Yun Juan blinked in surprise. How come he didn't know? Thinking back to yesterday, it was possible he didn't hear it…
He continued, “What have they been doing these past few years?”
Da Pang's small eyes darted around, and he lowered his voice, saying, “My grandma said it's because his mommy is sick and hospitalized in a mental hospital. She goes crazy and hits people! That kind of illness is contagious, that's why I said he's sick, but Yun Shu doesn't believe me!”
Yun Juan gave him a helpless look: “Da Pang, read more books.”
“I love reading,” Big Fatty earnestly counted on his fingers, “I can recite last week's comics by heart.”
Yun Chuman was quite far away and once the children lowered their voices, she couldn't hear anything. Seeing that it was almost two o'clock and soon to be the hottest part of the day, she decided to take the two children home.
She walked into the playground and she cheerfully called out, "Little Juan, little Shu, it's time to go home."
The two children immediately ran towards her with their short legs, beaming, "Mommy!"
With Yun Shu’s abrupt departure, the support behind Yang Qingshu vanished. He instantly felt a pang of sadness, staring blankly ahead. He saw a beautiful woman crouch down, extending her arms. Yun Shu and a little boy who looked very much like her simultaneously rushed into the woman's embrace.
Yun Chuman pulled out a tissue and wiped the sweat from their brows. "Look how hot you both are. How about Mommy taking you to get some ice cream?"
The two children obediently tilted their heads back, letting her wipe their sweat, and smiled sweetly, "Okay!"
Standing to the side, Da Pang bit his finger. Was Yun Juan and Yun Shu's mommy always this gentle?
He turned and saw his mommy and ran over, shouting, "Mommy, I'm hot! I want ice cream!"
The mommy's voice was as loud as her son's and boomed in the neighborhood: "Eat what Ice cream? You look more like ice cream!"
Hearing this, Yun Juan and Yun Shu simultaneously covered their mouths and giggled and their eyes curved with amusement.
Yun Chuman gently tapped their foreheads with her fingers.
Yun Shu stuck out her tongue shyly.
Yun Juan removed his hand from her mouth, pursing his lips and regaining his serious expression.
Yun Chuman held their hands and said, "Let's go to the supermarket and pick out the ice cream you want."
The two children cheered.
Yun Shu took a step forward but stopped, turning back to point at Yang Qingshu, who was still sitting on the swing, "Mommy, that's my new friend. Can he come with us?"
Yun Chuman turned her head and met the little boy's envious gaze.
Caught red-handed, Yang Qingshu hurriedly lowered his eyelashes, concealing the emotions in his eyes.
Yun Chuman smiled. This little boy wasn't in her existing information, but she was happy to accept Yun Juan and Yun Shu's friend: "Sure, what's little Shu's friend's name?"
"Yang Qingshu, Qingqing!"
Yun Shu said happily, running towards the little boy and extending her hand to him with a beaming smile, "Qingqing, let's go get ice cream together!"
Yang Qingshu wanted to refuse the name. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but when he looked up and met Yun Shu's bright smile, he couldn't utter a single word.
He placed his hand in hers and gave a rather dejected "En."
Yun Shu squeezed his hand in return.
Seeing the two children run back, Yun Chuman greeted them with a smile, "Hello, Qingqing."
Yang Qingshu paused for a moment. His ears turned slightly red as he looked down. "Hello, Auntie."
Yun Juan raised an eyebrow. The child didn't seem to have any aggression towards little Shu and mommy, so leave it for now.
Yun Chuman took the three children to the supermarket in the neighborhood.
The four of them each bought an ice cream, ate it under the shade of a tree, and then went home.
When Yun Chuman took Yang Qingshu home, she discovered that he actually lived next door.
Yang Qingshu was very polite, thanking her sincerely before leaving and saying he would return the favor with a gift later.
Yun Chuman smiled and agreed.
After returning home, Yun Juan and Yun Shu soon fell asleep. Probably because they had been so active earlier and the hot weather made them sleepy.
Yun Chuman took her art supplies and the package and went alone to the small balcony in the living room.
The room wasn't large, but the layout was excellent. In addition to the necessary rooms, there was a protruding balcony.
Looking out from the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the small park next door, lush and green—a beautiful view.
Yun Chuman opened a package and took out a small lamp, about the size of an adult's palm.
She then took out some soft wire and colorful twine from another package.
Head down, she pondered about how to design her entry for an art competition while modifying the small lamp in her hand.
She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't notice the passage of time until she heard footsteps behind her.
