Flash Fiction Takeover Magazine – "The Painter and the Beautiful Woman" by Xiaojie Rong

Flash Fiction Takeover Magazine –

"The Painter and the Beautiful Woman" by Xiaojie Rong

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May 15th, 2026

Flash Fiction Takeover Magazine Contest #2 – First Place

The Painter and the Beautiful Woman

by Xiaojie Rong

“Let me paint your portrait. You’re wonderful,” a street painter called out to a
young woman passing by.

“I am quite beautiful,” the woman stopped, turned around, and smiled. “But I
do have a few small flaws. Can you see them?”

“Hm,” the painter narrowed his eyes and examined her carefully.

“Your right earlobe is slightly larger. There’s a tiny dent on the left side of your
nose bridge. And this eye’s double eyelid isn’t very distinct.”

“That’s right,” the woman smiled and nodded. She took out some money and
handed it to him.

“I’ve always wanted to see what a perfect version of myself would look like.”

“No problem at all,” the painter said, taking the money and immediately starting
to draw.

“...I’ll make you flawless — absolutely perfect...”

The portrait was finished very quickly.

The woman silently took the drawing and examined it carefully — for a long, long
time — without saying a word.

“What’s wrong? Is there something you’re not satisfied with?” the painter tilted
his head and asked.

“No... perhaps... it’s too perfect... and instead...”

As she spoke, the woman slowly crumpled the portrait into a ball.

About the Author
Xiaojie Rong resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Read the writer's biography and Flash Fiction Takeover publications on Xiaojie Rong's Artist Page.

Flash Fiction Takeover Collection
This flash fiction is also featured in Flash Fiction Takeover Collection #2, published in the Flash Fiction Takeover Library.

Keywords: portraiture, beauty, perfection, self awareness, confidence

Previously published in Flash Fiction Takeover Magazine:
You Never Even Told Me Why
by Mary Anne Griffiths

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