C1445 Soul shedding

I asked, Is this a joke? I don't know much about calligraphy and painting.

Jin Ling put a hand on my shoulder and said to himself: "Could it be that you can't feel my heart's desire when you're inside these calligraphy and paintings?"

My heart jerked.

Jin Ling did not point it out directly. Instead, he laughed at himself and helped me to sit on the sofa