Two children walked out of the bedroom hand in hand.
Yun Juan's little head was turning around rapidly, clearly looking for her.
Yun Shu, still half asleep, clutched her small blanket as her little head bobbed up and down.
So cute!
Yun Chuman mentally assessed them and smilingly waved to them, "Little Juan, little Shu, I'm here."
The two children perked up, toddled over, and sat down on either side of her, leaning against her.
Yun Shu, clutching her blanket in one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other, asked softly while her voice still slightly nasal, "What is Mommy doing?"
Yun Juan took in the art supplies scattered on the floor, tugged at Yun Chuman's sleeve with shining eyes, and whispered, "Is Mommy going to start painting?"
Yun Chuman nodded, patted Yun Shu's head, and asked, "Little Shu, can you help Mommy with something?"
Yun Shu agreed without hesitation. With her eyes half-closed, she nodded and said, "Sure~ What does Mommy want Little Shu to do?"
Yun Chuman smiled and said, "I want Little Shu to be my model."
"A model?"
Yun Shu's lingering sleepiness vanished instantly.
She looked up in confusion. Was it the kind of model she knew?
But…
"Little Shu isn’t pretty. My arms and legs are short. Also, I’m chubby.”
The little girl said dejectedly, shaking her limbs and puffing out her cheeks.
Seeing how cute she was, Yun Chuman couldn’t resist pinching her chubby little arms.
She hugged Yun Shu and laughed, “Nonsense! Our little Shu is the cutest little girl in the world! If you agree to be my model, my painting will definitely win an award!”
“Really?” Yun Shu asked uncertainly. There was a hint of expectation in her eyes.
“Of course! Don’t you believe Mommy?”
“I believe…”
Yun Shu lowered her head. Her two thumbs pressed together hesitantly for a long time before finally asking, “When do we start?”
“Can we start after dinner?” Yun Chuman said.
Yun Shu glanced at elder brother, Yun Juan, who immediately gave her a thumbs up.
She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and resolutely said, "We can!"
To save energy, Yun Chuman ordered takeout for dinner. While waiting, she found a supermarket membership card and applied a layer of white glue to the oil painting paper.
Yun Juan stayed close by her side, eagerly asking, "Mommy, what are you doing?"
"Modifying the oil painting paper, otherwise it absorbs too much paint."
Yun Chuman patiently explained, "After dinner, the white glue on the paper should be dry. Then I can sand it smooth and then start painting."
"I see." Yun Juan watched her actions intently. His little head constantly recalling what she had just said, absorbing the new knowledge.
Yun Chuman glanced at him. Seeing that he didn't look sad, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
She had originally wanted Yun Juan and Yun Shu to be models together, but to cheer Yun Shu up, she changed her plans at the last minute.
Although Yun Juan himself agreed not to be a model, she was still worried that the child was forcing himself. However, it seemed that Yun Juan was more interested in painting than modeling.
Yun Shu wasn't as enthusiastic about these things. She sat absentmindedly on a small stool, her hands supporting her cheeks, gazing wistfully out the window.
Yun Chuman couldn't help but laugh every time she caught a glimpse of her small, curled-up back.
By the time they officially started painting, it was already getting dark outside, and Yun Shu became even more nervous.
"Mommy, what should I do?" she asked. Her little hands were unsure of what to do and her face scrunched up as she looked.
"Relax," Yun Chuman said, taking her hand. "I'll take you to change your clothes first."
She turned to talk to Yun Juan, but saw the little boy squatting motionless beside the canvas.
Yun Chuman scratched her head and said, "Little Juan, can you help me sand the rest of the oil painting paper? Did you see how I did it?"
Yun Juan immediately looked at her with sparkling eyes. He unusually raised his voice and said, "I saw! Don't worry, Mom, I'll definitely finish the task."
"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."
Yun Chuman smiled. Sure enough, Yun Juan was very interested in painting and learned quickly.
She led Yun Shu into the bedroom and found a carefully preserved children's Tang suit in the wardrobe. It looked very new and probably hadn't been worn much.
The dress was mainly smoky blue, with occasional touches of white and light pink. The sleeves of the top were made of white gauze, making it look light and cute.
Yun Shu saw the dress and happily clenched her little fists: "Mommy, can I wear this dress?"
"Yes."
Yun Chuman patiently helped her change the clothes. The little girl obediently followed her instructions, raising her arms and stretching her short legs.
She had originally wanted to style Yun Shu's hair again, but the child's hair was too fine and soft to style, so in the end she could only tie it into two simple little buns, revealing her entire face.
