Chapter 3: Seeking Fate with the Carp.

"Fang Qing, you..."

Lufang Qing's eyes were deep and full of memories and nostalgia. He said, "It lacks... a spiritual path, one that I have been pursuing for half of my life."

Qingsong, you still refuse to believe me.

Li Qingsong sighed helplessly and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Fang Qing, your carp painting is already perfect, there's no room for improvement. You've wasted too much effort on this over the years. I think you should consider your lifelong major issue, you should settle down."

Lu Fangqing and Li Qingsong are having a small drink in the courtyard. On the stone table, there are delicious Dongpo Four Treasures. Eating them with the aroma of wine makes one's mouth water and irresistibly indulges in it.

Is it the painting or the carp in the painting? Li Qingsong is not sure. He is worried about Lu Fangqing no matter which aspect it is, because whether it is the painting or the carp in the painting, Lu Fangqing has already deeply indulged in it and cannot extricate himself.

This night, the sky is clear and the bright moon hangs high among a few sparse white clouds, dotted with stars. The faint radiance falls from the sky to the mortal world, bringing a serene and peaceful feeling to people's minds.

Li Qingsong stood on one side and watched quietly, nodding repeatedly in admiration. Lu Fangqing's painting skills have reached a level of extraordinary mastery, even surpassing it, especially in painting carp.

Lufang Qing looked up at the bright moon, letting its light fall upon his eyes. He closed his eyes and whispered softly, "No matter how well it's painted, it's still not her."

Every time I think of this, Li Qingsong feels a shiver of fear. The suddenness of the big fire, and Lu Fangqing's narrow escape from death, really make him feel very fortunate now. But who exactly saved Lu Fangqing, this question has never been answered. Lu Fangqing has always said to him that it was a carp that turned into a beautiful girl and then saved him.

Li Qingsong took a sip of wine suddenly and reminded Lu Fangqing with some concern, "Fangqing, that was just a dream of yours."

方青!!

The carp on the painting is perfect, with its scales closely arranged, neither too tight nor too dense, presenting the most vivid carp in the world. The faint moonlight falls on the painting, reflecting with the wet ink, just like the sparkling water surface, allowing people to see the lively and free carp within. Staring closely at the carp, one always feels that it will leap out of the water at any moment.

With the wine flowing freely, Lu Fangqing picked up his paintbrush and stood up. He walked over to the painting board next to the stone table, which had already been prepared. A blank sheet of paper was fixed on top.

Lu Fangqing smiled slightly, picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth, carefully tasted it and said: "Thin skin, tender meat, bright red color, rich and flavorful juice, crispy and not broken, fragrant and not greasy, paired with fine wine, truly a delicious dish. Look at this Golden Toad Playing with Pearls, Five Passes Chicken, Drunken Green Shrimp, and this gifted meat, all of them have sweet and beautiful meat. Qing Song, your cooking skills are truly remarkable, allowing me to enjoy such a delicacy."

No one believes in that mysterious experience. Only Lufangqing firmly believes in it. He no longer speaks much, but gazes at the carp in the painting for a long time. Then, he finally sighs and gently tears the painting apart.

Someone should have saved you...

Ha ha, this reminds me of Su Zizhan's "Stewed Meat Song", "Slow fire, less water, the firewood does not emit smoke, wait for it to cook by itself, do not rush it, when it is cooked enough, it will be beautiful on its own." Speaking, Lu Fangqing couldn't help but applaud, "Su Zizhan is indeed a rare talent, with such deep attainments in poetry, song, article, calligraphy, painting, and cooking. He truly deserves the name 'Su Xian'."

Li Qingsong sighed helplessly and said, "Fang Qing, even if that woman really exists, she won't appear in your paintings just because you keep drawing carps."

Li Qingsong smiled and said, "Actually, it's not difficult. The key to making these dishes is low heat, less water, and more wine."

If that was really a dream, then she who saved him would not exist, and he would naturally be trapped in the small wooden house by the fire, and ultimately burned to death.

I know that what I said may seem unbelievable or even absurd to you. Lu Fangqing gently put down his brush and carefully held the painting in his hand. The ink was not yet dry, and the moonlight reflected on it, causing tears to flow from Lu Fangqing's eyes. "The thunder that struck at that time started a big fire, which brought her to me. But at the same time, it also took her away from me. Until now, I believe she is still in this world. I believe that as long as I keep painting, I can find her."

Li Qingsong took a sip of wine and smacked his lips, saying, "To dispel worries, nothing but Du Kang. Under the moonlight, savoring Du Kang, paired with Dongpo's Four Treasures, all worries are gone."

At this moment, Lu Fangqing turned his head to look at Li Qingsong. He felt a warmth in his heart from the concern in his eyes, but still shook his head.

It is natural for ordinary people to find it hard to believe such words, but Li Qingsong knows Lufangqing well and knows that Lufangqing is not someone who speaks baseless words. However, he only thought that Lufangqing was sad because he lost the carp he had raised for many years and had an illusion due to the accident. At that time, he did not pay much attention to it, but he did not expect that Lufangqing would believe in the illusion so firmly and even turned it into an obsession, which he has been pursuing until now.

Since then, you have been drawing at least one carp painting every few days. Each time you strive to improve upon the previous one. At first, they were vivid and lifelike, but later they became even more lifelike, giving the impression that the carp was alive. It can be said that you are the most perfect artist I have ever seen in painting carps. The carps you paint have reached the pinnacle of perfection. Yet, you still continue to paint every day. Is there anything about your carp paintings that you are not satisfied with?

Li Qingsong couldn't understand and shook his head, saying, "This is indeed a painting."

Lufangqing does not think so, shaking his head firmly and saying, "No, that's not a dream! If it were just a dream, I would have been burned to death by that big fire long ago."

Lufang Qing smiled faintly and said, "I have been searching all along, my destiny lies in painting carp."

Li Qingsong was immersed in it for a long time. It was only just now that he realized he couldn't figure out what was missing from this painting. The carp on the painting was more vivid, more lifelike, and more vibrant than any carp in the world, and of course, it was also more captivating.

Lightly dipping the brush in ink, gently gliding on the paper, Lu Fangqing's skillful hand swiftly brings out the outline of the carp, although not yet completed, it has already begun to show vitality.

She is not human. I have a premonition that she will appear in front of me. I don't know if I truly believe it or if I deliberately want to believe it, but Lufangqing firmly clenched his fist, "She will definitely reappear."

Lufangqing did not immediately answer Li Qingsong's words. He drew each stroke carefully, each stroke carrying his strong emotions. When he finished the last stroke, he put down his brush, but there was no satisfaction on his face. He sighed deeply and said, "This painting is not yet complete."

Fifteen years ago, on that evening, Lu Fangqing, as usual, was painting the carp he had raised for several years. However, that night, a sudden thunderbolt struck without warning, causing a massive fire.

"Lacking... What is missing?" I don't know if it's because of drinking too much alcohol or because of the feelings evoked by this painting, Li Qingsong's mouth is slightly large, and he doesn't speak very clearly.