Chapter 34.1

Li Hehua handed the painting to Zhang Tieshan. “Zhang Tieshan, take a look at this.”

Zhang Tieshan took the painting, puzzled, and unfolded it. Inside was a slightly messy landscape painting, made odd by numerous ink smudges.

This didn’t resemble the work of any renowned calligrapher or painter.

Zhang Tieshan glanced at Li Hehua, a questioning look in his eyes.

Li Hehua pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and pointed at the little one in his arms. “Zhang Tieshan, Shulin painted this last night.”

Zhang Tieshan was stunned. He looked at the painting, then at his son, his eyes widening in disbelief.

He had assumed it was the work of some scholar, which would explain its imperfections—the rough lines and ink smudges. But if Shulin had painted it, it was utterly inconceivable. Shulin had never studied calligraphy or painting. He hadn’t even held a brush before. How could he suddenly produce such a decent painting?

Seeing Zhang Tieshan’s confused expression, Li Hehua explained what had happened the previous day. “Shulin only glimpsed Master Gu’s painting yesterday. When we got home last night, he picked up a brush and painted this himself. It’s remarkably similar—almost identical to the original. I was shocked when I saw it, but it’s true. Shulin really does have extraordinary talent. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

Zhang Tieshan had no choice but to believe her. He stared at his son in his arms, his mind reeling. The Zhang family had been farmers for generations—none of them literate. Yet his own son possessed such remarkable talent. How could he not be astonished?

But Zhang Tieshan was a practical man. After a brief moment of shock, he quickly regained his composure. His mind ran through possibilities, but one thing was clear: they couldn’t let the child’s talent go to waste. No matter the cost, Shulin needed the best education they could give him.

Instead of voicing his decision right away, he asked Li Hehua, “What do you think we should do?”

Li Hehua gently stroked the little boy’s face. “I think Shulin has a rare gift. As parents, we can’t afford to stifle his potential. We have to give him the best instruction we can. What do you think?”

Zhang Tieshan looked at her steadily for a moment, then nodded. “I agree. But this is a big matter—we need to think it through carefully. I’ll look into finding a good teacher, and we’ll figure out how to persuade them to take Shulin in.”

Li Hehua hadn’t expected him to take it so seriously and think so thoroughly. Her admiration for him deepened, though she didn’t think it needed to be that complicated.

“Actually, it might not be so troublesome. I have an idea. I want to ask Master Gu—the one who brought the painting. He’s highly educated and even runs his own school. That painting was his own work, and I think he’s very skilled. If he’s willing to teach Shulin, that would be ideal.”

Zhang Tieshan remembered Master Gu as well. The painting had been beautiful, and even someone like him, who didn’t understand much about art, could tell the skill behind it. Having him guide Shulin’s early education would be excellent—but would he accept a student like Shulin?

“Do you think he’d be willing to teach Shulin? After all, Shulin…”

Li Hehua understood his concerns, as she shared them. But if they didn’t ask, they’d never know. “Master Gu often comes to my stall for pastries. I’ll ask him next time I see him and explain Shulin’s situation. If he won’t take him, we’ll figure out another way.”

Zhang Tieshan nodded. This woman had considered the matter even more carefully than he had.

As they packed up, Zhang Tieshan carried the tables and chairs back to the cart and returned them to the courtyard. Li Hehua kissed the little one, reluctant to part. Shulin was supposed to return with Zhang Tieshan today, and she wouldn’t see him again for a while.

The little boy seemed to sense her reluctance. He clung tightly to her neck, burying his face in her shoulder, refusing to let go.

Li Hehua pursed her lips and slowly walked over to Zhang Tieshan, preparing to hand Shulin over.

But Zhang Tieshan only glanced at her and the child, then turned and walked toward the door. “I’m leaving.”

Li Hehua was stunned. He wasn’t taking Shulin?

“Hey? Zhang Tieshan… aren’t you taking Shulin with you?”

