"Auntie, do you have any hobbies?" Ning Youguang asked with a smile once the mother and daughter had cald down.
"I used to, but not anymore," the mother said, embarrassed.
"Auntie, since you’ve got the family matters sorted out, you can explore your strengths and interests during your free ti and develop so hobbies. After all, your daughter is all grown up, you can freely do things you like. This way, your focus won’t be confined to just the ho," Ning Youguang smiled, "Being able to do what you love can effectively relieve stress, boost confidence, and build resilience, allowing you to find happiness without relying on others."
"I get it," the daughter chid in encouragingly, "Mom, don’t you really enjoy drawing? Let enroll you in a painting class at a senior university. You should learn, paint, and not stay at ho with Dad all the ti. He has work to unwind, but you don’t. You should find sothing to do and a comfortable place to switch things up."
"Alright, alright." The mother nodded eagerly and with joy.
...
The sunlight slanted from the west outside, quiet and serene.
Ning Youguang held a hot cup of water and watched the mother and daughter walk away arm in arm through the rising steam, smiling gently.
In interpersonal relationships, many people have a misconception: "I’m hurt, so I’m justified." Little do they know that the truth should be, "I’m hurt, so I change."
In reality, in this world, we can’t change anyone.
If we feel sadness, despair, pain... and want relief, we can’t depend on anyone else; it’s only by hoping in ourselves and starting with changing ourselves.
And changing the world also starts with changing oneself first.
Once their figures disappeared completely around the corner.
She took out her phone, opened Weibo, edited a post, and sent it out—
[An Ordinary Person: The cleaner your ho, the cleaner your heart.]
Casually, she picked a question from the comnts to answer—
[An Ordinary Person: Regularly get rid of things. Stay well! @A Drear: Teacher, what things can improve life quality?]
At the sa ti.
In the comnts section, Shi Wangyue quietly left an ambiguous comnt—
[A Fan of Ordinary Life: My ho is empty, simply because the one I love is not by my side.]
...
That night.
Shi Wangyue sent Ning Youguang several pictures, showing so famous and unknown artists’ artworks he’d recently collected.
After finishing her writing tasks for the day, Ning Youguang opened her phone and was extrely surprised to see these images.
She imdiately initiated a video call, which was answered in seconds—
"What are you up to?"
Shi Wangyue, dressed in pajamas, sat cross-legged on the floor with bare feet, a blank white wall behind him.
"Just figuring out how best to hang these paintings."
Ning Youguang asked curiously, "Didn’t you not like paintings? Why did you suddenly buy so many?"
"It’s true I don’t like paintings, but I like watching you enjoy them." Shi Wangyue quirked an eyebrow, wearing gold-rimd glasses perched on his nose. In his black silk pajamas, his pale skin, his lazy, casual stance, he exuded an alluring intellectual charm.
It was... quite captivating.
Ning Youguang couldn’t help but laugh.
As she laughed, she covered her eyes and complained inwardly, "What a scher, always up to sothing."
After her silent grumbling, she couldn’t help but sigh at her own weakness, starting to regret not moving in with him over such a little trick.
"So, when are you coming over to see the paintings?" Shi Wangyue asked, laughing along.
Then, he stood up and turned the cara, revealing the newly collected paintings spread out on the floor for her to see.
"Do you like them?" he asked joyfully.
The overhead light shone through his glasses, casting a glow on his face, dazzling yet nowhere near as charming as the smiles at the corners of his eyes.
"I love them." Ning Youguang nodded, "I truly do."
Loving the paintings, and also the person.
"Do you feel happy?" Shi Wangyue asked again with a smile.
"I do." Ning Youguang smiled gently, her voice soft and sweet, "My happiness today cos from the paintings you collected for , from your constant thoughtfulness."
And the joy at the corners of your eyes.
...
As it neared bedti.
Ning Youguang gently advised Shi Wangyue, "Even if you don’t like going out, take so ti to bask in the sun and breathe so fresh air. Don’t just stay cooped up at ho outside of work, okay?"
Shi Wangyue pouted, "Without you with , even the sun feels less joyful."
Ning Youguang rubbed her forehead, "Be good, don’t pout."
Shi Wangyue, with a hint of grievance, said, "I miss you, can’t sleep, still want to see you."
"I miss you too," Ning Youguang sighed helplessly, "Go to sleep, don’t sit on the floor, it’s cold."
"There’s underfloor heating," Shi Wangyue replied, "Can I co see you?"
"I’m going to sleep, good night." The cold and unfeeling Teacher Ning resolutely ended the video call.
...
Rui’an Square, Xingguang Investnt Fund Company.
Outside, the wind howled, and snow fell like goose feathers.
Inside, the heating was turned up high.
Assistant Jin, dressed in a thin black suit, stood by Shi Wangyue’s desk, thodically reporting:
"Mr. Shi, for the upcoming week, you have an internal company eting on Monday. From Tuesday to Thursday, there are no prearranged dostic etings or events. However, the board etings and entrepreneur consultations with companies like AO, Corp, EDms, GMph, etc., abroad still require your attendance as scheduled. The weekend is entirely your personal ti."
"Alright, noted," Shi Wangyue nodded and took out a big red envelope from the desk drawer, handing it to him, "Have a pleasant trip tomorrow, and please convey my regards to your father and mother."
"Thank you, Mr. Shi." Assistant Jin accepted the red envelope with both hands, "I wish you a Happy New Year as well."
"Thanks," Shi Wangyue nodded, "Head back early today to pack, see if there’s anything you need to prepare as gifts for your parents and family, and if not, maybe take a walk around the mall."
"Okay, thank you, Mr. Shi."
With the big red envelope in hand, a joyful Assistant Jin headed out, but paused right as he was about to open the door.
"What’s up?" Shi Wangyue asked.
Assistant Jin turned back nervously and said, embarrassed, "Wishing you a happy new year and hoping you marry Teacher Ning soon."
So that the boss wouldn’t be alone in Beijing for the New Year like this year.
Shi Wangyue chuckled softly, "I’ll take your kind words to heart." 1314
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