A sudden bitterness filled her heart. Her father was a playful man, but for the sake of family and responsibility, he had learned to curb his preferences and strived to maintain a mere existence.
Raising her eyebrows, Hua Jie put on an enthusiastic expression, sneakily glancing at Shen Mo while nodding vigorously.
Hua Jie’s father maintained a solemn expression, upholding the dignity expected of a father, but he discreetly formed a snowball in his hand, and his serious approach towards Shen Mo without leaving any traces revealed his lightheartedness beyond his fatherly role.
After getting closer to Shen Mo, he turned back to his daughter and mouthed: “Flank him.”
Hua Jie immediately circled to the other side.
As soon as Hua Jie’s father threw the snowball at Shen Mo, she lunged forward, scooping up snow from the ground and flinging it at Shen Mo with gusto.
Shen Mo was taken aback, slowly realizing that he was being ganged up on by Hua Jie and her father, and he was momentarily at a loss about how to respond.
His own father never played or talked heart-to-heart with him; he was taught from a young age to be polite to elders and to maintain a distance.
At school with teachers, or at home with his father’s friends, he was always distant and unresponsive. But now, faced with Hua Jie’s father, a fellow student’s parent, he couldn’t bring himself to be cold, and he hesitated… could he really fight back?
After a moment’s hesitation, he was turned into a snowman by the snow thrown at him, with Hua Jie’s laughter ringing loudly, echoing through the forest. Hua Jie’s father had already stopped and was watching with a faint smile as his daughter bullied Shen Mo.
His gaze returned to the girl, who was laughing so hard she was nearly in tears, her cheeks rosy and flushed, enjoying bullying him that much?
“Hey!” With a loud shout, Shen Mo bent down, formed a snowball, and threw it at Hua Jie’s head, showing no mercy.
Hua Jie screamed and turned to run.
Hua Jie’s father watched the two children play wildly, shaking his head with a smile, then went over to compact the snow his daughter had just scattered.
Turning to look, the girl was still running through the trees.
The boy clearly had no intention of really chasing her, just making a threatening gesture, which was enough to make his daughter laugh and scream like a carefree little fool.
He wondered if it was just his perception, but since the school year started, his usually sensitive and rebellious daughter who seldom spoke seemed much more cheerful.
Not only did she often initiate conversations at the dinner table, but she also took the initiative to bring him footbathing water after studying, urging him to smoke less and drink more water.
Moreover, her studies no longer required supervision from him or his wife; she was surprisingly diligent on her own.
Furthermore, she hadn’t neglected her painting at all, carrying her drawing board to and from school, and even bought a bicycle with the money she earned from selling her paintings, convincing her mother to buy one as well…
It seemed like she had suddenly become very sensible.
At first, he was indeed worried that his daughter might be experiencing early romance, concerned about whether being too close to her deskmate, Shen Mo, might be inappropriate.
But… perhaps it was her excessively sensible demeanor that made him feel, ‘She knows what she’s doing, no need for parents to worry overly.’ Coupled with her increased diligence and excellence in studies and painting, he felt there was no need to say much.
Watching his daughter’s smiling face, Hua Jie’s father was unaware that he had become unexpectedly open-minded and relaxed, simply watching the children with a smile that came instinctively, feeling that this was truly wonderful.
After letting them run around wildly for a while and the snow had compacted, he called Hua Jie over to sit on the sledge.
However, Hua Jie sat on the sledge for quite some time, but the large wolf dog just wouldn’t run. It took a while to figure out that the dog would only run if Hua Jie’s father ran ahead.
Thus, Hua Jie’s father ran in front, with the dog pulling the sledge and Hua Jie sitting on it, laughing. Occasionally, they would bump into trees, shaking off a shower of snow onto the young girl, covering her in glistening white.
After several large loops, Hua Jie’s father was too tired to continue, so the children took over. Now it was Hua Jie running in front with the large wolf dog pulling Shen Mo behind her.
After a few more rounds, it was Shen Mo’s turn to run in front…
Until the large wolf dog, exhausted and acting foolish, lay down panting on the ground, refusing to get up no matter how much they coaxed or pushed, and everyone finally stopped.
Time always flies when you’re having fun, and before they knew it, the sky had turned grey.
The three of them, along with the two dogs, hurried back home, where Hua Jie’s mother had already prepared a huge pot of pig-slaughtering stew.
“Today I’ve invited the neighbors over for dinner, you two sit at that table,” Hua Jie’s father said as he entered, hanging his down jacket behind the door and pointing to a small folding table set up next to the large dining table in the living room.
His tone left no room for argument; it was clear he meant for Shen Mo to stay for dinner.
Soon, neighbors from several households in the alley gradually took their seats.
There were six families in total, with 12 adults at the main table and six children, including Shen Mo, at the smaller table.
All the dishes were divided into two portions, filling both tables.
Hua Jie’s father sat at the head of the main table, commanding the room with a powerful presence, toasting and drinking with others. Though he wasn’t very talkative, he carried himself with style.
Hua Jie knew her father had been the king of kids since his youth. When he first started working, learning carpentry, he was the best craftsman among his peers.
