Chapter 39:
“This painting of yours is a bit melancholic, right?” The senior female student said: “But I think such a rainy day is very comfortable. Most puppies like playing in the water. When I was little, I raised a West Highland White Terrier that wouldn’t come back inside on rainy days, happily wagging its tail.”
Meng Shuyou remained silent.
This was a stray dog, exposed to wind and rain outside all the time—how could it be happy?
Moreover, she had secretly brought the puppy back to the Meng Family home, indirectly causing its death.
The night before last, she dreamed of that scene again. Meng Yan deliberately fed the puppy chocolate and grapes. By the time she got home from school, the puppy was on its last breath and couldn’t be saved no matter what.
Meng Yan had been unscrupulous since she was little.
Anything Meng Shuyou liked, Meng Yan would snatch away. Anyone she cared about, Meng Yan would try every method to hurt.
The senior female student’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “But that’s just my opinion. You’re the creator, so of course it’s based on your state of mind.”
Meng Shuyou blinked, her gaze refocusing.
The senior female student brought up something. “By the way, Elara, are you free tomorrow afternoon? Could you help me out with something?”
Meng Shuyou asked: “What kind of help?”
“Didn’t I take on a part-time tutoring job? Tomorrow is the last lesson, but I have something come up and can’t make it. The child is going abroad for a trip the day after, so the timing doesn’t work out. If you’re free, would it be convenient for you to cover one lesson for me? The lesson fee is yours.”
“Do her parents agree?”
“They do. Her mother is very easygoing.” The senior female student briefly explained the situation. “It’s a single-parent family. The mother is divorced and raising two daughters. Their home has a really nice atmosphere.”
Meng Shuyou nodded. “Okay, send me the address and house number.”
The senior female student raised her eyebrows. “Thanks, thanks.”
“No problem.”
–
The next afternoon.
Meng Shuyou took a cab to the student’s house according to the address from the senior female student.
The family lived in a residence in the west district. There was a small yard at the doorway, enclosed by a white fence. The flower bed on the right was planted with many roses, along with two redflowering currant trees.
Two swing chairs were placed on the lawn, in a soft pink color that no little girl could refuse.
It was clear that the hostess of the house knew how to live well.
She stood by the door and pressed the doorbell.
After waiting two minutes, the hostess came to open the door. She greeted her with a smile: “You’re Elara, right?”
Meng Shuyou greeted her politely. “Yes, hello.”
“Come on in.” The hostess led her into the house. “Nora really didn’t fool me—she found my daughter a beautiful teacher.”
Her affinity was very strong, instantly closing the distance.
Meng Shuyou curved her lips slightly. “The senior female student also said you’re a nice person, and that the two children are especially cute.”
The hostess shook her head with a wry smile. “What cute? When they get mischievous, they just give me headaches.”
The house was cleaned very neatly, with children’s stuffed toys visible everywhere.
“Beth, pour a glass of juice for your new teacher.”
“Okay, Mom, coming!”
“Thud thud thud” footsteps rang out as two girls ran downstairs.
The shorter one stared at Meng Shuyou, unblinking. “Wow, Sister, you’re so pretty.”
“Thank you, you’re very pretty too.” Meng Shuyou couldn’t help but touch her chubby baby face, smooth like a shelled boiled egg.
The little girl grinned wide. She was in the stage of losing her baby teeth, with a gap between her front teeth that made her look even cuter.
The other girl, Beth, came out of the kitchen with a glass of orange juice. “Teacher, here, drink this.”
Meng Shuyou took it with both hands. “Thank you.”
She didn’t waste time. “Where do you paint? Let’s start the lesson.”
Beth pointed at the stairs. “Upstairs study room. I’ll take you there.”
“Okay.” Meng Shuyou said something to the hostess before going upstairs.
