“So, we still haven’t found any concrete information about Aunt Ruan’s whereabouts?”
After reading the note, Su Ling’s beautiful willow-shaped brows knitted slightly, then she turned to the blonde girl beside her and asked,
“So, Zhixian, what do you plan to do next? Are you going to use this communicator to contact Aunt Ruan?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Ruan Zhixian shook her head.
“According to Mom, she’s probably quite busy right now, so I’d rather not disturb her unnecessarily. This communicator should be saved for when something really important happens and then I can call her.”
With that, Ruan Zhixian stuffed both the communicator and the note back into the box, carefully putting it away.
“Alright, then we’ll go with what you say, Zhixian.”
Su Ling nodded without any objection.
“Miss, Miss Su, it’s getting late now. How about having dinner at home first?”
Seeing that things had temporarily settled, Steward Fang interjected from the side.
“Sounds good! It’s been ages since I’ve tasted Aunt Fang’s cooking! Lingling, you should stay for dinner too! Aunt Fang’s dishes are delicious!”
Ruan Zhixian enthusiastically tugged at Su Ling’s sleeve, looking up at her.
Su Ling nodded in agreement, happily fulfilling the young girl’s wish.
“Okay, I’ll go prepare in the kitchen then. Miss, you and Miss Su can go upstairs and have some fun first.”
After receiving their affirmative replies, the housekeeper slightly bowed and then turned to leave.
“Alright! Let’s go, Lingling! I’ll show you my bedroom!”
Ruan Zhixian took Su Ling’s soft, boneless little hand and smiled sweetly.
“Okay!”
Zhixian’s bedroom, Zhixian’s bedroom, Zhixian’s bedroom…!!!
As Su Ling followed Ruan Zhixian upstairs, she carefully savored the smooth, creamy texture of the hand in hers, her heart pounding wildly.
That’s Zhixian’s bedroom! A place I’ve dreamed of so many nights!
When I was decorating my apartment before, I only dared to ask about Zhixian’s home decor to make something similar, but this is the first time I’m actually being led into her bedroom!
Does this mean that Zhixian and I really are different now…?
“All right, we’re here! Lingling, just find a place to sit! I’ll go get you something to drink!”
Just as the black-haired girl was lost in her thoughts, Ruan Zhixian had already brought her into the bedroom, settled her down, and quickly scampered off.
“Oh… okay…”
After the blonde girl disappeared from sight, Su Ling began carefully examining the girl’s longed-for private room.
The style of the bedroom wasn’t overly girlish, but it still gave off a cozy and unique vibe through its decorations.
The walls were painted a gentle off-white, complemented by simple white European-style carved plaster moldings outlining the ceiling and corners.
An elegantly designed brass or glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft light. The floor was covered with light wood, topped by a wool carpet with a simple pattern but soft texture.
A White European-style Wooden Bed rested against the wall, made up with plain cotton bedding, both comfortable and tidy.
In one corner stood an Open Bookshelf. Besides some novels and Art Books, there were mostly Comics, Art Collections, and a large number of anime figurines.
What puzzled Su Ling slightly was that there seemed to be quite a few empty spaces on the shelves, as if some items had been removed.
***
Next to the bookshelf was a spacious Original Wood Desk, cluttered with drawing tools, a digital tablet, and several open sketchbooks. On the windowsill sat a cute Green Plant.
What best expressed the owner’s personality was undoubtedly the eclectic decoration on the walls.
Several carefully framed paintings of various styles — watercolor landscapes, pencil sketches, even traditional Chinese ink wash — hung neatly, looking lively and intriguing.
These must all be Zhixian’s own works…
Although Su Ling had seen many of Zhixian’s paintings before, these at home seemed even better… As expected, I always knew Zhixian would be a genius at painting! Truly a renowned prodigy!
As Su Ling examined the paintings, her own artistic sensibilities swelling with pride for the girl she loved.
“Lingling, I’m back! Oh, are you looking at my paintings?”
Ruan Zhixian entered carrying a large blue-and-white porcelain Tea Set — a big teapot with matching cups — and immediately noticed the girl’s gaze.
“Yeah! No matter how I look at your paintings, Zhixian, they’re full of spirit~”
“Hehe, my teachers say the same thing.”
Putting down the teapot, Ruan Zhixian scratched her head and smiled shyly.
“Well, Zhixian, compared to the paintings you took to school for exhibitions and auctions, these at home look clearly better. Why didn’t you enter them in competitions or anything?”
Pouring herself a cup of tea, Su Ling asked with some curiosity.
“Because these at home are my treasures! They were painted when I was most inspired, so how could I possibly sell them? Anyway, my family’s not short on money…”
Zhixian’s explanation had its own charm.
“Ah, but if you want, Lingling, I can give you one! Or if you want to look around more, I have others at the studio… Ah, or I can just paint a new one for you!”
The blonde girl’s smile was bright and sunny, no trace of her earlier protectiveness over her work.
Instead, her peach blossom eyes were wide open, sincere and warm — like a child sharing their favorite toy with others.
“Really?!”
“Then can I have this one, Zhixian?”
After Zhixian nodded again, Su Ling wasted no time and immediately chose a painting she had been admiring for a while.
Following Su Ling’s slender, pale finger, Zhixian saw it was an oil painting of a sunset beach: the warm golden sun sinking towards the horizon, dyeing the sky and sea a blend of orange and pink; beneath, shimmering waves gently kissed the golden sand, leaving sparkling reflections.
Hmm, the beach Lingling chose is…
H City’s seaside?
A flicker of hesitation appeared in Zhixian’s heart.
Well, I was planning to give this painting to that child when I met her again, but if Lingling wants it…
“All right, then this painting is yours, Lingling. You must take good care of it~”
I’ll find time later to paint another of H City’s seaside for that other child.
Zhixian smiled and agreed to the girl’s request, quietly thinking this to herself.
“Okay! I’ll cherish it!”
The black-haired girl nodded solemnly, her heart full of joy.