It was only after he became a train police officer that he gradually became more reserved—this stable and good job was not really suitable for someone with a wild personality, who liked being free and always leading the pack.
Hua Jie withdrew her gaze from her father and looked towards her own smaller table.
Besides two neighbor brothers who were either in the military or at university, the other four neighborhood brothers were there, plus Shen Mo, making five young men gathered around the table.
Her dad liked lively gatherings and got along well with the neighbors. He had wanted to host this dinner for a while. Previously, Hua Jie thought her father was making too much fuss, but now she felt… well, it was actually quite nice.
Looking from Bian Hong on her left, sweeping around to Shen Mo on her right.
Tsk tsk, all the young men looked quite handsome.
Tsk!
This is the “world” her dad has built for her—a table full of handsome neighborhood brothers, and even including an idol-like deskmate.
This meal is extravagantly luxurious.
She feels completely surrounded by handsome young men.
She can’t go by the name Hua Jie anymore; she fears the name can’t withstand such good fortune.
She should change her name to Hua Gousheng.
Isn’t there a saying that the more humble and lowly the name, the easier it is to live a long and healthy life?
She feels that only the name Hua Gousheng can save her now. This name is tough enough; even if a couple more brothers dote on her, with such a name, living to ninety without issues should be feasible.
As she was daydreaming, Bian Hong on her left served her a braised pig’s foot from a dish far away from her:
“What are you thinking about?”
“Heh, nothing,” Hua Jie blushed and quickly waved her hand.
She buried her head to eat properly, trying not to get carried away with wild thoughts!
Shen Mo glanced over and saw her blushing face, then looked up at Bian Hong, his expression darkening.
Who is this kid? Isn’t he the one who walks to and from school with Little Potato every day? The one called Bian Hong?
Looking at the other young men at the table, it was hard to tell if they were handsome, but they all seemed quite tall and were very nice to Hua Jie, serving dishes and pouring drinks now and then. It was difficult to say which one was Bian Hong… but indeed, they all seemed irritating to him.
Shen Mo just glared, finding that even the delicious food seemed hard to enjoy wholeheartedly.
In the end, although the meal was filling, it was equally frustrating.
After eating his fill and with night falling, it was time for him to leave.
He said goodbye to Hua Jie’s parents, and Hua Jie’s mother asked if they should walk him out, but he declined with a smile.
Hua Jie, called over by Bian Hong to play checkers, looked up at him while still focused on her pieces, apparently having no intention of seeing him off.
Shen Mo gritted his teeth, walked over, and kicked her stool:
“You, come out and see me off.”
With an “ah,” Hua Jie had no choice but to give up her nearly won game.
Idols will be idols, so delicate! After eating and drinking to his heart’s content, it’s a must to see him off as he leaves.
“Wait for me, don’t move.” After leaving these words by the chessboard, she donned her down jacket, took the small dog Huan Huan, and went outside to see her guest off.
“See you tomorrow~” she said with a smile, waving her hand.
Huan Huan wagged its tail enthusiastically.
Shen Mo mounted his bicycle and, without looking back, pedaled twice then raised his right arm and waved it behind him.
Hua Jie, hands in her pockets and stamping her feet, hooked up a smile.
Hey, he knows how to play it cool.
The wind blew through her short hair, which she tucked behind her ears with her hand.
Her hair had gotten a bit long.
The boy had already ridden about ten meters away, yet she continued to watch him.
The stars were brilliant, turning into a glow that draped over him, shimmering behind him, leaving a trail of light for the girl standing under the cedar tree, watching him go, sparkling with her.
…
…
More than half an hour later, Shen Mo returned home.
As he stepped into the living room, his father emerged from the studio.
“Back already?” He crossed the living room, feigning nonchalance as he turned on the kettle and looked back, asking in a relaxed tone.
It seemed he was just going out to drink some water and happened to run into Shen Mo returning, but his departure was too hurried and his casual demeanor seemed somewhat forced.
Shen Mo paused, displaying a somewhat unnatural expression.
“Mm…” Shen Jiaru poured some water, took a sip, and winced from the heat. He then straightened up and headed back to the studio, casually turning back as if he had just remembered something:
“That kid came over today, right? I saw her painting in the studio.”
“Yes, I brought her here.” Shen Mo said awkwardly.
“Oh.” Shen Jiaru held the studio door handle, his tone calm as he asked:
“Did she get very excited and want to take me as her master?”
Shen Mo stared at his father for five seconds before replying:
“No.”
“What?” Shen Jiaru suddenly raised his voice, turning back with a sharp gaze. The previously ‘indifferent’ and ‘casually concerned’ demeanor collapsed.
“She didn’t mention wanting to take you as her master. She just painted a picture and then… left.” Shen Mo explained.
“…” ??? !!!
How could this happen?!
Shen Jiaru furrowed his brows tightly. That child traveled all the way to Jinsong Vocational School, obviously very eager to find a good teacher.
I’m right in front of her, everything is so clear…
How could this happen?
This child… Do I have to personally invite her?