The rich colours easily reminded people of the murals in Dunhuang. Their hues were heavier and more restrained, carrying a subdued elegance. Jiang Yu was particularly fond of these rich colours, always feeling they held a sense of historical depth and mystery, as well as the beauty of time’s passage.
After making all the necessary preparations, Jiang Yu began handling her paints. While doing so, she had already formed a rough outline of the entire painting in her mind, the composition and colour scheme were all planned out.
The Flying Apsara Playing a reversed pipa was a famous mural from Dunhuang, depicting a celestial maiden in mid-spin, her figure maintaining the iconic pose of playing a reversed pipa. It was one of the most renowned Flying Apsara paintings.
Jiang Yu casually sketched a rough draft with her brush. It truly was a casual sketch, just a loose outline with no details. Yet, as the saying goes, “An expert’s work speaks for itself.” Even with just a few strokes, she had already captured the essence of a celestial maiden, exuding nobility and mystery. Her flowing ribbons conveyed an immediate sense of lightness and grace.
At this moment, the live chat was going wild.
[This is divine artistry! The contrast in skill is brutal!]
[The sketch is so rough, yet in just a few strokes, the figure is already so vivid. I can’t compete with this at all.]
[Looking at my own sketches now… What garbage. I’m done.]
Jiang Yu rarely needed to sketch outlines. For her, they weren’t necessary because the complete image was already formed in her mind. The outline existed in her thoughts, which was why her strokes never hesitated.
Teacher Shen once said that watching Jiang Yu paint was a kind of visual delight. She had naturally beautiful hands, and when she painted, every stroke felt precise and effortless, making the entire process an exhilarating display of beauty.
Since she was painting a celestial maiden, the colour scheme leaned towards darker tones, but the palette was anything but dull. Jiang Yu took out over a dozen different paints, unsurprisingly, she intended to use them all.
The celestial maiden in flight, beautiful and mysterious, had captivated countless admirers. Their fascination with her spoke volumes about her allure.
Stroke by stroke, Jiang Yu fell into silence. When she painted, she was quiet, and her audience was used to it. Occasionally, she would respond to comments, but most of the time, everyone simply watched in silence, as if savouring a rare form of enjoyment.
From rough beginnings to fine details, from broad strokes to intricate composition, the entire painting unfolded under the audience’s watchful eyes. And yet, even though they had witnessed every step of its creation, when the image gradually revealed its full mystery and beauty, they still found it hard to believe, was this truly something that had taken form before their eyes, stroke by stroke?
It felt surreal. The painting was simply too beautiful, to the point where disbelief set in.
Jiang Yu particularly enjoyed the colouring process, and she loved the effect of layering multiple shades. She applied colours with spontaneous intuition, yet always managed to create astonishingly stunning effects.
The old master had once remarked that she possessed an extraordinary sensitivity to colour, able to bring out its full potential with unparalleled finesse.
One day was not enough to complete the painting. To avoid repeating the mistake of losing track of time like last time, Jiang Yu had set a two-hour alarm for herself. When it rang, she snapped out of her deep concentration and looked up at the time.
[Has it already been two hours?]
[My god, that alarm scared me!]
[Two hours? It didn’t feel like it at all!]
The previously quiet livestream suddenly came alive. The viewers, seeing Jiang Yu put down her brush, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. Watching her paint was truly a pleasure.
Jiang Yu, however, felt unsatisfied. People often said that artists were obsessive, and there was truth to that. Because of their passion, they poured all their enthusiasm into their art. Jiang Yu’s dedication to painting was no less intense than anyone else’s. Being interrupted by the alarm when she was deeply engrossed left her feeling slightly irked.
By now, her canvas was partially coloured. Even this small section was dazzling in its vibrancy. Jiang Yu had not only used traditional pigments but had also incorporated watercolour and gouache. She always believed that all paints existed to serve art, any medium that could enhance a painting’s beauty was fair game.
The celestial maiden soared through the air, guided by the rhythm of music. She floated gracefully, her hands cradling the pipa in a reversed pose, her silk ribbons trailing in harmony with her movements, embodying a weightless elegance.
