"For painting, lampblack ink is better because it is warm, lustrous, and rich in texture; for calligraphy, pine-soot ink is generally preferred for its deep, full blackness."
Liu Yifeng looked at the characters Tongtong had written on the napkin and the lifelike butterflies she had sketched with just a few strokes, and exclaimed in surprise,
"Tongtong is amazing! This inkstick is also very good, it doesn't smudge even on tissue paper! The butterflies she draws and the characters she writes are incredibly smooth..."
Liu Chunsheng also saw Tongtong paint for the first time:
"Tongtong, you're so good! Grandpa can't write like that!"
Tongtong smiled shyly at Liu Yifeng and Liu Chunsheng,
"Thank you, Daddy and Grandpa, for the praise!"
She flipped the inkstick with her little hand:
"This inkstick we bought is not only of excellent quality but also ancient in craftsmanship, at least five or six hundred years old."
Her small finger pointed to a year mark in an inconspicuous spot on the inkstick.
Upon hearing Tongtong's words, Liu Yifeng and Liu Chunsheng gasped in unison:
"What a prodigal son, to sell this as a stone!"
"Isn't this supposed to be an heirloom?"
Tongtong continued,
"I feel this inkstick is quite heavy, weighing about two jin. At this rate, Daddy, this inkstick is worth nearly a hundred thousand."
Liu Yifeng was overjoyed:
"Tongtong, you are truly a lucky star, always finding treasures!"
Liu Yifeng picked Tongtong up and kissed her,
"Now we have a suitable gift to give Grandpa Zhao for the New Year!"
Liu Chunsheng also chuckled,
"Yes, yes! Tongtong can give this inkstick to your teacher!"
Now that Liu Yifeng and Tongtong had finally found a suitable New Year's gift for Zhao Dewang, they no longer dwelled on the matter and felt much more relaxed on their drive back.
Upon returning home, Su Wanru called her elderly parents, who lived in another province, to tell them about Yun Duo'er.
As soon as Su's father and mother heard the news, they rushed to book flights back.
"Wanru, you said you found your sister. Which sister did you find? Your elder sister or your younger one? When did you find her?"
Before Su's father had even put down his luggage after entering the house, Su's mother rushed in, eagerly asking Su Wanru, who was sitting on the sofa.
Su Wanru heard Su's mother's voice:
"Mom, don't worry! We've found one of the sisters. I'll take you to meet her then you'll know."
Seeing his wife's anxious state, Su's father also said,
"I told her the same thing. Your mother has been so worried that she hasn't slept well. Yesterday, she made me book flights overnight to ask you about this."
Hearing Su's father's words, Su's mother retorted angrily,
"If you hadn't sent them away, I would have been reunited with my daughters long ago! And now you're making snide remarks. Aren't you worried at all?"
Su's father repeatedly apologized,
"Yes, yes, it was my fault! We were poor back then, and I had no choice. Besides, I am certainly worried."
Su's mother let out a feigned huff of annoyance.
Then she turned back to Su Wanru and continued to ask,
"So, Wanru, when you saw your sister, is she doing well?"
"Mom, don't worry! My sister is doing well. She had some misunderstandings about us before, which is why I didn't tell you right away."
Su Wanru glanced at Su's father,
"Dad, Mom, my sister is currently encountering some trouble with her work. I hope I can help her!"
Su's mother heard this:
"Encountering trouble? Is that what you call doing well? What kind of trouble? You're her elder sister, you should help her!"
Su's father patted Su's mother's shoulder,
"Let Wanru finish speaking first. Don't jump to conclusions!"
Su Wanru adjusted her posture and sat up straight,
"It's like this, the sister I found is now named Yun Duo'er.
Mom, you probably recognize her. She was a guest on that 'The Brain' program that aired on television a while ago."
"Since she was a guest on 'The Brain,' she must be doing alright,"
Su's father nodded.
"Then, Wanru, what kind of trouble are you talking about that Duo'er is facing?"
Su's mother asked with concern.
"Well, it's like this: when Duo'er participated in 'The Brain' as a special guest, the contestant matched with her, Song Yicheng, committed suicide by jumping off a building. This seems to have had some impact on her career, and many people online are blaming her for it. Now, Duo'er's company and agent appear to be implementing a cold shoulder treatment towards her because of this incident."
"Oh dear, since she's your sister, why don't you ask her to leave the entertainment industry? The entertainment world is a mixed bag, and who knows when she might be in danger. It's best to have her come back,"
Su's father said casually, "We can afford to support her anyway."
Su's mother readily agreed,
"Yes! Yes! Ask Duo'er to come back! Don't stay in the entertainment industry anymore. Not only is the work environment complex, but those netizens online are also so unreasonable and say whatever they please. They pick up a keyboard, tap a few keys, and start spewing irresponsible words!"
"Dad, Mom! You haven't finished listening to me yet. Can you not make such hasty decisions! I also wish Duo'er would leave the entertainment industry. But Duo'er really loves her career. She aspires to become a well-known international star! As her family, we should support her, not pour cold water on her now and make her give up her career!"
Su Wanru said with some helplessness.
Su's father continued,
"You already said her work is encountering trouble. Our family has no connections in the entertainment industry and no background. How can we help her?"
Su's mother looked at Su's father, then at Su Wanru, and nodded,
"Yes, we only have a little bit of money."
"That's what I'm getting at. Duo'er understands this too. To soar in the entertainment industry, connections are an indispensable resource.
Our family doesn't have many connections, but our wealth can help us build them. Even if we can't make many connections, we can invest in Duo'er's career!"
"That's easier said than done. Do you think you can meet whoever you want just because you have money? Money isn't everything!"
Su's father said sternly to Su Wanru, "I have some money, but does that mean I can meet the Prime Minister?"
Su Wanru said with some helplessness upon hearing Su's father's words,
"Dad, that's not what I meant. I mean we can carefully select and invest in some good film and television crews, then introduce Duo'er, and help her get an opportunity to participate in auditions for roles."