Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Cherishing Talent, a Letter
He Qiang chuckled sheepishly. Blocking a young woman’s doorway was indeed improper. As an upright gentleman, he quickly explained, "I saw your brother’s artwork is excellent. I got curious and asked him a few questions. He ignored me and went straight inside. I’m at an age where I have no other intentions, so please don’t get the wrong idea. You know, I used to be a professor at the Yan Country Art Academy. I got on the wrong side of someone and was reported."
Zhao Nuanyue paused. Only then did she remember that He Qiang was a professor from the Yan Country Art Academy. Her brother loved to draw, and although he was self-taught, having a teacher provide a formal education would be of immense benefit to his artistic development.
"Ah, that’s wonderful," Zhao Nuanyue said respectfully. "My brother is a bit withdrawn. I’ve discovered he has a real talent for drawing, so I’ve done everything I can to get him brushes and paper. Now that you’ve praised him too, I’ll definitely have him continue learning. With a professor like you here, I hope you’ll offer him some guidance when you have the time."
"Yes, of course!" He Qiang nodded repeatedly, unable to hide his eagerness. "Could you bring out your brother’s drawings for me to see? I’d like to study them closely. If possible, I could give him some constructive advice that will help him in the future."
"Okay." Zhao Nuanyue nodded.
Afterward, He Qiang looked at the drawings Zhao Nuanyue brought out. He examined them very seriously, critiquing them one by one in the courtyard.
Inside the house, although Zhao Nuanyang was unwilling to come out, he perked up his ears and listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word. He Qiang deliberately lowered his voice. When Zhao Nuanyang could no longer hear clearly from inside, he grew anxious and opened the door on his own.
When Zhao Nuanyue saw her brother open the door of his own accord, she was overjoyed. ’He didn’t just open a door,’ she thought. ’He opened the door to knowledge. He opened his own heart and took the most important step out of his little world.’
Zhao Nuanyang was still a little scared with a stranger present, but with his sister there, he felt safe enough to sit beside her, though he didn’t dare to look at He Qiang.
He Qiang, having been a teacher before, understood a little about social withdrawal. So, just as before, he didn’t focus on Zhao Nuanyang and simply continued his critique. Gradually, Zhao Nuanyang began to follow the sound of his voice and look toward He Qiang.
Zhao Nuanyue was delighted. She was endlessly grateful to He Qiang, often making him delicious food. She even used some old clothes to make him a cotton-padded jacket as a thank you.
And just like that, Zhao Nuanyang gradually accepted this teacher and began to study with He Qiang. Under He Qiang’s guidance, Zhao Nuanyang’s artistic skills improved by leaps and bounds.
The smile on Zhao Nuanyang’s face grew brighter, and his laughter was pure and pleasant to the ear. Seeing her brother like this, Zhao Nuanyue was relieved, hoping he would slowly get better.
With the New Year only half a month away, the village commune began distributing goods according to work-points. Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuanyang, and Hua Yusen each collected their share for the past six months of labor. As for Li Qiong, Wang Yuan, and Yang Guanghui, since they weren’t present, their shares were kept at the commune office to be given to them when they returned next year.
Just as Zhao Nuanyue was busy preparing for the New Year, she unexpectedly received a letter from Jincheng City. Inside were two train tickets, twenty yuan, and several jin of grain coupons. The letter told them to return to Jincheng City for the New Year.
When Zhao Nuanyang saw his sister receive the letter, he ran over excitedly, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her and asked, "Sister, is that a letter from Mom?"
Obviously, Zhao Nuanyang wanted to read it.
So, Zhao Nuanyue handed the letter to her brother, a sour feeling in her heart.
Seeing the letter and the train tickets inside, Zhao Nuanyang grew even happier. He tugged his sister’s hand, swinging it back and forth. "Train tickets! We’re going home! To Mom!"
Seeing her brother’s eyes full of hope and his expression of pure joy, her heart ached with sorrow. ’How can I explain the reality of our mother and our stepfather’s family to him?’
"Do you miss Mom, Nuanyang?" Zhao Nuanyue asked softly. Although she already guessed the answer, she still wanted to hear her brother say it.
"Mhm, Nuanyang misses home. I miss Mom," Zhao Nuanyang nodded. "Sister, can we go back and see Mom? Please?"
"Have you forgotten that Mom has a new baby now?" Zhao Nuanyue replied. "Perhaps... there’s no place for us in that home anymore."
’In fact, it’s not a perhaps. It’s a certainty.’
Hearing his sister’s words, the pure, radiant smile on Zhao Nuanyang’s face gradually faded. He lowered his head, looking dejected. After a long moment, he slowly looked up again. "Let’s go see."
’Go see?’
’Is my smart, sensitive brother also wanting to go back just to see if there’s truly any place left for them there?’
"Alright! We’ll go back then," Zhao Nuanyue nodded. ’Once he sees it for himself, he’ll be able to let go of any hope.’
’It’s cruel, but only after he gives up hope will he be on guard against them. Only then can he better protect himself.’
"Mhm," Zhao Nuanyang nodded. "Sister, don’t be afraid. Nuanyang will protect you."
Her brother understood everything. He had always accompanied and protected Zhao Nuanyue in his own way, a gesture that was incredibly warm and comforting.
Ever since receiving the letter, Zhao Nuanyue had been completely out of sorts.
In her past life, after her mother got pregnant, the letters stopped. There were certainly no grain coupons or train tickets sent. ’So why did I receive them this time?’
Zhao Nuanyue had suffered terribly in her past life. When it came to any show of goodwill from her stepfather and mother, she never hesitated to assume the worst.
Zhao Nuanyue was chopping a large cabbage, recalling her past life. ’What exactly happened this year?’
Back then, she had stayed in Nianqiao Village for three years until her stepfather arranged for her to return to the city when she turned eighteen. At that time, she had been ecstatic to receive the news, thinking she could finally leave the poor, remote countryside. Little did she know she was jumping into a pit of fire—a hell that would torment her for half her life.
"Ah!" Zhao Nuanyue suddenly felt a sharp pain in her hand. She looked down to see bright red blood flowing from her finger. ’Oops, I was distracted and cut myself.’
Just then, Hua Yusen came in and saw Zhao Nuanyue’s bleeding finger. He strode over, quickly grabbed her hand, and put the injured finger in his mouth.
’Saliva to stop the bleeding?’
Zhao Nuanyue felt Hua Yusen sucking on her fingertip. A strange, tingling numbness made her shiver, and she tried to pull her hand back, but Hua Yusen was too strong, and she couldn’t break free.
"You... you..." Zhao Nuanyue was flustered. The sensation was too intimate for her to handle.
Hua Yusen took out a handkerchief. Seeing that the bleeding had stopped, he wrapped Zhao Nuanyue’s finger and scolded with a frown, "So careless. What were you thinking about?"