Unfortunately, the painting was still incomplete. Even though Jiang Yu was a fast painter, she had only finished one-sixth of it. But even this fraction showcased an astonishing vibrancy, leaving viewers in awe and wondering, if the unfinished painting was already this breathtaking, what would it look like when completed?
However, the two-hour mark had arrived, and Jiang Yu strictly adhered to her daily livestream schedule.
Viewers felt a sense of loss. Some fans eagerly pleaded for her to continue painting, unable to get enough. Strangely enough, they thought to themselves, why did watching someone paint bring them so much joy? Shouldn’t it be boring?
Jiang Yu said nothing, but the fans saw her pick up her brush and resume painting. Their spirits lifted instantly, was she really continuing?
Surprised but thrilled, the fans were ecstatic.
Then, Jiang Yu painted for one more hour. Then two. Then three…
Three hours later, it was already past midnight, yet Jiang Yu showed no signs of stopping. Some fans had already gone to bed, while most of the remaining viewers struggled to stay awake, urging her to rest.
Jiang Yu, of course, didn’t see their comments. She was completely immersed in her vibrant world of colours, lost in the intricate beauty she was creating.
She was painting with joy, so much joy that even those watching her, despite not seeing her face, could feel it through the screen. Her emotions were infectious.
Seeing this, the audience couldn’t help but feel happy too.
But happiness didn’t keep them awake. One by one, viewers started dozing off. Some fell asleep mid-stream, only to wake up the next morning and find, Jiang Yu was still painting.
Xiang Weiwei was one of those who fell asleep watching the stream. A loyal fan of Jiang Yu, she always supported her livestreams, but exhaustion won over. She had curled up in bed with her headphones on and drifted off. When she woke up, daylight streamed through the windows, and her phone had long since died.
“What time is it…?”
Muttering, she plugged in her phone to charge. Two minutes later, she turned it back on, only to see it was already past noon. No wonder she was so hungry.
Instinctively, she opened Pineapple Live. She had recently downloaded the app just to support Jiang Yu, and Jiang Yu was the only streamer she followed. As soon as she refreshed, she saw that the stream was still live.
???
Xiang Weiwei’s eyes widened in shock. Did her idol really stream all night?
Clicking into the stream, she was greeted by a dazzling explosion of colour. The background was a deep, rich teal, yet upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just one colour but an intricate blend of countless shades, layered together to create a mesmerising, mysterious depth.
Dark yet brilliant, its beauty was nothing short of breathtaking.
Amidst this colourful spectacle, the celestial maiden played her reversed pipa. Her delicate frame exuded an ethereal elegance. Her jet-black hair was adorned with exquisite ornaments, her slender fingers gracefully plucking the strings. A single touch of cinnabar between her brows added a regal, dignified aura.
Beautiful. Both the celestial maiden and the background were stunning to an almost unreal degree. The interplay of colours had been brought to perfection, layer upon layer of paint creating an unparalleled vibrancy.
Tears welled in Xiang Weiwei’s eyes. She had never realised how stunning colours could be when blended like this.
Before Xiang Weiwei fell asleep, the painting was only half completed. But now, more than half of it was done. Vibrant colours filled the entire screen, and they could only see the slender, beautiful fingers continuously adding colour. To speed up the drying process, a hairdryer was also being used.
The contrast between the snow-white fingers and the stunning colours was striking, creating an astonishing beauty. If one hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, it would be hard to believe that dark tones could be so rich and dazzling. Various colours blended together, forming layers upon layers of depth. The final presentation was nothing short of breathtaking.
“So beautiful…” Xiang Weiwei finally found her voice after a long pause. For the first time, she realised how magnificent colours could be. When combined, they could be so vibrant.
The viewers in the live stream shared the same sentiment, completely captivated by the colours. The well-defined layers exuded mystery, enhancing the ethereal beauty of the goddess depicted in the painting.
The grand and dazzling background was actually designed to serve the goddess. Despite its brilliance, it did not overpower the subject. Instead, it accentuated the goddess’s transcendent and stunning appearance.
[I’m in tears! I can’t take it anymore. How can colours be this beautiful?!]
[QAQ I fell asleep last night! How did she achieve these colours? Did anyone record the stream?]
[I can’t handle this! If I stare any longer, my heart will stop. It’s just too stunning!]
