Gu Beixian's voice is mellifluous, deep, magnetic, and crystalline, reminiscent of the melodious tones of a cello's low notes. It grazes her ears, sliding into the membranes with a captivating effect.
Uncharacteristically, Su Hui's heartbeats became unruly.
Within her, it felt as if a small deer with antlers was forcefully colliding against her chest.
She stood there motionless.
The words of love spoken by a beloved one could truly induce the secretion of dopamine in the brain.
Su Hui raised her eyes, tilting her small face upward, gazing at his sexy and alluring handsome visage, and said, "Thank you for comforting me in such a way."
Gu Beixian chuckled, pinching her cheek, his eyes filled with playfulness, "I've noticed you're quite straightforward, little straightforward girl."
Su Hui's expression slightly froze, and she awkwardly smiled, "I might be a bit clueless about romantic affairs. Xiaoyi said the same thing before."
Gu Beixian raised one corner of his lips, "What did he say?"
"He said I'm a good woman, but too good, which might make me seem a bit boring. He advised me to be a bit more unrestrained, flirt a bit, be tender when necessary, show vulnerability, be thick-skinned when needed, and be strategic."
Gu Beixian pondered for a moment, "Being unrestrained is acceptable, but it should only be in front of me. Flirting and being tender are fine, but being thick-skinned and using strategies, not so much."
Su Hui obediently said, "Alright."
Gu Beixian touched her head, "Wait for me at home. If you have any cravings for dinner, I'll bring it for you."
These two days, Su Hui didn't have much appetite, so she said, "I don't have any specific cravings."
"Then I'll decide for you. Let Mrs. Liu handle lunch, and you don't need to lift a finger."
Su Hui felt like she had transformed from a maid to a princess, compliantly responding, "Okay."
"I'm leaving." Gu Beixian hugged her again, picked up his briefcase, changed his shoes, and reached for the doorknob.
Suddenly, Su Hui ran after him, hugged his waist from behind, and whispered, "I really want to shrink, so you can put me in your pocket. That way, wherever you go, I can follow."
She wasn't adept at sweet talk, but feeling obligated to reciprocate, she awkwardly came up with this line.
Gu Beixian was nearly amused to death.
Her attempt at sweet talk seemed like matching couplets.
While others effortlessly uttered such phrases, she had to think for a long time to produce such awkward lines.
Her earnest delivery of sweet talk lacked the alluring flavor of flirtation.
He slowly turned around, cupped her small face, lowered his head, and kissed her lips, unable to hold back his laughter, "Our Huohuo is so adorable."
Adorable?
Su Hui was a bit baffled.
When Gu Beixian left, she walked into the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror for a long time.
Her face was indeed attractive, but how could it be associated with being adorable?
With Gu Beixian gone, the spacious room felt empty, and Su Hui began to miss her grandmother again.
She walked to the balcony, sat on the recliner, and stared blankly into space.
Just as she was grieving, her phone rang.
Picking it up and glancing at it, it was a call from Shen Yuan.
Answering the call, she said, "Shen Yuan, Wang Meng's secluded painting has started restoration, and they are about to select someone to continue the brushwork. The museum has gathered a group of skilled copyists from all over the country. Each person will copy a portion, and the best will be chosen. My brother wants you to submit a piece too."
Continuation of brushwork involves repairing the missing or damaged parts of an ancient painting, seamlessly blending them to make the restoration indistinguishable. It tests a person's comprehensive aesthetic sensibility and mastery of basic techniques, requiring a higher level than mere copying. The museum has gathered experts to select the best.
Su Hui replied, "Okay."
Shen Yuan said, "I have photos of the entire secluded painting on my phone. I'll send them to you later."
Su Hui casually said, "No need, I've memorized it."
"What? You've memorized it?" Shen Yuan was extremely surprised. "That secluded painting is so complex, and you can remember the entire thing? Even if you remember the painting, can you recall the missing parts?"
Su Hui nonchalantly responded, "My grandfather deliberately trained me since childhood. Regardless of the type of ancient painting, after looking at it for a few minutes or ten minutes, I can remember them all. Coming back, within half a month, I can reproduce an identical copy."
