Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Young People Are Really Amusing
Chapter 60: Young People Are Really Amusing
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the end, Lin Xiaowan began to draw and paint. She drew a colorful abstract flower. If it was hung up for exhibition, one would not know what it was without an explanation.
The old professor looked quite satisfied. “This little girl’s painting is quite unique. She’s quite good.”
Lin Xiaowan did not know the reasoning behind the praise, but she was still happy to be praised.
After that, the two chatted. It was a simple question-and-answer session. After that, the professor accepted her as a student.
“Alright, you’re not bad. From now on, you’ll have to address me as teacher,” the old professor said with a smile, “If you want, you can also call me Grandma. I have a few students who address me as Grandma Hong.”
The professor’s name was Hong Minhua.
After that, Hong Minhua gave Lin Xiaowan a name card. The name Xiao Han was printed on it, and there was also a string of numbers.
“This is my student. He’s the most patient one among all my students. I don’t know what kind of art style you like, but his foundation and sketches are top-notch. Let him teach you the basics first. I’m old so I don’t have the mindset of young people like you. If you have any questions, you can come to me. Don’t feel embarrassed. When you’ve learned the basic brush strokes, I’ll teach you some color techniques.”
Hong Minhua brought her tablet out and skillfully opened his social media QR code and said, “Come here. I’ll give you my contact information.”
“Okay,” Lin Xiaowan said, reaching out to Huo Zheng to ask for her phone. She had handed her bag to him earlier.
This was Hong Minhua’s first time accepting a student who did not go through the systemic learning process. She had more than ten students, and all of them were art students. Lin Xiaowan was naturally different from those people.
When Huo Zheng contacted Hong Minhua previously, he had told her that there was no need to be too strict with Lin Xiaowan. After all, it was not like Lin Xiaowan was going to make this a career or hoping to gain fame and success. Instead of saying she was teaching Lin Xiaowan, it was more like she was asked to look after a good friend’s child. For this reason, she did not assess Lin Xiaowan like she would her students and only treated Lin Xiaowan as a junior.
Lin Xiaowan listened to instructions very well. She had a keen sense of colors and had her own ideas. However, if she were to be judged professionally, she definitely was not qualified to be a student of Hong Minhua.
Nonetheless, Hong Minhua quite liked Lin Xiaowan. She was very satisfied that the younger generation took an interest in art.
After exchanging contact details, they had lunch together. It was only then that Lin Xiaowan found that Hong Minhua had known the Huo brothers for a long time now. She sighed inwardly, ‘It seems like everyone from aristocratic families run in the same circle…’
During lunch, Hong Minhua grew fonder and fonder of Lin Xiaowan as they spoke. She only had a son, and her son and daughter-in-law also gave birth to a son. She really wished she had a daughter or granddaughter whom she could spoil. It was not that she did not like boys, but it would be perfect if she had a girl as well.
Apart from that, it was not like there were no girls at Lin Xiaowan’s age around her. However, girls raised in aristocratic families were very serious and ambitious. To put it bluntly, they were not fun to play with and could not be teased casually. This set Lin Xiaowan apart from them.
Hong Minhua picked up a piece of vegetable with her chopsticks and placed it in Lin Xiaowan’s bowl as she said, “Eat more vegetables.”
Hong Minhua saw the reluctance on Lin Xiaowan’s face, but in the end, the latter still nodded and thanked her softly. Then, the latter lowered her head and ate the vegetables obediently like a hamster.
After that, Hong Minhua looked at Huo Zheng and hinted to him to pour some drinks for Lin Xiaowan.
When Lin Xiaowan saw the glass, she quickly held it with both hands and gulped it down to wash off the taste in her mouth. Then, she looked at the dishes on the table and bit her chopstick, wondering what to eat next.
‘How amusing…’
At this moment, Huo Zheng patted Lin Xiaowan’s hand and said, “Don’t bite the chopstick.”
“Oh,” Lin Xiaowan replied, looking aggrieved.
‘The professor is still here. Can’t he just let it go for this once? Can’t you see the professor is laughing at me? There’s also the drinks earlier. Why did he pour me such a small glass when we ordered a big jug? Why can’t I have more? Why did he place the jug on his side? He must be enjoying this, right?’
Lin Xiaowan felt like deducting all his points at this moment.
Hong Minhua’s gaze softened even more as she thought to herself, ‘How cute!’
Hong Minghua picked up a piece of honey-glazed pumpkin for Lin Xiaowan.
Lin Xiaowan smiled sweetly and said, “Thank you, Teacher!”
“You don’t have to be so formal,” Hong Minhua said, “Just call me Grandma Hong. That’s good enough.”
Lin Xiaowan felt awkward and wondered if it was appropriate. However, when she saw the expectant expression on Hong Minhua’s face, she said shyly, “Thank you, Grandma Hong.”
After lunch, Hong Minhua only had one thought in her mind.
‘It’s good to have a young girl to tease…’
“If you have any problems, come and look for Grandma. If you have nothing to do, you can also look for me,” Hong Minhua said, a little reluctant to part with Lin Xiaowan. Her attitude had changed completely.
If Lin Xiaowan were to draw an abstract and completely unrecognizable flower in front of Hong Minhua now, she would not only say that Lin Xiaowan had a unique insight. She would have praised Lin Xiaowan as an artistic genius.
In Hong Minhua’s opinion, she was teaching a junior, not a student. It was only natural to give a little encouragement when teaching a junior. So what if the compliment was a little exaggerated?
Hong Minhua’s grandson was in his second year of high school. She calculated his age and Lin Xiaowan’s age before she sighed in regret.
‘Alas, the age isn’t suitable…’
Later on, Lin Xiaowan forgot about the flashy name card that Hong Minhua gave her. She only remembered it when Hong Minhua sent her a message saying that she had told Xiao Han to expect her call. Then, she quickly sent a reply.
[Lin Xiaowan: Yes, Teacher.]
Lin Xiaowan even added a cute emoji.
At the same time, Hong Minhua showed her grandson the message and said, “Look, look at this cute emoji! I can even imagine how cute she looks when replying to my message!”