The allure of colours was unimaginable and Jiang Yu had mastered their use to perfection. The hues she created were mysterious yet beautiful. She carefully added golden accents, painting a few golden lotuses in the background. This subtle addition infused the painting with a touch of divine aura, making it feel even more ethereal and otherworldly.
Xiang Weiwei took a deep breath, reluctantly shifting her gaze away from the painting. She typed, “Idol, have you been streaming all night? It’s been over twelve hours. Are you okay?”
She couldn’t help but worry. Painting all night like this, would her body be alright?
As soon as she voiced her concern, the chat filled with similar sentiments. Jiang Yu had indeed been streaming all night and showed no signs of stopping. She was likely determined to finish the painting before calling it a day.
Fans grew increasingly concerned, urging Jiang Yu to rest. But at this moment, she was too immersed in her work to pay attention to the time. She was in a state of high concentration, completely focused on the painting before her.
Even after so many hours, she remained patient. Every brushstroke was meticulously applied, refining the details of the painting. With each stroke, the piece became more complete and even harder to look away from.
Painting required immense patience. Many times, multiple layers of colour were needed, but some water-based paints had to dry before a second layer could be applied. This waiting period tested one’s patience. Sometimes, a single painting could take days, even weeks, to complete, making perseverance all the more crucial.
Many viewers were unfamiliar with painting, but after watching Jiang Yu, they gained a new understanding. They realised just how much patience this craft demanded.
Someone took a screenshot of the stream and posted it on Weibo, writing: [This big shot has been streaming for eighteen hours straight! Absolutely insane! But I have to say, Expert Dream’s painting is incredible. I know nothing about art, but I already want to buy this piece. Do you think 200,000 yuan would be enough?]
At first, the post didn’t attract much attention. However, a popular Weibo influencer came across it and reshared it with a comment: [Some small-time streamers are really risking their lives for money. This [A Fleeting Dream] has been streaming for eighteen hours, aren’t they afraid of sudden death? Also, this advertisement is so shameless. 200,000 yuan for a painting? Are you robbing people?]
This influencer, known as [Have You Eaten Melons Today?], was a well-known entertainment blogger with over a million followers. (T/N: Eating melons is internet slang for gossipping.) Once they reshared the post, curiosity took hold, and people started listing past cases of streamers pushing themselves to extreme limits for money. There had been cases before, one streamer had even streamed for three days straight for a year-end competition, only to end up in the hospital.
Some followers, however, couldn’t resist their curiosity and followed the link to see who this ‘insane’ streamer was.
They expected to find a singer or some kind of performance artist, but were surprised to see an art live stream instead.
Melon-Eating Sister initially ignored the post, but when multiple followers started defending the streamer, she became intrigued.
[Melon-Eating Sister, Expert Dream isn’t some desperate money-grubber! She just lost track of time while painting!]
If only one person had said this, it wouldn’t have mattered. But with multiple people repeating the same sentiment, she hesitated. Who was this small-time internet celebrity popping up in her mentions? Had they really started spamming her Weibo with advertisements?
Following her usual principle of not judging without checking, she clicked the link to the live stream. And then, she couldn’t look away.
It turned out [Melon-Eating Sister] was also an amateur art enthusiast. Of course, her own paintings were embarrassing, probably on an elementary school level, but when she saw Jiang Yu’s work, she was utterly stunned. In an instant, she became a die-hard fan.
She quickly grabbed her second phone and posted: [You guys need to see this. I was wrong, this expert is a legit art god!!!]
Her followers were confused, was her account hacked? But curiosity got the better of them and they started clicking the link. The direct link led them straight to Jiang Yu’s live stream and soon, more and more people flooded in. The chat became so crowded that users had to disable comments just to see the painting clearly.
Once you entered the stream, it was almost impossible to look away. It was a visual feast. The colours on the canvas exuded an unparalleled charm, drawing the viewers in completely.
More and more people joined, and soon, they voluntarily started promoting the stream themselves. It was the joy of discovering a hidden gem, an urge to share something extraordinary with the world.