Shen Yuan was astonished, "My goodness, are you some kind of prodigy!"
Su Hui thought, I can't even deliver a sweet talk, what kind of prodigy am I?
"Enough talk, I'll start drawing a partial picture now, and I'll hand it over to you tonight."
Shen Yuan was surprised again, "So fast?"
"Yeah."
After hanging up the phone, Su Hui entered her own study.
The study contained a complete set of tools for restoring ancient books and paintings.
Grandpa Gu loved collecting ancient calligraphy and paintings, but preserving them wasn't easy. In recent years, Su Hui had been helping with their maintenance and restoration.
This set of tools was procured by Gu Beixian's people.
Su Hui took a piece of rice paper, skillfully dyed it with old tea water, and asked Mrs. Liu to help grind the ink.
Once the paper dried, she picked up the brush and, relying on the image in her mind, began painting.
Wang Meng's painting showcased a rich variation in brushwork and scenery, with a unique combination of textures like the Xiaosu Cun and Niuhao Cun techniques, using heavy ink, intricate composition, multiple layers of mountains, and reflections of water, creating a deep and elegant scene.
Having been guided by her grandfather since childhood, Su Hui had copied many of his works. Familiar with his style and brushstrokes, she effortlessly painted a partial picture just by memory.
In the evening, Su Hui finished the painting and contacted Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan rushed over, took the painting, compared it to the photos on his phone, and exclaimed repeatedly. Unable to resist, she manipulated Su Hui's head left and right, saying, "Huohuo, what kind of extraordinary brain do you have? It works better than a camera!"
Su Hui was slightly embarrassed by her fussing and gently pushed her away, saying, "I was born a few hours later than you. Just call me Su Hui."
"No, you are my Huohuo sister. Sister represents a position in the realm, regardless of age."
Unable to argue with her, Su Hui could only let her call her that.
Shen Yuan carefully rolled up the painting and placed it in the car, saying, "My brother has gone
abroad for a medical exchange conference. He heard from his colleague that your grandmother passed away and specifically called me to accompany you. Where do you want to go? I'll accompany you."
Having some idle time to miss her grandmother, Su Hui also wanted to go out and relax. She said, "Let's go on the Ferris wheel."
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, "What's so special about that?"
Su Hui felt a bit embarrassed, "I've never been on one."
Shen Yuan burst into laughter, "Really? You're in your twenties and haven't been on a Ferris wheel?"
"Well, I haven't."
"Let's go then."
Su Hui got into Shen Yuan's car.
The two of them had a meal together, then headed to Kyoto's largest amusement park.
The giant Ferris wheel, over a hundred meters tall, had dazzling colorful lights installed on each small cabin. At night, it looked beautiful like a rainbow.
Su Hui and Shen Yuan entered one of the cabins together.
After about ten minutes, they reached the highest point of the Ferris wheel.
Inside the cabin, there were telescopes provided for visitors to enjoy the night view.
Su Hui and Shen Yuan picked up the telescope, looking outside. They could see the entire city of Kyoto, with myriad lights, flowing colors, twinkling stars, creating an incomparably beautiful night scene outlined by neon lights.
Suddenly, Shen Yuan patted Su Hui's shoulder and exclaimed, "Look! That handsome guy, Gu Beixian!"
Su Hui adjusted the telescope and looked in the direction she pointed.
Across the street, in front of Kyoto Grand Hotel's parking lot, a man and a woman got out of an extended luxury car.
The man had a tall stature, handsome appearance, dressed in a dark suit, walking with a confident and elegant stride.
The woman was charmingly beautiful, wearing stylish clothes, exuding a glamorous aura.
The man was none other than Gu Beixian.
The woman was Chu Suosuo.
The two walked shoulder to shoulder towards the hotel entrance, conversing as they walked.
The telescope provided a clear view, even capturing the smile on Chu Suosuo's face.
She looked so happy.
The smile on Su Hui's face solidified.