偷窥闺房

Lin Xiaowan ordered two small bowls of noodles. During her first visit, she had ordered a large bowl and was unable to finish it. Ever since then, she only ordered small portions of the noodles.

Huo Zheng glanced at her from the corners of his eyes and asked, “Can you finish it?”

Lin Xiaowan shook her head and said righteously, “I can’t, but you’re going to help me.”

Huo Zheng laughed and did not refute her words. Instead, he seemed pleased by her words. He asked gently, “Then, what else should 1 order? Do you have any suggestions?”

“The chicken mushroom soup noodles are the best! The soup is really delicious as well.”

Huo Zheng nodded and ordered as she had suggested.

After the three of them sat down, Lin Xiaowan looked at the drinks before she looked at Huo Zheng and said hesitantly, “I want a drink…”

“Didn’t you say the soup is delicious? Why do you want a drink?”

“They’re completely different!”

“Do you always order these drinks when you eat here?”

Lin Xiaowan blinked and smiled, attempting to cover up. Ever since she started her lessons, she would come here and eat every time. Not only that, but she would order all kinds of drinks as well. The milk tea and soda were very satisfying.

Xiao Han previously said that Lin Xiaowan would lose her teeth if she drank too many sweet drinks. However, this time, he put in a good word for her. He said, “Young women like drinking sweet drinks. It’s okay to drink them once in a while.”

It would have been fine if Xiao Han did not speak up, but Lin Xiaowan felt even guiltier after listening to Xiao Han’s words. She usually ate with Xiao Han so he knew very well if she only drank sweet drinks occasionally or not.

Huo Zheng looked at Xiao Han with a faint smile before he shifted his gaze to Lin Xiaowan and said, “Let’s not have any sweet drinks today. Why don’t you accompany me to drink the chicken soup? You personally recommended it to me, after all.”

Lin Xiaowan did not protest and nodded readily. “Alright.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Han touched the tip of his nose awkwardly and did not say anything else.

After lunch, Xiao Han finally showed mercy. He did not insist on Lin Xiaowan practicing the basic line strokes anymore and began to teach her how to draw the human body.

“Can’t 1 use watercolor when 1 draw?” Lin Xiaowan asked.

“No, you have to draw first,” Xiao Han replied.

In the end, Lin Xiaowan found drawing the human body much more interesting than sketching still life to practice her basic lines.

At the beginning of April, the production team had completed the filming in the studio, and they were prepared to film outside.

Gu Yuwu called Lin Xiaowan and asked if she wanted to go on vacation for two days.

Over the past few days, Lin Xiaowan had been immersed in her lessons. She thought about Gu Yuwu’s invitation for a moment before she finally decided not to disturb the latter. She said, “You’re going to work, not play. I’ll only be disturbing you if I tag along.”

Gu Yuwu did not force her and said, “Alright. Focus on your art lessons then. Let’s meet up when I return.”

“Alright.”

Lin Xiaowan had been learning from Xiao Han for some time before Hong Minhua suddenly appeared at the studio one day. The fashionable old lady wore an elegant corduroy dress and paired it with a cardigan, carrying a silver leather bag.

Hong Minhua looked at Lin Xiaowan’s recent works and said, “They’re pretty good.”

Lin Xiaowan was very modest. She was very aware of her ability after all. How could she dare to be arrogant in front of Hong Minhua? She replied, “They’re okay. Brother Xiao Han taught me a lot, but I’m a bit slow.”

Hong Minhua knew that Lin Xiaowan had been drawing the human body based on the models in the studio. To make things more convenient, she said, “Xiaowan, why don’t you attend the human anatomy class at Shengjing’s Academy of Fine Arts?”

“Isn’t this a little too fast?” Xiao Han asked.

“I don’t think so. She’s learning this as a hobby so there’s no need to be so meticulous about her learning process,” Hong Minhua said. Then, she looked at Lin Xiaowan before she continued to say, “You’ll have plenty of time to practice after you attend the class. What do you think?”

Lin Xiaowan was confused. “What’s the human anatomy class for? Am I just drawing humans?”

“Yes. It’s a compulsory class for art students. It’s different from the studio where you’re drawing based on mannequins. During the class, someone will come and model for you. You’ll find a suitable angle at that time and draw what you see from that angle,” Hong Minhua explained.

Lin Xiaowan felt that it was not difficult. Moreover, it sounded more interesting than listening to Xiao Han’s teachings in the studio day after day. For this reason, she readily agreed. “Okay. When should I start? Do I start immediately?”

At this moment, Xiao Han said, looking troubled, “But I haven’t taught Junior Sister the necessary basics for that. 1 haven’t even explained anything about human anatomy classes to her.”

“Huh? What explanation is needed for the class?” Lin Xiaowan asked, perplexed.

Hong Minhua said, “During the human anatomy classes, the model will be naked. Is this okay with you?”

“Huh?!”

Lin Xiaowan was undoubtedly shocked. When she returned, she looked up human anatomy classes, and just as Hong Minhua and Xiao Han had said, it was indeed a common thing.

This was the first time that Lin Xiaowan, an unofficial art student, heard about nude models. She called Hong Minhua and apologized for her reaction. After all, she could not conceal her shock at all when she first heard about it from Hong Minhua. After reading about it, she decided to call Hong Minhua and asked if she could still attend the class.

Hong Minhua was slightly surprised. She was also very pleased with Lin Xiaowan’s decision. She said, “Alright. Tomorrow’s human anatomy class will start at 1.30 PM. You’ve been to Shengjing’s Academy of Fine Arts, right? I’ll be at the academy tomorrow. Come find me first, and I’ll bring you to the class. My office is at the end of the corridor near the studio where we first met.”

Lin Xiaowan noted these things and said, “Alright, I’ll remember it.”

“If you can’t find me, just call me, okay?” Hong Minhua said.

“I understand. Good night, Grandma Hong!”

After ending the call, Lin Xiaowan looked for Huo Zheng to share this big news with him. She was both nervous and excited. Hong Minhua told her that there were not many students in the class and that she could seize the opportunity to make friends if she wanted to. Otherwise, she could just concentrate on the class. Hong Minhuai also told her that there was no need to feel pressured because there were senior students who would attend the class just to have a look so it was not unusual to have unfamiliar faces during the class.

Lin Xiaowan had already thought about it. She planned to arrive early tomorrow so she could find an inconspicuous corner to sit in. She felt a little excited thinking about what she was going to draw.

Huo Zheng silently listened to Lin Xiaowan and only frowned slightly. He restrained himself and did not object to her decision or say words she might not like to hear. The human body was beautiful and a work of art. There was no need to be so narrow-minded.

In the end, he patted her head gently and said, “Alright, remember to tell me all about your classes tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Lin Xiaowan said with a nod. Even if he did not say this, she would still share her experience with him when she returned..