Qin Sui’an looked at the paintings hanging on the wall, then glanced at the young uncle, her sweet voice mixed with curiosity, "Uncle, did you paint all these paintings?"
Zhu Xiulin met her clear black eyes and couldn’t help softening his voice a bit as he nodded, "Yes, I painted them."
"Uncle paints really beautifully!" Qin Sui’an was generous with her praise, sparkling as she looked at him. "Uncle is so talented!"
Zhu Xiulin couldn’t help but let a smile play on his lips, unable to contain his joy. "Thank you."
It was strange. He had heard such praises to the point of calluses, but right now, hearing it from little one, he felt unusually happy.
Now that Qin Sui’an knew he wasn’t a strange or bad uncle, she no longer guarded against him. Remembering the question he had asked earlier, she pointed to the painting she had bought and said in her childish voice, "Uncle, Ann likes this painting the most and wants to buy it to give to mommy."
Zhu Xiulin looked at her in surprise. "You bought this painting to give to your mom?"
This was an answer he had never imagined.
Zhu Xiulin looked again at his own painting, suddenly realizing something. Carefully, he asked, "Is your mom sick?"
"Yeah..." Qin Sui’an nodded slightly. Her bright face seemed momentarily clouded. She lowered her head and said softly, "Mommy hasn’t woken up yet. She’s been sleeping."
Zhu Xiulin instantly understood. Little one’s mom was seriously ill.
"I believe your mom will get better soon," he comforted softly.
Qin Sui’an smiled again, her cheeks turning rosy as she smiled. "Ann believes that too."
Zhu Xiulin gazed at his own painting, gradually piecing together the reason this little one wanted to buy it.
The little one could truly understand his art.
Though he’d noted the inspiration behind each piece, these were only fragments of his real emotions. The deeper feelings, the unspoken thoughts—all of it was woven into the brushstrokes. And this child had grasped that hidden meaning, a meaning that became her reason for wanting to own the piece.
In that moment, Zhu Xiulin felt an unprecedented shock reverberate through him.
Someone could understand his work so deeply—and that someone was only a three-year-old child.
An indescribable thrill and excitement surged within him, sending chills across his skin. He crouched down, meeting the little one’s eyes from her level, his gaze intense and filled with awe.
Lowering his posture, he formally introduced himself, saying, "I’m Zhu Xiulin. I’m very happy that you bought my painting."
Qin Sui’an bent her eyes round, imitating him as she introduced herself with a sweet milk-like voice, "I’m Qin Sui’an. Ann is also very happy to buy Uncle’s painting."
Zhu Xiulin’s heart softened as he listened, feeling an impulse to be friends with this little one. But he restrained himself wisely because little one’s family was still present, and he didn’t want anyone to misunderstand him as some strange person.
Zhu Xiulin stood up again, finally diverting his gaze from little one and looking at Old Mrs. Qin. He reached out to her politely and said, "Good afternoon, Old Mrs. Qin. I hope my exhibition hasn’t disappointed you." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"Good afternoon, Zhu Xiulin." Old Mrs. Qin gently shook his hand, smiling. "Zhu Xiulin, your paintings are all very beautiful."
"Thank you. It’s an honor to have your appreciation, Old Mrs. Qin." Zhu Xiulin remembered something and explained, "Old Mrs. Qin, all the proceeds from this exhibition will be donated to the Children’s Foundation."
Old Mrs. Qin looked at him with a hint of admiration. "It’s very kind-hearted to donate such a large sum."
"I dare not claim such virtue. Money isn’t that important to me. As long as I can afford my basic needs, more money is of no use to me." Zhu Xiulin smiled faintly.
He turned his gaze to little one again, his smile deepening. "It’s quite a coincidence. I wonder if Old Mrs. Qin knows that the children’s foundation I’ve chosen was established in the name of Qin Sui’an."
He suspected whether the "Qin Sui’an" of the children’s foundation was the same as the little one in front of him.
"That’s indeed a coincidence." Old Mrs. Qin was amazed. She smiled and said, "It was Ann’s fifth brother who founded it in Ann’s name."
Zhu Xiulin’s mouth slightly agape. "Really..."
He had actually guessed right.
Thinking about not long ago when he looked down on little one, Zhu Xiulin squatted down solemnly and apologized to her, "Ann, I must apologize to you. I’m sorry."
Qin Sui’an looked at him puzzledly. "Why does Uncle want to apologize to Ann?"
"Because I was narrow-minded and arrogant." Zhu Xiulin understood himself well.
At only twenty-seven years old, Zhu Xiulin had won numerous awards and gained great fame as a painter. Some were willing to pay a fortune just to buy his paintings. These external things had given him the airs of an artist—proud and arrogant.
But just moments ago, little one had slapped him in the face. Little one made him realize that being a talented painter could not justify his arrogance. There were plenty of talented people out there, and he was just a small part of them.
Zhu Xiulin deeply reflected on how shameful his behavior had been, feeling ashamed and embarrassed.
Qin Sui’an didn’t quite understand his apology or his words, but she could feel that he seemed to regret and reflect on something.
She reached out her small hand and gently touched his slightly bowed head. "It’s okay, Uncle."
The comforting touch on his head made Zhu Xiulin pause. Slowly lifting his head, he was touched inside. "Thank you, Ann."
Knowing that their visit to the exhibition wasn’t over yet, Zhu Xiulin didn’t want to delay little one any longer. He tactfully left without disturbing them.
When they finally finished browsing the exhibition, Qin Sui’an didn’t buy any more paintings. She just wanted that one.
Old Mrs. Qin thought for a moment and had Lucy buy the remaining paintings from the first and second exhibition halls. Since it was a good cause, buying the paintings was also doing a good deed.
As they were about to leave the exhibition, Zhu Xiulin appeared again and personally escorted them to the parking lot.
Qin Sui’an sat in her specially designed car seat, buckled her seatbelt, and waved her little hand to Uncle Zhu Xiulin outside the car, "Goodbye, Uncle~"
"Goodbye, Ann." Zhu Xiulin was very happy to have met little one today.
The luxury car slowly left the parking lot and gradually disappeared from view.
Zhu Xiulin stood in place, a smile still on his lips.
In his mind, he suddenly remembered what little one had said—that she had earned her money from participating in many competitions.
A three-year-old little one, competitions, prize money...
Zhu Xiulin was stunned for a moment, then quickly took out his phone and searched.
[Chess prodigy! Three-year-old little genius!]
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