Across Ranch Story: Friends of Mineral Town

Chapter 160: Coffee with Peanuts & Chestnuts?

Out of human curiosity, Lin Xia also moved over and took a closer look.

From top to bottom, from far to near, if conditions allowed, Lin Xia would have wanted to take a look from above. Unfortunately, she could not see any deep meaning at all. She turned around and was about to tell Brandon that she was going to have afternoon tea after looking at the clothes rack, but she saw that Brandon was no longer staring at the wood, but at herself.

“Ah… You seem to care about this work.”

Lin Xia: ... Not really.

“…The title of this work is ‘Consciousness from the Universe’.”

Lin Xia: No wonder I didn’t understand it, the universe is so far away.

"It's not finished yet." Brandon added slowly.

Lin Xia: … You were panting so hard. Fortunately, I didn’t say anything out loud.

However, as if he had found someone who was interested, Brandon opened up completely: "One day I dreamed that I was drifting in space. This work is the embodiment of the inspiration from that dream."

"Ah~ You can actually materialize the things you dreamed about, that's amazing!" Lin Xia began to brag about it, saying that the artist's imagination was really extraordinary.

"...No, there's nothing special about it." Brandon said disapprovingly, "If you ask me, people who can't turn impressions into entities simply lack patience. When you want to do something, even if you can't depict a specific image in your mind, there will still be a vague outline.

If you want to turn an impression into a clear entity, as long as you have the patience to describe it repeatedly, it will become a reality sooner or later. This is just practice makes perfect. Therefore, I cannot understand the mentality of those who give up. If they don’t immediately turn the wonderful inspiration in their hearts into reality... How can they still look calm and peaceful?

No matter who you are, everyone has their own inner world. If everyone can turn it into reality, I think the world will be full of art. "

Is this the artist's persistence?

At this moment, Lin Xia truly admired Brandon. Although this person's emotional intelligence was sometimes very low and he seemed completely detached from real life, she had to admit that his inner purity and his persistent pursuit of art or his own beliefs would not tolerate any carelessness.

"Can I see your other works? To be honest, I have rarely come into contact with these works of art before, almost never, and now I suddenly want to learn more about them."

“Oh? Do you want to see more of the work?” Brandon showed a smile that Lin Xia had never seen before. Although he always had a polite smile on his face when greeting people in the past, Lin Xia could guarantee that at this moment, his smile came from the inside out, a smile that fully expressed his inner joy. It was so... alluring...

"There are some of my recent works on the table over there. Please feel free to do whatever you want. I'll go make some coffee~"

After saying that, he left. Lin Xia came back to her senses from Brandon's smile. When she understood the meaning of his words and wanted to stop him, it was too late. She didn't want to drink coffee.

Forget it. Lin Xia started to walk to the table where the works were placed and carefully looked at the works of the great artists.

After she had finished looking at all the dozen or so works, Lin Xia turned around and found that Brandon had come back with his coffee and seemed to have been waiting for her for a while. Lin Xia said embarrassedly that she had not noticed him.

Brandon smiled and said, "It's okay. You seemed to be enjoying the work, so I was a little concerned."

Lin Xia was embarrassed for a moment. To be honest, apart from a few works that could be specifically identified, such as concrete works like kittens, puppies, and forests, Lin Xia could not figure out what the other abstract works were even if she used divergent thinking and racked her brains. However, the works that could be understood definitely reflected Brandon's strength. The works were very delicately portrayed, and the animals and scenes were lifelike, making people unable to help but indulge in them.

"Because these are all great works!" Lin Xia exclaimed sincerely.

“…I see. It feels good to have my work praised.”

Lin Xia felt that what he said was purely polite. You know, even people in this small town knew that he was a famous artist when they heard his name. It was conceivable how popular his works and he would be in those big cities, not to mention how his works would be praised. But saying this at this moment could only be regarded as another kind of compliment.

"Ah, so that's how it is. Although it's hard to tell from your appearance, you also look like a weirdo."

Lin Xia: ... Are you polite? Do you ever say that to others?

It was obvious that Lin Xia was unhappy. After all, how could someone be having a pleasant chat one moment and then call someone a weirdo the next? Brandon continued, "After all, you can talk to me so much."

Lin Xia: ... Oh~

Brandon stroked his forehead and said in confusion, "Most people just said a few words to me and then wanted to leave immediately. I didn't deliberately make the atmosphere awkward, it's just that I seemed to be speaking harshly."

Lin Xia: Get rid of the "seeming" and be more confident. You are such a young man~

Could she say she wanted to leave too?

"...But I don't care at all." Brandon regained his calm and composed demeanor.

Lin Xia: …Okay, it’s time to leave.

"By the way, there is also a miniature version of the work you are looking at." As he said this, he walked to the work table.

Lin Xia was confused. Which work? What did she watch?

At this time, Brandon brought a small sculpture over and handed it to Lin Xia, saying, "This is for you. The official name is "Lying Down in a Nightmare, or Insomnia."

Lin Xia looked at the copper sculpture in her hand and didn't know what to say. What work was this miniature version of? Forgive her poor eyesight, she really couldn't tell!

"Thank you~Thank you~" Lin Xia thanked him with difficulty.

Brandon seemed very happy and said, "Come back next time, and let me hear your thoughts on the work."

Lin Xia was horrified: There is no need to do that. Can this thing be returned? Lin Xia felt miserable.

Of course, Lin Xia would never do such a rude and uncultured thing, but she has made up her mind not to come unless it is necessary, and she will not talk to him about his work even if she comes, never!

After watching Lin Xia carefully put the work he gave her into the space, Brandon warmly invited Lin Xia to have coffee.

Lin Xia: "Oh, by the way, Brandon, I'm here to invite you out for afternoon tea with Gotz. I brought some fried peanuts and chestnuts!"

Brandon stroked his chin and thought, "Coffee with peanuts and chestnuts, this idea is really unique. Okay, let's go out and try it!"

Lin Xia: ... Who wants peanuts and chestnuts with your coffee? You drink the coffee yourself, and I drink juice and fruit milk. Aren’t they delicious?

Lin Xia was the first to walk out of Brandon's workshop and came to the dining table in the living room. She invited Gotz to come for afternoon tea and took out various snacks in her own space. In addition to chestnuts and peanuts, she also took out the remaining roasted sweet potatoes, French fries, and popcorn.

After washing his hands, Gotz came to the table and looked at the rich snacks on the table with great joy. At this time, footsteps were heard at the door. The three of them turned their heads at the same time and saw that it was -

"Harris~ Lin Xia happens to be here today, and we are having afternoon tea! Come over!" Gotz greeted warmly.

Lin Xia said that something seemed wrong today, and it turned out that Harris was not there!

After Harris hung his raincoat on the hanger at the door, he came to the table happily: "Wow~ Today's afternoon tea is so rich!"

"Yes, today these are all snacks provided by Lin Xia, oh, and coffee made by Brandon."

Harris: "Then I'll also provide some tea. Does anyone like tea?"

Lin Xia's eyes lit up: "I like it! What kind of tea is it?"

Harris: "This is our specialty leisure tea. Gotz, go boil some water and I'll make some for everyone. These teas are all my father's treasured collection!"

Lin Xia: "I drank the leisure tea at the dwarves' place this spring. It tastes very unique!"

Harris: “Hey, yeah!”

Brandon: "Really? I haven't had leisure tea yet, I'm going to taste it today!"