Xiang Weiwei’s heart was burning with excitement. She had been with Jiang Yu since the beginning, back when she only had five or six followers. No one knew her back then, but now, her live stream had over ten thousand viewers.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhitang, the CEO of the streaming platform, saw an excellent promotional opportunity and immediately worked to boost the popularity of the post, ensuring that even more people would see it.
“Master, it’s already 2 pm. Jiang Yu hasn’t slept all night. Can her body handle this? Should I go tell her to rest?” Teacher Shen checked the time and asked worriedly.
They were sitting in the living room, watching Jiang Yu’s live stream on a large screen. The camera was focused on the painting, only showing her hands and artwork.
Teacher Shen had only discovered that morning that Jiang Yu had streamed all night. He was both anxious and concerned.
The old man sitting in the armchair shook his head and said, “Painting is about inspiration and the right state of mind. Jiang Yu is in the zone right now. If you interrupt her, she might not regain this state again. Let her be.”
Inspiration was fleeting and once an artist lost that momentum, it was nearly impossible to get it back. That’s why the professor insisted on letting her continue.
Ah, back in his younger days, he had also painted for days without rest. But now, in his old age, he could no longer keep up.
Jiang Yu’s live stream had gone from thousands of viewers to tens of thousands, and now, it had reached hundreds of thousands!
The Pineapple Live platform nearly crashed due to the overwhelming number of viewers. As a newly established platform, its servers were already quite good, but they couldn’t compare to those of major companies. As more people joined, the platform started lagging… and then freezing completely!
[Trash servers, come out and take your beating!]
[Why is it so… laggy… laggy…]
[I thought it was just me! Damn, it’s already hit 200,000 viewers, this is insane!]
[Hurry up and fix the servers! I can’t see the beautiful Flying Celestial! This is killing me!]
…
The audience’s frustration was growing. Shen Zhitang and his friend were exhilarated as they scrambled to handle the situation. Watching the flood of gifts pouring into the livestream, they were beyond thrilled.
“Zhitang, you’re amazing! Where did you find this powerhouse? She’s incredible!” Shen Zhitang’s friend couldn’t help but express his admiration.
Shen Zhitang chuckled and pointed at the livestream chat. “This is a true big shot. Do you know how much one of her paintings sold for?”
“How much? 500,000?”
“500,000? Amateur guess. It was 2 million!”
“T-Two million?” His friend was stunned.
Shen Zhitang nodded. “If she weren’t a friend of my sister’s, I wouldn’t have been able to invite her. Ah, how could I, Shen Zhitang, have such sharp vision? Out of so many people, I picked Jiang Yu. Her influence is truly out of this world.”
Even he found it unbelievable. The calligraphy and painting circle was small, with few enthusiasts and even fewer willing to watch a livestream. He had originally invited Jiang Yu just to boost engagement. But some people simply had an innate magnetism, Jiang Yu was one of them. As her livestream gained traction, the audience numbers skyrocketed to hundreds of thousands.
Of course, their promotional efforts played a role in drawing in viewers, but getting people to stay was entirely Jiang Yu’s doing. She had genuine talent.
At this rate, his Pineapple Live platform was about to reach its peak!
Jiang Yu was in an excellent state. She felt no fatigue, only an explosion of inspiration in her mind, compelling her to keep painting, again and again.
It wasn’t until 4 pm that she finally put down her brush. Before everyone’s eyes was a breathtaking painting of a celestial maiden. The goddess played a pipa in a reversed position, a crimson mark between her brows. Colourful ribbons floated around her, enhancing her ethereal beauty. Behind her, a dark background stretched across the canvas, with golden lotuses blooming within it. The lotus hearts seemed to glow faintly in the darkness.
At first glance, the dark background looked elegant and understated, but upon closer inspection, its hues were richly layered, with a luxurious, mysterious golden shimmer flowing through it.
Beautiful.
The entire painting was so stunning that it left people breathless.
Jiang Yu was also very satisfied. The excitement kept her from calming down for a long time. It was only then that she realised it was already afternoon.
“It’s already 4 pm…” Jiang Yu murmured. Remembering that the livestream had been running the entire time, she spoke to the audience. “I lost track of time while painting.”
