Zhao Shuyan, holding Shen Nanyi in her arms, grew tense. She slowly inched forward while still holding her daughter.
After much fumbling around, Shen Nanyi didn't touch any of the things above her. Instead, she pointed her little finger at the writing brush on the ground and babbled.
Having taken care of Shen Nanyi for so long, Zhao Shuyan knew her daughter's personality quite well. As soon as she saw Shen Nanyi's reaction, she knew her daughter wanted something. She quickly picked up the writing brush on the ground.
Shen Nanyi tightly clutched it in her hand and grinned. It was truly the brush she had used before.
"Is this child too smart?"
"She can even ask for things on her own?"
This normal interaction between the mother and daughter left those around them stunned.
They had never seen a one - month - old baby able to express her thoughts. Was this a genius?
"This brush looks like an antique," Shen Yi was a senior intellectual, and the people he knew were mostly professionals in various fields. Some antique experts in the group stared at the brush in Shen Nanyi's hand with shining eyes.
Clutching the writing brush tightly, Shen Nanyi was extremely nervous, afraid that someone would snatch it away.
This was the capital for her mission. If anyone dared to touch it, she'd... she'd burst into tears right away!
Shen Nanyi didn't know how much the brush was worth. She only knew it must be more expensive than ordinary brushes. All the things in her possession were of the highest quality.
Although they were interested, these people didn't really intend to snatch it. They weren't the kind of people who would grab something from a little girl. But not snatching didn't mean they couldn't observe.
A few people surrounded her and carefully examined the brush in Shen Nanyi's hand. If it were someone else, this might seem impolite.
However, these people were different. They were well - known in the antique business, and their gazes were fixed purely on the brush in Shen Nanyi's hand without wandering. It was really hard to get angry with them.
"Shallow - carved flower and bird patterns on the ground. The flowers compete in full bloom, with stamens and pistils clearly carved. The ribbon - tailed birds are flying among them, with lush branches and leaves, presenting a prosperous scene. The layout of the patterns is dense yet well - arranged and in good order. The patterns are carved delicately, accurately, and clearly, showing a simple and ancient style. This... this indeed matches the characteristics of the bamboo - carved flower and bird pattern writing brush from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty."
After getting closer, these people couldn't stay calm. Compared to porcelain, writing brushes and ink were different to them. They were the weapons of literati. At this moment, it was like a martial artist seeing the Green Dragon Crescent Blade. How could they not be excited?
"It's a pity that there's no six - character regular script signature 'Made in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty' on the tail end of the brush, which also has flower, bird, and fish carvings."
Before everyone could get too excited, someone noticed something amiss and his tone turned gloomy.
The genuine bamboo - carved flower and bird pattern writing brush from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty would definitely have a signature on the tail end. Every aspect of the brush in Shen Nanyi's hand matched, except for this one point.
In the antique business, a tiny difference can lead to a huge error.
At first, Shen Nanyi was a bit scared. But as she listened, she felt like punching someone. Were these people really experts?!
Although there was no signature on the end of this brush, it was definitely a genuine one!
At that time, she thought the signature was too ugly, so she specifically asked a master to carve it according to the patterns on the brush. It was extremely beautiful, but they actually said it was a fake?!
Shen Nanyi almost couldn't hold back from arguing with these people.
She was just a baby and couldn't speak! Why should she bother with these people? Shen Nanyi brainwashed herself again.
With this brush, Shen Nanyi was in a much better mood. She held the brush tightly no matter where she went and always smiled at people.
Relatives and friends constantly praised Shen Nanyi, saying that she would surely have excellent academic performance in the future, inheriting the good genes of Shen Yi and his wife.
Having lived several past lives, Shen Nanyi could already distinguish between polite remarks and sincere ones. She didn't take them to heart. She didn't love studying; she loved money!
Anyway, Shen Nanyi stole the show at her birthday party. Shen Yi's relatives and friends all praised her for being extremely intelligent and predicted that she would surely become a top student in the future.
Shen Nanyi didn't care about these words, but Shen Yi was overjoyed. He would brag about how smart Shen Nanyi was whenever he met someone.
Every time this happened, Shen Nanyi in Shen Yi's arms would clutch the brush tightly and wouldn't let anyone take a look.
It had been four or five days since she got the brush at the full - month banquet. Shen Nanyi held it tightly whether she was eating or sleeping.
At first, Shen Yi was over the moon. But after a few days, he couldn't be happy anymore. Instead, he was a bit worried. He had never seen a child so obsessed with a writing brush.
"Baby, do you like this?"
From being initially happy to now, the first thing Shen Yi did after work every day was to try various small things to exchange for the writing brush in Shen Nanyi's hand.
Now, Shen Yi regarded this writing brush as his enemy. Holding a Barbie doll in his hand, his tone was as gentle as possible.
This time, Shen Yi was extremely confident in the gift he had chosen. He had talked to his colleagues at work who had children. Girls simply had no resistance to these pink things.
With full confidence, Shen Yi placed the doll beside Shen Nanyi's hand and prepared to take the writing brush in her other hand with his other hand.
Shen Yi's hand slowly approached the writing brush in Shen Nanyi's hand. At first, Shen Nanyi didn't react, and a faint smile flashed across Shen Yi's face.
He knew it! Little girls must like these pink and cute dolls. What was so good about this ugly black brush? The more he thought about it, the more annoying the brush in Shen Nanyi's hand seemed. He was determined to throw this black brush away today.
As soon as Shen Yi's hand touched the brush, he yanked it out forcefully. Shen Nanyi first stared at Shen Yi for a moment, then let out a heart - rending wail.
At this moment, Shen Yi really wanted to cry. For her, this wasn't just an ordinary brush. It was a prerequisite for completing her mission and represented a fortune.
If Shen Yi knew the price of this brush, Shen Nanyi would surely give it to him. But judging from Shen Yi's expression, he clearly wanted to throw it away. Thinking of this, Shen Nanyi cried even louder.
Shen Yi didn't expect Shen Nanyi to react so strongly. Holding the brush, he was in a dilemma.
Logically, Shen Yi knew he should have a bottom line and set rules for the child. Otherwise, it would be even harder to discipline her in the future.
But seeing his daughter crying so hard that she was coughing and her little face turning red, Shen Yi immediately surrendered.
It was just a writing brush anyway. It shouldn't cause any problems. Why was he being so strict with a little child?
From being firm in his attitude at first to changing his mind quickly, Shen Yi perfectly demonstrated how one could change one's attitude faster than turning a page. He quickly placed the writing brush back in Shen Nanyi's hand.
Holding the brush, Shen Nanyi gradually stopped crying. She carefully hid the brush under her little body.
Shen Yi witnessed all of Shen Nanyi's actions. Looking at the brush in Shen Nanyi's hand, he felt a chill. When Shen Nanyi looked over, a kind smile appeared on Shen Yi's face.
When Zhao Shuyan came back from the supermarket after buying groceries, she saw this somewhat strange scene.