Chapter 44: Chapter Forty-Four: Gifts
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Shi Xiu smugly rolled her eyes at Shi Nian. She crossed her legs curiously and waited for Yun Nan’s gift.
Yun Nan handed a box to Shi Xiu. It was heavier than it looked; when Shi Xiu reached out to take it, her hands were dragged down slightly by its weight. “Can I open it?” Shi Xiu asked.
In response, Yun Nan opened the box for her. Before the others could make out what the box contained, Shi Xiu was already squealing excitedly, “No way! These are Yun Nan’s books!”
She stuffed the box into Shi Nian’s arms and took out the book at the top. She eagerly flipped it open and exclaimed once more, “Oh my God, it’s signed—that’s Yun Nan’s signature, right there! Ah, it’s also illustrated! And look, it even has Yun Nan’s signed photo!”
Shi Xiu hugged the book to her chest and jumped up and down gleefully. She then rushed over and hugged Yun Nan. “Sister-in-law! You’re the best, sis! I absolutely love you to bits!”
Xu Yun could only laugh helplessly at her daughter’s behavior. “Calm down, young lady. Listen to yourself, calling Yun Nan sister-in-law in one breath and sis in the next!”
Shi Xiu couldn’t bear to let go of her precious book and defended herself, “That’s because Yun Nan was my idol when she wrote these books. I’m her fan, so of course I call her sister! But, now she’s also my sister-in-law!” Shi Xiu bounced and shouted in joy at that fact.
Yun Nan was also happy that her gift was so well-received. Shi Nian came up to her and said, “Ignore her. She’ll be in this crazy state for a while!”
Yun Nan pursed her lips and smiled. She then took out another gift—a catalog —and gave it to Shi Kong. Shi Kong took a look inside and was pleasantly surprised. “Aren’t these Xi Jin’s artwork? I see that it even has the artist’s three newest paintings! It’s only been a few days, and they’re already made into an artwork collection! And here I was planning on getting Shi Nian to find a way to buy them for me.”
Yun Nan saw that Shi Kong really admired her artwork and couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. “If Grandpa likes them, I’ll get all of them for you.”
“I do like them! I’m particularly fond of Xi Jin’s paintings. I’m her fan! I collect all of her work, but I haven’t seen this artwork catalog. This is great! It’s amazing! This gift will be treasured! I like it very much!”
Seeing how delighted the old man was over the catalog, Yun Nan suddenly felt that her gift was too stingy and blurted out, “If you would like, Grandpa, I will give you the original copies of these three paintings after we’ve finished promoting the movie.”
Shi Kong absentmindedly nodded as he smoothed his hand over the artwork catalog before his mind caught up, and he was stunned. “The originals? Are they available for sale? Oh my, Yun Nan! Are you saying you’re able to buy Xi Jin’s original paintings? Quickly now, tell Grandpa how much they cost! I’ll purchase them myself. You don’t have to spend money on this!” he enthused, thrilled at the prospect of owning the original paintings.
Yun Nan was about to respond when Shi Nian replied indifferently, “There’s no need for that. Yun Nan already said she would give them to you after she’s finished using them. If you truly can’t wait, you can come to our house and look at the paintings anytime. They’re placed in the corner of the balcony.” ‘Huh? Shi Kong stared at his grandson, mouth agape.
Shi Nian put his arm around Yun Nan’s shoulder and said very calmly,
“Grandpa, meet Xi Jin. Xi Jin is Yun Nan’s pseudonym.”
The whole family was astonished. “How did you know?” Yun Nan asked softly in surprise.
Shi Nian’s expression was extremely proud as he answered, “I’m not blind! Did you think I wouldn’t notice the paintings on the balcony? How could I not be familiar with the house’s chair and curtains in your Weibo photo?”
‘Ah, so that’s it,’ Yun Nan thought. She thought he wasn’t interested in such things, so she casually drew and placed her paintings in a corner of the living room. She didn’t expect him to be so attentive and suddenly felt a little touched.
Shi Kong was so elated that he lowered his voice, afraid he would accidentally DreaK apart tne ‘tantasy’ Detore mm It ne spoke too loudly. “HeallY( Yun mang IS it true?”
Yun Nan felt slightly shy and quickly confirmed, “Xi Jin was the pen name I used when I first submitted my artwork.”
“It’s true! It really is you!” Shi Kong was overjoyed at the news.
“Yun Nan, you’re amazing! How are you so outstanding?! Grandpa, Grandpa! Look at this hidden treasure my brother married!” Shi Xiu gushed as she grabbed Shi Kong’s arm and shook it repeatedly. Shi Kong could only nod persistently, still taking in this tremendous surprise.
Yun Nan felt a little swamped by their praises, so she hastily took out the gifts she’d prepared for her in-laws. “Mom and Dad, these are for you.”
Xu Yun accepted her gift, looked at it, and marveled, “Oh!”
Shi Xiu rushed forward to take a peek. “Oh wow, this is exquisite!” she cried out.
Yun Nan presented Xu Yun with 12 miniature qipao samples and told Xu Yun, “I’ve made a documentary about cheongsams before. I picked out twelve styles and made this series. They’re all made of real silk, and the button knot craftsmanship on them is also a legacy of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.”
“Me too, Yun Nan! I want this, too! Can I have this as well? Dear sister-in-law, you wouldn’t reject me, would you?” Shi Xiu spiritedly chattered.
Xu Yun gently thwacked her daughter and smilingly said, “Don’t be greedy! Each and every one of Yun Nan’s gifts is a gem, and here you are, wishing to take it all for yourself!”
Yun Nan chuckled and commented, “I thought that Shi Xiu wouldn’t like such things, so even though I prepared a similar gift for your other sister-in-law, I don’t have one for you…”
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