The Painting

Upon seeing Qin Sheng, Old Master Lu's demeanor changed instantly. His face lit up with a wide smile. "Ah, Sheng Sheng, you finally came to visit this old man. I've missed you terribly!"

He approached her, taking her hand and scrutinizing her up and down, his brows furrowing in concern. "You've lost weight since I last saw you. Are the Qin family treating you poorly? If they are, I'll go seek justice for you."

Qin Sheng was speechless.

She had actually gained five pounds since returning to H City. Lost weight?

What she forgot was that over the past few weeks, with proper nutrition, she had grown several centimeters taller.

Lu Ming glanced at Old Master Lu, then at Qin Sheng, and took a moment to process. "Grandpa, do you know Qin Sheng?"

Old Master Lu, engrossed in his conversation with Qin Sheng, responded impatiently to Lu Ming's interruption, "None of your business."

With that, he led Qin Sheng to the sofa and continued chatting with her.

Lu Ming glanced at Fu Hanchuan, who stood awkwardly nearby, feeling a bit better. 

At least he wasn't the only one left out.

Lu Ming didn't leave. Instead, he sat on the sofa, observing their conversation.

Opportunities to get to know Qin Sheng were rare; he didn't want to waste it.

But as he stayed, a chill enveloped him.

When Fu Hanchuan had first walked in, he overheard the comment about the "old cow eating young grass" and hadn't shown Lu Ming a pleasant expression since.

Was he old? He was only twenty-three, just a five-year age gap—perfectly suitable, in his opinion.

Lu Ming, oblivious, only felt cold. He rubbed his arms, muttering softly, "Why is it so chilly in this weather?"

Sitting not far from Lu Ming, Old Master Lu heard his muttering.

He gave Lu Ming a disdainful glance. "Sheng Sheng is so considerate, unlike you, you troublemaker. You cause me endless worry every day. Girls are truly better."

Lu Ming: "..."

Well, it's always girls who are better. Being born into the Lu family, he was just here to freeload.

Lu Ming decided to join the conversation and chat with Qin Sheng. "Sis-in-law..."

Fu Hanchuan shot him a glare, and Lu Ming quickly corrected himself, "Sheng Sheng."

Lu Ming was the friendly type and had already started calling her by her nickname.

"I've heard you're super cool in Class Four. You've got Lin Feng, that rascal, all quiet and well-behaved. No one else in school has managed that." Once he started, he couldn't stop talking.

Qin Sheng sat quietly on the sofa, listening attentively.

In her previous life, she had met Lu Ming and knew he was Old Master Lu's grandson, but their interactions had been limited.

Now, reborn, many people and events were following a completely different path than in her previous life.

Could her fate be entirely different in this life? And what about Grandpa Lu—could he avoid passing away so early?

Lu Ming chattered on for ten minutes until Old Master Lu could no longer bear it. He barked, "Lu Ming, if you don't stop, get out."

Lu Ming clamped his mouth shut, miming a motion of zipping his lips.

Qin Sheng took out a painting. "Grandpa, I drew this. I've signed up for the H City Youth Painting Competition. Could you take a look for me?"

Old Master Lu was surprised. "Sheng Sheng, you can paint?"

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement.

Finally, he could help Sheng Sheng. Fu Hanchuan might have taken over the responsibility of looking after Qin Sheng at school, but painting—painting was his domain.

He wasn't being modest; when it came to painting, he truly was skilled.

Lu Ming also leaned in closer.

*(End of Chapter)*