Chapter 156: First Painting Session Later that night, as Xin prepared to immerse himself in the virtual world of the game, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"Seraphina!" he exclaimed aloud.
He had completely forgotten about the scheduled painting session they were supposed to have, and it had slipped his mind until now, thanks to the whirlwind of recent events.
Without wasting another moment, Xin hastily left his room, made his way to the telephone in the living room, and retrieved the number Seraphina had written on the directory.
Xin punched out a message, seeking to confirm whether their painting session was still on for the night.
Unbeknownst to him, the number he held in his hand was a priceless treasure worth millions to the right buyer.
As the message was sent, Xin had no idea that he had just contacted Seraphina directly through her personal number.
After texting her, Xin found himself nervously awaiting Seraphina’s response to his message. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just made a huge mistake.
Xin had forgotten about the painting session until now, and messaging Seraphina directly had caught him off guard.
His palms were sweaty as he stared at his phone, contemplating whether he should send another message to explain himself as to why he had only contacted her this late.
In the dimly lit living room, with only the soft glow of the night lamp to accompany him, Xin found himself standing in contemplation.
The rest of his family had retired to their rooms for the night, leaving him in solitude as he grappled with his thoughts.
Should he call Seraphina, he wondered, or would that come across as too eager, too desperate to bring her image onto the canvas?
The hesitation loomed in the air as Xin struggled to decide whether to reach out or patiently await her response.
Xin didn’t know how long he stood there, but when his phone beeped with the incoming message, his heart did a little flip.
[Took you long enough. Were you trying to make your masterpiece without me? ]
Her message had a lighthearted tone, and Xin couldn’t help but chuckle at her comment as he explained why he contacted her late.
This interaction was already far more pleasant than he had anticipated.
[I’ll be there in fifteen minutes]
With Seraphina’s message, Xin’s worry melted away, replaced by a sense of relief.
. But then he realized something . . . instead of worrying about being alone in the night together with her, he was worrying about not setting up a suitable studio for their art session.
". . ." Sighing softly, Xin decided that, for the time being, the living area would have to suffice. It was a safer choice in case Xiaxia, or his mom unexpectedly walked in, avoiding any potential misunderstandings.
Considering the lateness of the hour, Xin wanted to be respectful of Seraphina’s time. He didn’t want to take up too much of her evening.
"One hour per day should be enough," he thought to himself.
With that in mind, he sent a message to Victor, explaining that he would be a bit late for their gaming session because he wanted to get a head start on their art project.
Xin set up the living area next, arranging his materials and preparing the canvas, eager to begin the first draft of his project.
Exactly fifteen minutes later, Xin’s phone rang, signaling Seraphina’s arrival. He hastily opened the locks and swung the door open.
Before him stood Seraphina, dressed in a stunning white bodycon dress with a white fur coat draped gracefully over her shoulders. Her makeup and hairstyle were impeccably done.
Xin couldn’t help but wonder if she had just come from another party, but he refrained from asking, realizing it was none of his business.
After exchanging greetings, Seraphina entered the living area and glanced around at the modest setup.
"Is this where we’re going to have our art session?" she inquired, her tone tinged with faint disappointment.
Xin scratched the back of his head, picking up on her dissatisfaction. "I’m sorry, I haven’t had a chance to set up a studio."
"We could always do it in your room," Seraphina suggested with a serious face.
Xin blinked in surprise, thinking he had misheard her.
"What?" he stammered.
Seraphina chuckled. "Nothing."
She then gracefully removed her fur coat, revealing her flawless arms and legs. "I came prepared, and I had my stylist give me a glam look."
Xin was taken aback by her dedication to the art session. She must love art too. Xin thought to himself.
"You seem surprised," Seraphina remarked. "We could paint with the fur coat on if that’s what you prefer."
Xin rubbed the back of his head. "Actually . . . I’d like to paint you raw."
Seraphina’s brow arched. "You mean naked?"
Xin’s eyes widened, and immediately said, "NO! Not like . . . uh, naked! Just without the makeup and in your regular clothes."
". . . I see . . ."
Xin observed that Seraphina was deep in thought. He considered expressing his approval for her chosen appearance, wanting to reassure her that her current look was perfectly fine for the canvas if that’s what she like to appear on the portrait.
After all, it would undoubtedly make for a striking painting that her fans would buy regardless. And he didn’t want to impose or inconvenience her.
But before he could utter a word, Seraphina preempted him with a declaration of her own. "Give me ten minutes," she said, disappearing into his bedroom.
Xin was left wondering alone what was happening.
Exactly ten minutes later, Seraphina emerged, transformed into a vision of natural beauty. Her hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a comfortable shirt and pajamas. The one that Michael Fey had given him.
Xin couldn’t help but nod in approval.
"Is this outfit in line with what you had in mind?" Seraphina inquired.
Xin nodded once more.
"Good. Let’s proceed then."
"Before we begin," Xin said, "have you eaten? We still have some food left in the kitchen. This session might take about an hour, so you should fill your stomach first."