When Yun Chuman led Yun Shu outside, Yun Juan had just finished working on the canvas and was wiping away sweat. He turned around, saw the two of them, paused for a moment, and then smiled sincerely, "Little sister is so pretty!"
Yun Shu's chubby cheeks immediately turned bright red.
Yun Chuman smiled and led her to the white wall beside the small balcony, turned on the small lamp she had modified that afternoon, and handed it to her, saying, "Little Shu, just hold it with both hands and stand still."
Yun Shu took the lamp and obediently stood against the wall, "Like this?"
Yun Chuman frowned, feeling that it wasn't quite what she had imagined. Something seemed to be missing.
She thought for a moment and changed her words, "Little Shu, you don't have to do it my way. Just act however you want, and eventually stick to one pose. If you get tired, just tell me, and we can rest."
After speaking to Yun Shu, she patted Yun Juan's little head and said, "Little Juan, go turn off the living room lights. Just leave one drawing lamp on."
Yun Juan toddled to the door and snapped off the living room light, leaving only the drawing lamp beside Yun Chuman and the small lamp in Yun Shu's hand still lit.
He moved a small stool next to Yun Chuman and quietly sat beside her in front of the easel, watching Yun Shu standing alone on the balcony.
The little girl stood there anxiously and confusedly, instinctively looking at her mommy and brother, her eyes pleading for help.
"Little Shu, look at the lamp in your hand. What does it remind you of?” Yun Chuman said softly. “Don’t be nervous. It’s just me and elder brother here. You can do whatever you want.”
Yun Shu’s nervousness was soothed. She lowered her head and carefully examined the prop in her hand. The orange-yellow sphere seemed familiar…
She glanced out the window. Her eyes suddenly lit and her confusion vanished.
She moved to the window, holding the lamp up to her nose, just covering her lips, and then, under the gaze of Yun Chuman and Yun Juan, slowly closed her eyes.
Yun Chuman frowned in confusion, but quickly realized Yun Shu’s intention. A hint of amazement flashed in her eyes. Yun Shu’s expressiveness exceeded her expectations!
Inspiration flowed freely. She mentally sketched the image on the canvas while skillfully brushing the canvas with linseed oil, and then found all the necessary paints.
With all preparations complete, Yun Chuman began to paint, her expression focused and serious.
Yun Juan sat quietly beside her. His gaze fixed on Yun Chuman's hands as the painting gradually took shape and his eyes grew increasingly intense.
The painting wasn't large and with Yun Chuman's focused attention and exceptionally good condition, she finished it quickly.
Even so, it was late at night. Her shoulders ached and her body felt completely drained.
Yun Chuman put down her paint palette and breathed a sigh of relief. She instinctively stretched, but halfway through, she suddenly remembered that neither of the children had asked for a break.
She panicked immediately: "Little Juan, little Shu?"
Yun Shu heard her voice. Her long eyelashes fluttered and she peeked open her eyes a crack, whispering, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
Yun Juan, sitting beside her, was wide awake and excitedly asked, "Mommy, are you finished?"
"Finished, finished! Little Shu, move around a bit!"
Yun Chuman anxiously rushed towards Yun Shu. Her heart ached terribly. The little girl had maintained one position for so long without a single rest.
Yun Juan realized how much her younger sister had suffered and ran over as well.
Yun Shu, with her puppy-like eyes brimming with tears, sniffled and said softly, "Mommy, I can't move..."
Yun Chuman was startled. Her first thought was that she had ruined the child due to painting and she had to get to the hospital immediately!
Before she could even reach out to pick up the little girl, Yun Juan pinched Yun Shu's arm, frowning with concern, and asked, "Is it numb?"
Yun Shu nodded pitifully, managing a weak "En."
Seeing that she was alright, Yun Chuman breathed a sigh of relief, but her legs gave way and she sat down on the ground.
She carefully cradled Yun Shu in her arms and together with Yun Juan, massaged her arm.
The little girl's flesh was almost stiff. It took a while of massaging to gradually soften it.
Like a kitten, Yun Shu comfortably squinted her eyes. She looked up, nervously and expectantly, and asked, "Mommy, can I see the painting?"
"Of course you can," Yun Chuman tapped her little nose.
"Little sister, you'd better be prepared. Don't get scared in a bit," Yun Juan said.
"Huh?" Yun Shu asked tentatively, "Is it ugly?"
Yun Juan deliberately didn't answer.
Yun Shu's eyebrows furrowed and she looked at Yun Chuman for help.
