"Hey, kid, instead of studying properly, why are you asking what my little sister’s name is? How old are you? Are you even an adult?" Xu Nian’an looked down at him from a position of superiority, his demeanor full of guard as if Gu Mingcheng was going to snatch Xu Nianhua away.
With Gu Mingcheng still looking immature, he should take a good look at himself in the mirror. How could he possibly match up to his talented and beautiful little sister?
"So studying means I can’t ask for her name?" Gu Mingcheng was particularly stubborn about this point as he looked at Xu Nianhua and said, "I like you."
"Hey, kid, are you looking for a beating?"
Xu Nian’an was furious upon hearing this.
Xu Nianhua hurriedly grabbed him, also surprised. Gu Mingcheng actually said that? Counting on his fingers, was this their first meeting?
No, Gu Mingcheng said he had seen her before at Huaming Lake, so at most this was their second meeting?
"No, I mean, your appearance inspires me a lot. I want to paint you, may I?" Gu Mingcheng’s eyes were pure, devoid of any impurities or ulterior motives. His admiration was simple and pure, just like his desire to paint her.
"What do you mean?" Xu Nian’an felt his brain wasn’t quite up to speed as he looked at Gu Mingcheng as if he were looking at an idiot. This silly kid must be out of his mind, right?
"I mean, you could model for me, let me paint you."
Gu Mingcheng hurriedly explained, "My paintings are really good; my teacher always says they’re impressive, and I definitely won’t make you look bad."
"Xu Nianhua, my name is Xu Nianhua." Xu Nianhua introduced herself.
"Yixian Yizhu reminds of Nianhua?" Gu Mingcheng’s voice rang out crisply.
"Nice name, your parents really knew how to choose a name," Gu Mingcheng praised.
"Don’t try to flatter me."
Xu Nian’an watched as they chatted more and more happily, looking displeased. This foolish kid looked stupider by the minute.
"I’m telling the truth," Gu Mingcheng insisted stubbornly. "Xu Nianhua, I study in Hangzhou City, I’m studying painting. I just want to ask you to be my model; you really inspire me when I see you."
Gu Mingcheng’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Xu Nian’an.
"Okay," Xu Nianhua didn’t refuse.
"Then when should we meet? Today..." Gu Mingcheng hesitated a moment, remembering the stern reminder from his mother that he had to go home today, and he felt the timing wasn’t quite right. He changed his mind and said, "Let’s make it tomorrow then."
"Little sister, why would you agree to model for that silly kid?"
Xu Nian’an looked at Xu Nianhua questioningly. That fool, he simply couldn’t stand the sight of him. Could it be that he had some ulterior motive behind his request to paint?
"He has his own dreams, why shouldn’t I help him?" Xu Nianhua countered.
For one, because of Gu Mingcheng’s pure-heartedness, which had helped her before.
And another, because he genuinely just wanted to paint and had no other intentions.
"As long as you’re happy," Xu Nian’an said, thinking if this foolish kid had any malicious intent, he would definitely knock him down.
"Mom, we must bring sister back." Gu Mingzhu said caringly with the demeanor of a responsible older sister: "My sister was taken away by that damned thief, and I don’t know how much she has suffered."
Gu Mingzhu wiped the tears that squeezed out from the corners of her eyes. Since she was her biological sister, the chances that their blood types were similar must be quite high.
Gu Mingcheng, who was happy about having arranged to paint with Xu Nianhua tomorrow, had just entered the house, his smile still fading, when he heard Gu Mingzhu and Fang Yue talking.
"Mingcheng, you’re back just in time, you have another sister," Fang Yue said happily.