Sweet slice-of-life love story: Wife, Let's love again
Chapter 131 - 130: No More Explanations

Chapter 131: Chapter 130: No More Explanations

Painting is a meticulous activity; it requires great concentration.

Qin Guanglin was extremely focused, so much so that he didn’t notice Jiang Lingling sliding her chair over, as he was intently outlining the hair of the character on his drawing board.

After much thought, he had designed the character with twin ponytails, giving her a refreshing, lively look full of energy, and also a touch of cuteness.

Maybe he’d ask Teacher He to try wearing twin ponytails sometime... Qin Guanglin couldn’t help but smile unconsciously at the thought. Startled by Jiang Lingling as he turned his head to switch pens, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Why are you smiling at your own drawing?" Jiang Lingling didn’t answer but pointed at the drawing board.

"I’m happy. Have you finished your work?"

"Yes, I’m done."

"Really?" Qin Guanglin looked at his watch—it was almost time to leave work, no wonder.

Jiang Lingling nodded, then pointed at the drawing board again, "How long does it usually take to be able to draw like you?"

"It’s hard to say. It depends on talent and how much you practice." Qin Guanglin glanced at her; even her simple comic drawings seemed to give her trouble, not exactly a sign of talent.

And she wasn’t as diligent as Yu Le either.

"Do you think I have talent?" Jiang Lingling turned to look at him.

Qin Guanglin paused in his work and just looked at her, saying nothing.

"...I see," Jiang Lingling said, lowering her head in disappointment, "So I just need to practice more, right?"

"Talent or not, you need to practice." Qin Guanglin shrugged. "You’ll just have to put in several times more effort than others."

"..."

Such logic sounded so reasonable.

"Fine then." Jiang Lingling, deeply affected, kicked off to head back to her own spot, but halfway there, she stopped and glided back to Qin Guanglin’s side. "How should I practice? Teach me?"

"Draw more, think more."

"I can’t think of anything. No matter how much I draw, it ends up looking the same." Jiang Lingling gestured with her hands. "I’ve tried drawing something more complex, but it turns out dry and lacks depth."

"Is that so?" Qin Guanglin pondered for a moment. "Then you need to read more books."

"What books?"

"Light and shadow, refraction, geometric perspective, color contrast, light and shadow techniques, structure..."

"You carry on, big guy." Jiang Lingling felt dizzy with all the information and wheeled back to her seat.

It’s just a comic after all...

Wow, he really is a pro.

With no more interruptions for the remaining time, Qin Guanglin leisurely finished painting the hair on the drawing board, packed up his things, and prepared to leave work.

"Going for drinks?" Sun Wen slung his bag over his shoulder and called out to him.

"I’ve got things to do. Ask Xiao Yu, he’s pretty free." Qin Guanglin quickly walked towards the exit. "Take it easy, don’t drink too much. Xiao Yu can’t carry you by himself."

"No fun, I’m not drinking." Sun Wen pouted. "Later at dinner, I’ll drink a couple of bottles just for the enjoyment."

"In half a month, there’ll be plenty of people to drink with you, and you won’t have to pay a cent." Qin Guanglin suddenly remembered something and turned around with a smile. "You can have a real good time then."

"Half a month?"

Sun Wen paused, then realized, "Isn’t a gift money too? I’ll need to drink a lot then, to make back what I spend."

"Yep, you drink to your money’s worth, I’ll eat to mine."

"You have to drink with me too."

"Forget it, you go pour drinks for them."

Laughing and chatting all the way, they reached the bus stop. Qin Guanglin took the bus home, but hesitated after getting off. He turned and headed straight to Teacher He’s place.

Using his key to open the door, he sniffed; there was indeed the aroma of food.

He entered the bedroom and found Teacher He sitting on the bed in her nightgown, eating scrambled eggs rice delightfully and staring intently at the computer on her desk, where an American TV show was playing.

"Hmm?" He Fang turned her head when she heard the noise, "Why are you here?"

"Is this what you call having eaten?" Qin Guanglin looked her up and down, "Did you not go outside at all today?"

On the bus, he had asked He Fang if she wanted to have dinner together, and He Fang said she had already cooked a table full of dishes and finished eating... Turns out a bowl of fried rice with eggs was what she called a tableful.

"How could that be... Do you want a bite?" He Fang scooped up a spoonful and offered it to him.

"Hmph, I’m sure you did."

Qin Guanglin could tell he had guessed right just by looking at her, and he leaned in to swallow the spoonful of fried rice with eggs she offered, "What did you have for lunch? It wasn’t also fried rice with eggs, was it?"

"I woke up a bit late today; the breakfast you brought over was my lunch," He Fang said, taking a bite of her rice while her eyes stayed glued to the screen, "Hurry back and start cooking, why are you here so early anyway?"

"You can’t go on like this," Qin Guanglin frowned, "Let’s go to my place to eat."

Although her fried rice with eggs was quite delicious, it couldn’t compare to a proper cooked meal.

"I’m just being lazy these couple of days. It will be better once the landlord sets up the fridge."

He Fang dug out another spoonful of fried rice with eggs and extended it toward him, "Here, have another spoonful."

"No more, what will you eat if I finish it?" Qin Guanglin refused, leaning in to peck her oily little lips, "I’m going back now; I’ll come over again later."

"Take a bite, there’s plenty in this bowl."

"If you can’t finish, leave it aside, and I’ll come over later to help you eat it."

Qin Guanglin turned to leave, looked back at the room, then went out to the living room to pour a cup of water to place by the bedside, "It’s quite dry, remember to drink water."

"Thanks, Classmate Qin." He Fang sat cross-legged on the bed, pouted, and leaned forward, "Give me another kiss."

"Alright, eat your food."

After fulfilling her request, Qin Guanglin turned, left the room, closed the door, and walked downstairs towards his own home.

He really wasn’t wrong about her; she was a homebody who wouldn’t step out all day. She had been wearing the same clothes since the morning when he saw her, and nothing had changed by evening.

"The vegetables are already washed, go cook."

Upon arriving home, Qin’s Mom was seated on the sofa and without turning her head, she ordered at the sound of his entrance.

"Okay."

Qin Guanglin responded, then put away his bag in his room, and went straight to the kitchen to start chopping vegetables.

Life felt unexpectedly fulfilling...

With a sizzle and sputter, he finished cooking the vegetables and brought them to the table, and only then did Qin’s Mom sit down to prepare for the meal.

"Why didn’t He Fang come over? Is she cooking and eating alone?"

"She feels it’s not good to keep coming over for meals, so she’s cooking for herself," Qin Guanglin thought for a moment, "How about having her come over every day?"

If this fulfilling life could slightly change, so he could see Teacher He sitting at home waiting for him to cook dinner as soon as he got off work, that would be perfect.

"That’s fine, since you’re already... cough." Qin’s Mom suddenly coughed loudly, "Yes, yes, that’s very good."

Qin Guanglin’s heart skipped a beat, "What... were you saying?"

"Nothing, nothing."

As if nothing had happened, Qin’s Mom looked down, took a couple of bites of her food, and then seeing Qin Guanglin stop mid-sentence, she asked, "What’s wrong?"

"There’s nothing between her and me." Qin Guanglin explained dryly.

"I didn’t say there was anything between you two," Qin’s Mom looked innocent, "Why are you rushing to explain?"

"It’s because you said..."

Qin Guanglin paused and suspiciously said, "That day I slept on the sofa..."

"Yes, I woke up in the middle of the night and noticed you were gone," Qin’s Mom glanced at him.

"That was because..."

"Alright, stop explaining, let’s eat."

"..."