Woo, I appeal to my brothers for their recommended votes; I'm about to be squeezed out of the new book. Votes, where are the votes?
Dong Qiaoqiao's remark was originally spontaneous, but she didn't expect Lin Wanrong to take it seriously. He casually agreed, and a trace of shyness appeared on her face, mixed with a hint of joy. After all, women love beauty. Preserving their youthful moments on canvas is their dream.
"Thank you, sir," Dong Qiaoqiao said shyly.
Lin Wanrong smirked, wiped his face with the back of his hand, and said to Dong Rende, "Uncle Dong, what do you think?"
Dong Rende gave Lin Wanrong a thumbs-up and said, "For you, sir, nothing needs to be said. I can only admire you."
Lin Wanrong completed the remaining illustrations in one go. Although the fake Miss Xiao had different expressions, she was consistently beautiful and charming, guaranteed to captivate those literati.
After finishing the last stroke, Lin Wanrong wiped his face again and stood up, saying with a smile, "Done, let's call it a day."
Dong Qiaoqiao looked at the various portraits of the same woman in the booklet, her face full of admiration. She glanced at Lin Wanrong and suddenly covered her mouth, chuckling.
"What's wrong?" Lin Wanrong was stunned by her laughter, but this girl looked quite attractive when she smiled.
Pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket, Dong Qiaoqiao, with a red face, glanced at Lin Wanrong, bit her lip, and approached him. The handkerchief, carrying a faint fragrance, was gently wiped across Lin Wanrong's face.
Lin Wanrong suddenly realized that there might be charcoal dust on his face, causing her to act this way.
However, her move startled Lin Wanrong. In this era, the interaction between men and women was strictly regulated. Even if Dong Qiaoqiao was born in an ordinary family, this action was too intimate. In Lin Wanrong's era, only couples would do such things.
"Is she interested in me? If so, I'm in danger. I'm naturally inclined to such temptations." Lin Wanrong shamelessly thought. He wasn't mentally prepared for dating in this era.
Quickly stepping back, Lin Wanrong, unconsciously rejecting her kindness, took the handkerchief himself, saying, "I can handle it on my own."
Dong Qiaoqiao was momentarily stunned, realizing her impropriety. Her face turned red, and Lin Wanrong hurriedly sniffed the handkerchief lightly, jokingly saying, "It smells really good!"
Grateful for his effort to ease her embarrassment, Dong Qiaoqiao smiled back.
Nevertheless, Lin Wanrong's flirtatious nature couldn't be concealed. "This little girl doesn't understand things. Did she develop improper thoughts about me? Oh no, I'm in danger. This self-proclaimed talent is naturally inclined to chaos," Lin Wanrong thought shamelessly.
Seeing the awkward silence between the father and daughter, Lin Wanrong took a step back and offered the handkerchief back to Dong Qiaoqiao. However, it was already covered in charcoal dust, making him feel a bit embarrassed.
Dong Qiaoqiao, with a calm smile, accepted the handkerchief from Lin Wanrong, saying, "Sir, let me take care of these rough tasks."
Observing her composure, Lin Wanrong relaxed. Perhaps I've been a bit too conceited. Is it too easy for a charming girl to approach me? Lin Wanrong smirked to himself.
With the charcoal sketches completed, Lin Wanrong instructed Dong Qiaoqiao to use a brush to refine the outlines, ensuring that the charcoal wouldn't be wiped away.
Lin Wanrong hadn't informed Dong Qiaoqiao that he was a half-hearted artist who didn't know how to use a brush. However, Dong Qiaoqiao, clever and understanding, didn't ask.
Carefully retracing the outlines with a brush, Dong Qiaoqiao, nervously sweating, was afraid of damaging Lin Wanrong's original artwork.
Lin Wanrong felt a faint sense of warmth due to the unconditional trust the father and daughter placed in him. He couldn't comprehend how those scammers in his original era, who preyed on old ladies for their retirement funds, could exist in this world.
Finally, Dong Qiaoqiao finished copying all the portraits. Her delicate hands left Lin Wanrong speechless; even the rounded strokes were consistent with Lin Wanrong's drawings.
Shaking his head in amazement, Lin Wanrong exclaimed, "Qiaoqiao, you must not marry someone else. Where will I find such skillful hands like yours?"
As they became more familiar, Lin Wanrong dropped the "Miss" and directly called her Qiaoqiao. After all, she was just a lovely girl; why add the unnecessary formality of "Miss"?
After Lin Wanrong's words, he arrogantly laughed a few times. Dong Qiaoqiao blushed and ran out, probably not understanding why Lin Wanrong, the romantic and talented guy, suddenly became so vulgar.
"Hehe, the little girl surprised me by handing me a handkerchief. Now, it's my turn to surprise her. I'm so shameless. What can she do to me?" Lin Wanrong smirked proudly.
After organizing the booklet, it was already noon. Lin Wanrong handed over the manuscript to Old Dong and rushed to the printing house to get started.
Lin Wanrong knew that the printing technology here was quite primitive, but since the booklet was not large, printing five hundred copies in one afternoon and evening was already the limit.
Old Dong had lived in the city for many years, had a flexible mind, and a wide network. This was precisely what Lin Wanrong valued in him.
Old Dong took the manuscript and was about to go to the printing house. Suddenly, Lin Wanrong remembered something and hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Uncle Dong, remind the printing house about this. It's essential to keep it confidential. Especially this manuscript, it is extremely precious. If it falls into the wrong hands and is printed, it's very easy to replicate. So be cautious. Make sure to return the manuscript promptly."
Lin Wanrong had already promised Old Dong a substantial profit. In this era without intellectual property protection, if it was plagiarized, he would lose a lot. Where could he complain? Even in his original era, with intellectual property protection, piracy was still rampant. Therefore, he had to repeatedly remind Old Dong to keep it confidential.