Chapter 85.2

A man’s Adam’s apple shouldn’t be touched casually.

Touching it

Would ignite a fire.

Jiang Nian got her “wish” and was thoroughly exhausted, from the bench to the counter to the bed. She ended up lying limp on the summer quilt, her cheeks still flushed. Lu Yu picked her up, washed her clean in the bathroom, changed her clothes, and laid Jiang Nian back on the bed, feeling like her waist was about to break.

She kicked Lu Yu, who caught her ankle, squeezed her calf, and said with a smile, “I’m going to eat.”

Jiang Nian: …

He still knows he’s hungry.

The day after Luo Xiaoyue was sent away, Guan Lu came to find Jiang Nian. She brought Jiang Nian two suitable books, her smile brighter, and she talked more. Luo Xiaoyue’s departure seemed to have relieved her.

Jiang Nian understood. With Luo Xiaoyue around, Guan Lu had to be on guard all the time. Anyone would get tired after a while.

From Guan Lu, Jiang Nian learned that Yue Qiao had gone to Second Aunt Lei’s house. Second Aunt Lei was from the same village as Li Pandi. Although she said she was visiting, she was actually there to gather information. Sure enough, Yue Qiao returned at noon on the third day, pulling Jiang Nian to Guan Lu’s house to share what she had found out, which was exactly the same as what Lu Yu had said.

However, there was one thing Lu Yu hadn’t mentioned.

Li Pandi’s mother had told Qi Dawang about Luo Xiaoyue’s true parentage. According to the old lady, someone had suggested this to her. No one knew who it was, but Jiang Nian felt that the timing of Luo Xiaoyue’s true identity being revealed was too coincidental, as if someone had orchestrated it.

Yue Qiao said that Li Pandi had been making a fuss about committing suicide, refusing to marry Qi Dawang, and wanting to cause trouble at the military base. Her brother beat her up and forced her to marry Qi Dawang in exchange for the bride price to marry his own wife.

Jiang Nian thought, pitiful people must have some reason to be hated.

Li Pandi was pitiful, but she had raised Luo Xiaoyue poorly and had directed a child to harm a pregnant woman. Her fate was deserved.

Time flew by, and at the end of the month, Jiang Nian received a call from Ge Mei. Ge Mei told her that an artist had seen Ning Xiu’s painting and wanted to meet the girl. If possible, they could go to the embroidery shop tomorrow. Jiang Nian replied with a smile, “Sure, I’ll bring Ning Xiu over tomorrow.”

Ge Mei paused and said, “But don’t get your hopes up too much. This artist is aware of Ningg Xiu’s situation and is considering whether she can take the child. If she can’t, we’ll have to wait until Ning Xiu is older and her condition improves before making any decisions.”

Jiang Nian went to Tian Mai’s house and explained the situation. Tian Mai was thrilled and kept thanking Jiang Nian. However, Jiang Nian also conveyed Ge Mei’s concerns. Then she looked at Ning Xiu, who was sitting on a bench, squatted down, and gently held her hand. 

“Xiu’er, if you have to leave your mother to follow the teacher and learn drawing, would you be willing?”

Ning Xiu clenched her lips, her palms sweating. She kept her head down and didn’t say a word, making it hard for Jiang Nian to gauge her willingness.

Tian Mai patted Ning Xiu’s head and said, “It’s okay. Let’s have the teacher take a look first. If it doesn’t work out, we can wait until Xiu’er is older.”

Jiang Nian nodded, “Alright.”

The next day, after breakfast, Jiang Nian took Tian Mai and Ning Xiu to the city. It was Ning Xiu’s first time traveling far from home, and she reacted by trembling uncontrollably and clinging tightly to Tian Mai. On the bus, she almost crawled under the seat. Jiang Nian pursed her lips, feeling that the likelihood of the teacher accepting Ning Xiu was low.

Ning Xiu currently couldn’t be away from Tian Mai, and the teacher might be reluctant to take her due to potential issues.

After an hour’s journey, they arrived at the embroidery shop. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet, and Ge Mei had just returned from the textile factory. Seeing Ning Xiu, she realized that the child’s condition was worse than Jiang Nian had described. Approaching Ning Xiu caused her to startle visibly.

Tian Mai stayed with Ning Xiu on a bench by the window. After about half an hour, the teacher arrived. She was a woman in her early forties, carrying a drawing board and wearing a low ponytail. She spoke with Ge Mei briefly, then glanced at Ning Xiu by the window.

Ge Mei introduced, “This is the artist, Comrade Ji Xiaoting.” She then introduced Jiang Nian: “This is the embroiderer I mentioned, Comrade Jiang Nian.”

Ji Xiaoting’s eyes brightened, and she extended her hand to Jiang Nian, “Comrade Jiang Nian, I’ve seen your embroidery. They are perfect. Do you remember the three portraits you embroidered?”

