Chapter 11
Yu Shun watched as Shi Xing and his assistant prepared to go to the project site, followed by several designers who were also going to learn together.
Shi Xing is the most experienced designer in the firm, not only producing a large number of drawings quickly but also possessing extensive project experience. Being able to observe firsthand how a seasoned designer works on-site is also a very important learning experience.
Looking at the somewhat empty office, Yu Shun felt a little unhappy. He had been the one to lead the signing of all the recent projects, but instead of the hype he expected, everyone was still focused on Shi Xing, just like before.
A man walked over and said in a friendly tone, "President Yu, you are really amazing. If it weren't for your ability to close deals, the firm wouldn't be where it is today."
Yu Shun turned his head and glanced at the person beside him, who was looking at him earnestly. It seemed his surname was Li; he was a newly hired designer. People coming and going at the firm was commonplace, and Yu Shun hadn't really cared who was who before—it didn't matter who did the project.
However, the person in front of him spoke with considerable insight, and Yu Shun tried his best to recall information about him. "Little Li? Right. Why don't you go and learn from him?"
Xiao Li smiled shyly, her face full of admiration for Shun. "I learn so much more from you. If there are no projects, what use are all the skills a designer has?"
Yu Shun nodded. "It's great that you have this idea so early in your career." Compared to when he first started working with Shixing, the market environment has changed drastically. Yu Shun gradually realized that designers weren't that important; there were countless recent graduates without jobs. "Design is important, but what's even more important is closing deals."
Xiao Li nodded repeatedly, saying, "The best design is one that satisfies the client."
The two immediately felt a connection, and Yu Shun finally looked at the other person properly. He invited the other person to his office. Yu Shun thought smugly, since the other person wanted to learn from him, he could at least teach them a little.
Yu Shun looked at the very humble person in front of him and was quite satisfied. These days, most designs are just imitations, and the designer isn't that important. What's more important is obedience. A designer who can obey, satisfy both superiors and customers, is the best designer.
Moreover, there are fewer and fewer new real estate projects being developed now. If it weren't for our ability to bring in new projects, the entire firm would have gone out of business long ago.
Thinking about this, Yu Shun had some ideas. However, looking at Xiao Li, who was still a newcomer, he realized he needed to train him further.
"Maybe we should just forget about it." Yoda watched as her mother changed into her new clothes and was about to leave with her father, and she started to hesitate again. She quickly stepped forward and took her mother's hand. "How can we forget about it? Your father will be so heartbroken if you don't go. He's been waiting for this day for so long."
Yoda smiled at his father, his eyes full of threat. He remembered Yoda's words: if he didn't succeed, he would tell his wife about his occasional secret drinks.
Yoda's father quickly took his wife from Yoda's arms and said with deep emotion, "You've worked so hard all these years. Just this one day, trust the children, give me a chance, okay?"
The younger brothers chuckled at their father, who seemed so different from usual. "Dad, why are you acting like you're in a TV drama?" You Ming, hiding behind You Li, grinned from ear to ear.
"Go away," Yoda's father said irritably, then laughed. Although he had to use all his strength because he had been caught out, he actually felt that his wife had sacrificed too much for the family.
During the years our daughter was hospitalized, we supported each other, each carrying our own anxieties and worries. Thankfully, it's all over now, and it's time to relax.
Seeing her husband's serious expression, Yoda's expectant eyes, and her two sons grinning, Yoda's mother asked, "Shall we go now?"
Yoda quickly grabbed one of her younger brothers by the hand and said, "Say goodbye to Mom and Dad."
Goodbye. Goodbye.
Finally, Mom and Dad got out of the house. Yoda looked at the two elementary school students beside him. A happy day had begun.
Yoda felt that her family was very loving and harmonious. Although it was the first time she had taken care of her two younger brothers, they were so sensible and considerate.
Although the food she cooked was just average, the two of them ate it all up, showing great respect. Following their mother's usual schedule, Yoda also took them out for a walk to ensure their physical and mental well-being and all-round development.
The three siblings got along well and the atmosphere was harmonious until they started helping each other with their homework.
Yoda hadn't expected homework to be so troublesome. In the morning, she'd seen the amount of homework her two brothers had and thought an hour would be plenty of time. Full of confidence, she took them sightseeing. When they got home, she thoughtfully gave them some rest time before they started their homework.
I never imagined that a whole day of wonderful memories couldn't make up for the damage caused by tutoring homework.
"Sis, I want some water?" Yu Ming was thirsty as soon as he started doing his homework. Considering he'd been out for so long and had gotten so much exercise that wanting water was perfectly reasonable. Yu Da poured a glass for each of them.
"Sis, I need to use the restroom." You Ming stood up and, after You Da nodded, headed straight for the restroom. It was reasonable for him to need to use the restroom after drinking water, and even ask for permission before doing so.
Turning to Yuli, who had been behaving himself, he said, "We'll continue. You can go if you want."
