Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Just Moved by Emotion Although she knew they might not see each other next year, Cheng Lie didn't know that. So, she agreed-just to make him happy.
Cheng Lie had always been quiet and aloof. It was rare to see him happy, to see him smile. Who could bear to refuse a child like him? She truly couldn't bear it.
When Cheng Lie saw her agree, something seemed to be spreading in his heart.
He said to Yun Shifei, "I have something to give you too." He had drawn many, many pictures for Yun Shifei. He could pick one to give her. She'd probably like it.
"What is it?" Yun Shifei hadn't expected Cheng Lie to give her something, and she was instantly curious. "I'll give it to you at home." "Alright." Yun Shifei didn't feel like shopping anymore. "Let's go home." Yun Shifei didn't think too much about it—as long as it was a gift from Cheng Lie, she'd like it.
Yun Shifei followed Cheng Lie to the Cheng Family home.
When they reached the door, Yun Shifei stopped in her tracks. "I'll wait here for you." She didn't want to enter the Cheng Family home.
Ever since Cheng Huai had done what he did last time, whenever Yun Shifei cto find Cheng Lie, she chose not to step inside the house.
Cheng Lie nodded and opened the door, walking inside.
The moment the door opened, Yun Shifei caught a strong scent of medicinal herbs.
She frowned-was the Cheng Family drinking herbal medicine now? Was it Zhao Haishuang? Speaking of Zhao Haishuang—ever since her face was disfigured, Yun Shifei had only seen her a handful of times.
She spent most of her tat home, and even when she went out, she'd cover herself so completely that Yun Shifei could only see a vague silhouette from afar.
She didn't know what Zhao Haishuang looked like anymore, nor did she care.
Cheng Lie entered the house and headed to his room.
In the kitchen, Zhao Haishuang's coughing echoed—it seemed she was affected by the herbal medicine fumes. Recently, the atmosphere in the Cheng Family hhad only grown heavier.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter Zhao Haishuang's disfigurement, Cheng Huai had fallen ill.
It wasn't a major illness, but he'd been catching colds and fevers repeatedly.
Even small, recurring ailments could break down a strong and healthy person. Cheng Huai no longer attended classes—he just lay weakly in bed.
Visits to the hospital resulted in prescribed medication, but it hadn't worked.
So, Zhao Haishuang consulted a Chinese medicine practitioner and started brewing herbal remedies for Cheng Huai.
Nowadays, Zhao Haishuang was so busy taking care of Cheng Huai that she didn't have the tto mind Cheng Lie.
Cheng Lie returned to his room and spread out his art portfolio-it contained several drawings.
Unlike the sketches he'd shown Yun Shifei before, these drawings were fully colored. Every piece was vibrant and stunning, beautiful enough to be sold in a shop.
Cheng Lie studied the works carefully, eventually selecting one.
He went downstairs and handed the drawing to Yun Shifei.
Yun Shifei unfurled the drawing, and the scene felt incredibly familiar.
Wasn't this the rooftop where she and Cheng Lie had set off fireworks during New Year's? There were two people in the painting-herself and Cheng Lie.
Only their backs were visible, with both of them gazing up at the sky.
The sky was filled with fireworks, vivid and dazzling, captivatingly beautiful.
Cheng Lie's skill was truly remarkable-the painting was so lifelike, yet more beautiful than reality.
Yun Shifei stared at the artwork for a long tbefore looking at Cheng Lie. "Cheng Lie, shouldn't you apply to an art school? With your talent, it'd be a waste not to go to college!" His skill was so exceptional that even art students on campus likely couldn't match it.
Not to mention that Cheng Lie was entirely self-taught, without any formal instruction.
Truly, children with autism often displayed extraordinary talents.
No wonder Cheng Lie would beca big shot someday.
When Cheng Lie heard this from Yun Shifei, he pressed his lips together and then shook his head.
He didn't want to study art—it was just a hobby for him.
Art couldn't put food on the table.
Seeing Cheng Lie's reluctance, Yun Shifei sighed. She supposed it made sense-big shots weren't meant to be artists; they were business geniuses.
Perhaps such individuals excelled in everything they pursued.
Yun Shifei suddenly felt that the boy in front of her was like a mist-enigmatic and mysterious.
Despite spending so much twith him, she still didn't really understand him. All she knew was that he loved drawing and seemed fond of reading.
Beyond that, she knew very little about him.
Of course, the reality was that even if she wanted to learn more, there might not be a way to uncover it.
Yun Shifei carefully folded the drawing and smiled at Cheng Lie. "Thank you for the gift. I'll frit and hang it in my room." She'd actually wanted to add—why not sign your non it? As a future big shot, your signature would certainly be worth something.
When she returned home, Yun Shifei framed Cheng Lie's painting.
She had just finished when she heard Yun Tiancheng's voice from downstairs.
"Shi Fei, you're back?" Yun Tiancheng had just returned from work.
"Dad, I'm back." After hanging up the painting, she slipped on her fluffy slippers and headed downstairs to greet Yun Tiancheng.
But she saw a face she didn't want to see.
Mu Chengzhu smiled at Yun Shifei.
In front of Yun Tiancheng, Yun Shifei had no choice but to greet him.
"Your Brother Mu cby to bring you ssnacks. Aren't you going to thank him?" Looking at the candies on the table, Yun Shifei frowned, but she politely thanked Mu Chengzhu.
Mu Chengzhu noticed Yun Shifei's displeasure and asked, "Shi Fei, is something on your mind? You seem unhappy." Of course-how could she be happy seeing him? But Yun Shifei couldn't say that outright. Instead, she said, "Not really. I'm just tired from today's outing." Mu Chengzhu raised an eyebrow. "You went out with classmates today?" "I was afraid Shi Fei was too worn out from studying, so I gave her two movie tickets and told her to go outside with Cheng Lie to relax," Yun Tiancheng explained.
With Cheng Lie? Mu Chengzhu felt a twinge of something unexplainable.
The two of them seemed really close.
If Cheng Lie didn't have autism, Mu Chengzhu might've thought they were a couple.
Still, having interacted with Cheng Lie, Mu Chengzhu thought the boy didn't seem slow at all. What kind of illness was autism anyway? Mu Chengzhu didn't quite understand.
He stayed for a while and chatted with Yun Shifei.
Even though he sensed her disinterest, he pretended not to notice.
When he left, and she escorted him to the door, Mu Chengzhu gave her a lingering look. "Shi Fei@cademics avel should be your priority. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. Don't let romance affect your studies, alright?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I've been focusing on studying the whole time. Yun Shifei frowned, frustrated as though her thoughts had been seen through. She had merely let her heart wander-she wasn't planning to start a relationship.
Mu Chengzhu said no more.
As night deepened, Yun Shifei closed the door, feeling increasingly O annoyed by Mu-Chengzhu. He clearly knew she didn't like him, yet he kept clinging to her. How strange.