The art gallery was silent except for the sound of footsteps across the polished floor and the clicking of professional cameras. Light shone through the window casting shadows below the canvas hang through the gallery. Jiaquan stood in front of one artwork. Stranger's whispers lingered behind him. Photographers taking pictures of the artwork that Jiaquan was gazing at.
'Silent canvas' by the late Wen Lan.
It was a painting of a young boy chasing butterflies, orange-brown strikes and black patterns on its elongated wings. At first glance, it seems like just a child chasing after butterflies. "Freedom" is what most would call it, in usual times, artworks like this had been ignored mainly because it was overused. But if one who's enthusiastic about butterflies would know that these aren't any ordinary butterflies. Its' black-tipped wings signalled danger, although it looked beautiful, there was poison hidden inside them.
Jiaquan's eyes lingered on the painting, tracing the boy's outstretched hand and that young boy was non-other than the young Wen Lan. That clueless young Wen Lan doing his best to chase up to butterflies that looked stunning but once touched that's when their true colours show
"Excuse me" a voice called out from behind Jiaquan. Jiaquan turned to look, it was a smaller omega holding a camera in hand.
"Do you mind letting me take a full picture of this artwork?" the omega asked, Jiaquan nodded moving aside. If Wen Lan was here right now and had received this request, Jiaquan could imagine the smile on Wen Lan's face knowing that someone had wanted to picture his astonishing art work.
The omega snapped some pictures then let his camera hang on the strap around his shoulders. He stared closer at the artwork. Reading the description.
'Silent canvas' by the late Wen Lan.
A boy chases butterflies, fragile and radiant, unaware of the danger they carry. In their wings lies both beauty and poison. a fleeting glimpse of freedom shadowed by unseen peril.
The omega looked at Jiaquan and said, "I get why you like this artwork so much now. This might be the most reasonable artwork that I've seen. It's a shame that the artist isn't here to explain his artwork . It looked ordinary but that butterfly drawn, it's the african swallowtail isn't it"
Jiaquan nodded quietly, his gaze returning to the artwork. At that moment, he felt Wen Lan's presence heavier than ever.
"You must be a butterfly expert to understand this artwork, do you think the artist died of old age?" the omega added, "do you think the artist died of old age?"
Jiaquan shook his head, "he's my boyfriend" he answered casually.
The omega was shocked and stayed quiet. "Sorry… you know what, I'll do my best to make sure this artwork wins first place!"
Jiaquan smiled, "Thank you, I'm sure he'll be delighted."
The omega extended a hand, "what's your name?"
"Jiaquan" he answered
"Nice to meet you! I'm Kevin!"