Chapter 11: Teacher, you're so handsome!

  Holding her hair clip, Zhang Yue's heart skipped a beat as she suddenly thought of her sister Xia Jingjing and asked her mother: "Did Grandma scold today?"

  "What have you two done now?" Mom asked.

  "Uh, no, that... I mean..."

  "You want to ask about your sister drawing flowers on the fridge? Never mind, she's still young, I won't scold her. You don't have to worry about making excuses."

  Zhang Yue's mouth twitched, and he muttered to himself: I didn't plan on talking about feelings. You usually spoil her so much that she doesn't even worry about it herself, what do I need to talk about feelings for? He thought this in his heart, but couldn't say it out loud.

  Then Zhang Yue told her mother the reason why her sister and she said that day: "Mom, I want to discuss something with you. Don't you think that Qinqin actually has a lot of talent? I heard from the art teacher that this time the school is also planning to recommend her children's paintings to participate in the national competition. I think should you ask a teacher to tutor Qinqin?"

  "Invite a teacher?" Mom asked in confusion: "Invite what teacher?" In that era, everyone really didn't have the concept of deliberately cultivating children's hobbies. Even families with good conditions who could afford to hire tutors did so for supplementary lessons, so mom simply couldn't understand Zhang Yue's meaning.

  "I'm saying, can't you find a art teacher for Qinqin, like someone who graduated from an art academy or something, or some school's art teacher, to help Qinqin start small and who knows, maybe our family will produce a painter in the future!"

  "Painter?" Mom smiled lightly: "As long as our family doesn't produce bandits, that's enough. Do you think it's necessary? Isn't Qinqin in the art class at school?"

  "Mom, I want to tell you something. You know Xia Qingqing in our class? The girl you always compare me to and like so much. She attends an art class at the Youth Palace on weekends and has been learning for several years already. Look at her paintings, can students from our school's art class paint like that? But I asked around, and it's really hard to get into the Youth Palace art class, they have exams and select students based on merit. Xia Qingqing doesn't have a foundation in art, so she might not be able to get in. Plus, the Youth Palace is so far away from our home, it takes one or two hours by car, and we'd have to transfer buses. You and dad are busy, who would accompany her there even if she did get in? In the past, I wouldn't have said anything, I didn't know how much it costs to hire a teacher or how to do it. But I was thinking, instead of spending money on clothes, why not save it up and find a teacher for Xia Qingqing? What do you think, mom?"

  "Alright, alright, housekeeper! I just bought a few clothes, and they're still for you. Your grandma is nagging, and now you're nagging too." Mom smiled and scolded: "Your dad doesn't even worry as much as you do. You're such a young child, why so many thoughts? I know, hurry up and go play!"

  About two weeks later, Mom seemed to have thought it through. One evening at dinner, she said to my sister: "Qingqing, would you like Mommy to find a teacher for you to learn painting?"

  Qing Qing was taken aback for a moment, then happily said: "Great, great, thank you mom!"

  "Wait a minute before thanking me," Mom smiled. "You have to tell Mom whether you really want to learn it or not, and if there's a teacher, how will you study hard?"

  Zhang Yue's face turned black with anger, "Mom, your utilitarian heart is too strong! Just because you hired a tutor, does that mean I have to prepare myself to be an artist's mom?" She couldn't speak, and buried her head in eating. Fortunately, children at that time were simple-minded, and Zhang Qing didn't have any rebellious psychology. After hearing her mother's words, she nodded vigorously with excitement. Her two eyes shone brightly, and she said seriously: "Mom, don't worry, I will definitely work hard."

  Two days later, after dinner, Teacher Xiao Tang knocked on the door of the house.

  Before this, their mother had already introduced Zhang Qing and Zhang Yue to him, saying that Teacher Xiao Tang was her colleague's lover, a graduate of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. He is now an art teacher at a middle school, very talented. So in the hearts of the two sisters, they thought that Teacher Xiao Tang must be one of those middle-aged men, with an aura of authority without being angry.

  So they saw the young and handsome man standing outside the door, both were very surprised. Oh my god! Mom, where did you find such a handsome teacher? Zhang Yue's little heart couldn't help but jump up and down several times. She was secretly delighted, fortunately, she and her sister were still young, otherwise... Alas, drooling!

  Digression

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