Zhang Tieshan stopped and turned around calmly. “Shulin’s education is what matters most now. If you see Teacher Gu, he’ll want to meet him. It’s best to leave Shulin with you for now. I’ll come visit.”

Li Hehua was surprised, but soon joy replaced it. She had hoped Shulin could stay with her longer.

She thought to herself that Zhang Tieshan was a truly kind man. She personally walked him and the little boy to the alley entrance—a rare show of warmth.

With Shulin staying behind, Li Hehua became even more eager to find him a teacher. If Teacher Gu didn’t show up tomorrow, she planned to visit his school herself.

Fortunately, Gu Zhijin came by the next day during lunch.

Like his nephew, he had been thoroughly won over by Li Hehua’s cooking. The beef stir-fried noodles from two days ago had left a deep impression. Yesterday’s home-cooked food had tasted bland by comparison, so he seized the chance to return during his lunch break.

“Boss, I’ll have a mushroom and chicken rice bowl today. And please pack another to go,” he said, handing over his food container. “This is the one from last time.”

Li Hehua was thrilled to see him. She quickly accepted the container, invited him to sit, and personally made a rice bowl with toppings, which she served herself.

As Gu Zhijin began to eat, Li Hehua returned to the stove to prepare the takeaway order. Once done, she handed him the packed box. “Master Gu, this meal is ready. It won’t get cold.”

Gu Zhijin had just finished eating. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, accepted the food container, and chuckled. “Thank you, Boss.”

“You’re welcome,” Li Hehua said, cradling Shulin as she sat beside him. “Master Gu, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Gu Zhijin paused, about to stand. “Please, Boss. Go ahead.”

“Teacher, take a look at this first.” She pulled out the child’s drawing and handed it to him.

Gu Zhijin opened the paper and stared, his expression shifting to confusion. “Boss, who drew this? It’s remarkably similar to the painting I brought the other day.” The brushwork was less refined, but there was an unmistakable resemblance.

Li Hehua patted her son’s head. “Teacher, this was drawn by my son, Shulin.”

Gu Zhijin was stunned. “This child drew this?” He glanced at the boy. “Has he already had some early education?”

Li Hehua shook her head. “He’d never touched a brush before, never seen a painting. The only one he’s ever seen is yours, from the other day. When we got home, he picked up a brush and painted this himself.”

Gu Zhijin’s surprise turned to solemnity as he studied Shulin. As a scholar, he knew that talent in painting came not only from practice but from natural ability. Some trained for decades and never achieved much, while others advanced rapidly due to innate gifts.

For a child who had never learned painting or held a brush to reproduce his artwork with such uncanny similarity after a single glance—it was extraordinary. This wasn’t just talent. It was genius.

He understood now why she’d brought it up. “Boss, what do you need from me?”

Li Hehua stood up, set Shulin down, and gave Gu Zhijin a respectful bow. “Master Gu, I know you’re highly learned and a skilled painter. I want to entrust my son’s early education to you. Please teach him painting. I don’t want to let this talent go to waste. I sincerely ask you to take him as a student.”

Gu Zhijin had already guessed as much, and he wasn’t surprised. Honestly, the child’s talent surpassed even his own. For now, he could guide him, but in the future, who would be teaching whom was uncertain.

He had met many talented people, but never one with such rare, innate ability. He couldn’t bear to let it go to waste. After a brief moment of thought, he nodded. “Boss, I accept. Send Shulin to me. I’ll teach him personally.”

Li Hehua was overjoyed, but she didn’t hide the truth. “Master Gu, thank you for accepting my child. But I must tell you—he’s not like other children. He barely speaks, doesn’t respond much to others, and seems disconnected from the world. In short… he’s…” She trailed off, looking down at Shulin with helpless affection.

Gu Zhijin understood immediately. The child was withdrawn—perhaps isolated, perhaps autistic.