Chapter 283: Selected at the Same Time, Careful Consideration
Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Selected at the Same Time, Careful Consideration
That’s right! We can give him a painting!
"Okay then, Nuanyang, bring out a few of your best paintings for us to choose from," Zhao Nuanyue said in agreement. Such a gift wasn’t expensive, but it would be the perfect way to express their sentiments.
"Okay," Zhao Nuan Yang agreed and brought out three scrolls. The first depicted willows in the budding warmth of spring, the second showed a carp swimming among lotus flowers, and the third was of plum blossoms standing proud against the snow. These scenes were all artistic interpretations of the scenery around Nianqiao Village.
After looking at the three paintings, Zhao Nuanyue looked at Zhao Nuan Yang and Little Red Carp and said, "How about the three of us play a little game?"
"Ooh? A game? I love games!" Little Red Carp said with a giggle. "Sister, tell us, tell us!"
Zhao Nuan Yang also looked at his sister with anticipation.
"I’ll count to three, and all three of us will point to a painting at the same time. Let’s see if we’re all thinking the same thing, how about it?" Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. "Doesn’t that sound fun?"
"To choose which painting to give Grandpa Gu?" Little Red Carp asked, eager to start.
"Mhm, that’s right." Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "When I get to three, we’ll all point at the same time."
"Okay, okay!" Little Red Carp nodded, thoroughly enjoying this little game.
Zhao Nuan Yang’s gaze was also fixed on the three paintings, waiting for his sister’s signal.
"One... two... three!" After counting, Zhao Nuanyue extended her hand and pointed to the third painting: the one of plum blossoms in defiance of the snow.
Zhao Nuan Yang and Little Red Carp also pointed to the third one at the same time.
"Haha, so we were all thinking the same thing," Zhao Nuanyue chuckled. "The current situation is like a cold winter, with everything covered in heavy snow. But there’s a plum blossom, blooming proudly, unafraid of the wind and sleet. It’s just like Elder Gu’s own circumstances."
"I think this one is the best, too. Plus, I recently learned how to mount paintings, and I bought a box that’s perfect for presenting it to Elder Gu," Zhao Nuan Yang said with a soft laugh. This was also one of his favorite pieces.
When he first painted it, he hadn’t had so much in mind; he simply thought the plum blossom was beautiful and decided to capture it.
Little Red Carp giggled and said, "Brother’s painting is amazing. I added a little Spiritual Energy to it to make it even more lifelike."
Zhao Nuanyue was surprised, but since this was a gift for Gu Qingyu, Little Red Carp’s little addition wasn’t a big deal. It was just the icing on the cake.
Early the next morning, the three of them got into a car with Sun Haoran, and Liu Wenqiang drove them over.
It was almost eleven o’clock before it was their turn to see Gu Qingyu.
When Elder Gu saw them, his initially stern expression broke into a smile.
Little Red Carp, wearing a red cape, hopped down from her sister’s arms and ran cheerfully to Gu Qingyu’s side. In a clear, child-like voice, she said, "Grandpa Gu, Little Red Carp missed you."
The moment Gu Qingyu saw Little Red Carp running over, he had already opened his arms and swept her up into a hug.
The bodyguard at his side jumped in fright, worried that the frail Elder Gu wouldn’t be able to handle it. He quickly advised, "Elder Gu, please be careful."
"It’s fine. Little Red Carp isn’t heavy; I can manage," Gu Qingyu said with a smile. "Come now, Little Red Carp, did you miss your Grandpa Gu?"
"I did, I really did," Little Red Carp nodded repeatedly. "I also missed Grandpa Gu telling me stories about the Monkey King. But before you tell me a story, Grandpa Gu, can I ask if you’re feeling all better?"
Back in Nianqiao Village, Little Red Carp would often go to the backyard of the Dragon King Temple to listen to a few of the old men tell stories, so she was very familiar with them.
"I’m almost better," Gu Qingyu chuckled. "Little Red Carp is as adorable as ever, but you’ve gotten taller. You’re growing up."
"Mhm, mhm, it’s because I’m four years old now," Little Red Carp said with a smile. "Grandpa Gu, you should put me down so you don’t get tired. You sit, and I’ll stand and keep you company."
Gu Qingyu smiled, set Little Red Carp down, and chuckled, "Alright."
Then he said to the bodyguard beside him, "Go bring in the snacks we prepared."
"Yes, sir!" The bodyguard complied and stepped outside to give the order.
Gu Qingyu looked at Sun Haoran, Zhao Nuanyue, and Zhao Nuan Yang, smiling. "Don’t just stand there on ceremony. We’re all friends here. Please, sit down."
"Thank you, Elder Gu," Zhao Nuanyue said with a soft laugh. "Seeing you well puts our minds at ease."
"Hehe, it’s all thanks to you," Gu Qingyu said, sighing with emotion as he recalled the hardships of the previous year. If it hadn’t been for their help, he never would have returned to the city so smoothly, much less been able to bring about change for the country so quickly.
Thankfully, it had all been in time.
Zhao Nuanyue didn’t dare take the credit. She shook her head and said, "Elder Gu, it was only what we should have done. It is you who must take care of your health and not overwork yourself."
"Hehe, you are all good children." Gu Qingyu nodded. "You came to Jincheng City before the New Year, but I was simply too busy to meet with you then. If you run into any difficulties, don’t hesitate to tell me. I will certainly help you."
Zhao Nuanyue smiled. "We don’t have any difficulties for now, so we won’t trouble you, Elder Gu. After all, you have a million things to attend to and are extremely busy. We’ll handle any small problems we can on our own. If we encounter something we can’t solve, then we’ll come to you for help."
"Good!" Gu Qingyu appreciated Zhao Nuanyue’s tact. "By the way, I understand you’ve been looking after Yu Sen this whole time, is that right?"
Seeing Gu Qingyu bring up Hua Yusen, Zhao Nuanyue guessed that this was probably about her engagement to him.
Although Gu Qingyu was grateful to her, he valued and was even more indebted to Hua Yusen. If not for Hua Yusen, Gu Qingyu would have died several times over.
"Yes," Zhao Nuanyue nodded and said seriously, "I want to get engaged to Hua Yusen, and then marry him."
Gu Qingyu already knew about this. His subordinates had already reported all the details concerning Zhao Nuanyue to him.
’But with Hua Yusen still in a coma and Zhao Nuanyue so young, isn’t she just acting on impulse?’
"Nuanyue, have you thought this through carefully?" Gu Qingyu asked. If she had, then he wouldn’t try to dissuade her; on the contrary, he would help make it happen.
Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "I have thought it through. I like him, I love him, and I can accept him whether he is successful, unknown, or even lying in a coma like he is now."
"Since you have thought it through, and you are eighteen and can be responsible for your own decisions, I won’t try to persuade you otherwise," Gu Qingyu said. "I only hope Yu Sen can wake up soon and be worthy of your devotion."
"I believe he will wake up," Zhao Nuanyue said firmly. "I’m so wonderful; he wouldn’t bear to be left all alone."
"Haha, you’re right about that," Gu Qingyu laughed. "That boy would often sneak peeks at your photo and grin foolishly. It just goes to show his deep feelings for you weren’t for nothing."