Chapter 194: Chapter 194

After Gong Ruini and Gong Ruwen listened to Gong Tao venting, they also went back to their rooms to prepare for sleep.

Although they knew the Gong Family’s situation wasn’t very good, they still needed to rest well, especially since Gong Tao mentioned they had started sprouting seeds, meaning they would soon be busy.

Cai Ming’s original plan was to leave after delivering the letter, but seeing something amiss with Gong Ruini made him, as an uncle, deeply concerned, and so he stayed.

Cai Ming initially wanted to talk to Cai Meina about it, but after briefly mentioning it, his sister thought Gong Ruini had no problems, leaving Cai Ming uncertain, thus he chose to handle it himself.

"Ni Zi, can we talk?" Cai Ming called out to Gong Ruini as he reached the door.

Uncle had something to discuss with Gong Ruini? What could they be talking about? Gong Ruwen thought it was strange but didn’t ponder long and entered the house, confident that with their uncle around, his sister’s safety was assured.

"Uncle, what’s up?" Gong Ruini followed Cai Ming for quite a while, yet hadn’t heard him start speaking, and also felt the place was somewhat deserted.

This left Gong Ruini both puzzled and a bit uneasy, fearing Cai Ming noticed something off about her, planning to deal with her so the original owner could come back.

Gong Ruini felt all sorts of nervousness. Since Cai Ming wasn’t speaking, Gong Ruini couldn’t either, she just had to wait and see.

"Ni Zi, do you like drawing?" Cai Ming actually spent the whole journey considering how to start the conversation, totally oblivious to the place he had taken Gong Ruini to.

When Cai Ming snapped back to reality, even he was startled by what he saw, but the dignity of an elder prevented him from asking Gong Ruini how to return, and the quiet here was suitable for talking.

Gong Ruwen quietly followed behind, honestly puzzled as to why uncle would bring Gong Ruini here.

Gong Ruwen felt thankful he had asked Zhao Xuran along earlier, otherwise he would be terrified to death.

"Brother Xu Ran, why do you think uncle brought Ni Zi here?" Recalling the ghost story he read a few days ago made Gong Ruwen see it as frightening, instinctively edging closer to Zhao Xuran.

Gong Ruwen truly admired his sister for not showing any fear, standing there calmly, it was really incomparable.

But despite any envy, Gong Ruwen admitted his own fear, without leaning on Zhao Xuran, he couldn’t stand steadily.

Zhao Xuran was also curious, but after observing Gong Ruini’s back for a while, he noticed Gong Ruini seemed tense, standing rigidly.

But besides him, would Gong Ruini actually fear Cai Ming?

Watching their interaction, Zhao Xuran truly didn’t see any reason for Gong Ruini to fear Cai Ming.

Just as Zhao Xuran was about to step forward and greet them, he heard Cai Ming begin talking, even asking this very question—what was happening?

Zhao Xuran was quite surprised, and even Gong Ruini was shocked, that he would call her out at this moment just to ask this question.

Why even ask this question? "Of course I like it." If she didn’t like it, why would she learn it? Though initially, she began thinking of ways just to show-off.

Gradually, Gong Ruini found drawing quite enjoyable, peaceful, helping her calm down.

"So why haven’t you liked it recently? I’ve seen the paintings you did these days, and I feel you’re not very happy." Cai Ming addressed his analysis of Gong Ruini’s recent paintings.

"Sure, your painting skills have improved, but if you’re truly unhappy, must you persist this way?"

Cai Ming actually understood her paintings’ meanings? Gong Ruini was stunned, because even Zhao Xuran, known for his perceptiveness and observational skills, hadn’t noticed, but how did Cai Ming realize it after just a few visits?

Without being skilled in painting, how could one interpret this—whether he appreciates them highly or simply heard it from someone?

"Part of it I sensed, and some Aunt Hua mentioned to me, including the paintings you did before, which I found through Aunt Hua." Cai Ming was equally surprised, no matter how simple his niece’s doodles were, Hua Miaozhu preserved them.

Had he not witnessed it, one might think Hua Miaozhu disliked Ni Zi, but now Cai Ming knew Hua Miaozhu didn’t dislike Gong Ruini, just had another deeper intention, which couldn’t be shared with Gong Ruini.

Even her sketches, Hua Miaozhu saved them? Gong Ruini was truly amazed—though their current living space was large, surely children’s doodles didn’t need preserving so extensively, saving a bit would be fine, yet she kept everything—how much faith she must have in her, Gong Ruini felt a sudden wave of excitement.

But before Gong Ruini could relish it, "Aunt Hua thinks your paintings are good, but some aspects are overly deliberate, or it’s like you haven’t properly observed."

Paintings being too deliberate? Not going out for a proper break, was indeed true, how persistent Hua Miaozhu was in pinpointing her painting flaws—how could a competitive Gong Ruini not make efforts.

Could it be her efforts also had issues? Gong Ruini was truly going insane, not drawing came with criticism, now after striving hard to complete tasks, Hua Miaozhu was saying this, "What do I really need to do to satisfy Grandma?"

"I’m really exhausted, Zhao Guangran receives all sorts of praises, but for me, there are various strict demands."

"I know it’s for my good, urging me to keep striving, but couldn’t there be a few kind words?"

"Zhao Guangran’s a boy—it’s important to consider his feelings, shouldn’t let him feel defeated, but I’m a girl—shouldn’t I also be cared for here and there?"

How conceited and useless are men these days, requiring constant care and attention.

"I guess it’s because there’s worry Zhao Guangran might lose interest in studying. Ni Zi, you have to consider, your writing and painting are better than Zhao Guangran’s—doesn’t he have thoughts about it?" Cai Ming deeply bowed for Zhao Guangran.

Unable to match Gong Ruini in any aspects, and to have Ni Zi make such remarks, Cai Ming felt relieved he inadvertently went out, otherwise if Zhao Guangran heard this, turmoil would surely follow.

"He’s also physically better than me, healthier, and recites the poetry perfectly for me."

"And he writes only a few characters a day, paints a few pictures—how much effort do I expend?" Every night before closing her eyes was drawing, upon waking it was writing, being sane under it truly showcased her mental resilience.

"Uncle, don’t worry, I will definitely strive to create a painting that Grandma will appreciate." Gong Ruini felt exhausted, lacking energy to think over what Cai Ming said.

Creating a painting that pleases Hua Miaozhu—this Ni Zi in their family is smart yet carelessly makes stupid mistakes, "If you persist in this state, I think you definitely won’t produce a painting that pleases Aunt Hua."

Ah, what does he mean? If not for him being her uncle, Gong Ruini would have fiercely punished him, never before witnessing an uncle cursing his own niece this way. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel[f]ire.net

"I didn’t misspeak, go look at your paintings." Cai Ming looked at the furious Gong Ruini and couldn’t help but offer a slight reminder.

Ah, shutting herself off is wrong too; including saying she hadn’t put her emotions into it? Didn’t Uncle say he could feel her unhappiness in the paintings?

If there were no emotional input, Cai Ming absolutely wouldn’t perceive her unhappiness in her paintings.

Alas, how challenging, Gong Ruini felt discussing matters with people from such prominent families was truly difficult.

Gong Ruini was genuinely curious about how Zhao Xuran communicated with such a Grandma in the past—the pressure was indeed immense.