"Aunt Su Xi, you should try it on; you’ll definitely look good," Su Xi picked a light purple scarf that perfectly matched Aunt Su Xi’s dress.
Jiang Wanru looked at the box of scarves, each one especially pretty, and it was clear that they were carefully chosen.
"Aunt Su Xi, don’t be such a stranger," Su Xi said as she put the scarf on for her, satisfied, "Aunt, you really do look good in anything."
Compared to her own mother, Su Xi felt that her mother seemed to be the type who was very learned, while Aunt Su Xi was like the matriarch of an ancient noble family – dignified, elegant, and with an incredibly strong presence.
"It’s the scarves you brought that are beautiful," Jiang Wanru stared at Su Xi, and through her, she seemed to think of her daughter who had passed away young; had she grown up healthy, would she be as considerate as Xiaoxi?
"Xiaoxi is here," Fang Manyin handed a cup of tea to Su Xi’s hands and greeted her, "Are your uncle and aunt well?"
"My parents are both fine, sister-in-law. Are you all preparing to go out today?" Su Xi looked at Aunt Su Xi and then at Fang Manyin, especially noting the bag in Fang Manyin’s hand.
"Yes, we’re going to visit your school. Tomorrow, the guests from France are arriving, and it happens that your mother was asked to bring a few students to act as translators and guides," Fang Manyin explained.
"Well, that’s perfect. I’m free today, so I’ll stay and keep Little Hong’en company," Su Xi volunteered.
Fang Manyin’s eyes immediately lit up, "Then we’ll be troubling you today, Xiaoxi."
"Sister-in-law, I don’t like hearing you talk like that," Su Xi said with pursed lips. After some laughter and chatter, Su Xi, with the books she brought, went to find Little Hong’en.
"Little Hong’en, guess what your aunt has brought you?"
Su Xi lifted the box she was holding with a mysterious air.
The answer to Su Xi was a room of silence; she didn’t mind, as Little Hong’en hardly spoke, and she was used to it. She walked lightly into the room and saw Little Hong’en earnestly drawing.
She stepped forward to take a closer look and realized that each of the fruit drawings had an extra touch of childlike fun.
"Little Hong’en, when did you start liking fruit drawing?" Su Xi asked curiously, "Didn’t you use to enjoy sketching before?"
"Little Hong’en, just look at your aunt for a second!" Su Xi extended her hand, blocking his view.
Little Hong’en finally lifted his head, revealing his obsidian-like eyes.
"Little Hong’en, you draw very well, but can you talk to your aunt? Look, what has she brought you?"
As she spoke, Su Xi opened the box, unveiling a collector’s edition set of books in front of Little Hong’en.
Little Hong’en cherished the books, hugging them to his chest. He first put away his drawing album and finished pictures before opening the book to read intently.
"Little Hong’en, may your aunt take a look at your album?" Su Xi asked, adding, "If you don’t speak, I’ll take that as a yes."
Seeing no reaction from Little Hong’en, Su Xi pulled up a stool and sat beside him. She flipped through the album and saw it was filled with adorable fruit drawings, resembling a tutorial on how to draw fruits, with what to draw first, second, and annotations on the side.
"This doesn’t look like something bought," Su Xi mumbled to herself as she browsed the album until she reached the first page, which had a line of text: Little Hong’en, I hope these drawings bring you joy. I hope the next time I see you, you will call me ’sister.’
Beside ’sister,’ there was a big smiley face drawn. Even without seeing the person, just the sight of that smiley face made one feel happy.