Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 256 - 2: Extra Story (Bonus - )

Lin Wanwan’s big eyes revealed a complex light: "Cousin, aren’t you afraid of this white-feathered chicken? Don’t you suspect it’s a monster?"

Xiao Chong laughed freely, conveying an unparalleled confidence, and looked straight into Lin Wanwan’s eyes with intentional implication: "Even if it is a monster, I can tame it."

Lin Wanwan’s heart beat slightly faster, avoiding his wise eyes that seemed to see through everything, her lashes trembling lightly as she said, "Cousin, the wise do not speak of strange powers or spirits."

"Hahaha!" Xiao Chong laughed heartily, not hiding his amusement, without knowing what point had struck his funny bone.

Lin Wanwan frowned slightly and pouted, chiding, "Cousin!"

"Alright, alright, I won’t laugh anymore. Come, cousin, have some more tea!" Xiao Chong lifted his cup and gestured towards Lin Wanwan, still with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Lin Wanwan glared at him, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and felt a burst of fragrance filling her mouth, leaving a lingering taste, and said in surprise, "This tea?"

Xiao Chong said, "This is new tea from Wuyi Mountain in Lingnan after the rain, paired with mountain spring water. Hmm, as per cousin’s request, it hasn’t got any added fragrance, yet it has its own taste—cousin, you’re impressive."

Lin Wanwan picked up the tea cup again, took another sip, and nodded while drinking: "This is what tea should be, delicious! I actually seem to be able to taste the joy here."

After saying that, before Xiao Chong could speak, Lin Wanwan looked at him with bright eyes and a mischievous smile: "Cousin, you said you wanted to reward me, does that count?"

Xiao Chong said indifferently, "It counts. Cousin, feel free to say what you want, even if it’s the mountain or sea, I’ll seek it for you."

Lin Wanwan calmly said, "It’s not that difficult, cousin. You are a master of painting; I would like you to paint a portrait for me and stamp it with your personal seal. How about that?"

In the Great Tang, there were no cameras, but noble ladies’ desire to keep their image was timeless, so artists good at portraits were always welcome.

Xiao Chong slightly raised his brows, seemingly surprised by Lin Wanwan’s request, but immediately agreed, "Sure, this is a minor matter."

Having achieved half of her purpose for coming today, Lin Wanwan felt somewhat satisfied. She reached out to pour herself some tea from the cup placed high up, revealing a segment of round, white jade arm, which caught Xiao Chong’s gaze momentarily, though she seemed completely unaware.

Indeed, showing arms in modern times is nothing; even showing thighs is common, so Lin Wanwan would naturally have no additional thoughts about it and didn’t feel any impropriety.

Xiao Chong didn’t say anything either, just kept a mysterious smile on his lips.

"If cousin is willing, I can paint for you now. How do you feel about that?"

Lin Wanwan sipped her tea and said casually: "Hmm, cousin isn’t busy today?"

Xiao Chong smiled slightly, his eyes playful: "No matter how busy, there is always time to paint a portrait for cousin."

"..."

Is he flirting with me? He must be flirting with me!

Lin Wanwan was speechless, never expecting Xiao Chong to be such a person.

He’s really... surprisingly good-looking.

People with high looks indeed have a natural advantage, even their playfulness is charmingly rogue, not creepy.

"Ahem!" Lin Wanwan cleared her throat to dispel the strange atmosphere in the room, and said calmly: "Alright, as long as cousin, this busy man, has time, I, this leisurely person, naturally have even more time."

Xiao Chong laughed, stood up, and said, "Then come with me, cousin."

Lin Wanwan stood up and followed, thinking how rarely Xiao Chong was free today.

In the study, Lin Wanwan sat awkwardly on an Imperial Concubine’s Couch covered with white mink fur, which was specially moved from the bedroom.

Taking a photo is a matter of seconds, but painting takes a long time.

Being stared at by Xiao Chong’s sharp and deep eyes for so long, Lin Wanwan feared she wouldn’t be able to withstand it and suddenly felt a bit regretful.

"Hehe, cousin, I suddenly feel maybe I don’t really want the portrait that much, how about you gift me a landscape painting instead?" Lin Wanwan stood up and laughed dryly.

Xiao Chong gestured for her to stay calm and said leisurely: "Having said a portrait, it shall be a portrait. A gentleman’s word is his bond."

Lin Wanwan: "..."

No need to be so serious.

Xiao Chong casually said while mixing colors: "If cousin feels uncomfortable sitting for long, how about lying sideways?"

Not thinking too much, Lin Wanwan felt sitting stiffly was indeed more awkward, so she reclined with her elbow supporting her head, her eyes lowered to avoid meeting Xiao Chong’s eyes, feeling too pressured.

For a while, the only sound in the study was the brush tip dipping into ink. Once Xiao Chong focused on painting, he fell into silence.

As Lin Wanwan lay there with her nose catching the faint scent in the room, sleepiness came upon her. Just as she was about to move to refresh herself, Xiao Chong stopped her, "Cousin, don’t move."

So, after a while of stiffness, Lin Wanwan gradually lowered her hand until she finally rested it on her hand and fell asleep.

Xiao Chong didn’t stop painting, but his eyes swept over the incense for calming the mind on the side table, watching Lin Wanwan slowly fall completely into sleep from her fluttering eyelashes, his handsome lips curving with amusement.

Then he focused his gaze on the shadows under her eyes, his expression indescribable.

To say Xiao Chong had no mischief in mind would be impossible, but he never thought Lin Wanwan would truly sleep so defenselessly.

"Wanwan, oh Wanwan, who exactly are you?" Xiao Chong softly wondered, the words lingering only on his lips, not even heard by the servant at the door, let alone Hua Nong or Kun Lun who had no martial arts.

The setting sun cast its afterglow through the window lattice upon the wooden floor of the study, filling it with a dim and tranquil light.

When Lin Wanwan woke up, she opened her eyes to find herself covered with a thin blanket, and a bit further ahead, at the window, Xiao Chong was busy writing at a desk filled with bamboo scrolls, clearly preoccupied with state affairs—the painting seemed long completed.

Ah, once again, I’ve been discourteous.

This isn’t modern times; it’s the Great Tang. Granted, Xiao Chong is a cousin, but technically speaking, he and Lin Wanwan’s family belong to two separate branches and are merely distant relatives.

Lin Wanwan held her forehead, sat up, and couldn’t figure out why she had fallen asleep. Could traveling through time have messed up her biological clock?

Hmm, very likely—day turning into night, anyone would be dizzy.

Whatever, since I’ve already been discourteous, it’s meant to be. After all, I came down from the mountain, Xiao Chong should understand.

At this moment, hearing the noise, Xiao Chong looked up and said with a smile, "Cousin, you’re awake?"

"Yes, cousin, what time is it now?"

"Quarter past You Hour; cousin, would you like to freshen up?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Lin Wanwan got off the Imperial Concubine’s Couch feeling languid, casually brushed the loose strands of hair beside her ear, and asked, "Cousin, is the painting finished?"

Xiao Chong said, "Still needs some finishing touches. I’ll have it sent to you once it’s framed and completed in a few days."

He put down the pen in his hand, stood up, and said, "Come on, let the maid show you down to freshen up, and then you can have dinner."

Lin Wanwan didn’t think there was anything inappropriate now, looked up at Xiao Chong, and said, "Cousin, there’s no rush to freshen up. Let me first admire the painting."

Xiao Chong was visibly stunned by this and burst into a hearty laugh, striding out with free ease, saying: "Cousin, don’t worry, no hurry!"