Xie Zhong looked at the three siblings. It had been half a year, and their aura had changed. Zhu Yanli seemed to have gained an indescribable artistic charm. She was like a beauty whose makeup outshone lotus flowers, with the scent of pearls and jade drifting in the wind. It made people want to keep watching her.
Zhu Yanyi seemed less lazy and more subtly charming. This charm was hidden. If Xie Zhong hadn’t watched Zhu Yanyi grow up, she wouldn’t have noticed the change. She knew her granddaughter best. She usually disliked managing things. If she could lie down, she wouldn’t sit. She liked medicine because she loved it, but she was lazy. She never bothered with things that didn’t come to her door. But now, her laziness had faded. Her new charm showed her growth. Thinking of Master Yao’s disappearance and Master Chun’s illness, Xie Zhong sighed. She understood her granddaughter was likely shocked by these events.
Then he looked at Zhu Zhibin. The boy was handsome, but his eyes held a hint of wisdom. He was barely ten years old, yet his gaze showed he was growing. His brilliance would slowly reveal itself as he aged.
“It seems you are doing well in the capital,” Xie Zhong said. He wouldn’t mention Master Yao. He could only say this.
“It’s okay. I learned a lot in the capital,” Zhu Yanli smiled gently. Her bright eyes and white teeth were stunning. “My teacher said I will join national performance competitions next year. Unless necessary, I won’t join other contests. I need to build performance experience now. But my teacher wants me to focus on the erhu. I can’t ignore other instruments. I must learn at least three. So, I am also learning the pipa and cello.” They were all string instruments.
Zhu Yanyi asked from the side, “Can you keep up with your studies?”
“My teacher arranged my schedule, so I can,” Zhu Yanli answered softly.
“By the way, I will join the international math competition in March,” Zhu Zhibin said.
Zhu Yanyi coughed. Was this the math competition she knew? “I will join the national math competition in February. If I get in the top three, I will join the international one in March. Doumiao, are these the same?”
Zhu Zhibin giggled. “Probably the same. People in our special class have the privilege to enter the finals directly. I study math, so it’s decided. Second Sister, you must work hard. Don’t let me go while you stay behind.”
“Go away,” Zhu Yanyi said directly. “You won’t be ten until after the New Year. Why let you join this?”
“The math competition has elementary, middle, and high school versions. Our exam rooms won’t be the same. I will join the elementary competition this year. Next year, probably middle school. The year after, high school. Actually, I think I can join the high school competition now. But the school doesn’t allow it. So, I have to start with elementary. Just make do.” It seemed this boy had already planned his life.
“Heh,” Zhu Yanyi thought. The world of geniuses was indeed not something she, a mortal, could understand. So, she decided to ignore what Zhu Zhibin said.
“That’s good. If Ani and Doumiao go to the country together, you can take care of each other,” Zhu Yanli said.