LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 51:
Chapter 51:
“Dad, you haven’t been home all day. I’ve finished my painting. Can you take a look at it?” Xu Shiqing said quickly, sensing the tense atmosphere.
Xu Huayi chimed in, rolling her eyes playfully. “Yes, Dad! My calligraphy has improved too. Come see whose skills have advanced more. We even made a bet, and the loser has to face a punishment.”
“What kind of punishment?” Xu Hao asked, intrigued.
“The loser has to wash something for you…” Before Xu Huayi could finish, her sister, Xu Shiqing, quickly covered her mouth, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.
Why does this sister always spill everything to others?
If they lost, they could have just quietly fulfilled the punishment. But now, the third sister knows about it.
As expected, Xu Hongjiao looked at them with suspicion.
She wondered what exactly the two sisters had to wash for Xu Hao. She hoped it wasn’t what she was thinking…
Xu Hao was then pulled toward the courtyard by his twin daughters, with Xu Hongjiao following, her eyebrows furrowed in doubt.
The sisters proudly presented their work to Xu Hao.
Xu Shiqing had painted a landscape, capturing the essence through several days of his guidance. Xu Huayi had written five characters: “Family Harmony Brings Prosperity.” Her strokes were fluid, natural, and perfectly rounded.
After a thoughtful pause, Xu Hao commented, “You’ve both done well. But who has made the most progress?”
Xu Huayi, confident in her calligraphy, eagerly awaited the verdict. Xu Hao gave a fair assessment. “You’re both progressing well in your respective fields, but calligraphy shows improvement sooner than painting.”
Before Xu Hao could finish his thoughts, the two sisters knew who had won. “Oh yeah, I knew it! Sister, I told you I’d win, right?” Xu Huayi gloated, hands on her hips, feeling triumphant.
Though they were twins, Xu Huayi and Xu Shiqing had distinct personalities.
While Xu Huayi was more playful, Xu Shiqing was more serious, which often gave the latter a slight edge in school and other areas.
But now, Huayi finally felt a sense of accomplishment in surpassing her sister.
Blushing, Xu Shiqing remembered the punishment and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
Seeing her sister’s gloating face filled her with both anger and helplessness. After all, a bet was a bet, and she had lost.
Although Xu Huayi had only started practicing calligraphy seriously after their dad’s lessons, her progress had already matched and surpassed her sister’s.
This puzzled Xu Shiqing—how could her more playful sister, with the same amount of study time, have improved more?
The thought crossed her mind that maybe Huayi was secretly practicing to surprise her.
But of course, that wasn’t the case.
Xu Hao, being at a god-level in calligraphy and a master in painting, made all the difference in their learning.
“Alright, both of you have made great progress, but there are still areas to improve. Who wants to go first?” Xu Hao asked, ready to continue their lessons.
Without hesitation, Xu Huayi eagerly raised her hand and grabbed a prepared brush.
Xu Hao, out of habit, held her hand to guide her, teaching her step by step.
Meanwhile, Xu Hongjiao, observing from the side, was impressed by her sisters’ work.
She knew they liked painting and calligraphy but didn’t expect such mastery. Was this really taught by Xu Hao?
She glanced at Xu Hao just in time to see him guiding her sister.
Shocked, she jumped up, separating them, and pulled Huayi behind her, glaring at Xu Hao.
“What are you doing, third sister?” the twins asked in unison, bewildered by her reaction.
“I see it now! He’s just being nice to you to take advantage of you” Xu Hongjiao exclaimed, her face showing the satisfaction of having discovered the truth. “I can’t believe you, Xu Hao. You’re nothing but a beast to prey on your daughters…”
[Ding! Xu Hongjiao is furious, +888 emotional points]
[Ding! Xu Hongjiao’s anger intensifies, +789 emotional points]
Xu Hao couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. His third daughter’s imagination was truly boundless, but he knew his other daughters would set things straight.
As expected, Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi were left speechless by their sister’s accusations. They wanted to open her head and see what was inside.
Xu Hao was still their dad, after all.
How could he be anything like what their sister was suggesting?
“Third sister, what are you talking about? Dad is just teaching me calligraphy,” Xu Huayi explained with a mix of disbelief and amusement. “Step-by-step teaching is the best way to learn, isn’t it?”
Pulling her sister away, Huayi felt frustrated. She was just getting into the flow of practicing when she was interrupted. “Don’t pay attention to her, Dad. She’s lost her mind studying music. Let’s continue.”
Without hesitation, she took Xu Hao’s hand again, ready to continue her practice.
Xu Hongjiao wanted to intervene but was held back by Xu Shiqing.
“Third sister, please stop causing trouble, okay? I know you’re worried about us, but aren’t you being a bit too imaginative?”
“Causing trouble?” Xu Hongjiao was stunned by her sister’s words and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
She had spent so much time at home before and had never known Xu Hao to be skilled in calligraphy or painting.
She was sure that her sisters were being deceived.
But now, seeing her dad guiding her sister with such ease, she couldn’t deny that her sisters were telling the truth. Xu Hao indeed had great skill in these arts.
