Yu Ting."

Receiving affirmation, Li Yuting smiled broadly and said, "I'm glad you like it! I'll give it to you after I get it framed!"

At this moment, the girl whom Li Yuting had previously called Zhou Xiaowei looked at her phone and called out, "Yuting, Brother Xu, Professor Feng, the farmhouse has delivered lunch. Let's eat first!"

The group moved to the picnic mat next to the tent.

The food was delivered by a farmhouse restaurant in Liuyusi Village at the foot of the mountain. It was all simple farmhouse dishes. Although the taste wasn't particularly good, the ingredients were fresh and had the original flavor of the mountains.

Xu Xing didn't stand on ceremony and joined everyone in enjoying the meal.

After a short rest after lunch, the afternoon sun was shining brightly, and someone suggested going to play in the stream.

Young people, naturally lively, responded enthusiastically. The stream beside the meadow was crystal clear, the water only reaching the calves, with smooth pebbles beneath.

Everyone took off their shoes and socks, rolled up their trousers, and happily stepped into the cool stream, splashing around, collecting stones, and taking pictures, having a great time.

Xu Xing also went into the water, the cool stream washing over his ankles and dispelling some of the afternoon heat.

He watched Li Yuting and her classmates splashing water and playing, and a relaxed smile unconsciously appeared on his face, as if he had truly returned to his twenties.

However, just as everyone was having fun, a terrified scream suddenly came from near the bushes on the west bank!

"Ah! A snake!"

It's that girl named Li Jing!

She was standing on a slightly larger rock, trying to take a picture, when suddenly her face turned pale and she jumped off the rock, staggering backward into the stream. Two small red spots above her right ankle were bleeding.

The crowd instantly stirred.

Li Yuting, who was closest to her, was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly.

The stream was disturbed.

"Don't panic! Don't run around!"

Xu Xing immediately shouted loudly, while quickly scanning the surrounding water and shore.

He waded through the water to Li Jing's side, his sharp gaze fixed on the bushes behind the rock where she had just stood.

A snake about half a meter long with a triangular head and brown spots on its body was quickly swimming into the depths of the grass and disappearing.

Xu Xing had good eyesight and immediately recognized it as a viper commonly found in the Qinling Mountains, with a potent but not fatal venom.

"It's a viper! Its venom is quite potent, but Lantian County Hospital should have antivenom."