Her fans urged her to rest, but she replied, “I’m too exhilarated to sleep right now. But I don’t really feel like painting anymore…”
This surprised her fans. Jiang Yu always spoke about painting with joy and enthusiasm, it was clear she truly loved her art. Many couldn’t help but reflect: talented people like her not only had extraordinary skills but also worked incredibly hard. If even geniuses were this dedicated, what excuse did ordinary people have not to put in the effort?
Jiang Yu smiled. “I had so much fun painting this time. Look at the colours, aren’t they beautiful? Even richer than I imagined. I even added some cinnabar, which gives it a subtle pinkish hue and adds more depth…”
As she spoke, she tidied up her art supplies, her voice soft and soothing. The way she spoke made her voice-sensitive fans shiver in delight.
That voice was just too mesmerising.
Seeing the reactions of the new fans, veteran supporters like Xiang Weiwei felt a smug sense of pride, our idol isn’t just a brilliant painter; she has beautiful hands and an even more beautiful voice!
After clearing her workspace, Jiang Yu took the painting to the balcony. Along the way, viewers caught glimpses of her home, minimal furniture, plenty of art supplies and numerous paintings adorning the walls.
“You want to see the paintings on my walls? Sure, let me show you.” Jiang Yu adjusted the camera to focus on them. Every single piece was a portrait, all drawn by her.
She picked up some discarded paper from the floor and tossed it into the trash. “But these are all failed drafts. I’m not very good at drawing people. I keep them on the wall to remind myself not to repeat the same mistakes.”
What? Failed drafts?
Staring at the incredibly lifelike portraits on her wall, the livestream audience nearly broke down in tears. If these were ‘failed drafts’, then what were their own drawings, scribbles?
Unaware of the devastation her casual comment had caused, Jiang Yu opened the balcony door. A cold breeze rushed in. She carefully angled the camera to show only the balcony, avoiding any outdoor structures, someone could potentially use them to pinpoint her location, so she needed to be cautious.
“I keep some succulents here. I get so busy that I forget to water my plants, so only the succulents and cacti have survived.”
Some viewers urged her to rest, saying they were worried about her.
Jiang Yu smiled. “Chatting with you guys actually helps me unwind. I’m still feeling a bit too energised!”
After another ten minutes of chatting, she finally began to relax. Bidding her viewers goodbye, she ended the livestream. Just then, she heard the front door unlock. She turned around and saw Teacher Shen entering with a key, followed by the old master.
“You haven’t eaten all day, have you? I brought you dinner. Eat, take a bath and get some proper rest!” Teacher Shen spoke rapidly, not giving Jiang Yu a chance to react.
Jiang Yu blinked in surprise. “Master, shijie, why are you…”
She pointed at the door.
Teacher Shen sighed and flicked her forehead. “I found out this morning that you stayed up all night painting. Didn’t I tell you not to pull all-nighters?”
Jiang Yu guiltily averted her gaze. “Well… I was in the zone… But I was so inspired this time! Master, look at this painting, I was in an amazing flow state while working on it.”
The old master glared at her but ultimately could only sigh in resignation. “You…”
Teacher Shen opened the food container. “I had Aunt Wu make red date and goji berry chicken soup for you. Have a bowl, then eat, shower and go to sleep! Understand?”
“Understood!” Jiang Yu didn’t dare argue and obediently nodded.
The chicken soup had been simmering since morning, made with a farm-raised hen Aunt Wu had brought from the countryside. It was rich and fragrant. After hours of cooking, all the flavours had seeped into the broth. The meat itself was now dry and flavourless, but the soup was incredibly delicious.
Jiang Yu sipped a spoonful, feeling warmth spread through her body. Meanwhile, the old master and Teacher Shen were examining her painting at the desk. Seeing them so engrossed, Jiang Yu couldn’t help but smile, a deep sense of warmth filling her heart.
In her past life, she had been all alone, no teacher, no shijie, no shixiong. Back then, she put all her effort into painting. Her heart and eyes held nothing but art; painting was her entire world. Every time she stayed up late to finish a piece, she was too lazy to eat and would curl up in bed, only to wake up in the middle of the night from hunger.
Now, looking back, those memories felt so distant that she could barely remember them.
