The Versatile Master Artist

Chapter 122 - 92: Empathy (Part 3)

Molly said with tearful eyes.

Gu Weijing smiled and shook his head, holding the little girl’s hand, "You’re not dirty at all, you’re simply beautiful. How about I teach you the dance of the European princess? You’re the first girl I’ve ever invited to dance."

"Cough... Brother, she... has AIDS."

Du Wen couldn’t help but remind him from the side, thinking Gu Weijing might not have noticed the red ribbon on Jasmine’s hand.

The female dean of the orphanage also noticed the situation over here and walked over.

After hesitating for a moment, the dean softly said, "Xiaogu, it’s okay to let Jasmine play on her own."

Du Wen is not an exception; many kind-hearted volunteers at the orphanage are also very cautious about contacting children with infectious diseases.

Mr. Xiao Gu, who often comes to donate or help at the orphanage, is an extremely good young man.

She didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable.

However, Gu Weijing did not let go of Molly’s hand and shook his head, "I know, but it’s okay, AIDS won’t spread through holding hands."

The United Nations International Health Organization has an almost free public project for AIDS antiretroviral treatment, making AIDS treatment very affordable.

Jasmine also takes related medication regularly at the orphanage, and the viral load in her blood is not high, so the risk of transmission from normal contact is very low.

Many families with AIDS live together for ten or twenty years, and the infected family member does not transmit the virus to others.

This normal contact, as long as you overcome your own psychological barriers, generally poses no issue.

Faced with such a tearful request from a little girl, Gu Weijing simply couldn’t say no.

"Ah."

The orphanage’s female dean sighed with emotion.

Many people understand this principle, but how many are truly willing to smile and hold the hand of a red ribbon child?

Princess Diana became the most beloved royal member in the world over the past half-century, or even a century, largely because during a visit by the United States President’s wife in the 1990s, she calmly embraced a child who tested positive for AIDS and shook hands with several AIDS patients.

This action shocked the world,

Time Magazine called Princess Diana the "Angel of Mercy."

Even France, which has historically clashed with the British Royal Family, with the largest newspaper circulation in France, World Newspaper, described her action as "world-changing."

The photo of the princess holding hands with an AIDS patient became one of the most classic political news photos in the past thirty years.

The only comparable photo might be the New York Times’ capture of the "Collapse Instant of the World Trade Center Twin Towers," a global shot of the same caliber.

This again shows how shocking and touching people find intimate contact with known AIDS patients.

"Brother, what’s your name?" asked Du Wen with a complex expression.

"His surname is Gu, Gu Weijing, the most upright young man I’ve ever met," the female dean took a deep breath, "If I had a son like that, I would be willing to live thirty years less."

The sun gradually set in the west,

while Gu Weijing patiently danced with the little girl all afternoon.

He didn’t deceive the little girl,

she was indeed dancing a European princess’s dance, once personally taught by Louis XV, nothing more authentic.

Court dances are not too complex, and the little girl, being so flexible, really looked the part as her skirt swirled.

Until the dusk set in, with their clothes drenched in sweat, she reluctantly went off to wash, change, and eat as called by the female dean. With limited hot water here, relying solely on a coal furnace, only a quick wipe was possible, and baths were reserved for weekends.

Gu Weijing didn’t immediately go home; he lit a candle in the orphanage yard, took out his phone, and opened the photo album.

That volunteer who inexplicably kept questioning him today, watched for a long time while he danced with Jasmine.

The volunteer always seemed on the verge of speaking, then took out his phone and shot several photos.

Gu Weijing did not stop him, only asking to airdrop the photos via the Apple phone.

When it comes to recording reality, photos are undoubtedly a quick method.

Gu Weijing hoped that the volunteer captured the little girl’s most genuine joyful expressions, to use as a template for his painting.

"Why does he keep photographing me?"

After looking at a couple of photos, Gu Weijing felt a bit helpless.

Out of ten photos, the focus was on Gu Weijing himself in nine of them.

Admittedly, the old fellow’s photography skills were commendable, almost professional, and combined with the international school uniform’s elegance,

it gave the image of Gu Weijing and the little girl dancing hand in hand a gentle and modest touch, truly looking distinguished.

However,

this wasn’t what he wanted.

"This one is okay."

After searching for a while, Gu Weijing found a decent photo, with the little girl’s blue dress swirling, a bright smile on her face.

He picked up his paintbrush under the candlelight.