Jiang Nian smiled, “I remember.”

Ji Xiaeting said, “I painted those. When Sister Ge showed me your embroidery, I found it very lifelike. I’ve been wanting to meet you but never had the time. Finally, we meet today.”

Jiang Nian hadn’t expected the artist to appreciate her embroidery, and they chatted for a while. During their conversation, Jiang Nian explained Ning Xiu’s situation. Tian Mai, who hadn’t interacted much with others, was nervous, clutching Ning Xiu’s hand tightly. Both mother and daughter were sweating.

Ji Xiaoting sat opposite Ning Xiu, placing her drawing board on the table. It held a half-finished landscape of an island, a boat floating on the sea, and a fisherman with a basket on the shore catching crabs. The picture captured Ning Xiu’s attention, and she momentarily forgot her fear, curiously looking at the drawing of a place she had never seen before.

It had the sea, boats, and a beautiful bird flying in the blue sky.

In Ning Xiu’s limited experience, she had only seen common animals like chickens, ducks, fish, and dogs, and the occasional bird or tiger described by adults. Seeing this new scene captivated her attention. Jiang Nian noticed that Ning Xiu, who had been hunched and fearful, seemed different when faced with the drawing.

At that moment, it was as if she stepped out of a dark, scary corner into warm sunlight.

Ji Xiaoting asked, “Do you know where this is?”

She pointed to the drawing and looked at Ning Xiu, who instinctively looked up at her before lowering her head again. After a while, Ning Xiu shook her head gently.

Ji Xiaoting said, “This is an island. On the island, there are navy soldiers, fishermen, and ships. There are underwater creatures we don’t have here.”

Seeing Ning Xiu lean closer to the drawing board, Ji Xiaoting continued, “Besides islands, there are port cities with tall buildings, bright clothes, and different scenery and features from our area. The world is vast, full of hidden wonders, waiting for us to discover and experience them. Every plant and object around you can become a scene in your painting. In our world, we need a quiet heart, keen observation, and the courage to try and overcome any obstacles. The first step you need to take is overcoming the barrier in your heart.”

Ning Xiu didn’t speak but raised her head slightly to look at Ji Xiaoting.

Ji Xiaoting leaned closer, making eye contact with Ning Xiu, and asked a probing question, “Tell me, who are you most afraid of?”

At this, Ning Xiu trembled, grabbing Tian Mai’s hand and lowering her head, her lips tightly sealed, saying nothing.

Jiang Nian and Ge Mei exchanged glances. Tian Mai wanted to speak but was stopped by Ji Xiaoting, who continued addressing Ning Xiu, “Do you like drawing?”

Ning Xiu hesitated, then nodded.

Ji Xiaoting asked again, “Do you want to visit the places I mentioned, to explore and experience those scenes?”

Ning Xiu nodded again. Ji Xiaoting continued, “If you do, then take the first bold step. Otherwise, you’ll always hide in your shell, seeing only the limited scenery before you.”

Ning Xiu’s trembling eased, and Ji Xiaoting seized the moment to ask again, “Tell me, who are you most afraid of?”

Ning Xiu struggled to speak, perhaps accustomed to silence over the years. Ji Xiaoting patiently asked twice more before Ning Xiu whispered, “Grandma.”

Tian Mai’s eyes reddened, angry enough to want to fight with Old Lady Wu again. If it weren’t for her, her daughter wouldn’t be like this!

Ji Xiaoting noticed Tian Mai’s emotional turmoil and motioned for her to calm down. She then continued speaking to Ning Xiu, “Is your grandmother with you now?”

Ning Xiu shook her head, and Ji Xiaoting asked, “Who do you love the most?”

In a small voice, Ning Xiu said, “My mother.”

Tian Mai’s eyes filled with tears. Ji Xiaoting smiled, her voice becoming even softer. “Tell me, is your grandmother still with you now?”

Ning Xiu clutched Tian Mai’s hand tightly. Her small fingers were pale from the effort. After a while, she shook her head, “No, she’s not here.”

Ji Xiaoting said, “If she’s not here, why are you still afraid?”

This question hit Ning Xiu deeply, making her shiver. Jiang Nian and Ge Mei understood at once. Ning Xiu had been subjected to years of abuse by Old Lady Wu, whose cruelty had left deep scars in her heart, making her feel unsafe and constantly fearful of being beaten again. 

Ji Xiaoting was guiding Ning Xiu to realize that her source of fear was gone and encouraging her to take the first step out of her psychological barrier.

Jiang Nian couldn’t help but look at Ji Xiaoting a few more times. Initially, she thought this trip might be in vain, but now it seemed Ning Xiu might have a chance to stay.