Under the banyan tree in the People's Park of the provincial capital.

It was already dusk.

Li Mingzhu came to the banyan tree, stretched her sore wrists, and had a faint smile on her lips.

Today was a fulfilling day. I painted all day and earned some money. After so many years, I finally feel happy.

Li Kefan and Duan Cuilu are counting money.

Three days ago, the deputy director of the steel rolling mill came to show his support, and then media reporters came to interview Li Mingzhu.

Because Chen Yinghao is really popular right now.

After the steel rolling mill was contracted out to a private company, he had the power to lay off and hire employees.

Former employees who want to stay, and capable new employees who want to join the factory, all have to give them face.

With the added exposure from television stations, some "smart" people followed suit.

At the same time, Li Mingzhu is also very good at painting, so her business is doing well, and she can earn some money every day.

"One hundred and seventy-five yuan." Duan Cuilu beamed and hurriedly put the money into her pocket.

"It seems our daughter really has a talent for painting," Li Kefan said happily. "How about we enroll her in a class?"

"Yes, I have to hug you." Duan Cuilu nodded hurriedly.

In the past four days, our daughter has earned more than 500 yuan for the family, which is more than the couple's monthly salary.

"Old Duan, you need to think this through."

“A person’s energy is limited. If Mingzhu puts her energy into painting, it will definitely affect her studies in the future.”

"You can't expect her to be good at both academics and drawing; she's not a superhuman."

Li Kefan said.

Duan Cuilu rolled her eyes and said, "Stop nagging. I've thought it through very clearly these past few days."

She sighed, lamenting that her daughter had no talent for studying.

My daughter's middle school entrance exam scores weren't high enough to get her into the Experimental Middle School.

The couple begged and pleaded with everyone they knew, using all their connections and favors, before they finally managed to get their daughter into the Experimental High School.

However, it was of no use.

My daughter's grades still haven't improved. Last time she participated in the National Mathematics League, she came in last place.

"Old Li, can painting really support her?" Duan Cuilu asked.

“That’s not important,” Li Kefan said. “She’s an only child. Can’t the two of us raise a daughter?”

“We’ll have retirement pensions when we retire, and then we can find her a good husband. That way, her life will be over.”

As Li Kefan looked at the smile on his daughter's face, he felt very happy.

"Okay, we won't force her to study anymore."

"If all else fails, let her take the art exam."

"Since she likes painting, let her paint to her heart's content. What if she becomes a great painter?"

Duan Cuilu finally understood, and her mood instantly brightened.

The woman selling wishing ribbons walked to the banyan tree.

"Girl, want to buy a wishing ribbon?" she asked with a smile.

"Excuse me, Auntie, I've already made a wish." Li Mingzhu turned and walked to her parents' side.

A family of three pushed their tricycle home.

“Girl, take a rest today, we’ll come again tomorrow,” Duan Cuilu said.

"Mom, I heard there's a Yellow River in Ping'an County. I want to go and paint the Yellow River, is that okay?" Li Mingzhu said timidly.

“Okay,” Duan Cuilu readily agreed, smiling. “Let’s do business for a few more days, and then go again in a few days.”

Li Kefan nodded. "The TV station just aired your interview clip. Let's take advantage of this buzz and make some more money."

“Once things calm down, your mother and I will take you to Ping’an County,” Duan Cuilu said.

Li Mingzhu was somewhat frustrated.

Painting the Yellow River was just a side thing; she wanted to go to Ping'an County to find Wang Peng and thank him in person.

"Mom, let my cousin come with me then, you don't need to go, it's a busy time during the New Year," she said.

“Nonsense.” Duan Cuilu refused outright.

“Daughter, your mother is right, you two children shouldn’t go on long trips.” Li Kefan also disagreed.

Five more days passed, and fewer and fewer people came to have their portraits drawn; the hype had died down.

However, the Li family made a lot of money.

The couple immediately took their daughter to find a painting training class.

They found four men in a row, but none of them satisfied the old man.

Some tuition fees are too expensive, some training conditions are poor, and some are too far from home.

That noon, the family of three went to Haode Painting Interest Class.

The training environment here is good, and it's not far from home. There are more than a dozen students, but it's a bit expensive.

The two sides kept haggling.

Li Mingzhu was bored, so she stood by the window on the fifth floor and looked down at the road below.

"Sister, there's a reason why we charge higher fees: we organize field sketching trips for our students."

"You can't learn to draw well just by attending classes in the classroom."

"In two days, I will take all the students to the Yellow River to sketch. Outdoor learning is included in the tuition fee."

The proprietress, Du Rui, patiently explained.

Upon hearing this, Li Mingzhu immediately perked up and turned to walk to her parents' side.

"Mom, let's go with this place," she said.

"Okay, this is the one." Duan Cuilu immediately paid the training fee.

This saves them the trouble of accompanying their child to Ping'an County.

Two days later, she quietly slipped out, found a public phone near the neighborhood, and dialed Wang Peng's number.

"Hello." Wang Peng was calculating his income for the past few days.

"Wang Peng, is that you?" Li Mingzhu turned her head to look behind her, afraid that her parents would suddenly appear. "I am Li Mingzhu."

"Oh, you finally decided to call me." Wang Peng immediately put down his ledger.

"Hehe, I was drawing portraits for people every day in People's Park a few days ago, and I earned seven or eight yuan," Li Mingzhu said with a smile.

"Good heavens!" Wang Peng was completely stunned. "Mingzhu, you're not kidding me, are you?"

It was indeed his idea to draw portraits for people, and he was the one who invited Chen Yinghao and his wife. He never expected the business to be so good.

"Thanks to Director Chen of the steel rolling mill for taking care of my business, and the TV station also came to interview me, so business has been good for a few days," Li Mingzhu said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Peng laughed; this was not something he had expected.

“Mingzhu, I’ve been delivering goods every day lately, and I’m almost exhausted. I’ve only earned seven or eight hundred yuan. You make money so easily,” Wang Peng said.

"Phone calls are so expensive!" Li Mingzhu laughed. "Tomorrow I'm going to your county to sketch along the Yellow River with the training class. I'll arrive at 10 a.m., bye!"

"Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Peng was in a good mood and got up to go to the yard.

Now that she has enrolled in a painting training class, it means that her parents' attitude has changed and they will no longer force her to study hard.

Without the worries of studying, she will never suffer from depression again.

“Depression!” Wang Peng shook his head.

In her past life, she suffered from mental illness due to depression and died young.

Ring ring...

Someone called, and Wang Peng answered.

"Xiaopeng, I'm Huang Long from Longfeng Store. Please give me some more pencils and ballpoint pens tomorrow."

"How much do you need? I'll send it to you now. I don't have time tomorrow..."