Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

Chen Chen smiled, pointed to the computer screen, and said:

"It's mostly finished, and it feels pretty good. How's your comic coming along?"

Lin Muxi picked up her sketch with great interest, handed it to Chen Chen, and said:
"Look, I've drawn this part. What do you think?"

Chen Chen took the drawing and examined it carefully.

The figures in the painting are vivid, and the colors are harmoniously matched. Every detail reveals Lin Muxi's dedication.

Chen Chen exclaimed in sincere admiration:

"The drawing is fantastic, especially the character's eyes, they're so expressive. I feel your work this time will be a big hit."

Upon hearing this, Lin Muxi's face flushed with happiness, and she said:
"Really? There are still some things I'm not satisfied with. I feel that the background isn't detailed enough."

Chen Chen put down the sketch, grasped Lin Muxi's hand, and said earnestly:
“I think it’s already perfect. You always have such high standards for yourself. But it’s precisely because of your dedication that your work gets better and better.”

Lin Muxi lowered her head slightly and said softly, "With your encouragement, I am even more motivated."

Chen Chen said:

"Let's go back when we're done."

Lin Muxi nodded happily and said:

"Okay, I'm actually hungry."

So the two packed their things, held hands, and walked out of the studio.

When I got home, Aunt Wang had already prepared the meal.

Lin Muxi put down her bag, exchanged a few pleasantries with Wang Ma, and then went to the sink with Chen Chen to wash their hands carefully. Afterward, they sat down at the dining table to eat.

Lin Muxi picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and chewed slowly. Suddenly, a round figure appeared in her mind. She frowned slightly and said softly:
"The college entrance exam is coming soon, and I wonder how Yuanyuan is doing with her preparations. I'm really worried about her."

Chen Chen, who was holding a piece of braised pork, stopped abruptly upon hearing this. The piece of meat hung in mid-air. He paused for a moment, then reacted and said:
"Oh dear, I almost forgot about this important thing! But don't worry too much, given Yuanyuan's grades and hard work at school, she should be fine in the college entrance exam."

My younger sister has been so confident that she will get into a top university.

If I don't pass the exam, I'll definitely cry.

Lin Muxi gently shook her head, sighed softly, and said:
"That's true, but the college entrance examination is a major turning point in life, and even a small mistake can affect the future."

Back when she took the college entrance exam, she was nervous for a long time.

That feeling is still unforgettable.

Chen Chen put the braised pork into the bowl, patted Lin Muxi's hand, and said:

"How about this, I'll call home and ask my mom how Yuanyuan is doing lately."

As he spoke, Chen Chen decisively put down his chopsticks and reached into his pocket to take out his phone.

He tapped the screen a few times with his slender fingers, found his mother's WeChat profile picture, and then initiated a video call.

At that moment, a sense of emotion welled up in his heart. Come to think of it, it had indeed been a long time since he had called home.

His family knows he is busy with work and always tries not to bother him, which makes him feel somewhat guilty.

The video call waiting screen kept flashing, Chen Chen's eyes were fixed on the screen, but his thoughts drifted back to his home far away. After a while, the screen lit up, and Liu Xiuying's familiar face appeared before him, with the familiar living room scene in the background.

"Mom, have you been busy lately?"

Chen Chen spoke first.

A smile immediately appeared on Liu Xiuying's face, her eyes filled with surprise:
"No, no, son, why did you suddenly decide to video call me? How's work going?"

Chen Chen smiled and said:

"Work's alright. By the way, Mom, how's Yuanyuan doing lately? She's taking the college entrance exam soon, is she doing well?"

Liu Xiuying nodded slightly, her smile unchanged:
“Yuanyuan is doing very well. She studies diligently until late every day. A few days ago, she told me that she felt she had reviewed very thoroughly and told us not to worry.”

Hearing Liu Xiuying's words, Chen Chen felt a little relieved. He turned to look at Lin Muxi, giving her a reassuring look, and then spoke into the phone:

"That's good. Xiaoxi and I were both quite worried about her. The college entrance exam is a big deal, and we can't be careless at all."

Liu Xiuying quickly replied:
"I know, we cook delicious food for her every day and bring it to her to make sure she gets enough nutrition. She's a smart girl, so don't worry too much about her while you're out there. By the way, where's Xiaoxi?"

Lin Muxi leaned slightly closer to her phone screen, a warm smile spreading across her face as she sweetly greeted Liu Xiuying on the screen:
Hello, Auntie!

When Liu Xiuying saw Lin Muxi, her eyes were full of affection, and she smiled and said:

"You all stay out there and focus on your studies. Don't rush into finding a job. Whether you succeed in the end or not, it doesn't matter. The most important thing is to take good care of yourselves and not worry us."

Lin Muxi nodded obediently and replied:
"Okay, Auntie. You and Uncle should take care of yourselves at home too."

Liu Xiuying seemed to suddenly remember something, her eyes lit up, and she said:

"By the way, the cucumbers you planted when you came back last time have borne fruit! They're all growing so lush and green."

Lin Muxi and Chen Chen were both somewhat surprised and said in unison, "So fast!"

Liu Xiuying, with a beaming smile, said with great interest:
"Yes, it's so beautiful, so green, with flowers and thorns on top, it's really lovely to look at. I took a video, I'll send it to you to see."

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Xiuying began operating her phone.

However, she seemed unfamiliar with these new functions on the phone, her fingers frantically tapping around on the screen.

Chen Chen and Lin Muxi could only stare at the constantly shaking screen on their phones for a long while before they received a video notification from Liu Xiuying.

The two smiled at each other, then shrunk the screen window and gently opened the video sent by Liu Xiuying. The thriving cucumbers immediately appeared on the screen.

In the video, cucumber vines climb up the trellis, filling the space with cucumbers. The bright green cucumbers gleam in the sunlight, their thorny tips looking incredibly tempting.

A few dewdrops still rolled on the cucumber leaves, like tiny pearls, shimmering with a lively light in the breeze.

Liu Xiuying's voice came through the video, filled with undisguised pride:
"Look how well these cucumbers are growing! I come to check on them every morning, and they look different every day."

Lin Muxi watched the video, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips, her eyes filled with envy:

"Auntie, this cucumber looks so appetizing, I want to take a bite right now."

Chen Chen chimed in, "Yes, Mom, your planting skills are getting better and better. These cucumbers are almost as good as those grown by professional farmers." (End of Chapter)