"He seemed a bit sad, so I took a photo with him in front of a painting of Super Mario for him to remember his friends," Liu said. "We were very happy to see so many genuinely smiling faces."

He added that villagers sent them food as a token of thanks, and some came to see them off when they left.

Both men were born in small villages in Yunnan and have a deep love of the countryside. Though their business only just manages to break even, they both agreed on doing the paintings for free.

Encouraged by their reception, the pair traveled to Liu's hometown in Yongsheng county in Lijiang in September to paint more murals. "What's the use of them?" "It's illogical, ships can't fly in the sky!" The doubts voiced by some older villagers didn't deter the duo, who remain determined to beautify villages and add a touch of color to cultural life in the countryside.

Liu said he previously painted random images on city walls and abandoned factories, but he now prefers working in the countryside, where he makes use of more Chinese elements and paints on themes such as animal protection. He stresses that he is not a graffitist. "It can take time for people to accept our work," Liu said, adding that he'd once explained to a villager that he would give the dragon he was painting a pair of peaceful eyes.

With four satisfying murals finished so far, attitudes have gradually changed. "Some residents from neighboring villages have even knocked on my door and invited me to paint their walls," he said.