Zhu Xiulin cautiously raised a hand to wipe his face, forcing a smile. "No, I’m fine."
He Yan glanced at him a few times, confirming that his complexion was just slightly off, nothing more. Then he continued leading him towards the living room.
He Yan knocked on the door of the living room twice, respectfully announcing, "CEO, Miss Ann, Mr. Zhu Xiulin is here."
At the same time, Qin Haochen and Little One were playing chess in the living room.
Upon hearing He Yan’s announcement, father and daughter both lifted their heads and looked towards the door.
Qin Sui’an saw a figure standing behind Uncle He Yan, unable to see the face at first but recognizing the familiar neat clothing.
She recognized this outfit, although the color was different, the style was exactly the same.
Qin Sui’an blinked her round eyes and spoke first, her sweet voice calling out, "Uncle, good morning~"
He Yan stepped aside quietly and left the castle.
Upon hearing Little One’s cute and lovely voice, all the negative emotions that Zhu Xiulin had moments ago vanished completely.
He stepped into the elegantly decorated luxurious living room, his gaze immediately locking onto Little One sitting on the sofa, unable to help but smile sincerely, "Ann, good morning."
Qin Haochen stood up and looked at the young man in Zhongshan suit before him.
He Yan had shown him Zhu Xiulin’s information; he was a young and talented painter.
Qin Haochen greeted him, "You must be Mr. Zhu Xiulin? Hello."
"Hello, Mr. Qin." Zhu Xiulin’s expression was serious, his attitude sincere as he said, "I hope my sudden visit hasn’t caused you any inconvenience." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
"Not at all." Qin Haochen gestured for him to sit on the adjacent sofa. "Mr. Zhu Xiulin, please sit."
"Thank you." Zhu Xiulin secretly observed this young and successful man.
Not only was he admired by peers for his career, but also having such a lovely daughter made him envy-worthy. These two points were enough to make him green with envy.
Zhu Xiulin quickly redirected his attention from Mr. Qin and saw Little One playing chess with her father.
Thinking of the news reports he had seen before about child chess prodigies, he couldn’t help but feel excited and said with a smile, "Please continue playing."
Qin Sui’an turned her little head to look at her father.
Originally, they were playing chess while waiting for Uncle Zhu Xiulin. Now that he was here, should they continue playing? Was it okay like this?
Little One didn’t notice Zhu Xiulin’s unusual excitement, but Qin Haochen did. He knew Zhu Xiulin wanted to see Little One’s chess skills firsthand.
Qin Haochen gently rubbed Little One’s head with his hand, "Then let’s continue playing chess and finish this game."
"Okay~" Qin Sui’an obediently agreed, continuing to play happily with her father.
Zhu Xiulin couldn’t control his emotions. He watched intently as Little One played chess with her father, sometimes not understanding.
His knowledge of chess was superficial; he only knew the most basic rules and nothing more advanced.
But that didn’t stop him from recognizing whether Little One’s father and her chess skills were impressive or not.
He couldn’t help but feel emotional. Mr. Qin’s moves were a bit "ruthless," as if he didn’t see his opponent as his own daughter.
Every time he thought Little One was about to lose, he would see her cute little hand effortlessly pick up a chess piece and capture her father’s piece.
This chess match was truly a battle between masters and top-tier masters.
Zhu Xiulin watched with bated breath, his palms sweating and his back slightly sweaty from excitement, but the father and daughter playing chess were calm and relaxed.
Finally, Qin Haochen conceded early, abandoning his pieces and not making any more moves. "Ann, Daddy lost."
Qin Sui’an giggled, her little face full of joy. She even kindly pointed the way for her father, "Daddy, you can go here next, and then Ann can go here, and Daddy can make a few more moves!"
Qin Haochen couldn’t help but laugh, holding her in his arms. "Even if it’s just a few more moves, Daddy still lost to you."
Qin Sui’an didn’t deny it. Unless she deliberately lost to her father, she couldn’t lose. But her father had said that she couldn’t deliberately lose to him; her father was not someone who couldn’t afford to lose.
Qin Haochen called a bodyguard to put away the chessboard.
Zhu Xiulin was once again shocked by the father-daughter chess match they had just played.
No wonder Little One’s talent was so outstanding; her father, Mr. Qin, was already a very outstanding person.
Zhu Xiulin could hardly imagine how excellent Little One’s mother must be.
Thinking of this, Zhu Xiulin thought of the painting Little One bought, intending to give it to her mother.
He secretly felt regretful that he didn’t have a chance to meet Little One’s mother today, but he believed there would be opportunities in the future.
Qin Haochen held Little One and looked at Zhu Xiulin, who seemed lost in thought. He slowly said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Zhu Xiulin."
Zhu Xiulin snapped out of his thoughts, shaking his head repeatedly. "No, watching you play chess, I feel I’ve learned a lot."
Immediately after, he lifted the bag he had been holding all along and took out the gift prepared for Little One.
"Ann, this is a gift from me to you. I hope you like it."
At the art exhibition, Zhu Xiulin had been thinking of painting such a beautiful scene, and he did it.
In less than two days, he devoted himself entirely to this painting and finally completed it last night, just in time to give it to Little One.
Qin Sui’an widened her eyes in surprise, completely unexpected that Uncle Zhu Xiulin would give her a gift.
"Thank you, Uncle~" She immediately reached out with both little hands and took the gift that Mr. Zhu Xiulin handed over.
It was a painting, with vivid colors and a beautiful composition, making people feel warm like spring at first glance.
In the painting, the fluffy Little One stood sideways, slightly tilting her little head back. Her chin was round and cute, even in profile, depicting her extremely soft and cute features: round, shiny eyes, petite nose, and a slightly open mouth showing astonishment.
Little One wore a fluffy princess dress from head to toe, exuding irresistible cuteness.
Qin Sui’an looked at the figure in the painting, happily exclaiming, "It’s Ann! Daddy, Ann is looking at the painting in the painting~"
Qin Haochen, holding Little One, naturally also saw the content of the painting.
He was surprised and couldn’t help but admire Zhu Xiulin’s painting skills. Truly a great painter, painting with unparalleled realism.
It was as if just calling out "Ann" would make the Little One in the painting turn around and sweetly respond, "Daddy~".
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
