Chapter 26- He calls her, Shengsheng

Liu Yusheng was enchanted by those dark eyes, staring at him blankly.

So beautiful.

Dark, bright, soft.

Like the starry sky in midsummer night.

"Brother Axiu, my little name is Nannan, you can call me Nannan."

He shook his head, "Shengsheng."

Everyone calls her Nannan.

But he wants to call her Shengsheng, not wanting to be the same as anyone else.

Liu Yusheng gave up, they're just appellations left and right, whatever. Taking her small hand, he led her to the bamboo sieve and swirled the herbs on it, "This is Luo Mo (Cynanchum rostellatum), which can stop bleeding, reduce swelling and detoxify. The roots and fruits can be used as medicine…."

Liu Yusheng peeked at the little boy who was teaching her how to identify herbs at a glance one by one and her eyes curved up. He taught carefully, and she listened attentively, even though she knew these herbs by heart.

In the cabin, the woman's eyes watching them talk couldn't help but redden, "It's too embarrassing, thank you for bringing Nannan here today. Xiu'er doesn't usually talk and doesn't like being in contact with others. It's rare to see him like an ordinary little boy, and I'm happy in my heart."

"It's nothing. If Axiu likes to play with Nannan, he can come to our house more often to play with her. I'm not boasting, but Nannan's adored by anyone who meets her." While comforting someone, she habitually boasted her granddaughter. Grandma Liu was also a bit curious about the woman, "Younger sister, are those herbs you're drying outside? Do you know anything about medicine?"

"This first name is Wanrong, and Aunt can just call me by my first name. Because of my family's origins, I know a little bit about herbs and medicine, and I usually sell herbs for a living."

That air of elegance in the woman's speech and manner are not found in peasant homes, but she seems reluctant to mention much about their background.

Grandma Liu then stopped asking questions, so as not to expose others' scars. She shifted the topic, "Okay, I'll call you Wanrong in the future. You've been living here with Axiu for some time now, so you're planning on settling here, right? Why didn't you dig some vegetable patch around the house? The countryside is poor, so we farmers are all about self-sufficiency."

Hearing her question, Wanrong felt a bit embarrassed, "I, I don't know how to grow vegetables."

Grandma Liu was also embarrassed. It's obvious how different their backgrounds are. If she's from a rich household, how would she know anything about gardening? Hai, when people get old, their minds really get addled.

"That's fine! There's too much in my vegetable patch, so I'll send you some often in the future!"

"Madam …" Wanrong's eyes were red again.

"It's not easy for a woman to support a child alone. This grandma knows it. It's common for us neighbors in the village of Xinghua to extend our hands to each other in times of trouble, it's not worth crying over."

"Uhm!" Wanrong smiled and wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes.

They have been drifting around for too long and were used to the world's cruelty. So, such an occasional harvest of goodwill makes her feel sour to tears.

On the other side, after explaining the medicinal herbs, Axiu brought Liu Yusheng to the sandy ground he normally practices his calligraphy on, and with a branch in hand, wrote his and her name.

Liu Yusheng, Xiu.

As he wrote it, he read it to her as well.

"Brother Axiu, is there only one word in your name?" The little girl asked.

Axiu pursed the corners of his lips, and after a moment, added a word behind Xiu.

Xiu Yuan.

"Brother Xiu, your writing is beautiful." Although his strokes are still immature, the characters are already legible at a glance.

Unlike her two older brothers, after a year of learning, their characters are still stuck in the dog paddling stage.

"I'll teach you, and in the future, Shengsheng will be able to write beautifully."

"Okay!"

Throwing away the branch, the hand that held her tightened, "I can take you to play with anything that Shengsheng likes. In addition to that, I can also catch cicadas and climb trees to gather bird nests."

Shengsheng is only three years old. Learning herbs and studying are daily tasks for him, but for her, it may be too boring.

He's afraid she'll hate him for being too boring and won't come to him to play.

Liu Yusheng raised her eyebrows darkly, looking at the little boy who seemed to be showing her his skills. Oh dear, is he nervous?

"Then, Brother Axiu will take me to dry herbs today, tomorrow we'll go and catch cicadas, and the day after tomorrow, we'll go hunting for bird's nests...."

Before she could go any further, he asked eagerly, "Are you going to come every day?"

His dark eyes hid nervousness and anticipation.

"Of course, I'll come every day! I'm going to learn to read and recognize herbs with Brother Axiu!" Patting her small chest, Liu Yusheng promised seriously.

And so, for the first time, she saw a distinct smile on his face.

It's very beautiful.

Pure, shy, soft, like a spring breeze.

While holding hands, the four eyes faced each other, one laughing silently, the other laughing like a hundred souls.

This morning, even the air, was sweet.

"Nannan, it's late, it's time to go home and cook!" Grandma Liu stepped out and smiled.

She doesn't know what the kids are talking about, but they've been smiling at each other for a long time. Tsk, children.

The smile on Axiu's face immediately sank, and he tightened his grip on Liu Yusheng's hand.

"Grandma, Brother Axiu is amazing, he can write characters, and he can also recognize herbs!" Liu Yusheng raised her face. "Grandma, I want to come and learn characters with Brother Axiu.

"This girl, how old are you, you have so many ideas. You can learn from your two brothers if you want to read words. You don't have to come to bother your aunt and brother Axiu everyday."

Wanrong at the back said, "Madam, we're not bothered. Let Nannan come, she can also accompany Xiu'er."

She's really hoping for Nannan to come often, if so, Xiu'er might really be able to change.

"Grandma~" Liu Yusheng pouted.

Axiu stared at Grandma Liu, pursed his lips and took a step forward to block Liu Yusheng behind him, "The Three Character Classic, The Thousand Character Classic, Mencius, The Analects, The Poetry Classic, The Doctrine of the Mean, I've learned them all. I can teach Shengsheng better than others."

Grandma Liu was knocked for six: "…."

Why does it feel like she'd become a wicked villain trying to rob someone?

What was the matter with that little boy looking at her so defensively?

Nannan is her granddaughter!

Also, he had recited a long list, which she had never heard of except The Three Character Classic! He's only a few years old but how could he have learned so much! How terrifying!

Now that he'd laid everything bare, she's too embarrassed to mention Nannan learning with the two boys at home again!

"Grandma, just let Nannan learn. Nannan wants to learn a lot of things. Nannan wants to become powerful!" Behind the boy, the little girl poked her head out, her eyes blinked accompanied by her delicate soft voice.

OUCH, Grandma Liu's heart, "Okay, you learn!"

"Grandma is the best, Nannan loves grandma the most!" Liu Yusheng flew over like a little bird and hugged Grandma Liu's calf, her little face blooming into a flower.

He's a blessing that fell from the sky! With him as a shield, she won't have to rack her brains for excuses when she shows off her skills in the future.

Anyway, she had a PhD in Chinese and Western medicine, she had read 300 Tang poems and 200 Song poems, She had been a divine doctor and a president. She also has a space that can be called a gold mine, all of which are dry goods. Wouldn't it be a shame not to take them out and support her family?