Chapter 185
Watercolor paints can irritate the skin and cause allergies, and can also trigger respiratory asthma. Babies have delicate skin, and even during bathing, you can't rub them vigorously. How do you clean paint off them?
A six-month-old baby's bones and muscles are not fully developed, and they can only sit for five minutes, not more than ten minutes.
—What was this person thinking when they taught a baby to draw?
Xie Xubai didn't realize it until the woman excitedly pushed him into a room and placed him against the wall, facing an oversized canvas three meters away.
Okay, it wasn't that she taught him how to draw step by step, it was that she watched him draw.
"That's about right! The timing is perfect."
As the woman spoke, she carried him to the window, gently tapped the glass with her finger, and guided his gaze downwards: "Look, baby, there are lots of older brothers and sisters over there, can you see them?"
Xie Xubai looked down. It was probably around school dismissal time, as many elementary school students were walking in groups of three or five from outside the residential area.
A six-month-old baby can already perceive moving objects and is fascinated by everything.
Seeing Xie Xubai staring intently, his obsidian-like eyes blinking like a tranquil lake reflecting the world, the woman couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The woman affectionately poked the child's little face: "You've never seen those older brothers and sisters before, so you're very curious, aren't you? You're still too young and your body is very fragile, so Mommy and Daddy don't dare let you have too much contact with people. When you grow up a little older, you can play outside for a longer time, and then you can meet the older brothers and sisters!"
Xie Xubai listened to her words and subconsciously wanted to take a few more glances, but the next second the woman picked him up, put him back in the stroller, smiled at him, and pulled the curtains closed from both sides.
The curtain was made of large transparent plastic bags and secured with clips and hanging wires, effectively blocking the splashed paint and providing complete coverage.
The woman is a bit careless and absent-minded in her daily life. For example, she might eat while looking at her phone and accidentally put the spoon up her nose. She often forgets to bring her keys or phone when going out. She might even pay for groceries and leave immediately, only to rush back a minute later with an embarrassed smile, saying to the vendor, "Sorry, sorry, I forgot to take it."
But when it comes to his safety, he always seems to be incredibly meticulous, taking as much care as he can.
Even the clearest transparent plastic bag seemed to be seen through a hazy veil, but perhaps because the woman was always smiling gently and brightly at him, this body, bearing his mother's constant attention, felt no unease.
Until the woman retreated to the vicinity of the canvas, she suddenly picked up a small bucket full of oil paint next to her and, without warning, splashed it onto the canvas with bold, sweeping strokes!
In an instant, the oil paints bloomed like flowers, and large patches of orange-red sparks immediately appeared on the blurry transparent plastic bag!
This body had not yet been exposed to such brilliant colors at this time. This scene came too suddenly and was too shocking. The small eyes trembled as they stared at the canvas, the hazy world filled with color.
The woman smiled reassuringly at the child who was momentarily stunned, and began to paint.
Perhaps out of consideration for the child's patience, she didn't use a brush for meticulous detail. But even with just a brush, she wielded it with a swift and unrestrained style. Her demeanor suddenly changed, as if some intense and surging emotion was being released from her, dancing gracefully with the movement of her arms, echoing in the small studio.
Swish—
The curtain was pulled open.
By the time Xie Xubai came to his senses, the painting was finished. The woman took a moment to remove her disposable raincoat, which was covered in paint, and washed her hands. After checking it over and over again, she picked him up.
Without the transparent plastic bag obscuring the view, the world suddenly became much clearer, and his gaze followed the woman's movement as she lifted him up.
For a moment, Xie Xubai vaguely thought he was seeing the sunset.
The woman shone the sunset with her eyes, framed it on a drawing board and paper, and finally presented it to him, dazzling and so close at hand.
He couldn't help but reach out to the drawing board, but of course he couldn't reach it; his arm wasn't long enough.
So the woman didn't stop him. Instead, she reached out her hand just like him, pointing to the group of figures running happily in the sunset, her eyes crinkling: "Baby, look, these are the older brothers and sisters from earlier. Look how happy they are."
Yes, even the most beautiful and stunning sunset was merely decoration.
