Chapter 114 – I Am Master of Clouds
The two middle-aged men, fueled by nostalgia and rivalry, refused to back down. With determination, they marched into the study, setting out pens, ink, paper, and inkstones—ready for a showdown in painting.
"But what should we draw?" Mr. Kurds asked.
After a moment of thought, he suggested, "Remember when we first met our mentor at the school's Lotus Pond? Why not draw a lotus? Let's see who has more imagination."
Painting from memory, without a real-life model, was a test not just of skill, but of spiritual connection.
Mr. Wood, however, frowned at the mention. "You dare bring her up? Hmph! You're just showing off that your wife used to be our mentor!"
Back in college, both men had pursued the same senior. In the end, Mr. Kurds had won her heart. The loss had stung Mr. Wood deeply—so much so that he hadn't spoken to Mr. Kurds for days. It had taken a grand feast at the school canteen to reconcile their friendship.
For Mr. Kurds, it was a fond, romantic memory.
For Mr. Wood, it was a Chapter of heartbreak—an awkward relic of youth.
"I'm not painting a lotus," he said flatly.
Sensing his discomfort, Mr. Kurds chuckled and quickly changed the topic. "Then how about... a bird?"
Mr. Wood searched his memories and found no emotional ties between the senior and birds. He nodded. "Alright. Birds it is."