"Secretary Uncle, you're absolutely right, that wall has become dirtier and dirtier. When we leave school, it's the first thing we see and it's a real eyesore," Chiang Xiao said. "But if it's just whitewashed, wouldn't it get dirty again very quickly?"
Chiang Songhai took another look at her. Was this child here just to chat with Secretary Yao?
"Yeah, maybe paint it with some colors instead," Secretary Yao didn't mind chatting with Chiang Xiao, and actually seemed quite interested. Because of his imposing appearance and constant stern expression, almost all the children in the village were scared of him, and some of the naughtier ones even nicknamed him Black Yao without thinking he didn't know.
Black was the name of his dog.
Could he be happy being called Black Yao?
But as much as he disliked it, he couldn't exactly take issue with those children.
Even his own daughter, Yao Chengshan, had been afraid of him since she was little and rarely initiated conversation.
Now here sat Chiang Xiao, casually chatting with him. The feeling was certainly novel.
Chiang Xiao smiled and said, "Just painting it with colors won't stop those kids from scribbling all over it. It wouldn't be long before it's just as dirty."
The wall really was huge.
A row of old houses stood there, impossible to demolish. Yet, from the school gate, it was such a dark and vast blot.
Secretary Yao grunted and asked her, "Chiang Xiao, do you have a solution?"
"It's actually quite simple: we could paint a large propaganda mural on it. Clear away the weeds at the base of the wall, lay down some fine gravel, and the whole area could become an educational corridor," she explained.
Secretary Yao's eyes lit up, but after thinking for a moment, he sighed and shook his head, "It's a good idea, but our village doesn't have such talent."
Perhaps art teachers from the town or the county could do it, but Siyang Village didn't have any. The only art teacher in their school could only teach the basics.
That long wall required a large painting; it couldn't be done in a day or two. Should he really bother hiring an art teacher from town to stay in the village for such a trivial matter?
Chiang Xiao said, "Secretary Uncle, leave it to me, I'll do the painting."
At these words, both Chiang Songhai and Yao Jubin were shocked.
"Little, we mustn't..." speak without thinking. Chiang Songhai was about to say that, but when Chiang Xiao winked at him, he swallowed half of his words.
"You can paint?"
Chiang Xiao knew that Secretary Yao wouldn't take her word for it. She thus picked up a pen and paper in front of her and swiftly sketched a teacup.
The teacup she drew had a 3D effect, complete with shadows and lighting, looking very realistic as if an actual teacup was set on the paper.
If Secretary Yao hadn't watched her draw it, he might have actually reached out to pick up the cup.
Moreover, she drew it so quickly, producing the drawing in an instant.
For Chiang Xiao, this was basic skill, and she wasn't satisfied with the result. Besides, she felt so weak due to her illness that her hand trembled just from drawing the cup.
No wonder she could summon the Magic Brush but couldn't use it to paint.
As Chiang Xiao was inwardly sighing, Secretary Yao was genuinely amazed.
"Incredible, truly incredible! I've never seen such artistry before! Our village has a little Painter!" Secretary Yao exclaimed as he held the paper up in admiration. Suddenly, noticing something amiss, he quickly turned to look at her left hand that had strained to hold down the paper, furrowing his brow, "What happened to your hand?"
He had only just realized that the girl's left hand was swollen and red!