Upon hearing this, Jiang Si took another careful look at the photo in her hand.
Although it was a photo within a photo, the man's facial features were clearly visible.
For someone who paints year-round, it was entirely possible to deduce his appearance twenty years later based on the existing conditions.
The reason was simple: after the age of thirty, a person's skull is basically set.
The width of the face, the height of the nasal bridge, the shape of the jawline—these wouldn't change.
What could change was only the atrophy of facial fat.
With the loss of collagen, the skin would thin, become slack, and form fixed wrinkles.
Habits from youth, such as frowning or smiling, would determine the pattern of wrinkles in old age.
Finally, there was the hairline and hair itself, which would change noticeably with age.
According to what Chris said, this man had long been engaged in undercover work. Given his profession and the immense pressure, he likely wore a serious expression most of the time in daily life. Therefore, his wrinkles should mostly be concentrated between his brows.
His overall appearance should look older than his actual age.
This could also be seen from his entry photo.
He was only twenty-seven at the time, but in the photo, he looked at least around thirty-five.
Thinking this, Jiang Si nodded, "I can do it."
"That's wonderful." Chris immediately breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Chi Heng only had this one wish; she had to find a way to fulfill it for him no matter what.
...
Having agreed to Chris's request, Jiang Si threw herself into work that very afternoon after seeing Chris off.
Before picking up her pen, she observed the photo for a long time again.
Only after constructing a basic model of the skull in her mind did she begin to draw.
Then, following the laws of aging, she added skin texture and wrinkles stroke by stroke.
Given her current proficiency, she could usually complete it in about two days.
But this time, Jiang Si was exceptionally meticulous.
After the initial draft was done, she extended it into several different versions.
These included versions with a mask, only revealing the eyes and upper part of the face.
There were versions with lowered eyes and brows, showing only a general outline.
And versions where the figure was deliberately hunched to disguise height and posture.
All in all, she drew over ten sketches.
A few days later, when Chris received this thick stack of portraits from Jiang Si, she was so moved she couldn't speak for a long while.
She quickly took out an envelope she had prepared earlier from her bag.
But before she could even speak, Jiang Si stopped her.
For Jiang Si, this was just a small effort.
Moreover, Chi Heng was also her friend.
Having spent considerable time with Jiang Si, Chris had a good understanding of her temperament. She knew if Jiang Si refused, she truly meant it.
So Chris didn't insist.
However, early the next morning, Chris went to the Friendship Store and bought two large bags of items in one go.
If she wouldn't take money, then giving a housewarming gift should be acceptable, right?
It has to be said, women understand women best.
This time, Chris's gifts truly hit the mark for Jiang Si.
Apart from various plates and dishes with unique designs, there was also a complete set of drinking glasses, which Chris had chosen based on the Chinese zodiac signs of their family of four.
"Oh, I also brought you a coffee machine." This was something Chris had asked a friend to send from France.
"Thank you." Jiang Si might not cook, but that didn't stop her from appreciating these little gadgets.
Especially since these were styles not readily available on the market.
Chris had already delivered the gifts to her home, so Jiang Si didn't put on airs and refuse.
Knowing that Chris and Chi Heng would return to France in a few days to handle matters and celebrate New Year's, Jiang Si said, "If you have time in the next few days, come over for a meal. Consider it an early farewell dinner for you."
Doing the math, Huo Tingzhou should be returning soon.
Chris happily agreed.
People really shouldn't be talked about. Jiang Si was just planning to call Huo Tingzhou later to ask.
Unexpectedly, he called that very afternoon. "Darling, I'm finished here. I'll be heading to the airport in ten minutes. I'll stay overnight in Minyang City and should be home tomorrow morning."
Jiang Si nodded.
This time, when Huo Tingzhou returned, Jiang Si once again took the two little ones to the airport to pick him up.
Now, Suisui and Zhaozhao were almost one year and three months old. Not only could they run steadily, but they were also very talkative.
From the moment they got in the car, they chattered non-stop.
Only Huo Tingzhou had the patience to chat with the two little ones for nearly two hours straight.
When getting out of the car, Huo Tingzhou lifted each child down, then picked up the luggage bag with one hand and tightly grasped Jiang Si's hand with the other.
With people coming and going in the compound, Jiang Si's face warmed slightly, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
However, that large hand didn't budge an inch, holding on even tighter.
"Be mindful," Jiang Si coughed lightly, gesturing towards the two little ones ahead. "The children are at the age where they imitate what they see and repeat what they hear..."
Before she could finish, the two little ones who had been leading the way suddenly turned to look back.
What did 'imitate what they see' mean?
Suisui reacted quickly. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he immediately grabbed Zhaozhao's little hand and said with utmost seriousness, "Little sister, hold hands, walk slowly."
Although Zhaozhao didn't quite understand why they had to walk slowly, she obediently said "Okay" and matched her brother's pace.
Watching their little heads swaying side to side, the couple couldn't help but smile.
Perhaps because they hadn't seen Huo Tingzhou for a long time, the two little ones were especially clingy after arriving home. They even followed him, trotting along, when he went to the bathroom.
Their conversation never strayed far from their daddy.
Mother Huo originally wanted to let her son and daughter-in-law have some quality time alone, but no matter how she tried to coax them, it was useless.
The two little ones shook their heads like rattle-drums today.
One wanted Daddy, the other wanted Mommy.
It wasn't until Huo Tingzhou had coaxed the two little ones to sleep at night that he finally got a chance to speak with his wife.
This time, he had traveled light.
Apart from a carry-on luggage bag, he hadn't brought anything else.
Seeing Huo Tingzhou place the luggage bag on the bed, Jiang Si looked over, puzzled.
Thinking of how he always brought her gifts upon returning, she asked, "What did you buy this time?"
Huo Tingzhou didn't speak. He opened the bag right in front of her.
Inside, apart from a few changes of clothes, there was a bag of canned goods.
And then, stack upon stack of neatly bundled ten-yuan bills.
"How... is there so much money?" Jiang Si asked in surprise, looking over.
"Part of it is salary." Huo Tingzhou had spent most of the year training outside, with very little time on Qiongzhou Island, so he hadn't collected his salary until now.
This included the bonus from the military competition, which he had just received.
Of course, these only accounted for a small portion.
"The rest is the dividend from the farm."
