Chapter 589: 274 Quasi-Mythical Descent, Past and Present_2
Chapter 589: Chapter 274 Quasi-Mythical Descent, Past and Present_2
And this type of store generally sells nostalgia; business should be good most of the time.
“Jack Clark, I’m taking you to a good place.”
After wandering around in the old town, Freya Louise suddenly turned and led Jack Clark through the winding streets to the small hill behind.
This was the side of the boundary between the old town and the New City District. Standing at the peak, one could overlook the prosperity on the left and the old and worn on the right.
The girls had a hint of a smile in their eyes, proudly saying, “How about that, isn’t there a strong sense of impact between the old and new eras, like standing in the middle of history?”
Jack Clark exclaimed, “Indeed, I didn’t expect that just by changing the perspective, the view would look completely different, it’s quite shocking.”
Freya Louise said reflectively, “I stumbled upon this perfect spot last year. Whenever I stand here, I feel incredibly insignificant.”
“To Blue Star, which has existed for God knows how many billions of years, our human existence is like ephemeral plankton, perhaps one day to vanish entirely.”
Freya Louise suddenly asked, “Jack Clark, do you think humans will have a day when they disappear?”
“Why would you suddenly ask this question?”
Jack Clark looked at her curiously and then thought, “If you had asked this fifty years ago, I probably would have said that there might come such a day.”
“Back then, with human technology, it only would have taken an asteroid capable of destroying the surface of the earth to erase the entire civilization of humanity.”
“But now it’s different; we have mastered the path to bring great power into our own hands.”
“As long as we keep getting stronger, strong enough to destroy the world (the planet), travel across the stars, even if the world is destroyed, humans will still exist.”
“And my current cultivation goal is to one day become strong enough for eternal existence, to reign above time itself.”
When talking about eternal existence, Jack Clark’s tone was very calm, as if he truly could achieve it—full of confidence. In that moment, against the backdrop of prosperity and aging behind him, he gave Freya Louise a powerful sense of impact.
Freya Louise’s gaze twinkled, and she suddenly said, “Jack Clark, let me paint a picture for you.”
Uh… weren’t we just talking about life a moment ago? How did it suddenly turn to painting?
“Sure.” Although a bit baffled, Jack Clark nodded in agreement.
Then he watched as Freya Louise took out easels, paper, and brushes from another Sumeru Bracelet, setting them up along with a small stool to perch on, as she began to find the right angle.
“Jack Clark, move a little to the left.”
“Right, just slightly turn your back to me and look ahead…”
The painting session lasted for hours. Freya Louise had a pile of discarded paper at her feet, but she was still unable to capture that fleeting moment of shock.
As the sunset was about to dip below the horizon and Jack Clark, who had been standing pose for hours, couldn’t help but speak up, “…Freya Louise, I think maybe next time we could continue the painting?”
“Just wait a bit more; it’s almost finished.” Freya Louise’s hands moved slowly.
In her work, one half depicted time-worn, quasi-mythical relics, and the other half the bustling modern human city, with Jack Clark standing between them, hands folded behind him, giving the impression that he stood at the strange juncture of the present and the past.
Once the final details were done, Freya Louise let out a long breath, her face breaking into a smile: “Jack Clark, it’s done.”
“Finally finished.” Jack Clark breathed a sigh of relief; even for him, holding a pose for hours was a bit awkward.
However, he was somewhat surprised when he saw the painting. He had thought that, like the last time, it would be a realistic scene, but it was actually an abstract painting.
After she packed up the easel and brushes, Freya Louise winked at him but didn’t give him the painting. It seemed she planned to keep it for herself.
Well, if it’s not for him, it’s not for him. At that moment, Jack Clark glanced at the darkening sky and suddenly said, “Freya Louise, do you feel like having some grilled fish?”
“Grilled fish?”
“Yes, grilled fish, and this fish is a bit special.” Jack Clark said with a smile, and took out his mobile phone to send a message to Glenn Clark, asking him to bring his equipment to wait for him under the bridge at the edge of town.
The old town wasn’t far from the riverside; just a few miles downhill, about ten minutes’ walk at a strolling speed.
As they chatted on their way to the town’s edge, Glenn Clark was already waiting for them by the road with his motorcycle and the barbecue grill attached to it.
Seeing the delicate girl walking with Jack Clark, Glenn Clark was surprised: “Sister Freya Louise, you’re here too.”
Although Freya Louise had been back for more than two months, most of her time was either spent at school reading or at home and not wandering around Jack Clark’s place.
After all, Jack Clark wasn’t there.
“Long time no see, Tiger.” Freya Louise greeted with a smiling voice, only she was somewhat surprised to see the youth who had become twice as imposing as he was three months ago.
Jack Clark said smilingly, “Jim, make sure you bring out the twenty years of professional grilling skills you’ve developed today to properly honor your Sister Freya Louise.”
“Alright, watch me, bro!” Excitedly, Glenn Clark carried the grill and his fishing gear toward the riverside under the bridge.
As Glenn Clark ran down, Freya Louise couldn’t help but smirk: “Your ‘professional grilling for twenty years’ is a bit of an exaggeration, isn’t it? Tiger is clearly only fourteen.”
Jack Clark laughed: “Don’t let his age fool you, this fellow has gotten quite a talent for fishing and grilling over time, his grilling skill has reached a state of perfection.”
“Though I only smelled it yesterday, I felt the flavor was no worse than those professional grill masters.”
The girl’s eyes showed skepticism: “So you mean you haven’t actually tasted it?”
“Cough! There was a bit of an issue yesterday, so I didn’t get to eat, but today we can try it together.”