After finishing her meal, she took a shower. When she came out, no one in the house paid her any attention. Jiang Yu glanced over and saw that the two of them were still admiring her painting, so she had no choice but to obediently turn around and go to sleep.
Meanwhile, the old master and Teacher Shen had their eyes completely fixed on the painting.
Teacher Shen couldn’t help but exclaim, “This painting is truly stunning…”
The beauty lay in the colours, an incredibly brilliant palette, blended together in a way that made the artwork feel radiant and rich, even more captivating. Teacher Shen was shocked; Jiang Yu had surprised her time and time again.
“This girl has taken the use of colour to an extreme level,” the old master murmured, gently brushing his fingers over the painting. Since some of the paint had not yet dried, he only hovered his hand above it.
Even if he himself were to paint this, he wasn’t sure he could do it better than Jiang Yu.
With that thought, the old master picked up his phone and snapped a picture, sending it out.
Teacher Shen noticed and asked, “Teacher, who are you sending a message to?”
The old master responded calmly, “To your Ning shixiong and the others and also to Old Lin and his group!”
Teacher Shen: “…”
Alright, here he went showing off again.
The old master truly loved Jiang Yu’s painting. It fully captured the essence of colour, not just ‘colour’ but also ‘vividness.’ These two words themselves represented extreme brilliance, and now that they were completely integrated into the painting, the effect was even more mesmerising.
“What’s remarkable,” the old master continued, “is that despite the rich and dazzling background, it doesn’t overshadow the celestial goddess in the painting. Instead, the vibrant colours create a sense of mystery, making the goddess appear even more ethereal. It also carries a strong resemblance to the style of Dunhuang murals, there’s that same magnificent quality.”
The colours of the entire painting exuded an air of sophistication, luxury and brilliance.
Suddenly, the old master’s phone rang. He glanced at it and chuckled. “It’s Old Lin.”
As soon as he answered, a booming voice came through: “Cui Guosheng, is this [A Fleeting Dream] actually your student?”
However, the voice did not belong to Old Lin.
“Old Sun? Why is it you?” The old master frowned slightly.
Old Sun was also a longtime friend of the old master and an accomplished painter. He specialised in bird-and-flower paintings, known for their lively and vivid strokes, which made his work widely loved.
On the other end, Old Sun said, “If I hadn’t been visiting Old Lin, I wouldn’t have known that you had such an outstanding student… What, were you hiding her from me? Afraid I’d steal her?”
The old master, feeling exposed: “…”
“What nonsense! My student is mine. Why would I be afraid of you stealing her?” The old master huffed. “Jiang Yu is obedient and well-behaved. She only has me as her teacher. Why would she care about you?”
Old Sun laughed out loud. “Then bring her to B City if you have the guts! Whatever you can teach, I, Sun Pei, can teach too. Why should you be the only one to have such an excellent student?”
The old master scoffed. “You’re just jealous.”
Then, as if something occurred to him, he asked, “Wait, what did you say about ‘A Fleeting Dream’? How do you know about my little apprentice?”
Old Sun replied, “How could I not know? It’s gone viral online! My grandson dragged me over to take a look, saying something about divine-level painting… Tell me, what’s with all these exceptional newcomers this year? Do you remember that video that went viral before, the one about that girl who knew the Yipei painting technique? Old Yang is still trying to find her.”
Pausing for a moment, Old Sun stroked his chin and added, “Now that I think about it, I remember hearing that the girl who knows the Yipei technique is also in S City…”
That was quite a coincidence. After all, Old Cui and his student were also in S City.
Ah? “Old Cui, does your student know the Yi Pei technique?” Old Sun asked.
Upon hearing that, Old Cui’s eyelid twitched. “How could that little girl possibly know the Yipei technique? Her speciality is traditional Chinese painting. Old Yang is looking for someone else, not my apprentice. Alright, I have things to do. I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait–”
Click!
Old Sun: “…”
Next to him, Old Lin asked, “What happened?”
Old Sun raised his phone. “He hung up.”
“Huh, that’s odd…” Old Lin muttered. “That guy has been bragging about his talented student every day, so why did he hang up so quickly today?”
Old Sun suddenly let out a mischievous chuckle. “I think… I’ve just stumbled upon something big.”
Then, he laughed in a way that promised trouble.
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