Chapter 27: For the Sake of Art, My Younger Lover

"Xia Shu, I want to paint an oil painting this afternoon."

"Of course!"

"I'll need you to make a sacrifice for art..."

"!!!"

"Nervous?"

"Well, not really. I'll do my best to cooperate."

Xia Shu had been watching TV with Su Rouxue. He was leaning against the sofa, and she was resting against his chest. As the final scenes of their show played out, Su Rouxue suddenly turned to look at him. Her bright, beautiful eyes blinked with a longing that made it impossible for her boyfriend to refuse.

Of course, the mention of oil painting made Xia Shu immediately aware that being a nude model would be an extraordinary experience. Why do painters need to paint nude figures? First, people have different behavioral norms and psychological expectations about nude art, leading to varied perspectives. From an artistic standpoint, the nude is an inevitable subject in oil painting—art seeks to express both nature and humanity, and the human body is a subtle bridge between the two.

Oil painting is a form of figurative art, and figure painting is one of its branches. To portray the allure of the human form, one must master its structure, capturing both likeness and spirit. Xia Shu remembered the brief introduction to oil painting from his art classes in middle and high school, where he also learned that great oil painters have rigorous standards for their models.

Still, he suspected that Su Rouxue's desire for him as her model had more to do with her special tastes than strict artistic criteria.

"Color is the most important element in oil painting. Everyone perceives color differently, but every painter considers harmony, temperature, and the influence of light. When painting a body, artists think about how to use color to express the skin, the volume, the contrasts between light and shadow, the interplay of clarity and vagueness," she explained. "So when creating an oil painting, we hope the model can relax as much as possible, and that we find the right background and special lighting to discover true artistic beauty!"

"Oil painting is my strongest suit. I'm not joking—my last piece, when auctioned, nearly reached a six-figure price."

As Su Rouxue took out her painting tools, she spoke confidently, sharing her latest achievements while explaining her craft to Xia Shu.

"A six-figure painting?!" Xia Shu was stunned, envious of such a sum. Compared to his own work—writing novels like "My Wife Is Unconventional," updating daily, sometimes even writing ten thousand words in a single day, and after a month of hard work only expecting six or seven thousand yuan—her casual painting out-earned him by far.

He had thought his ability to earn through writing was admirable, but compared to his wife’s paintings, he was left in the dust. Xia Shu, always competitive, couldn’t help but want to match or even surpass those closest to him. Knowing Su Rouxue’s last painting had sold for six figures, he started plotting ways to make his writing more profitable.

He was determined not to fall too far behind her—at the very least, he had to keep up. After all, if the gap grew too wide, a man’s pride would inevitably take a hit.

His anxieties weren't unusual. Perhaps most men, when faced with a partner who earns far more, can’t help but feel the same way. Maybe that’s why people say, "When you meet the right person, you both strive to become better together."

"You really don’t need to be so surprised. I spent half a month working very seriously on that painting, and I was in an inspired state. Such inspiration is rare—without it, the painting might not have been so valuable," Su Rouxue said with a gentle smile, leading Xia Shu into her studio. "And for true masters, they don’t need others to judge the worth of their art. As for me, I’m a bit more practical—I still seek affirmation through others’ praise."

Her studio was spacious—twice the size of the living room. As they entered, Xia Shu felt Su Rouxue’s passion for painting in every detail. Even the floor bore traces of past creations.

"But in my eyes, you’re already a master!" Xia Shu declared in awe. Following Su Rouxue’s instructions, they both entered the studio barefoot.

"Your compliments matter far more to me than anyone else’s," she giggled. "Now, darling, it’s time for you to make your sacrifice for art..."

Su Rouxue took Xia Shu’s hand and led him to the window. She drew the innermost sheer curtain—thin enough for light, thick enough for privacy—letting a gentle glow fill the room.

"All right, I understand," Xia Shu said, drawing a deep breath. He was, admittedly, a little nervous. But as a man, his actions were decisive. For his beloved, wasn’t this sacrifice an honor?

However—

"What are you doing? You don’t need to take off your pants..." Su Rouxue’s eyes widened as she saw Xia Shu, eager to cooperate, preparing to bare everything.

"Oh? Oh—right! I got ahead of myself. Ha, ha..." Xia Shu grinned sheepishly, realizing from her expression that she hadn’t meant for him to strip completely. He quickly put his pants back on, but—

"Wait, pull them u