What truly dominates the canvas are those carefree smiling faces.
The warm-toned sunset shone brightly, spreading out like fiery clouds. Children, carrying their schoolbags, munching on spicy snacks, linked arms and laughing, jumping for joy.
Under the shade of the trees, we laugh and look at each other, and all we see is gentleness, the eternal romance of the world.
A woman's gentle voice whispered in Xie Xubai's ear: "A long time ago, Mom loved to watch, loved to watch everything. She loved watching flowers bloom, watched butterflies flutter in the rapeseed fields, watched the uncle next door take his kids to the market, the kids' faces beaming with joy. She loved watching the grandmas and grandpas at their stalls bustling about, helping each other wipe their sweat..."
“My mother didn’t go to school much and has little education, so she can’t describe it. She just knows that whenever she sees these scenes, she feels that there is nothing in life that she can’t overcome. It’s so good to be alive and able to see this world.”
The curtains swayed gently, laughter echoed, and a bustling crowd flowed through the twilight.
The woman's praise came from the bottom of her heart. Her eyes sparkled with hope. She nuzzled Xie Xubai's little face, and her positive and uplifting tone was like a spring breeze that blew into Xie Xubai's heart: "Baby, although there are many bad things in this world, there are just as many good things, or even more. Mommy loves Grandma, loves Daddy, loves you, and loves this world. I hope you love it too."
The woman picked up her paintbrush again, not just to show the world to her six-month-old baby.
After that drinking session, the man's application was finally approved, allowing him to work from home a few days a week. With his help, the two of them could manage the household chores together, which made things less tiring.
A woman who feels better and sees her hardworking husband thinking about what she can do to help supplement the family income.
Just then, the internet was booming, and various online businesses were developing rapidly. She thought that she could sell her paintings online so that people wouldn't recognize her.
She was anxious and insecure, feeling that without someone to recommend her paintings, they might not sell, and that it would be a waste of her time and money.
Besides, children need their mothers' care at a time when they can't be separated from their mothers.
The man offered strong support and encouragement in response.
The woman's painting of children in the sunset that day, although the brushwork wasn't very refined, still amazed him. He praised it highly, framed it, and hung it on the wall of his studio, admiring it every day while stroking his chin.
His support for women wasn't just lip service. To ensure his wife had enough rest, he would sometimes set an alarm to wake up at 5 a.m. after working until midnight to buy groceries and make breakfast so his wife could get a little more sleep.
This is just one small thing among many things he has done for his wife.
Sometimes, looking at the man with lumbar muscle strain, his back covered in plasters, groaning on the sofa, Xie Xubai, from a man's perspective, felt that this husband was almost unrealistically good. He couldn't see a trace of a spoiled brat in the man; the only time he ever got angry was because the woman took a cold shower to save time.
Seemingly noticing Xie Xubai's gaze, the man opened his eyes, flicked his nose, and laughed in a ridiculous manner: "Hey, isn't your dad handsome? My son is so fascinated by him."
A clattering sound came from the kitchen as the woman busied herself making chicken soup for the man. The man sat up, rubbed his shoulders and moved them around, his bones cracking, but he didn't mind. He steadily carried Xie Xubai to the kitchen and leaned against the door.
Under the warm yellow light, the woman's figure busied herself in front of the stove, her body bathed in a soft glow.
The man watched silently, motionless, his eyes more focused and profound than ever before. Suddenly, he whispered to Xie Xubai, "Your mother is really beautiful."
He laughed: "I wonder which girl you'll be messing with in the future, but I guarantee she won't be as pretty as my wife."
Xie Xubai: "..."
What is this person saying to a six-month-old baby?
The man seemed quite emotional as he recounted an old story to his son: "Your mother and I met at a bar. Back then, your father was a real troublemaker, always getting into fights, drinking, and causing trouble. Everyone was afraid of me, except for your mother. I was throwing up in the trash can, and she happened to pass by and secretly poured me a cup of hot water and placed it next to me. She added lemon slices and sugar cubes to the water; it was sweet. I still remember it to this day."
