Wanqiu gripped his arms with both hands, and beneath his long sleeves, he seemed to still remember the various marks left on his arms.
Like a withered tree branch that has lost its vitality, it is covered with rough ravines.
Wan Qiu rolled up his sleeves and stretched out his hands, placing them under the light.
However, Wan Qiu suddenly froze, staring at his arm.
Under the light, her arms were still slender, but they were a little plumper than I remembered, and had a healthy glow.
Wan Qiu raised his arm, searching for the scar that had always been on his body, a scar that left a deep impression on him, but it seemed less noticeable now.
Wanqiu was bewildered.
Chu Zhang smiled, letting Wan Qiu fall into doubt.
Wan Qiu repeatedly searched for those traces, doubting the appearance of his own memory, which made Chu Zhang laugh out loud.
It's just like a cat chasing its own tail.
"Wanqiu, come and take a look at this." Chu Zhang interrupted Wanqiu and turned the phone in his hand upside down.
Wan Qiu's gaze fell on the phone in Chu Zhang's hand.
On the phone was a photo of Wan Qiu that Chu Zhang had just taken.
In the photo, Wan Qiu sits on a soft blanket, her legs unconsciously curled up together. Although her shoulders are slightly slumped, she faces the camera with a somewhat bewildered expression.
Wan Qiu looked at it as if he were looking at a photo of someone else who had the same face as him.
"Such a pitiful and adorable photo, why would Wanqiu say she's ugly?" Chu Zhang tilted his head slightly, turning the phone upside down to look at it himself. "Wanqiu has a small frame and big eyes, she looks cute no matter how you look at her."
Chu Zhang's words made Wan Qiu's eyes widen.
The people in the photo are actually good-looking.
But Wan Qiu felt that it didn't seem like him.
"Mom is really something, she only knows how to dress you up, but she forgot to let you know that you are cute."
Chu Zhang suddenly threw his phone aside and grabbed Wan Qiu's arm to stand up.
Wan Qiu subconsciously steadied himself on the ground and staggered after the somewhat rough Chu Zhang to the fitting room.
The automatic sensor lights in the fitting room instantly illuminated everything, creating a stark contrast with the comfortable lighting in the bedroom. Wan Qiu subconsciously squinted.
After adjusting to the lighting, Wan Qiu was led by Chu Zhang to the huge dressing mirror.
The bright mirror, like a gateway to another world, framed the shadows of Wanqiu and Chuzhang within the same world.
“Let’s see, what did you just say?” Chu Zhang cupped Wan Qiu’s chin in his hand, making Wan Qiu look directly at himself in the mirror. “Yellow skin? Big knees? What else? Scars? Don’t look at me, look at yourself.”
Wan Qiu's gaze shifted from observing Chu Zhang through the mirror to listening to Chu Zhang's words and looking at himself in the mirror.
The person in the mirror...
Who is it?
Wan Qiu looked at himself in the mirror and suddenly realized that he hadn't really looked at himself for a long time.
Where on your skin is it yellow?
Chu Zhang bent down and compared his cheek with Wan Qiu's cheek. Surprisingly, their color difference was not significant.
“Your calves are cute too.” Chu Zhang squatted down and pinched Wan Qiu’s calf.
Wanqiu's legs weren't long, but they had gained weight and were round, neither fat nor thin, just skin and bones.
“I remember Yang Er told me that Mom makes you apply scar-removing ointment every day, it should be working, right? After all, we spent so much money and time on it, let’s see the results?”
Chu Zhang was always quite self-centered, and he didn't give Wan Qiu a chance to resist at all, directly tearing off Wan Qiu's shirt.
The weather was slightly chilly in late autumn, but the indoor air was warm, so Wanqiu didn't feel cold.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Wan Qiu's eyes widened.
Those hideous, uneven skin marks seem to have faded considerably.
The once prominent ribs and abdominal indentation have disappeared without a trace.
Her skin was fair, as if it glowed.
Wan Qiu looked at him as if he were looking at a complete stranger.
Chu Zhang knew very well that scar removal ointments could only play a supporting role.
If you really want to remove scars, you need other methods.
I'm afraid Yang Xiaoyu wouldn't be willing to part with it either.