As she watched Xu Hao teach Shiqing to paint, helping her to create a piece even more profound and beautiful than before, Hongjiao was finally convinced.
This was no trick—her sisters had truly learned from their dad.
…
At this moment, Xu Hongjiao’s mind was in chaos, and she couldn’t calm down for a long time.
Even when Su Wanqiu called them for dinner, Xu Hongjiao was still lost in thought.
How did Xu Hao do it?
His calligraphy and painting skills are exceptional—why had he never shown them before? What else was Xu Hao hiding?
Curiosity about Xu Hao made Xu Hongjiao decide to stay at home instead of living elsewhere.
That night, she finally understood what her sister meant about why their stepmother Su Wanqiu was so loud.
Her face turned red, and she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.
Su Wanqiu always seemed so dignified and gentle, but she was clearly different behind closed doors… Especially with both her and her sister at home.
Su Wanqiu silently complained to herself, thinking, “What can I do? I’m helpless in this situation. Who could resist such a powerful man?”
(The next morning)
Xu Hongjiao woke up with dark circles under her eyes, looking like she hadn’t slept.
The twin sisters, on the other hand, seemed accustomed to it—it was just another normal day for them.
Xu Hao pretended not to notice his daughter’s irritated expression. He was still reflecting on yesterday, where despite the three of them—Su Wanqiu, Xu Shiqing, and Xu Huayi—joining forces, they couldn’t match the emotional turmoil Xu Hongjiao stirred in him.
Xu Hao began to think of her as his lucky star. He had to keep her at home. Letting her stay outside would be such a waste.
As he ate, Xu Hao contemplated how he could convince his daughter to stay.
Xu Hongjiao was talented in music and dreamed of becoming a diva and a star.
However, she lacked the experience needed to bring depth to her creations, which was why she hadn’t yet gained popularity. If he could help her realize her dream, she would be forever grateful.
After refining his abilities, Xu Hao remembered some piano pieces and songs he had only heard in passing in his previous life.
Although he wasn’t originally knowledgeable about music, obtaining master-level piano skills allowed him to recreate those melodies perfectly.
But he didn’t want to rush things; he preferred to let things unfold naturally.
For now, he could continue to enjoy watching his daughter grow. Her current anger towards him was more amusing than anything. Xu Hao knew he could have her seeking his approval in no time, but that wasn’t his style. He was meant to be pursued, not the other way around.
…
Around noon, Xu Hao attended a lunch that had been arranged by his teacher,
Wang Xueying. She had chosen a five-star hotel for the occasion. Knowing that Xu Hao was a wealthy man, she felt that anything less would seem insincere.
For this lunch, Wang Xueying had spent all her savings from the past few years.
“Xu Hao, please feel free to order whatever you like,” she said, handing him the menu.
Xu Hao picked up the pen and made a few selections. “This will do. Let’s see what you think.”
Wang Xueying was surprised when she saw the dishes Xu Hao had chosen.
They were all moderately priced, and he hadn’t picked any of the signature dishes.
She hesitated, knowing that Xu Hao wasn’t a frugal person.
With his wealth, he had no reason to be thrifty.
Why was he ordering such simple dishes now?
Wang Xueying realized that he was being considerate of her.
A warm feeling spread through her heart, but since it was her treat, she couldn’t let this slide.
If Xu Hao wasn’t going to indulge, then she would. She gritted her teeth and ordered the hotel’s signature dishes.
As they continued their conversation, Wang Xueying brought up a topic. “By the way, Mr. Xu, did you know that your daughter Shiqing won first place in the national painting competition? She’s incredibly talented and could really go far in this field.”
“I know,” Xu Hao replied. “I’ve already made a study plan for her. I’m hoping she’ll participate in international competitions and earn a good ranking.”
“What? Shiqing is going to compete internationally?” Wang Xueying asked, surprised.
“Her art teacher believes she has the potential and suggested she give it a try.”
“That’s amazing. Winning an international award would really help her in the future.”
As the duo continued to chat, a group of people entered the hotel and sat at a table nearby. Wang Xueying glanced at them. They were burly men who walked with an air of arrogance. Their skin was scarred, and they carried themselves in a way that made them seem unapproachable, as if daring others to stay away.
Just as Wang Xueying was about to look away, she spotted a familiar figure among the men. Her expression changed—it was her former student, Chen Mo.
What was he doing with this group?
He had once promised her that he would turn his life around, but now it seemed he had become involved with gangsters.
How could he possibly do well if he was spending his time with these kinds of people?
In school, Wang Xueying had always treated all her students equally, regardless of their grades. She had even gone out of her way to help Chen Mo when he was falsely accused.
But now, she just felt disappointed.
However, Chen Mo was no longer her student, and there was only so much she could do.
Wang Xueying turned away, pretending not to notice him, and resumed her conversation with Xu Hao.
Meanwhile, Chen Mo had also noticed Wang Xueying. He was out with senior members of the Brotherhood and hadn’t expected to run into his old teacher and Xu Hao here.
His anger flared up as he thought, “This Xu Hao is already old, but he still tries to act like a player. First, he hooks up with the school goddess, and now he’s on a date with my crush, Teacher Wang. Damn it…”