Yuli wanted to say something, but seeing Yoda intently tutoring him, he nodded and focused on his homework.
"Wow, Ali is amazing! He finished it all so quickly!" Yoda looked at Yuli's clean and tidy notebook, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
“I did some of it at school beforehand.” You Li was pleased to be praised, but he glanced at the bathroom and reminded her, “You Ming hasn’t finished yet. Besides, Mom usually doesn’t allow him to go to the bathroom if he hasn’t finished.”
Yoda then realized that Yo Ming was gone forever. The Yo Li in front of him was so smart and serious that he had almost forgotten about the "fish that slipped through the net".
He quickly went over and knocked on the door. "You Ming, what are you doing?"
They heard rustling sounds coming from inside. Yu Ming slowly opened the door, grabbed Yu Da, and tried to hurry back inside. He was afraid Yu Da would discover the toy car hidden in the bathroom.
Because of his height advantage, the toy car that Yu Ming thought was well hidden could be clearly seen from Yu Da's perspective.
Yoda: "Why are you bringing toys to the toilet?"
Yu Ming guiltily defended himself, "I was just looking, I didn't play."
Yoda laughed angrily: "If you haven't been playing, why haven't you come out yet?"
Yu Ming couldn't explain it, and seeing Yu Li sitting on the sofa playing with a Rubik's Cube, he thought he had caught an accomplice. He excitedly ran over, "Yu Li is playing too!"
Yu Ming didn't even glance at the guy next to him who thought he wouldn't be scolded because he had an accomplice. He continued to spin the Rubik's Cube in his hand, completely unaffected. "I've already finished my homework."
Yu Ming was shocked; he hadn't been playing for very long.
Yoda, feeling helpless, simply sat down opposite Yoming and stared at him intently. The tender moment was over; now she was the stern and unyielding older sister.
After being refused countless times for water and bathroom breaks, and with his hands aching and wanting to rest, Youming had no choice but to accept his fate. By the time he finished his homework, it was already very late. Youda checked the time; his parents would be home soon, so he quickly helped the two of them wash up.
Yu Ming fell asleep instantly after tucking himself into bed, while Yu Li was also extremely sleepy. He struggled to get up, his eyes already closed, muttering, "I haven't packed my schoolbag yet."
Not wanting their mother to see that their younger brothers were still awake at bedtime, Yoda quickly agreed, "I'll take care of them, go to sleep now." Relieved, Yoli immediately turned off the power and fell asleep instantly.
Yoda slumped onto the sofa, finally able to catch his breath.
On the desk lay an old elementary school textbook. Yoda picked it up casually and flipped through it—it was his own. Every few pages, there were his own drawings. Most were small houses, but with different things interspersed inside: some were chairs, some were various toys, and some were too abstract for Yoda to remember what he had been trying to draw.
However, Yoda did know about this small, square room that had always been there.
On the rooftop of the old house we used to live in, the adults would hang clothes to dry and plant flowers and vegetables. There was also an empty room that was originally used to raise pigeons, but it was left unused after that was banned.
That place became Yoda and Shixing's favorite place to play house every day. The two of them would move all the toys and cardboard boxes they could find in the house there, and the most important thing every day was to plan out their little room. Two pieces of cardboard were put together to make a sofa, and a bed sheet was their bedroom. They could play for a long time just by discussing the rules for entering and leaving their little home.
It was the happiness of that time that inspired the two of them to want to study interior design when they grew up, and to create homes that would make people feel happy.
Yoda flipped through his masterpieces, squeezed into the gaps between pages of his textbook. By today's standards, the proportions were sometimes too large and sometimes too small. Sometimes the windows were drawn larger than the doors, and sometimes the square frames that looked like sofas extended beyond the house. Two tiny figures holding hands, taller than the house itself, certainly couldn't fit through the doorway that was only half their height.
Yoda finished flipping through his own books, his interest undiminished. While packing his younger brothers' schoolbags, he glanced at their textbooks. Indeed, drawing in textbooks was a tradition that could be passed down naturally without needing much explanation.
Yu Ming's textbook was filled with drawings of little figures fighting in various poses, quite intensely. Each page footer was also drawn with them, making it seem like they were coming to life when you flipped through it—very interesting. You could tell that one corner was so frequently turned over that it was a mess, like it'd been salvaged from a trash can.
Compared to Youming's crumpled and soft textbook, Youli's was spotless. Youda opened it and found it completely blank. It wasn't like Youming's, covered in doodles, but it was so clean there wasn't a single word.
"Don't you need to take any notes?" Yoda asked, somewhat puzzled.
The sound of a car engine shutting off came from downstairs. Yoda put down his packed schoolbag and tiptoed to the window.
The parents walked slowly, leaning on each other. The mother held a bouquet of sunflowers in her hand, their golden color appearing even warmer under the streetlights.
This was Dad's improvisation; it seems today's date went very well. Yoda covered her mouth and laughed, then went back to her bedroom.
What a loving and harmonious family!
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