But Wanqiu is currently at a stage where she is constantly replenishing her nutrition and growing.
A young body has endless possibilities, and these scars will fade away little by little with time.
If Wanqiu grows into a strong adult male in the future, these small scars all over his skin should be invisible.
Wounds healed by time and nourished by love will eventually disappear once the lingering malice is gone.
"Take a good look at yourself. Has it been a long time since you've looked at yourself?" Chu Zhang said, placing his hands on Wan Qiu's shoulders as he looked in the mirror.
Wan Qiu looked at Chu Zhang through the mirror, but Chu Zhang slapped him on the head as punishment.
"Don't look at me, look at yourself."
Wanqiu obediently turned her gaze entirely to herself in the mirror.
"Whether a person is good-looking is not just about their appearance. Demeanor, posture, and manners also affect whether a person is good-looking. Beauty is never defined by a certain set of rules."
Wan Qiu noticed that Chu Zhang was pressing down on his back.
Wan Qiu unconsciously straightened his back following Chu Zhang's force.
Chu Zhang's hands seemed to treat Wan Qiu as if she were a piece of clay that could be reshaped.
Wan Qiu spread his shoulders.
He was asked by Chu Zhang to raise his head.
Slightly disheveled strands of hair were held back by hairpins.
"Take a good look at yourself."
Chu Zhang's voice, as if possessing magic, guided Wan Qiu to look at himself in the mirror.
However, in that one glance, Wan Qiu saw a side of Wan Qiu he had never seen before: an arrogant Wan Qiu.
ah……
Wanqiu suddenly realized.
You can actually relax your shoulders too.
So, simply straightening your back and lifting your head can make a difference?
Wanqiu looked in the mirror, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Wan Qiu seemed to be thinking of Chu Yigui.
He always stood with his back straight, and every move he made seemed to attract others.
Wan Qiu suddenly realized that this might be called self-confidence.
Chu Zhang laughed from the side.
A person's demeanor can change them, but it's also partly because Wanqiu hadn't really looked at herself properly for a while, and the changes during that time brought about different effects.
However, if this allows Wanqiu to discover her own unique characteristics, it might not be a bad thing.
Wanqiu dared not move.
But Chu Zhang gave her a slight push, and the 'confident Wanqiu' in the mirror was suddenly reduced to her original form.
Wanqiu unconsciously reached out her hands to the mirror, wanting to capture her beautiful self, but all she touched was the cold mirror surface.
An indescribable sense of loss is gradually creeping in.
Chu Zhang narrowed his eyes.
"Wanqiu, do you remember the last time I came back to teach you to dance?" Chu Zhang asked Wanqiu, sitting on a stool in the fitting room, casually stretching out his legs.
Wan Qiu turned around, still looking somewhat dazed, but nodded.
"Dancing can improve your posture, you know? Although you can't compare to a professional now, it can make you look just like you did before. Are you interested?" Chu Zhang asked with a hint of enticement and probing.
Wan Qiu's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at himself in the mirror, his back curving like that of an insect carrying a shell.
Chu Zhang's smile gradually became subtle.
"Since Wanqiu thinks she's not good-looking, she should try some things that can make her look better."
Chu Zhang was merely trying to give Wan Qiu a little ear training; it would probably take Wan Qiu a long time to accept a 'hobby'.
At least in that instant, Wan Qiu's desire to 'seize the beauty' was probably instinctive.
First of all, we need to give Wanqiu some confidence.
He remembered Yang Ze saying that Wan Qiu would unconditionally believe what the people around him said.
"There are many ways to improve posture, such as etiquette training, dancing as mentioned earlier, and sports can also shape the body. In addition to posture, there is also temperament. Painting, music, scientific research, medicine, and so on, all kinds of professions have different temperaments."
Wan Qiu nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
"As long as Wanqiu finds his own interests and his own direction, he will become like that too."
Wan Qiu's eyes lit up.
Chu Zhang smiled, resting his chin on his hand as he said to Wan Qiu, "Our Wan Qiu will become more and more beautiful, and this is just the beginning!"
Wanqiu unconditionally believed Chu Zhang's words.
He might not look good now.
But will he become handsome if he just studies slowly?
Is Chu Yigui so good-looking because she likes studying?
