"Are we involved too? Xiaotian, you're not planning to teach me how to paint, are you?"
Su Ciliang studied art, so he naturally assumed Su Xiaotian would teach him.
After all, he wouldn't be surprised by anything his little sister claimed to know now.
Su Ciliang stood behind Su Xiaotian and didn't see her roll her eyes.
However, his other brothers did and couldn't help but laugh.
"Ciliang, don't interrupt. Let Xiaotian finish first," the eldest brother, Su Shouwen, immediately said.
Su Ciliang quickly and obsequiously replied, "Alright, alright, little sister, hurry and speak!"
"Second brother, I saw in the newspaper that there's a calligraphy and painting competition recently. Have you considered participating?"
Su Xiaotian felt this might be her second brother's chance.
After all, even culture and technology hadn't declined over the years, let alone calligraphy and painting, which had been criticized. Perhaps her second brother's skills could achieve something.
Su Ciliang heard this and even stopped what he was doing.
Was Xiaotian joking?
How could that be possible?
That calligraphy and painting competition was a national one. Could his meager skills even be presented?
He'd be embarrassing himself!
"Second brother, why aren't you speaking?"
Su Xiaotian, not hearing Su Ciliang speak, couldn't help but turn to look at him.
Su Ciliang smiled and said, "This, I think it's better to forget it. I'll study for another two years..."
He stammered as he spoke, clearly lacking confidence.
Su Ciliang indeed lacked confidence. Although he was doing quite well in school, his professors never seemed entirely satisfied with him.
This had always made Su Ciliang feel uncertain, always thinking he might truly have no talent.
Perhaps Grandpa Chi had been mistaken!
Su Xiaotian glared at him.
Su Ciliang dared not speak further and could only quiet down.
He wasn't afraid of his parents or grandparents, only of his little sister getting angry.
Just as the siblings were making eye contact, Yu Ruiyuan entered.
"Grandma Yu, why are you here? My grandparents are in the kitchen," Su Shouwen said, standing up to greet her upon seeing Yu Ruiyuan.
"I just came to look around. I'll go find your grandmother in the kitchen later myself," Yu Ruiyuan said, her gaze, however, fixed on Su Ciliang.
The other children also stood up to greet Yu Ruiyuan.
Yu Ruiyuan was very pleased with how polite the children were and said with a smile, "It's rare for you all to come back. What delicious food is your grandmother preparing for you?"
"Whatever Grandma makes is fine!" Su Sangong also said with a smile.
After the family opened the restaurant, getting anything to eat was easy, and Grandma's cooking had become better and better.
"You're quite unpicky!" After saying this, Yu Ruiyuan turned her gaze back to Su Ciliang.
She had been secretly teaching this child for several years, and he truly had talent in both calligraphy and painting.
It could be said that in university, he should have a significant advantage, the kind of student who would be particularly favored by professors and teachers.
Why, after such a long time, did this child still lack any confidence?
Su Ciliang didn't know why Yu Ruiyuan was looking at him with such an inquisitive gaze.
"Grandma Yu!"
"Ciliang, I overheard your conversation," Yu Ruiyuan said after taking a deep breath.
Su Ciliang became even more flustered. Grandma Su had heard their conversation, so would Grandma Yu be very disappointed in him?
"Ciliang, I think you can give it a try. I have confidence in your abilities."
Although she hadn't taught him in the past two years, she had seen Su Ciliang's paintings, and they were very good.
Su Ciliang naturally knew that Grandma Yu's achievements in calligraphy and painting were outstanding.
If Grandma Yu said his paintings were good, then they must be truly good.
But, in such a large country, how many outstanding people were there?
It was like the professors always said, there's always someone better.
He was just a child from a mountain village. What could he compare with others?
Su Xiaotian also clearly sensed something was off with Su Ciliang at this moment.
Su Ciliang had always been an optimistic, upbeat, and very proactive person. He shouldn't be like this.
"Second brother, did something happen at school?"
Su Ciliang rubbed his head and said, "No, how could anything have happened?"
"Ciliang, your state is not right. It's been many years since I've known you, and your state shouldn't be like this!"
These words were spoken by Yu Ruiyuan.
Yu Ruiyuan truly felt that Su Ciliang's state was seriously problematic.
Su Xiaotian also became serious and asked, "Second brother, what did you encounter at school? Did your classmates or teachers say anything?"
Su Ciliang thought for a moment and said, "They didn't say much, just that I'm a child from the countryside, and it's not easy to learn painting. I'll need to study diligently and practice hard in the future to achieve something."
After speaking, Su Ciliang specifically emphasized, "I don't think what they said is wrong. I am indeed from the countryside, and no one in our Su family could even read or write before."
What the teachers and classmates at school said was not wrong, so he had never mentioned this matter.
Even his closest brothers didn't know how teachers and classmates evaluated him at school.
Su Shouwen and his brothers looked at Su Ciliang, carefully considering his words.
Su Xiaotian frowned. On the surface, these words seemed fine, but in reality, they were deeply problematic.
Such words, said once or twice, might be acceptable.
But if said repeatedly, it would create a psychological suggestion for her second brother, making him feel that he was indeed incapable.
If someone constantly fed such thoughts into her second brother's ears, their intentions were truly sinister!
Yu Ruiyuan also frowned. After a long pause, she spoke again.
"Ciliang, I've been meaning to ask, who is your professor?" Yu Ruiyuan asked slowly.