Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 866 - 431: Mayfly

Taking advantage of his reputation as a well-known eccentric, known to everyone as someone with a game system, Qin Huai directly opened his game system in front of Zhao Cheng'an to check the illustration section.

Just like that, a new entry appeared in the illustration section.

Unlocked illustrations: 10/12

The lit illustration was Zhao Cheng'an's avatar, clicked in.

Surname: Zhao Cheng'an

Species: Mayfly

Status: ???

Dreams: 0/?

Recipe: None

Gift: None

Eh?

Mayfly?

The status was still three question marks.

It was the first time Qin Huai unlocked such a strange illustration; the species was unlocked, yet the status couldn't be unveiled.

The mayfly is a creature Qin Huai knew, emblematic of life's brevity, often quoted by ancient people to denote life's transience.

The most famous line about mayflies that Qin Huai knew was: "To entrust the mayfly to the heavens and earth, a mere speck in the vast sea."

Qin Huai had a fair understanding of the mayfly species, as his high school biology teacher had briefly mentioned it in class. Although the mayfly's adult life seems short—sometimes just a day or a few hours—their juvenile stage is aquatic, spanning months to a year, not truly the "morning born, evening dead" creature.

Overall, mayflies are ancient creatures, frequently referenced in poetry and prose by many scholars throughout history. They are quite famous, unlike the Yujiao, whose name elicits confusion about pigs, something crooked, or crickets with no renown at all.

Qin Huai had only one question now.

Are mayflies also spirits in the Classic of Mountains and Seas?

Is the Classic of Mountains and Seas really that comprehensive?

Qin Huai couldn't resist analyzing Zhao Cheng'an with inquisitive eyes, while Zhao Cheng'an, oblivious to Qin Huai's earlier interaction with the virtual game system, was thoroughly engrossed in examining the painting titled "My Brother" on the wall, determined to glean every detail from it.

"Hey, Qin Huai, did you find this painting particularly heartwarming, reminding you of your sister? In that sense, I think this painting has its merits. Although the artistry is average, the composition is average, the coloring is average, and even the paper and paint are very average, it's cheap and has a unique touch. If the artist becomes famous in the future, maybe in 10 or 8 years, this painting might appreciate in value, qualifying as a successful investment."

Qin Huai closed the illustration section: "I didn't see it that way; my sister would never be so diligent at her desk doing homework. We'd be lucky if she isn't secretly playing on her phone behind our backs."

"I just found this painting pleasing to the eye; the person in it looks familiar and warm, so I took a few more glances," Qin Huai said.

Qin Huai wasn't entirely truthful; after wandering the gallery, he felt each painting was much alike with none striking his fancy. As they were all student works, it was hard to expect a masterpiece that could captivate someone like Qin Huai, who already lacked any discernment in aesthetics and whose aesthetic senses had been strongly challenged recently.

Nonetheless, Zhao Cheng'an's earlier remark wasn't incorrect; the painting's best feature was its low price. At 1800, it was truly affordable. As a testament to Master Zhou's teaching efforts—that his lessons weren't in vain—it wouldn't bother Qin Huai to spend 1800 to buy such a painting to gift Qin Luo.

It might also urge Luoluo to study hard, letting her see how a student from the art academy's younger brother does homework diligently at the desk, while she, however, does it. Where is her focus anyway?

The four words "absent-minded" fit Qin Luo perfectly when it came to doing homework.

Zhao Cheng'an realized: "I get it now, this painting has a special connection, right? That's how you should buy art, trust your gut. Here's the deal, I'll cover the 1800 as a welcome gift for you. Last time I was supposed to treat you all to a meal, but my snacks went untouched, and the leftover dumplings took me five days to finish at home. I finally couldn't stand that plate of fried pumpkin cakes and sent them to my parents. Even my mom complained they got too mushy to eat."

"It being soft isn't my fault, is it? I didn't make those; they were half-cooked products from the supermarket. Blame the manufacturer!" proclaimed Zhao Cheng'an confidently, just when Qin Huai thought he would launch a tirade at the producer, Zhao Cheng'an suddenly shifted his tone, "Qin Huai, there's just one thing I ask of you."

"Keep the receipt for the painting safe, don't let my master see it. If he asks, tell him the painting cost 3600."

"Before we came, my master said if there's any painting you like, he'd buy it for you and reimburse it."

Qin Huai: ...

Come on, buddy, we're spirits too, yet you want to fudge the accounts, pocket the extra 1800 dollars from your master?

You're a mayfly, not a Pixiu or a Three-legged Golden Toad. Have your investments in stocks, funds, antiques, and art been so unsuccessful that you're in this dire situation?

"I...I'll pretend I don't know about this," Qin Huai said tactfully.

Zhao Cheng'an was a tad regretful but understood, considering he wasn't planning to share half of what he pocketed with Qin Huai anyway. Softening his tone, Zhao Cheng'an said, "That's fine, just play along, I'll handle the rest."

Looking at Zhao Cheng'an now, Qin Huai thought he didn't seem much like a spirit, more like a human. He didn't appear to have any particular obsession, except for not wanting to be tethered to a job and always wanting to wander off.