All sorts of equations and inequalities began to appear in Wanqiu's mind.
Chu Zhang chuckled to himself. Was there anyone better at arousing attraction to beauty than him? He must be the embodiment of the goddess of beauty in this world!
"Wanqiu, shall we do a small experiment?"
Wan Qiu turned around in the mirror and looked at Chu Zhang, who looked like a beautiful photograph even when he was just sitting there casually.
Before Wan Qiu's small, hopeful anticipation could even take flight, Chu Zhang said, "It doesn't count if only I say you're cute. Let's get other people to say whether you're cute or not!"
Wan Qiu's eyes widened, completely unprepared for what Chu Zhang was about to do.
Chu Zhang carried Wan Qiu to the bed, and the two sat cross-legged facing each other.
Chu Zhang sent all the photos he had just taken to the family group chat.
"That's it, that's it, have you learned it? From now on, Wanqiu should learn to post more photos so that Big Brother can see them. Big Brother is so busy every day that he really needs to see Wanqiu's photos. He'll die if he doesn't see them."
Chu Zhang exaggeratedly clutched his heart with his hand.
"I need Wan Qiu's photos to prolong my life."
Wanqiu blinked blankly, unsure how to answer.
Chu Zhang patiently taught Wan Qiu how to look at the photo album: "This one is nice, this one is nice too, and I think this one is good as well. What do you think?"
If you feel you are good-looking enough, you will have a psychological suggestion.
Chu Zhang smiled as he flipped through the photos they had taken, one by one.
"Soon, Mom and Dad will see Wanqiu's photos. Let's hear what they have to say."
Chu Zhang placed his phone between the two of them and set the screen to always-on mode, asking Wan Qiu to wait for a message.
Wan Qiu stared intently at his phone.
Under the comfortable lighting in the bedroom, Chu Zhang carefully examined Wan Qiu.
The last time we met, he looked like a monkey.
It has now been nurtured and is gradually becoming more and more beautiful.
Their family has always had good genes, so Wanqiu will definitely be even cuter.
What will Wanqiu be like as an adult?
Chu Zhang carefully sketched out Wan Qiu's image in his mind, but no matter how he sketched it, he felt that she was cute no matter how she looked.
Chu Zhang looked at Wan Qiu's bedroom, which was filled with all sorts of things, and the clothes in the dressing room were already hanging up.
Wanqiu must have gained a lot during this period.
But even if they did obtain them, they almost never used them.
Many of the items were quite practical, but to Wanqiu they were more like decorative objects.
Is it that they don't know how, don't understand, or are afraid?
Could it be that they don't like it?
Suddenly, Chu Zhang received a new message in the family group chat. He looked at it and saw that it was Yang Xiaoyu's first reply.
Yang Xiaoyu: Baby, you're so cute! Our baby is truly the cutest in the world!
Yang Ze: Very cute, Third Brother, you can take more photos.
Chu Jianshu: Not bad, it looks good.
Upon seeing Chu Jianshu's information, Chu Zhang raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling somewhat unfamiliar with his father who was beginning to become more down-to-earth.
But they waited and waited for a long time without hearing from Chu Yigui.
Others had already sent several messages, but Chu Yigui's message still hadn't arrived.
Chu Zhang saw that Wan Qiu's eyes were fixed on the screen, and his eyes were already sparkling with the joy of being praised.
The bright and lovely little lights made Wanqiu look even more vibrant.
Chu Zhang secretly took a picture of Wan Qiu's expression with his phone and saw the corner of Wan Qiu's lips subtly curl up in the photo.
It feels good to be praised, doesn't it?
Confidence can also be built through praise.
However, Chu Zhang found it strange that Wan Qiu never looked away.
Wanqiu seemed to be waiting for some information.
Until Chu Yigui's message finally appeared on the screen.
Chu Yigui: My brother is very handsome.
Five very ordinary words, but Chu Zhang noticed that Wan Qiu's color was significantly brighter, as if a handful of dry grass had been added to a flame, causing it to burn even more vigorously.
At this moment, Wan Qiu finally looked up from his phone screen and turned to look at Chu Zhang.
Like the ugly duckling that secretly spread its wings and suddenly discovered that it had grown beautiful white feathers.
Chu Zhang smiled too.
