Chapter 28: I Want to Build a House

Chapter 28: Cultural Studies

Zhu Yanyi didn’t insist. After all, she could practice in her spatial realm whenever she had time. For now, it was better to listen to her grandfather. Acting too precociously might not be a good thing. Although people nowadays wouldn’t overthink such matters, it was still crucial to be cautious and prepared for any contingencies.

Holding onto Xie Zhong’s large hand, Zhu Yanyi returned to the Xie household. They had barely finished breakfast when Xie Xinlian arrived. After Qiao’er gave a few instructions, she left with Xie Xinlian for the hospital, while Xie Zhong took Zhu Yanyi to the study nearby.

It was called a study, but in reality, it was just a space partitioned off by a bamboo screen within a narrow, rectangular room. The Xie family’s property consisted of only a single-story brick house and a thatched hut, so carving out a separate study was unrealistic. Thus, they had to make do by sectioning off a part of the existing brick room. Though small, it was well-stocked. With the turbulent years behind them, there was a renewed emphasis on cultural cultivation. Xie Zhong had always loved books and had collected quite a few, most of which he had scavenged from secondhand book stalls.

“Ani, Grandpa will teach you the Three Character Classic today.” Xie Zhong had decided to nurture Zhu Yanyi properly, so he started from the very basics.

Although Zhu Yanyi already knew the contents of the Three Character Classic, she was genuinely happy at this moment. Being able to study meant her plans had taken another step forward.

Xie Zhong recited a line, and Zhu Yanyi repeated it. Soon, they finished the first round. Xie Zhong put down the book in his hand. “Ani, did you remember it?”

“I remembered it.” Since she possessed an eidetic memory for auditory information, Zhu Yanyi certainly wouldn’t hide her talent at this moment.

“Good. Then recite it all for me.” Xie Zhong knew Zhu Yanyi had the ability to remember everything she heard, but he still wanted to test her.

Zhu Yanyi didn’t hesitate. “In the beginning, human nature is good…” The contents of the Three Character Classic flowed clearly from her lips without a single stumble. The more Xie Zhong listened, the brighter his eyes became. When Zhu Yanyi finished reciting, Xie Zhong pointed to the characters on the page. “Come, Grandpa will teach you to recognize these characters.”

The Three Character Classic wasn’t particularly long, but for a normal child, it would be impossible to memorize it after just one reading. However, this wasn’t an issue for Zhu Yanyi. Since she already had an eidetic auditory memory, possessing an eidetic visual memory was also within her capabilities. The entire lesson, from start to finish, took less than an hour. Xie Zhong couldn’t help but sigh. She had taught her own son and daughter, but she had never experienced such ease. Teaching just once was enough. If every student were this easy to teach, who knew what the world would look like? But she knew that was impossible. Not everyone possessed Zhu Yanyi’s gift for perfect auditory and visual memory.

With the content memorized and the characters recognized, the next step was naturally to teach her how to write. In her previous life, Zhu Yanyi had specifically studied calligraphy in her later years. Although she hadn’t reached a masterful level, she had achieved a certain degree of proficiency. However, now that she was young, her wrist strength was insufficient, so her talent in this area wouldn’t manifest quickly. Xie Zhong naturally understood that writing depended more on diligence than talent. But since Zhu Yanyi was only five years old, she didn’t expect her to write for too long. Consistent practice of thirty to forty minutes a day was sufficient. They would increase the duration once she grew a bit older.

Around ten o’clock, Qiao’er and Xie Xinlian returned. As expected, Xie Xinlian was pregnant—less than two months along. This news made Zhu Yanyi very happy. She stared at Xie Xinlian’s stomach. “I can be a big sister.”

“Aren’t you already a big sister?” Xie Xinlian chuckled, tapping Zhu Yanyi’s forehead.

Zhu Yanyi tilted her head. “Am I?”