Chapter 31 Brother, don't go
What can Mao Mao do?
Under the expectant gaze of the third concubine, she sat blankly on the bed, crossed her legs, and played with her toes, looking not at all smart.
Xia Xiaoxiang asked, puzzled, "Did you get the wrong person?"
The third concubine shook her head: "What do you know?"
The third concubine had her own reasons.
The old lady was old-fashioned and rigid, and her word was law in the house; even the Commander Lou listened to her. The Third Young Master was her own grandson, and if he talked back to her, he would be beaten by both his father and grandmother.
The old lady had followed the rules her whole life, and at this age, her ideas were deeply ingrained and unchangeable. She listened to no one else, but she was willing to listen to Mao Mao.
Third Concubine hasn't forgotten that Mao Mao spoke up for her today.
The old lady was initially so angry, calling her a lowly, worthless person. But as soon as Mao Mao spoke, the old lady fell silent.
After Mao Mao praised her a couple of times, the old lady allowed her to go out.
If the old lady is willing to listen to Mao Mao, and if Mao Mao says a few more words, will she be able to change the old lady's mind?
This little girl has a magical power that makes it impossible for anyone to refuse her. The third concubine, who often secretly wipes Mao Mao's face and combs her hair behind Xia Xiaoxiang's back, is deeply moved by this.
Mao Mao, bewildered, clutched her chubby toes: "Huh? Mao Mao?"
The third concubine nodded vigorously, her face full of anticipation, and said, "Mao Mao, you give it a try!"
Is it Mao Mao?
What is Mao Mao going to do?
Can Mao Mao do it?
The day after her third brother was beaten, Mao Mao huffed and puffed as she climbed the stairs to visit her injured third brother.
Lou Hongjian lay on the bed, his struggle for his freedom thwarted, feeling utterly listless. Even the sight of his beloved younger sister failed to rouse him.
Mao Mao's little hand touched his back, and she gently touched it: "Third Brother, does it hurt?"
Lou Hongjian's second brother, Lou Heming, had already come to see him. This time, Lou Hongjian didn't suffer too many physical injuries; his back was mostly covered in bruises from the old lady's cane, which looked particularly gruesome against his fair skin.
Lou Hongjian said weakly, "It hurts, it hurts so much! Not only does my body hurt, but my heart hurts too!"
Heartache?
Mao Mao looked at him, then at her own little hands: "Third brother, I can't touch your heart."
"Mao Mao, tell me, isn't my painting beautiful?"
"nice!"
"Then why doesn't Grandma appreciate beauty?" Lou Hongjian muttered to himself. "Everyone has eyes to appreciate beauty, and beautiful art can touch people's hearts, so why can't it move Grandma? Is it because her eyesight is bad?"
Mao Mao tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said with certainty, "Grandma's eyesight is very good."
"Of course I know, and I also know that Grandma is prejudiced against me and against everything foreigner. I'm used to it!" Lou Hongjian clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "No matter what, I won't give in like this. I'm going to open this gallery no matter what!"
As he spoke, he leaped out of bed, the movement aggravating the bruises on his back, and he grimaced as he approached his easel.
He spread out a blank canvas and squeezed paint onto his palette. Pain can breed inspiration; having been beaten, he was now brimming with inspiration. He dipped his brush in paint and quickly began to create.
Since Old Madam Lou arrived, he usually goes to the outside studio to paint whenever he wants, so as not to upset Old Madam Lou.
But now he doesn't care anymore; he wants to show his resistance through his actions!
Mao Mao strolled over to Grandma Lou's place to play with the cat.
Even after a night, Old Madam Lou was still angry. When she saw Mao Mao, her face was tense and her expression was cold and stern.
Upon meeting, her sensitive nose immediately detected the paint smell on Mao Mao: "You went to Ah Hong's place? Humph, he's up to his messy stuff again."
Mao Mao obediently replied, "Third brother is drawing."
"draw?"
Madam Lou said unhappily, "It's not that I forbid him from painting. We have painters who have been passed down for thousands of years. He doesn't want to learn from them, but insists on learning Western painting. I think he's just deliberately going against me."
Mao Mao blinked her eyes: "Third brother's drawing is beautiful."
Old Madam Lou glanced at her.
Her brows furrowed, and the wrinkles on her face deepened. She could speak harshly to her grown grandson, but she couldn't bring herself to say it to this three-year-old.
Even if she explained things logically, this little girl might not understand.
With a long face, Old Madam Lou opened her carved wooden snack box, took out some snacks and pastries, and coldly presented them to Mao Mao, saying, "Eat."
Mao Mao grabbed a piece of Poria cocos cake and leaned against the big white cat.
The big white cat let out a soft meow.
"Grandma, have you seen Mao Mao?" Mao Mao excitedly introduced, gesturing wildly, "The Mao Mao hanging on the wall looks exactly like Mao Mao!"
Mao Mao was referring to her portrait.
Of course, Madam Lou had seen it.
Not long after she met this little girl, she heard Mao Mao mention that portrait.
Although Madam Lou disliked Western paintings, she had to admit that the portrait was exceptionally lifelike; the child in the frame looked as if he had crawled right into the picture, so vivid and lifelike.
"Third brother drew it for me." Mao Mao munched on a snack, her little feet dangling in the air as she happily swung back and forth: "Third brother wants to be a great painter."
"Hmph." Old Madam Lou said coldly, "I know, you're here to act as his mediator."
Mao Mao stared blankly: "Huh?"
The big white cat meowed and was chased out of the door by Old Madam Lou along with Mao Mao.
The old lady was angry, and no amount of persuasion could change her mind; she wouldn't listen to even Mao Mao's words.
Mao Mao finished eating her snack while standing still, and then had no choice but to take the big white cat to go play with her fourth brother.
After yesterday's farce, the atmosphere at home was very heavy. The old lady was holding her breath, and the others didn't dare to make a sound. The whole house was quiet.
Mao Mao was also affected by this mood, and even when she wanted to play, she couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
When Lou Fengju went out, he saw her squatting on the steps by the door, resting her chubby chin on her hand, sighing sadly. The big white cat sat beside her, their two round, plump figures silhouetted against each other.
Lou Fengju chuckled, "Little Mao Mao, what are you doing sitting here?"
Mao Mao looked up at him and said, "Brother."
"Why are you sighing? Who upset you?" Lou Fengju raised an eyebrow: "Tell your brother, and your brother will teach him a lesson for you."
Mao Mao, resting her chubby chin on her hand, said worriedly, "Brother, Grandma and Third Brother are unhappy."
Lou Fengju curled his lips: "So it was Ah Hong who got scolded by Grandma and no one played with you."
He took a pocket watch out of his pocket, glanced at the time, and said, "I don't have time today, I have to go out right away. I'll take you out tomorrow when I'm free?"
"Brother, where are you going?"
"I'm going to discuss a collaboration with the English." Lou Fengju rubbed her head.
He didn't elaborate on the specifics of the collaboration.
The little girl is so young, she wouldn't understand even if I explained it to her.
It was no secret that he was there to discuss cooperation. As a representative of the military and political department, his upcoming cooperation with the English had already been announced in the newspapers, and today was the day to sign the contract.
Mao Mao tilted her head back and stared at him blankly for a while, then suddenly reached out and hugged his leg.
"Brother, I don't want to go," Mao Mao said.
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