Tug at Wanqiu's tiny white feathers and praise him for being so beautiful.
——
"An educational institution?" At breakfast, Chu Zhang directly suggested that Wan Qiu visit an educational institution. Yang Xiaoyu asked, "Why do you suddenly want our little one to visit these?"
"Of course, it's to show our third brother the power of learning." Chu Zhang raised his voice, his voice already quite ornate, so it sounded slightly frivolous.
Normally, Chu Jianshu would have hated it when Chu Zhang spoke like that and would have scolded him, but today he was very silent.
"What power of learning?" Yang Xiaoyu didn't understand Chu Zhang's thought process.
"An aesthetics tutorial." Chu Zhang tapped the corner of his eye. "To broaden the horizons of the third brother."
Yang Xiaoyu couldn't hide her dislike for Chu Zhang's unpredictable personality.
"Let's see if we can sign up for a class, take some lessons, and cultivate some interest." Chu Zhang simply put it another way, "It would be great if we could be interested in sports, so that the weight we gain will be healthier."
Yang Xiaoyu had considered cultivating Wanqiu's interests, but since Wanqiu was already struggling with special education courses, she hadn't considered having him learn any other courses.
“Even if you want, you can just hire a tutor to come to your home,” Yang Xiaoyu said.
"Go out more! What's the point of staying cooped up at home all day?" Chu Zhang directly challenged Yang Xiaoyu's overprotective attitude towards Wan Qiu. "What child this age doesn't go out and play?"
Yang Xiaoyu did not deny it.
It was Chu Zhang who brought up this matter; if it had been someone else, Yang Xiaoyu probably wouldn't have considered it.
"Let's go directly to one of the company's locations and take a look. If Wanqiu likes anything there, we can consider taking a look."
The Yang family has a wide range of interests, not just in the entertainment industry, but also in various traditional cultural fields.
If Wan Qiu really had to go and study, Yang Xiaoyu could only accept placing him in a place she was familiar with.
"Have you thought about what Wanqiu should learn?" Chu Jianshu suddenly asked.
Chu Zhang never expected that Chu Jianshu would be interested in this kind of thing, and he didn't know whether it was a casual question or a serious consideration.
Yang thought about it seriously and picked up where Chu Jianshu left off: "If you want to exercise, it's best to do something competitive, but most of the more specialized courses are for people who have been practicing since they were young. Wanqiu is older, and it would be very difficult for him to go down the professional path. Wouldn't it be better to choose something more popular and interesting?"
Yang Xiaoyu said, "Every discipline has its majors and its hobbies; you can learn anything if you have a hobby."
"Ultimately, it all comes down to what the third brother likes, right?" Chu Zhang said, but then suddenly noticed Chu Yigui, who had been quiet all along.
Chu Zhang looked at Chu Yigui and tentatively asked, "What do you think, youngest brother?"
Chu Yigui, who had been quiet all along, had been listening to everyone's conversation. When Chu Zhang asked her, she looked up, thought for a moment, and said, "Ballroom dancing?"
"Huh?" Chu Zhang was taken aback.
“Ballroom dancing, that’s interesting.” Yang Xiaoyu seemed to have been reminded as well. “If it’s ballroom dancing, communication with your partner is very important, and you can also make friends. Besides, my child has always loved very bright and gorgeous colors, and the ballroom dance costumes are very beautiful.”
Chu Jianshu pondered, "In ballroom dancing, the male partner usually plays a leading role, which can also help cultivate Wanqiu's personality to some extent?"
"We can arrange a dance partner to guide her," Yang Xiaoyu seemed to be considering whether she should directly select a dance partner for Wan Qiu as a form of financial assistance.
"It has to be dance? I think calligraphy and music are also very good." However, Chu Zhang offered a different suggestion, which was somewhat of a dissenting opinion.
“We could consider chess…” However, Chu Jianshu thought of Wan Qiu’s intelligence, “We could give it a try. Wan Qiu can concentrate very easily, and perhaps he has unexpected talent in this area.”
“Dad, you’re so rigid all the time. Learning chess isn’t going to attract girls much.” Chu Zhang shrugged.
After Chu Zhang finished speaking, he secretly observed Chu Jianshu's expression. Although Chu Jianshu was somewhat displeased, he was not angry.
