Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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By the time she got home, it was already three in the afternoon. And Chen Ruozhi’s anger had subsided considerably. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Chen Tanliang watching international news in the living room. When Chen Tanliang looked up, she handed him a book.
“This is for you, it’s perfect for your current situation.”
Chen Tanliang took it and read: “How to Communicate Effectively with Others”
Chen Tanliang said helplessly, “Ruozhi, are you implying that I don’t know how to communicate with people?”
Chen Ruozhi gave him a look that said, “What else could it be?”
She then walked in carrying the bag, only to find Jing Xuan’s bedroom door open.
“You’re back so early today?” Chen Ruozhi peeked over.
Jing Xuan was practicing calligraphy with his sleeves rolled up and a brush in his hand. He looked up and smiled gently.
“Nothing much to do today, so I came back early,” he said. “Did you go shopping?”
Chen Ruozhi nodded, took out the calligraphy and painting books from the bag, and handed them to Jing Xuan.
“I went to the bookstore and had a pretty complete selection. I brought you a few books to pass the time.”
“It’s actually his handwriting?” Jing Xuan opened it and laughed, “You have a good eye. No wonder you’re a cultured person.”
Chen Ruozhi walked in. She knew Jing Xuan was refined, but this was the first time she had seen him write calligraphy.
Two lines of text were written on the Xuan paper: “Taking advantage of the cold tide at night, I cross the river; the forest is full of yellow leaves and the cries of wild geese.”
The calligraphy on the Xuan paper was powerful and vigorous, with strong yet gentle strokes, flowing smoothly and unrestrained. One could almost discern some of the owner’s personality traits from the characters.
“What beautiful calligraphy!” Chen Ruozhi exclaimed.
Jing Xuan’s calligraphy was already on par with that of ancient masters. Then again, his own Xin’er was an ancient figure, so of course she couldn’t be any worse.
Jing Xuan laughed and said, “I’m just amusing myself. My brother’s handwriting is better than mine, but his style and brushstrokes are too domineering. I’ll have him write for you sometime.”
Chen Ruozhi nodded.
“My mother’s handwriting seems to be very good too,” she recalled.
Jiang Shining rarely wrote calligraphy back then, which now seems to be because her skill level didn’t match Jiang Yiru’s persona. After all, a woman from humble beginnings shouldn’t have very good handwriting. When she did write, it was mostly with a fountain pen, and Chen Ruozhi only saw it once or twice in private.
“Of course, people in ancient times paid more attention to learning this,” Jing Xuan said. “Why don’t you write one too?”
“I prefer fountain pens,” Chen Ruozhi said with a smile. “If there’s anything to draw, I’d be willing to make a fool of myself.”
Unexpectedly, Jing Xuan’s eyes lit up like a child’s, and he took out the tools for painting traditional Chinese paintings from his desk.
“Let’s give it a try, let’s collaborate on one, and I can write an inscription for you.”
Chen Ruozhi’s interest was piqued, so she picked up a pen.
She was drawing, and Jing Xuan was watching her drawing.
“Did you have a falling out with Chen Tanliang?” Jing Xuan asked.
Chen Ruozhi sighed and recounted what had happened that morning. One issue was that she was already feeling frustrated because of the difficult choice between the two sides, and the other was that Chen Tanliang was determined not to listen to her advice. Both things left her feeling somewhat depressed.
“It’s normal to not be able to argue with your family when you’re right.” Jing Xuan smiled. “I think this is a simple matter. It only takes a few years to complete a master’s degree. If you have good grades and enough credits, it’s not impossible for you to graduate early. It’s not like we’re going to be separated by life and death. It’s actually quite convenient to see each other anytime.”
“What about my brother?” Chen Ruozhi said dejectedly. “He insists on coming with me, but I hope he can stay here in my place.”
“You two depend on each other for survival, so it’s normal for him to care about you,” Jing Xuan said. “I’ll talk to him tonight.”
That’s fine too.
Chen Ruozhi stopped drawing, because she had been distracted and the drawing didn’t quite feel right. Jing Xuan glanced at it, picked up his brush, and wrote beside it: “A heart as still as water.”
Chen Ruozhi smiled helplessly.
In the evening, the people who went to work went home, and Guoguo went home too.
As a child attending kindergarten for the first time, she received a warm welcome. Guoguo had been very attached to Chen Ruozhi lately, and rushed into her older sister’s arms as soon as she entered the door.
“Guoguo, how was your day?”
“It was so much fun!” Guoguo said excitedly. “Guoguo didn’t get into any fights! I even learned how to draw a little duck today.”
“Perfect timing, I bought you some books.” Chen Ruozhi smiled and took out the poetry, art, and English books she had bought. “How about I teach you?”
Guoguo had no idea what these words meant, but her childlike intuition made her suddenly feel a sense of crisis.
“No need, no need! Guoguo’s get out of class is over, it’s break time now!” Guoguo quickly said.
“If you don’t want to learn, then don’t.” Over there, Jing Yuan had just washed his hands and picked up an apple, saying, “Guoguo, you can do whatever you want. Even if you don’t do anything, we can support you for the rest of your life.”
“Jing Yuan,” Jing Xuan said disapprovingly.
A few people were chatting inside when Guoguo looked around and asked in a clear voice, “Where’s Mommy?”
Everyone in the conversation was taken aback.
Yes, where’s Mom?
….
At the same time, Jiang Shining entered a private restaurant, where a waiter led her into a private room.
Pushing open the door, she saw a woman sitting on one side of the table, dressed in luxurious clothes. She was extremely beautiful, the kind of strikingly beautiful that was almost aggressive.
This person was a currently popular actress named Feng Fuman, known for her fiery sexiness and unrestrained personality. She was a well-known tough character in the entertainment industry, and her actions were somewhat capricious. While her acting range wasn’t wide, no one had yet surpassed her in portraying femme fatales and charismatic women.
When Jiang Shining came in, Feng Fuman was smoking. With her two slender fingers holding a cigarette between her fingers, the smoke she exhaled had an elegant and alluring charm.
“Ms. Feng, is there something you need for this private meeting?” Jiang Shining asked politely.
Feng Fuman stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and looked up at Jiang Shining.
“Miss Jiang, do you remember who I am?” Feng Fuman smiled gently. Seeing Jiang Shining frown, the corners of her red lips curled up. “Miss Jiang, or rather, Jiang Yiru…”
Jiang Shining was taken aback.
Looking at the person in front of her, a name suddenly appeared before her eyes.
…Sun Qinling?
The author has something to say:
The next chapter will describe how the female protagonist died during the Republican era, and it will also be the end of the chapter (actually, I secretly want to write about Chen Tanliang in military uniform, sob sob).
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