Duoduo nodded. Of course I can, but, Aunt Xu, do you want a grilled fish, or a drawing of a grilled fish?
Xu Jinxin was worried that it would be too difficult and Duoduo wouldn't be able to draw it. It wouldn't be good if it dealt a blow to the child's self-confidence.
Just draw a fish.
Drawing a fish was definitely the easiest.
Duoduo nodded. Okay!
Lüdou, go and help me prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone! Duoduo instructed Lüdou.
Lüdou acknowledged the order and went to make the preparations.
Yingniang whispered into Duoduo's ear, Duoduo, can you do it?
Duoduo also leaned close to Yingniang's ear. Don't worry, I can draw it well!
Lüdou quickly prepared the brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and paints.
Duoduo took Yingniang's hand and skipped over.
Su Xian was about to go over with them, but Xu Jinxin held her back.
Let's just sit here and chat, so we don't put any pressure on the child, Xu Jinxin explained.
Su Xian sat down. When it came to drawing, she felt that Duoduo definitely wouldn't feel any pressure.
However, Su Xian also knew that actions spoke louder than words.
Once Duoduo finished her drawing, Xu Jinxin would understand why she had recommended Duoduo to draw the signboard.
Duoduo walked to the table, picked up the brush, and recalled the fish Xu Jinxin had grilled on the boat.
Duoduo began to sketch.
At first, Yingniang was sweating a bit for Duoduo.
But as the lines under Duoduo's hand gradually turned into a fish, Yingniang didn't dare to speak.
She didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.
Yingniang tiptoed backward, stepping very carefully, step by step, for fear of startling Duoduo.
Yingniang cautiously walked over to Xu Jinxin and took her mother's hand.
Ying...
Shh! Yingniang placed her index finger to her lips.
She pointed in Duoduo's direction, gesturing for her mother to go look at Duoduo's drawing.
Xu Jinxin was a little curious. She mouthed the words, Is she done?
Yingniang shook her head and gestured wildly at Xu Jinxin.
Through a mix of guessing and intuition, Xu Jinxin figured out what her daughter meant.
Yingniang wanted her to go look at Duoduo's drawing.
Duoduo was drawing remarkably well!
Her curiosity piqued, Xu Jinxin stood up.
Yingniang hurriedly reminded her mother to tread lightly, and Xu Jinxin nodded.
Su Xian's curiosity was also aroused by Yingniang's behavior.
She followed behind Xu Jinxin to go look at Duoduo's drawing together.
Duoduo was almost finished and was adding the final touches.
Finally, she put down the brush and examined the drawing in her hands.
Yes! It looked very close to the grilled fish she had eaten!
Duoduo felt quite satisfied. She turned her head, just about to call Xu Jinxin over to take a look.
As a result, as soon as she turned her head, she saw the few people behind her, all with their mouths wide open, staring at the drawing on the table.
Yingniang licked her lips.
Mother, I want to eat grilled fish!
Xu Jinxin also licked her lips.
Yes! Mother really wants to eat some too!
Duoduo tilted her small head, looking strangely at the three people behind her who were frozen like wooden chickens.
She reached out her hand and waved it in front of them.
Mother, Aunt Xu, Big Sister! Duoduo shouted loudly.
Su Xian was the first to snap back to reality. She tugged at Xu Jinxin's sleeve.
Xu Jinxin slurped back her drool and quickly wiped the corner of her mouth.
Oh my! Duoduo, this drawing of yours is drawn so well!
Xu Jinxin pulled Duoduo into a tight hug and planted a hard kiss on Duoduo's cheek.
Duoduo's face flushed bright red from the fuss. She finally managed to break free from Xu Jinxin's clutches and immediately threw herself into Su Xian's arms.
Su Xian hurriedly shielded Duoduo. Jinxin, you frightened the child!
Xu Jinxin looked a bit sheepish. Duoduo, Aunt Xu was just too excited!
I never expected that your drawing would be even more lifelike than a real signboard!
Duoduo poked her head out of Su Xian's embrace curiously.
Really?
Xu Jinxin nodded. Of course. Yingniang, wouldn't you say so?
Yingniang nodded vigorously, like a little chick pecking at rice.
Mhm! Mhm! Mhm!
Duoduo's little face turned red with excitement.
Is it really that good? I just pictured it in my mind, and then I drew it like this.
I feel like the drawing still isn't quite there yet, like it's missing something, but I just can't think of what it is.
Xu Jinxin looked at the drawing, her eyes full of marvel.
It's not missing anything, it's absolutely fantastic like this! No wonder those two paintings of yours could be exchanged for so much silver!
Now, I finally understand! Xu Jinxin said with complete admiration.
Su Xian shot Xu Jinxin a reproving glance. Of course Duoduo draws well. I told you, but you just wouldn't believe me!
Xu Jinxin looked at Su Xian and winked mischievously.
Wasn't I just worried that you had a mother's filter on?
A filter? What is that? Su Xian and Duoduo asked in unison.
Uh, it's a type of mirror that beautifies people, but here it's used as a metaphor.
To put it simply, it means that a mother will always see her own daughter as the best, no matter what.
Xu Jinxin tried to explain it as straightforwardly as possible.
Su Xian pondered for a moment. Duoduo is the best to begin with!
Xu Jinxin rolled her eyes at Su Xian. Yes, your daughter is the best! The number one best in the whole world! Happy now?
After Xu Jinxin finished speaking, she saw Yingniang looking at her with an expectant face.
Xu Jinxin pulled Yingniang into a hug. My daughter is also the best!
Yingniang and Duoduo both started laughing.
Mother, you are also the number one best mother in the world! The most wonderful mother!
Duoduo hugged Su Xian's arm, acting spoiled in a milky, childish voice.
Yingniang hurriedly also hugged Su Xian's arm. My mother is also the best mother!
Xu Jinxin and Su Xian looked at each other and both laughed out loud.
Well, this has turned into a mutual praise symposium! Xu Jinxin found it amusing.
She picked up Duoduo's finished drawing from the table and examined it closely.
Duoduo, how come I've never heard Li Jin mention your drawing? Did Li Jin not teach you?
If Li Jin saw this, he would definitely be full of praise. Why would she even need to worry?
Duoduo nestled against Su Xian and nodded.
My father taught me how to draw.
Xu Jinxin turned her head. Then what did your father say when he saw your drawings?
Duoduo tilted her head, recalling for a moment.
Father just said that it captured the form, but lacked the spirit.
Xu Jinxin looked at the drawing in her hand and opened her mouth wide.
You draw like this, and the Prince of Pingyang still isn't satisfied?
Duoduo blinked her eyes.
That was from when I was learning to draw before. Later, Father got busy, so he didn't teach me anymore!
Xu Jinxin's eyes darted around. That means the Prince of Pingyang doesn't even know how well you can draw now?
Duoduo hesitated for a moment and nodded.
I suppose so!
A mischievous smile appeared on Xu Jinxin's face.
Duoduo, do you dare to come with Aunt Xu to the outer study?
Duoduo looked curious. What are we going to the outer study for? To find the tutor?
Xu Jinxin's eyes rolled around playfully.
You could say that. Let's go! Yingniang, you come along too!
At this moment, in the outer study, Li Jin was discussing the new shop with Xiao Yi.
I have already had someone transport the stones from Xianyang over. When the time comes, I'll leave them to you.