Wow, I didn't get scolded for contradicting Chu Jianshu today, Chu Zhang thought to himself.
Chu Zhang looked at the harmonious family dining table atmosphere. Although almost all the topics revolved around Wan Qiu, the scene of discussing even the smallest things amicably was easily achieved.
It's because of Wanqiu.
Although Chu Zhang knew this was the case, he secretly glanced at Chu Yigui.
Chu Yigui was still quietly eating her breakfast. Today was her day off, so she wasn't wearing her school uniform and looked exceptionally plain.
His every move revealed the refinement he had cultivated in the Chu family; it was truly impeccable.
Yang said that the person Wan Qiu was closest to was actually Chu Yigui.
He gained everyone's approval with just one suggestion.
Chu Zhang deliberately brought up other course content, simply because he didn't want Chu Yigui's suggestions to continue to be taken seriously.
Even though Chu Zhang knew he had no reason to be wary of Chu Yigui, he couldn't instinctively let go of his fear of her.
When everyone else is acting strangely, it is Chu Yigui, who is the most normal one, who seems like the abnormal one.
——
Chu Zhang was going to take Wan Qiu out.
However, Yang Xiaoyu insisted that Chu Zhang bring at least a driver and a bodyguard.
Chu Zhang expressed his protest in a very strong manner.
Wan Qiu stood aside, listening to the duel between Yang Xiaoyu and Chu Zhang, neither of them willing to give in.
This seemed like a very novel experience for Wanqiu.
His older brother had a very pleasant voice and loved to talk more than anyone else.
Even when they're arguing, their voices sound nice.
Just as a peacock, knowing its own beauty, will display its beauty by spreading its tail feathers, Chu Zhang never hesitates to use his voice.
Wan Qiu vaguely remembered that song whose voice sounded a lot like her older brother's. Would it have sounded even better if her older brother had sung it?
"Brother." Suddenly, Chu Yigui's voice rang out from beside him.
Wan Qiu turned around and saw Chu Yigui dressed casually, but carrying a bag.
Are you going out with them?
"Brother, I won't be home for the next few days and will be staying out," Chu Yigui said to Wan Qiu, her head bowed. "If you want to find me, you can call me."
Where to go?
Wanqiu wanted to ask, but only nodded.
"I will answer my brother's call." Chu Yigui reached out her hand towards Wan Qiu, as if she wanted to touch him.
However, Wanqiu was suddenly pulled to the other side by a hand and fell into the tall shadow.
Chu Zhang's voice rang out above Wan Qiu's head: "What's wrong? What's going on? Tell your big brother what interesting things you're talking about."
Chu Yigui lowered her hand from mid-air without any embarrassment and said, "I was telling my brother that I won't be home for the next few days."
"Ah, you're going to the orphanage, right?" Chu Zhang was somewhat familiar with Chu Yigui's habits. "It's alright, don't worry, I'll take good care of Lao San these next few days."
Chu Yigui smiled and said, "With Big Brother here, Brother definitely won't have time to think about anything else."
Chu Zhang raised an eyebrow: "Oh ho, do you think I'm too noisy?"
Chu Yigui denied it while laughing out loud.
Wan Qiu looked at it, but did not laugh.
He didn't think Chu Yigui was happy either.
Even the eldest brother didn't seem happy.
"I'm leaving now, the car is already waiting," Chu Yigui said to the person next to her. "Goodbye, Mom, Big Brother, Brother."
"Let's go, let's go!"
Wan Qiu was held in Chu Zhang's arms and heard Chu Zhang's soft "tsk" sound coming from above her head.
It seemed to carry a hint of disdain.
They held Wanqiu's hand firmly, giving him no room to move.
"This Chu Yigui..." Chu Zhang wanted to say something more, but when he met Wan Qiu's gaze, he changed his words, "Ah, really, Mom has been too protective of you."
"Chu Zhang, you..." However, to Yang Xiaoyu's shocked gaze, Wan Qiu was suddenly picked up by Chu Zhang around the waist.
Chu Zhang, carrying Wan Qiu, sprinted a hundred meters towards the gate, shouting, "Nobody's coming with us today!"
Wan Qiu: "?"
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