"Elder Brother is just teasing you!"
Yun Chuman took her hand and led her to the painting. Yun Juan followed behind, chuckling to himself.
Despite mommy's comforting words, Yun Shu still dared not look and instinctively squinted. The moment she saw the painting clearly, her eyes snapped open and her mouth agape in disbelief.
"Is this me?" she cried.
The little girl in the painting wore a flowing, ethereal dress, holding a green flower stem that held a miniature sun atop it. The twilight light illuminated the red cloud-like mark on her nose and her long eyelashes. Behind her hung a crescent moon, like a silver hook in the sky.
The entire composition resembled a sunset and moonrise, with the little girl appearing as if she were the embodiment of the red cloud holding the sun.
The unique brushstrokes of the oil painting and the ethereal little girl created a striking and unusual beauty.
Yun Chuman was a skilled painter. Every stroke and every color was perfectly placed. She dared to say this was her most satisfying work to date.
"Our little cloud fairy, do you like this painting?" Yun Chuman asked, patting Yun Shu's head.
Yun Shu nodded vigorously, her gaze lingering on the painting. After a long while, she asked, "Is this really me?"
"Isn't it you? How can you forget what you look like?" Yun Juan said seriously.
Yun Shu wrinkled her nose at him.
"Of course it is! But if you ask me, our little Shu is a hundred times cuter in real life than in the painting!" Yun Chuman said.
Yun Shu blushed instantly.
Yun Chuman met her gaze and said earnestly, "Little Shu, promise Mommy you'll have confidence in yourself from now on, okay?"
She touched the red mark on the little girl's face: "Elder brother and I will never lie to you. Your red mark is proof that we love you. It's your unique feature."
"It's something others would love to have. It's unique. Don't let a few words from others make you doubt yourself, okay?"
Yun Shu's eyes gradually brightened. She looked at Yun Chuman and then at herself in the painting. The little girl in the painting was truly beautiful.
She nodded vigorously: "En!"
Finally, she believed that mommy and elder brother weren't just comforting her. She would never again be saddened by other people's words!
Yun Chuman patted her little head: "Once the painting dries, I'll send it to the competition. With little Shu as the model, it's sure to win an award."
"Are you sending it away?" Yun Shu asked in surprise.
Yun Juan said reluctantly, "Should we take a picture with our phones?"
Yun Chuman couldn't help but laugh: "It'll be returned after the competition."
The two children breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, it's time to sleep. Kids won't grow tall if they stay up late."
Yun Chuman pulled them to the bathroom. While washing up, she glanced at the two children, whose eyelids were already drooping, and thought to herself that today had yielded an unexpected bonus.
Both Yun Juan's enthusiasm for painting and Yun Shu's expressiveness far exceeded her expectations.
After washing up, the two children squeezed into a small bed and quickly fell asleep.
The next day, even Yun Chuman couldn't get up early. In the end, she was woken up by the ringing of the phone.
"Hello? Who is this?" Yun Chuman asked indistinctly, holding the phone without opening her eyes.
Yun Juan and Yun Shu beside her both rolled over and fell back into a deep sleep.
The person on the other end of the phone was speechless for a moment before saying, "Elder Sister, you're still not awake?"
Yun Chuman heard a familiar voice and glanced at her phone—it was Xiao Xi, the director in charge of their group for "Every Family Has Its Own Affairs."
She slowly sat up, glanced at the two children, tucked them in, and tiptoed out. She yawned before saying, "I slept too late last night."
"I stayed up all night for you and you are sleeping! Next time you have to take me with you!" Xiao Xi wailed.
Yun Chuman poured a glass of water and smiled, "No problem, we don't have much else, but we have plenty of empty beds."
Xiao Xi coughed, "Let's get down to business. The guest you'll be filming with next episode has been decided.”
"Who is it?" Yun Chuman asked expectantly, wondering if it was the person she and Yun Juan and Yun Shu had chosen.
"It's a secret," Xiao Xi chuckled. "Also, the filming location for the next episode is a temporary venue rented by the production team, not in your city, so you and the two kids need to leave early."
Yun Chuman subconsciously glanced at the oil painting she finished last night. Leaving early would be a bit troublesome…
She frowned and asked, "Approximately when do we leave? Where is the destination?"
"Two days later," Xiao Xi said, "I've sent the flight information the production team booked for you to your phone. See you then!"
She hung up the phone after speaking.
Yun Chuman opened the flight information. The destination was Z City. She was stunned. Wasn't that the city hosting the new artist competition?