Chapter 14
Chapter 14
This was so annoying.
Jiang Yunsui pouted, her slightly rounded, moist eyes drooping as she stared at the floor, scuffing her toes against the ground.
So what if she accidentally fell asleep? Why did she have to practice writing?
She didn’t even know how to read yet.
Beside her, a youth sat propped up on his hand, leaning back in his chair. He held a ruler and lightly tapped the back of the child’s hand when she started to space out.
Jiang Yunsui snapped back to attention immediately. She didn’t dare curse him, and she certainly couldn’t beat him in a fight. Besides, her future survival depended entirely on this person.
In short, the Little Mushroom could only endure being bullied in a cowardly manner.
*This person is so mean, bullying even a Little Mushroom.*
While she grumbled and complained in her head, the mushroom in question didn’t dare utter a single word out loud.
“Are you cursing me in your heart?”
The voice drifted over from beside her, and Jiang Yunsui immediately tilted her sweet little face up, flashing a smile.
However, no matter how one looked at it, that smile was fake and utterly perfunctory.
“Ugly.”
Jiang Yunsui: “…”
*Can you just not open your mouth? How can another human being say such unpleasant things?*
Ji Yan’an watched the shifting expressions on her face and found it hilarious.
This little thing wore every single thought on her sleeve.
“Keep writing. Don’t get distracted.”
“I know!”
Jiang Yunsui was huffing with indignation, her cheeks puffed out like a frog’s.
Nag, nag, nag. That was all he knew how to do.
She gripped the brush in her small hand, working very hard on her calligraphy.
Ji Yan’an looked at the ‘characters’ she produced, his sharp brows knitting together.
“Truly hideous.”
“This is my first time writing!” Jiang Yunsui argued in her defense, her voice high-pitched and milky.
“It’s already very good.”
“Is it?”
“My teacher praised me and said I did very well the first time I wrote.”
The Little Mushroom was a bit indignant. “I don’t think it’s my fault.”
“It’s the teacher’s fault.”
She nodded to herself after saying that.
She was just unlucky to have met a teacher who had nothing but nasty things to say.
Ji Yan’an gave her head a light pat.
“Getting bold, are we?”
She actually dared to argue with him now.
Though, with that milky voice of hers, it didn’t really sound like an argument.
Jiang Yunsui shrunk her neck and fell silent.
How excessive. He wouldn’t even let her tell the truth.
“Continue. Look at what you wrote yourself. Does it look anything like mine?”
Jiang Yunsui looked at the characters Ji Yan’an had written, then back at her own.
She scratched her cheek. *Okay, maybe they are a little different.*
She gripped the brush and continued.
“Hand position is wrong again.”
She got another light tap.
The Little Mushroom was fuming but didn’t dare speak up. She took her frustration out by gnawing on the brush handle.
Ji Yan’an arched an eyebrow. She was quite fierce.
But it was just the bluffing ferocity of a baby; she couldn’t even leave a mark on the wood. It was like watching a tiny kitten baring its claws and teeth.
After ‘bullying’ the child for a bit, Ji Yan’an felt the fatigue from his official duties dissipate significantly.
She was quite the stress reliever.
Once she was settled, he had to get back to his own work.
Most of it consisted of trivial matters. After all, very few people in the Ji Family Army truly respected him yet. There were even a few who harbored ulterior motives, so they naturally wouldn’t hand over important affairs for him to handle.
Those who did trust him only did so because he was a member of the Ji Family.
It wasn’t him they trusted, but the Ji Family name-his grandfather, his father, and his uncles.
Jiang Yunsui saw that he was busy again and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The Little Mushroom could finally slack off!
She dawdled, taking forever just to finish one character.
Feeling an itch on her face, she scratched it with her hand.
*Nasty mosquitoes, actually sucking my blood!*
*Waaa… why am I not a poisonous mushroom?*
Jiang Yunsui really envied those poisonous mushrooms. She had seen a type of poisonous mushroom that could host its spores on humans, making animals and people alike afraid to come near.
Back when she was still a Little Mushroom, she used to run over to say hello to the poisonous mushrooms, but unfortunately, they never paid her any mind.
Only later did she realize that while those poisonous mushrooms were powerful, none of them had developed spiritual intelligence.
Lost in thought, Jiang Yunsui’s brush unknowingly traced out a mushroom that didn’t look much like a mushroom at all.
It was a black mushroom.
It wasn’t pretty.
Jiang Yunsui’s little face crumpled into a frown.
Her true form was much prettier-a translucent, peach-pink Little Mushroom.
“Young Master, it is time for your meal.”
When Nanny Zhou spoke, Ji Yan’an remained expressionless, but Jiang Yunsui’s eyes lit up.
In that instant, every strand of her hair seemed to radiate joy and anticipation.
It was as if her entire little person was glowing; her presence became so strong that it was impossible to ignore.
Everyone in the room couldn’t help but look at her.
Under their gaze, Jiang Yunsui shrank back toward the underside of the table, and that burst of excitement sheepishly retreated with her.
Once again, her presence faded.
She kept her head low, with only her eyes peeking out to observe the room stealthily.
Ji Yan’an actually let out a small laugh.
“Let’s go. It’s time to eat.”
Though he didn’t know why, if this little thing could make him eat a bit more, she wasn’t entirely useless.
Upon hearing his words, Jiang Yunsui immediately trotted after him, her every movement brimming with happiness.
Uncle Li watched the Young Master eat an extra half-bowl of rice and felt immensely satisfied.
Nanny Zhou looked on with wonder, glancing from the Young Master to Jiang Yunsui.
Why was this happening?
Then again, watching the little girl eat was indeed a delight.
Nanny Zhou had followed Ji Yan’an here from the Capital and had seen many noble ladies dine.
To maintain their figures, they ate slowly and sparingly. While their manners were highly aesthetic and beautiful to watch, they did nothing to stimulate one’s appetite.
Jiang Yunsui didn’t eat vulgarly, but she took large, hearty bites that made the food look incredibly delicious.
Watching her made everyone else feel hungry too.
Nanny Zhou had a sudden realization-who would have thought that watching someone eat could actually be a cure for illness?
Once full, Ji Yan’an returned to his role as a refined young noble, his etiquette impeccable.
Even the way he wiped his mouth was elegant.
He glanced at a certain chubby girl.
“Bring me a cup of tea.”
Jiang Yunsui took a few seconds to process the request before happily running off to pour the tea.
This was something she could do.
The well-fed Little Mushroom bounced around cheerfully, providing a rare spark of liveliness in the manor.
Uncle Li and Nanny Zhou were getting on in years, and they truly enjoyed the child’s spirited energy.
The Young Master used to be like this too-active, lively, and high-spirited.
Jiang Yunsui poured a cup of tea. The fragrance of the tea leaves smelled wonderful to her.
She couldn’t resist taking a tiny, secret sip.
It was a bit bitter at first, but it left a sweet aftertaste.
Delicious, delicious!
“Jiang Yunsui!”
Ji Yan’an caught a glimpse and was so annoyed that his voice rose in volume.
Jiang Yunsui trembled, her small hands clutching the teacup tightly. She gave him a timid, guilty look before scurrying over with tiny steps.
“Here… tea.”
Her voice was weak, and she was too guilty to look Ji Yan’an in the eye.
“You’re something else. You drank it yourself before giving it to me?”
Nanny Zhou opened her mouth to say something, but Uncle Li stopped her.
“Shh, shh, shh… It’s been a long time since the Young Master has been this animated. Let’s not discipline the girl too strictly; let her be.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry. The Young Master won’t truly get angry over such a small matter. It was his previous lifeless state that truly worried me.”