Chapter 56: Malt Sugar

Chapter 56: Malt Sugar

Back at the Cen house, Yin Hongxue had gotten up when the old nurse called, washed up, then headed to the study.

Cen Mengtao, being young, naturally took her sweet time waking up. She didn't slide out of bed, eyes half-closed, until Yin Hongxue was almost ready.

The little girl shuffled into her shoes, grabbed the towel Yin Hongxue had just dried his face with, and gave her own face a quick wipe. Only after she'd shaken off her drowsiness a bit did she open her eyes all the way and follow Yin Hongxue to the study.

Inside the study, Painter Cen was already at his desk, brush in hand, painting.

Yin Hongxue glanced over from a distance and saw a spring scene of plants sprouting—he liked it right away.

Painter Cen didn't even look up, just said, "Find your own desk and paint."

Yin Hongxue said yes and walked to the desk on the left.

Cen Mengtao let out a big yawn and went to the desk on the right.

From the sound of her footsteps, Painter Cen knew she hadn't put her shoes on right again.

Knowing that if he said anything, the little girl would have some excuse and he'd have to argue with her, Painter Cen pretended he didn't see it.

It was a small thing anyway—she'd put them on properly once she got tired of walking like that.

Sure enough, before long, he heard paper rustling and Cen Mengtao grabbing her shoes and putting them on.

About fifteen minutes later, Painter Cen set down his brush, admired his finished "Spring Scene" with satisfaction, and then stood up.

In front of him, a boy and a girl both held their brushes with focused looks, clearly lost in their painting.

He walked quietly to a spot right between and behind the two.

From there, he could see both their papers clearly.

Yin Hongxue had painted a thick clump of ink bamboo, while Cen Mengtao had painted a pile of weirdly shaped rocks.

Lately, he'd been focusing on teaching them how to use ink, where the five shades—burnt, thick, heavy, light, and pale—all had to come through in the ink. It really wasn't easy.

Mixing the ink, loading the brush, controlling the water, and the lift, press, pause, flick, light, heavy, fast, and slow brush movements all changed the color.

Painter Cen's eyes fell on Yin Hongxue's paper.

The clump of ink bamboo, with its varying distances, thicknesses, heights, and bends, was clearly shown through the burnt, thick, heavy, light, and pale shades.

Though his use of the five shades wasn't fully polished yet, it was already more than good enough.

Painter Cen felt a sudden wave of emotion.

He'd originally taken in Yin Hongxue partly out of gratitude to Gu Daniu and Gu Wen, and partly because he saw real potential in his paintings.

There was another reason too: he'd been worried about Cen Mengtao sneaking off alone again and being too scared to come home, so he figured taking in Yin Hongxue would at least give her a playmate.

And since the parents were so reasonable and kind, the kid was bound to be good too.

And even if he didn't turn out well, he could always send him off later.

But he never expected Yin Hongxue to be such a natural at painting.

He loved painting, caught on after a single hint, improved fast, and never got arrogant or complacent.

Painter Cen felt that in a few years, he wouldn't have anything left to teach him.

Another fifteen minutes passed, and Yin Hongxue set down his brush with a relaxed, satisfied look.

He first looked up at the desk in front, saw no one, then turned to look behind him.

Painter Cen was indeed standing behind him, his face unreadable as he looked at the painting.

Checking the sun, he saw it was about that time.

Painter Cen knew Gu Muan had gone to Huichun Hall today and that Yin Hongxue was thinking about it, so he didn't drag it out.

Under Yin Hongxue's expectant gaze, Painter Cen nodded. Only then did Yin Hongxue happily pack up his stuff, say goodbye to Madam Cen, and head off cheerfully.

Back at Huichun Hall,

after a full day, Gu Muan had gone from his initial excitement to a droopy, listless state.

He remembered Yin Hongxue had said he'd come pick him up after class, and the further the sun moved west, the more he couldn't help peeking out the clinic entrance.

Luckily, the clinic was busy in the afternoon, so Doctor Ding didn't catch him—otherwise, he'd have gotten a lecture for sure.

Just as he looked outside for the sixth time, he saw a familiar figure at the clinic entrance.

A bean-green padded jacket, dark blue pants and skirt, and a grayish-white rabbit fur scarf around the neck that made a smiling face look delicate and fair—who else could it be but Yin Hongxue?

Gu Muan's droopy expression instantly brightened.

He moved his lips silently, clearly mouthing "Xue Age."

Yin Hongxue's eyes curved into a smile as he walked into Huichun Hall.

Doctor Ding was in the middle of seeing a patient, and the pharmacy apprentice nearby saw Yin Hongxue and immediately came over: "Young sir, are you feeling unwell?"

Before Yin Hongxue could explain, Gu Muan had already wrapped his arms around him.

"Xue Age, you've come to pick me up."

The pharmacy apprentice looked down, saw Doctor Ding's little apprentice, and got it.

Seeing he wasn't a customer, his expression didn't change. Just then another patient came in, so he went over there.

Yin Hongxue took Gu Muan's hand, said hi to Doctor Ding, and led the boy away.

The other three kids were still standing off to the side.

Watching Yin Hongxue lead Gu Muan away, their looks ranged from indifferent to envious, with even a glare or two.

At Doctor Ding's place, the afternoon departure time was flexible—lessons were mostly in the morning anyway. It all depended on when each family came to pick up their kid.

Over here, Yin Hongxue held Gu Muan's hand as the two boys walked toward the spot where the carts were parked at the edge of town.

Usually, Yin Hongxue walked home alone, but now with Gu Muan's company, it wasn't just Gu Muan who was happy—Yin Hongxue felt a rare, delightful joy too.

Neither could say who started it, but their joined hands began to swing gently and lazily.

Passersby on the street and idle vendors alike smiled at the sight of the two boys looking so carefree and cute.

Yin Hongxue asked, "Did today's lessons go alright?"

Gu Muan paused for two seconds before reluctantly speaking, "Studying medicine is so exhausting, ugh."

Yin Hongxue couldn't help but chuckle.

With his free hand, he tapped Gu Muan's forehead and said, "Learning a trade is bound to be tough. Even the young ladies, young masters, and gents in fancy estates, who have servants doing everything for them, have their own worries and struggles."

Gu Muan thought of his dad getting splinters in his hands from woodworking, and the fingers he'd hurt;

He also remembered his mom pricking her fingers with needles while embroidering, and coughing from the oil smoke when she was stir-frying;

And how hard his brother studied, and how Xue Age would sit for ages—half an hour, even a full hour—when painting.

He pouted, sulking, and didn't talk back anymore.

Seeing him all mopey, Yin Hongxue's heart went out to him.

"An Geer, look over there—isn't that malt sugar?"

Gu Muan's head snapped up, and sure enough, there was a little roadside stall with chunks of yellow malt sugar.

Yin Hongxue's voice chimed in: "How about Xue Age gets some malt sugar for our An Geer, huh?"

This made Gu Muan happy.

"Yes!"