Fifteen minutes later, Chao Chao pushed the marker aside, exhaled, and said, "All done!"
The painting depicts her, her father, her grandfather, and Uncle Lin Cheng having a meal together. The composition is simple, but the characters are distinct: Chaochao has two little buns, Huo Qin has thick hair, Old Master Huo has wrinkles, and Lin Cheng wears glasses.
However, they all had one thing in common: huge, wholesale smiles on their faces.
Vibrant, eerie.
Chaochao thought her drawing was so heartwarming. Look how loving it is!
She held up the drawing paper with her short, chubby arms and walked past the two of them with her head held high, as if she were reviewing a military parade.
Huo Qin nodded: "Extremely lifelike."
Grandpa Huo smiled broadly: "Lifelike!"
If Chaochao likes to paint, then let's hold an art exhibition for her, a global exhibition!
Of course, we should strongly support our children's interests and hobbies!
Satisfied with their affirmative answers, Chaochao put away her drawing paper, washed her hands, and ran happily into Huo Qin's arms to watch TV.
Old Master Huo took a sip of tea, feeling warm and comforted.
It's so nice to be together as a family.
but.
It seems like I've forgotten something.
unimportant.
Grandpa Huo put it out of his mind and watched TV with Chaochao.
An advertisement for a luxury watch was playing on TV.
On the screen, top star Jiang Chi is aloof and noble, wearing a black V-neck openwork suit that accentuates his fair skin. His beautifully shaped peach blossom eyes are as cold as frost, yet when he gazes at you, they seem like ripples of spring light, captivating your soul.
Ugh, this is offensive!
Old Master Huo's smile froze.
He remembered.
but.
unimportant.
The old man casually looked away.
Seeing that Chaochao was holding a yogurt container and staring intently at the screen, Old Master Huo had a bad feeling. "What is Chaochao looking at?"
Chaochao: "Look at this big brother, he's so handsome."
"Well," she said, tilting her head in confusion, "she's wearing a little too little clothing."
Even her baby got goosebumps just looking at it, let alone the adults!
Old Master Huo hadn't expected this answer.
After a moment's thought, I decided to let it go.
Huo Qin glanced at his father but didn't say anything.
When it was time for bed, the now carefree Mr. Huo naturally suggested that he tell each morning a bedtime story.
Then, following the vine upwards, he wanted to sleep on the floor in Chaochao's room and listen to stories.
Huo Qin said with a sneer, "How about I explain it to you?"
Old Master Huo: "..."
Never mind, he's afraid of having nightmares.
"Where is Chaochao?"
Old Master Huo looked around the room but didn't see anyone.
Huo Qin: "Downstairs, grow grass."
Old Master Huo: ?
What kind of creature are you raising?
In the courtyard, Chaochao busily carried out small flowerpots and placed them under the eaves, which could shelter them from the wind and rain without blocking the moonlight.
It's a great place to absorb the essence of the sun and moon.
Chaochao, a tiny little thing, squatted by the flowerpot, not much bigger than the potted plant itself.
She reached out her fair, delicate fingers and gently stroked the slender, green leaves of the orchid.
"Little grass, little grass, you must live well."
She looked up at the gray magpie perched on the branch. "Gray, I'm entrusting the little bugs on the grass to you. Make sure they don't—uh—have any chickens to ride!"
The new idiom we learned today is called this, right?
Greyy chirped loudly, indicating that the mission was absolutely accomplished.
It's a little bug-catching guardian!
Although I don't know why Chaochao values this wilted little grass.
But what can you do when Chaochao is its good friend?
After finishing her instructions, she rested her chin on her hand and gazed at the orchid, her glass-like eyes sparkling with anticipation in the moonlight.
When will the grass bloom?
Grey heard it jump a few times on the branch, and it even bloomed. It's good enough that it can come back to life.
Grandpa called her from upstairs.
"Here you are."
Chaochao waved goodbye one last time.
Goodnight, little grass, dream of me.
...
In the quiet bedroom.
For once, Yu Ci did not dream of the salty, cramped seawater or the woman's soft murmurs. Everything was quiet and peaceful, and nothing happened.
Yu Ci opened her eyes. All around was quiet, and a lamp on the bedside table cast a warm glow.
My eyelashes trembled unconsciously, and a huge, empty panic surged into my chest.
It seems like he's all alone in the world again.
After a moment, the boy's inorganic black eyes slowly turned, and then he quietly sat up.
He picked up his phone; it was already 7:30, and everyone had left.
A message notification has been received on WeChat.
It's Xie Jingcheng.
When did you add each other as friends?
Yu Ci frowned slightly, but still clicked on it.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder sufferers can't stand seeing red message notifications.
I added this friend a year ago, and today I finally spoke to him for the first time.
[Xie Jingcheng: There's porridge in the kitchen]
[Xie Jingcheng: Ginger tea in a thermos]
The last one is a voice message.
The little dumpling's soft, sweet voice came from the phone.
"Brother Yu Ci, remember to drink ginger tea! I even made it for you~ Brother Yu Ci, you must get well soon from your cold!"
The boy lowered his eyes, turned on the speaker, and lightly touched it with his fingertips.
The voice prompt sounded again.
"Brother Yu Ci remembers..."
"Brother Yu Ci..."
"Brother Yu Ci..."
The boy sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the voice message again and again, until someone accidentally triggered the siren of a police electric scooter downstairs, causing it to sound sharply. Only then did he slowly put down his phone.
Yu Ci walked into the kitchen and glanced at the clay pot on the stove; the porridge was still hot.
Judging from the color of the finished product, it doesn't seem like something Xie Jingcheng could make.
Sure enough, a takeout receipt was found in the trash can.
Yu Ci picked up the thermos and took a sip of ginger tea.
His eyebrows furrowed slightly and then relaxed.
Salty?
But he still drank all the ginger tea, spoonful by spoonful.
Aside from the initial unexpected incident, her pale and delicate face remained expressionless.
It tasted like the most ordinary thing in the world.
After finishing his porridge and tidying everything up, he sat in the living room and opened the jewelry box on the coffee table.
Inside lay the orchid and jade bracelet.
The only belongings recovered after the mother jumped into the sea.
He calmly picked up the bracelet, his almost transparent fingertips tracing the jade's texture, and murmured softly.
"Mother."
"I want to try..."
Hopefully she won't let him down.
otherwise.
The salty and astringent taste of ginger tea still lingered on his tongue. The boy put the bracelet away and placed it in the deepest part of the drawer.
He'll go crazy.
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