He continued, "Your dad's family is lively, with older and younger brothers. He's the second oldest among his brothers. Although your grandma didn't mistreat me, she didn't really care about me. As for your grandpa, he was a complete scumbag."
During his sophomore year of college, his scumbag father brought home two illegitimate children, both older than him, specifically to fight with his brother for the inheritance.
From that moment on, the man's life was never peaceful again. Before, he had a few followers who fawned over him, but afterwards, everyone treated him as a joke.
His mother also became sharp-tongued and mean after that day, and never regained her former elegant and gentle demeanor.
The man couldn't comfort his mother, and what she wanted was beyond his ability to give.
He was devastated by this, filled with resentment and hatred, and would get drunk in bars. One day, a woman who had developed feelings for him suddenly rushed up and stopped him. This woman, who was so socially awkward that she didn't dare to speak loudly to others, was unusually domineering and snatched his bottle.
During the argument, he impatiently pinned the woman down. The dazzling neon lights shone down, and the noise receded like the tide. He saw that the woman's eyes, filled with anger and worry, were radiant and sparkling, as if they were brimming with starlight.
He was stunned.
In that instant, my breathing became rapid, and thousands of butterflies fluttered on my chest.
The man had only one thought in his mind: he was doomed, and he had to marry this woman.
"I won't hurt your mother like that scumbag did, nor will I let your father's tragedy repeat itself in your life. Your father should work harder and try to become the third-in-command of the company within ten years, so that you and your mother can live a good life." The man whispered to Xie Xubai and his child, "When you grow up and go to elementary school, the loan should be almost paid off by then. During winter and summer vacations, we will travel together and witness the customs and cultures of different parts of the world. Your mother especially loves those places."
“Even if we don’t have time, we can still go out for some fresh air together on weekends. Dad will take you for a bike ride, your mom will sit behind me, and you can ride your own little bike. We can also get a dog and a cat. Remember to buy your mom lots of skincare products, especially for her hands. After all, she’s an artist, a great artist, she needs to take good care of them. And you, even though your mom is really hoping you’ll succeed, whatever you want to learn, she’ll definitely support you wholeheartedly…”
Hearing the murmurs behind her, the woman turned around alertly: "What are you two whispering about?"
“I’m giving our son a moral lesson, telling him to work hard in the future, to be filial to his mother and to his father. And it smells so good, can we eat it yet? My mouth is watering—” The man grinned and leaned closer, only to be pushed away by the woman in annoyance.
In that instant, time seemed to freeze in the warm and playful kitchen, where men shamelessly acted coquettishly, women indulged their helpless yet pampering, and babies laughed foolishly.
Xie Xubai couldn't help but be immersed in this harmonious atmosphere.
He felt that time passed silently, and every day was peaceful and serene.
He watched as the woman successfully sold her first painting online, and she was so excited that she picked him up and spun him around in circles.
He watched as the man's hard work paid off, and he was promoted from deputy group leader to group leader. The first thing he did was buy the woman a high-end hand cream. The two of them happily kissed passionately in the living room.
Happy times pass quickly yet seem long, and everything is slowly getting better.
Clatter, clatter...
Thunder rumbled outside, and the rain poured down relentlessly. The minute hand of the wall clock spun round and round, its mechanical whirring exceptionally clear in the silent room.
The woman teased Xie Xubai while constantly checking the time.
Although the man had called her to say he would be working late, she was still a little worried because the rain outside was too heavy.
"It's so late, why hasn't your dad come back yet? He said he brought an umbrella, I hope he didn't get wet on the way..."
Just then, familiar footsteps sounded outside.
I don't know if it was because the rain was too heavy, but the sound was a bit noisy.
The sound from a cheap tape recorder is always distorted like this.
But the woman didn't think much of it. What did those horrific tragedies on television news have to do with honest, law-abiding people?
She didn't notice that Xie Xubai's expression suddenly went blank, and he frantically waved his arms, trying to call out to her in terror.
Rumble—
A pale flash of lightning ripped through the night, illuminating the silent hall through the window. Hearing a knock, the woman opened the door to greet her beloved, a smile instinctively spreading across her face: "You're back?"
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