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nShen Xi fixated on the thought of having an air-conditioner in her room, which stirred up memories of the room she had stayed in at the Jiang family home.

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nShe shook her head, clearing her thoughts. The past should stay in the past; there was no point thinking about things that she could not change.

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nShen Xi resolved to treat her time with the Jiang family as a distant dream.

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nBut not thinking about her past meant she was now focused on the present. The oppressive summer heat blew at her in lazy rotations of the standing fan. She could not imagine what it must be like in Shen Yan’s room since he did not have a fan to call his own.

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nJust then, Shen Xi heard the soft patter of footsteps nearby. Was it her parents? Shen Xi quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

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nLu Shan whispered to Shen Yan, “Hubby, is this okay?”

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nShen Yan answered firmly, “Of course it’s okay. Your Hubby used to be a straight-A student!”

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nLu Shan whispered, “Hubby, I used to be a straight-A student too.”

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nShen Yan acknowledged her and said proudly, “Honey, you are the best straight-A student in my heart.”

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nLu Shan leaned against Shen Yan happily. “Honey, you are also the best straight-A student in my heart.”

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nShen Xi, pretending to sleep with her eyes closed, endured the febrile-inducing heat whilst listening to her parents’ lovey-dovey pillow talk. She nearly choked.

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nJust as Shen Xi was wondering what her parents were doing in her room, the wind from the electric fan suddenly turned cold.

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n“Wow, the fan’s blowing cold air. Hubby, you’re amazing! This way, Xixi won’t be too hot when she sleeps at night.” Lu Shan happily stretched out her hand, feeling the cool air blow past her fingers.

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n“Of course, it would blow cold air. It does not take much to put a block of ice in front of the fan as it blows to produce cold air,” Shen Yan said proudly, delighting in his wife’s adoration and praise.

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nShen Xi was stunned by the conversation between her parents.

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nHer parents worried that she would feel hot in the summer heat, so they procured a block of ice from somewhere just so that she would sleep soundly.

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nShen Xi felt her heart fill with warmth. It was her first time feeling their love and care for her.

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nWith such parents, Shen Xi would never believe they were the drunkards and gamblers Jiang Xue said they were.

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nShen Xi did not know when her parents left, but she slept well that night.

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nWhen she woke up the next day, Shen Yan had already prepared a sumptuous breakfast of porridge, eggs, steamed buns, and stir-fried vegetables.

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nThe food was simple but hearty. That was how she enjoyed her first breakfast with her parents.

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nAfter breakfast, Shen Xi said to Shen Yan and Lu Shan, “Mom, Dad, I want to go out and explore.”

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nShen Yan, who was in the kitchen washing the dishes, wiped his hands on his apron and said, “Wait for a bit. Your mother and I shall accompany you. We’ve both taken leave from work today to help you familiarise yourself and settle down.”

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nKnowing that it would defeat the purpose if she allowed her parents to accompany her, Shen Xi hastily declined. “No, there’s no need. I want to check out the area myself. You don’t need to worry about me.”

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nSeeing her reluctance, Shen Yan and his wife obliged, telling her to be careful while she was out.

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nAs they waved goodbye to Shen Xi, Lu Shan turned sad, soulful eyes at her husband. “Hubby, do you think Xixi will be alright living with us? She might not be used to a life of poverty like ours. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she want us to go out with her? Is she afraid that others will laugh at her if they know her family is poor? Will she abandon us?”

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nLu Shan’s eyes reddened as she spoke.

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n“Don’t let your imagination run wild. Xixi won’t do something like that. Xixi almost died trying to save me. How could she be the sort to care whether her parents are rich or poor?” Shen Yan chided gently. He believed in Shen Xi’s character, and until she proved otherwise, he would always place his faith in her.

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nComforted by her husband’s reassurances, Lu Shan nodded. “Hmm, no. I don’t think she will. As long as we endure another year, we’ll be able to give Xixi the best life she could ever wish for.”

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nShen Yan hugged his wife, hope tinging his words, “A year will pass in no time. The bitter days of hardship will soon draw to a close.”

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n–

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nShen Xi transferred from one bus to another, following the map on her mobile phone. Soon, she arrived at her destination: Rongcheng, the city of fine arts.

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nIt was a hub for painters, calligraphers, and artists alike, producing any number of cultural products that attracted the country’s many enthusiasts.

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nRongcheng was a cultural hotspot. Many rich and well-to-do families often sent their children there to learn something about the arts.

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nShen Xi hoped she would land a part-time job related to painting and calligraphy in this city known for its artistic splendour. In her previous life, she had focused on impressionism, but it did not mean her skill in traditional Chinese calligraphy was lacking.

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