Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Uncle Xu Gives Advice

Pan Qingsong decided to investigate first before telling his parents. So, in his free time, he began paying much more attention to his sister.

Lately, Pan Ling’er had been particularly enthusiastic about work. She was all smiles every day and would even hum songs nonstop after she got home.

"Ling’er, has work been going well for you lately?" Pan Qingsong probed. "You look so happy. Did something interesting happen at work?"

"Work’s going great! The museum recently acquired a lot of valuable items, so the staff in our section have tightened security. Now, I’m responsible for the museum all day long," Pan Ling’er replied, nibbling on a pastry.

"Work is important, but so is your health. Make sure you don’t overwork yourself," Pan Qingsong said. "Since you’ve been patrolling around the museum all this time, given your friendly nature, you must have met a lot of new people!"

"Uh-huh, I have! I’ve met lots of people! And I’ve made a new friend. He’s incredible—the youngest master of ancient painting restoration at the museum," Pan Ling’er said proudly, lifting her chin. "And his sister’s pastries are delicious!"

Pan Qingsong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his sister’s response.

However, Pan Qingsong didn’t press for details about Zhao Nuanyang. ’I’ll wait until I see for myself,’ he thought.

In the bitter cold of the twelfth lunar month, with the New Year just half a month away, Zhao Nuanyue and Little Red Carp would go to work each day and then come home to prepare all sorts of goods and gifts for the holiday.

Zhao Nuanyang was so busy he was hardly ever home. One day, he didn’t even get back until four in the morning.

He’d quickly wash up and go to bed, only to have to get up again at seven to eat before heading back to work.

Zhao Nuanyang, who was already slim, had grown even thinner from exhaustion, which made Zhao Nuanyue’s heart ache for him.

"Nuanyang, isn’t your project finished yet?" Zhao Nuanyue asked with concern during breakfast. It was the only time she ever got to see him; otherwise, Zhao Nuanyang was completely absorbed in his work at the museum.

Zhao Nuanyang swallowed the food in his mouth before saying with a faint smile, "We’re still busy, but we’ve finished the majority of it. There’s just a little left to do. And it’s not just the younger folks like me—even the older masters are working overtime to get it done."

"Sigh. I found you that job at the library hoping you’d have a more relaxed schedule, with time to practice your painting. Seeing you this busy, I’m not just worried about your health; I’m also worried all this work will get in the way of your art."

"Heh, it doesn’t get in the way at all," Zhao Nuanyang said with a smile, trying to reassure his sister. "At the museum, I get to see so many exquisite painted scrolls that are never shown to the public. Being immersed in that environment all day is incredibly inspiring for me. My health is fine, so you don’t need to worry. If you’re really concerned about me getting too thin, just make me more of your delicious food."

Since her brother put it that way, Zhao Nuanyue certainly wasn’t going to stand in the way of his dreams and his drive to improve.

She might not be able to help him in other areas, but when it came to taking care of him, that was where Zhao Nuanyue excelled.

"Alright then, I’ll bring you lunch today!" Zhao Nuanyue patted her brother’s shoulder. "I want you to learn as much as you can, but you have to take care of yourself. Don’t push yourself too hard. Rest when you need to."

"Okay, I know," Zhao Nuanyang agreed. Inwardly, however, he dismissed her concerns. ’At work, even the older masters are still working so tirelessly,’ he thought. ’As a young man with plenty of energy, how could I possibly have the nerve to slack off?’

He had only said it to comfort his sister. Besides, Zhao Nuanyang knew his own body; this level of exhaustion wasn’t enough to bring him down.

One day, Zhao Nuanyang rode his bicycle to the museum for work, just like any other.

He ran into Pan Ling’er at the main entrance, who was in the middle of her patrol.

"Hello, Mr. Zhao!" Pan Ling’er’s smile was as brilliant and warm as the sun slowly rising on the horizon.

"Hello," Zhao Nuanyang nodded, offering her a small smile in return.

Zhao Nuanyang’s smile wasn’t as radiant as Pan Ling’er’s, but it was like a spring breeze—gentle and soft.

But after their brief greeting, Zhao Nuanyang headed inside, his mind already planning out the day’s tasks.

Once Zhao Nuanyang was a good distance away, Uncle Xu, who had been enjoying the show, beckoned to Pan Ling’er.

Pan Ling’er thought Uncle Xu needed help with something, so she hurried over.

"Uncle Xu, did you need me for something?" Pan Ling’er asked quickly. She hoped he would get to the point, as she still had other areas to patrol, especially the more critical sections inside the museum.

"Oh, Little Pan," Uncle Xu began, "if you only greet Zhao Nuanyang every day, how do you expect to make any progress?" He was a classic case of an onlooker being more anxious than the person actually involved.

"W-what progress?" Pan Ling’er stammered, unable to meet Uncle Xu’s gaze.

"Heh heh, I’ve seen more of life than you can imagine. You think I can’t tell what’s on your mind?" Uncle Xu chuckled. "There’s an old saying: for a man to win a woman is like climbing a mountain, but for a woman to win a man is like piercing a veil of silk. If you’re interested in Zhao Nuanyang, you need to do more than just say hello every day. Talk to him about other things! You’re in charge of security here at the museum, so you can chat with him whenever you have a free moment."

Pan Ling’er’s face flushed red with embarrassment at Uncle Xu’s words. But since he had already figured her out, there was no point in hiding it. "But what would I even talk to him about?" she said shyly. "I don’t know the first thing about antiques or painting. As soon as he greets me, my mind goes completely blank!"

Uncle Xu looked like he had it all figured out. "You’re both young," he said with a cheerful laugh. "Just talk about things young people talk about! Like going for a walk, or... oh, right! I think there’s a new movie at the cinema. Buy some sunflower seeds and go see a movie."

"A movie?" Pan Ling’er’s eyes lit up. She loved going to the movies. ’Maybe Zhao Nuanyang does, too,’ she thought. ’I’ll go buy tickets tonight.’

"That’s right, go see a movie. After it’s over, you can grab a bite to eat or something," Uncle Xu said with a nod. "If he agrees to go to the movie with you, and especially if he offers to treat you to a meal, then he’s probably interested in you, too!"

"Okay, okay, I’ll give it a try," Pan Ling’er said, nodding eagerly. She glanced at her watch and saw it was getting late. "I have to get back to work. Goodbye, Uncle Xu! We’ll talk again soon!"

"Go on, go on!" Uncle Xu chuckled as he watched Pan Ling’er run off. ’Ah, it’s good to be young,’ he mused. But time waits for no one, and he was already old. Those vibrant, youthful days were gone, never to return.

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