RYEY -Chapter 530 Li Xiaonuan’s Talent

Cheng Qiao happily held a child’s hand as they walked home, already thinking about how to nurture the twins.

The twins rested at home for two days before taking their transfer certificates to enroll in school. They were now third graders, but under Ye Jun’s guidance, they had essentially mastered middle school knowledge.

Of course, Cheng Qiao knew this, but she didn’t let the children skip grades. Instead, they followed the normal progression, studying the grade they were supposed to. The extra time that freed up was more than enough for the children to master another skill.

The two children had been very well taught by Ye Jun and were extremely disciplined. Before Cheng Qiao even got up, they were already running around the family farm and practicing a full set of the Five Animals Fist.

By the time Cheng Qiao got up, they had even prepared breakfast, waiting only for her to finish washing her face and brushing her teeth. Cuihua looked at the clever and lively twins with delight, completely enchanted.

Fortunately, the little girl was also about to give birth. They had decided to raise the children by their side, and if the twins could teach their grandchildren, they would surely become accomplished.

Cheng Qiao felt a pang of guilt—how could she let the children make breakfast for her? Yet the twins felt it was their duty; their parents already worked so hard to earn a living, and helping with housework was only natural.

“Mom, can you help me buy some paints and drawing paper?”

“Of course, Ye Jing. Whatever you need, I’ll get it for you.”

“Hmm, also some fabric—brightly colored. For the material, you can ask Xiao Nuan.”

“Why do you want to buy these? To learn to make clothes?”

“Yes, Mom. But not for me to make—Xiao Nuan will do it. By the way, we have a sewing machine at home, right? If not, we should get one ready.”

Cheng Qiao looked at Xiao Nuan, whose expression was one of shock. She was used to the serious fourth brother always criticizing her for being unserious, yet he was actually thinking of her.

“Mom, Xiao Nuan loves painting, making clothes, and tinkering with new things. I used to think she was lazy, but look at my jacket—our teacher even praised it.”

Cheng Qiao had long wanted to ask where Ye Jing’s jacket came from, but had forgotten amidst everything going on. She didn’t expect that Xiao Nuan had made it herself.

“Mom… could it be…”

Xiao Nuan looked a little nervous. She had been spending almost all her pocket money on these hobbies. Luckily, Grandpa Ye always secretly gave her money, allowing her to continue pursuing her interests.

“Xiao Nuan, my darling, this is wonderful! You have something you love to do, and I support you. To show my sincerity, I’ll set up a special fund just for you.”

Xiao Nuan smiled and hugged Cheng Qiao tightly. She knew her mom would support her.

Cheng Qiao felt warm inside. Heaven had truly blessed her—giving her a second chance at life and children who understood gratitude.

“It’s fine to love these things, but your schoolwork can’t fall behind. Can you manage that?”

“Yes!”

That weekend, Cheng Qiao watched Xiao Nuan pick up a pencil and start sketching on paper. A pleated, cinched-waist, off-shoulder dress appeared on the page.

The dress was beautiful—simple yet elegant, making one want to wear it immediately. Cheng Qiao stayed silent, waiting for Xiao Nuan to mix the colors.

The gradient on a black base transformed the dress dramatically. When the hem was painted a heavy dark gold, Cheng Qiao’s first thought was that it needed a crown.

At that moment, Cheng Qiao fully understood where Xiao Nuan’s talent lay. Her color sense was exceptional—precisely the innate ability a fashion designer needed.

“Xiao Nuan, come with me. I’ll show you something.”

Xiao Nuan’s curiosity spiked. What was her mother going to show her?

In the side room, Cheng Qiao pulled out two huge rosewood chests—Zhao Min’s dowry, specially kept for the children.

“Open it yourself and take a look.”

Xiao Nuan seemed to understand and opened the chest reverently. Inside were dazzling, high-quality fabrics: Yun brocade, Shu brocade, gold-threaded silk satin, pearl-embellished brocade…

“Mom, this…”

“These were your grandmother’s dowry. These fabrics won’t deteriorate for a hundred years. Now they belong to you.”

“They’re so beautiful, and so smooth to the touch. Mom, these fabrics must be really valuable.”

“I’m not entirely sure, but they certainly aren’t available on the market now.”

Xiao Nuan held a piece of autumn-green pearl-embellished brocade, imagining what kind of dress such precious material should become.

“Open the other one too.”

Cheng Qiao pointed to the second chest, excited to see her daughter’s surprised smile.

“Wow! What’s this?”

Indeed, when the chest opened, Xiao Nuan’s eyes sparkled at the golden glow. A gold phoenix crown, weighing at least ten jin, proudly stood in the center, radiating brilliance.

“This is a phoenix crown. Only empresses used to wear it, but now it belongs to you.”

“Mom, I can’t—it’s too valuable.”

“You’re my only daughter. Nothing is more precious than you. Keep it; this will be part of your dowry.”

“Mom…”

Xiao Nuan protested. She was only a few years old—how could they talk about a dowry?

Cheng Qiao smiled. In families with true heritage, a girl’s mother starts preparing her dowry from birth until she marries.

She placed the phoenix crown on Xiao Nuan’s head, but the little girl was too young; her head couldn’t support it.

Xiao Nuan then put the crown on Cheng Qiao’s head. The golden tassels swayed, framing Cheng Qiao’s enchanting face with supreme elegance.

“Mom, you’re so beautiful. Too bad Dad isn’t here—if he saw you, he’d probably hide you away.”

“You little rascal…”

Cheng Qiao shook her head with a smile, then suddenly became serious:

“Xiao Nuan, do you want to learn fashion design and become a fashion designer in the future?”

“Mom, is there such a subject?”

“Of course. I’ll call your uncle and see if he has any connections.”

Xiao Nuan pursed her lips, her big, bright eyes sparkling with anticipation, filling Cheng Qiao with excitement.

When Zhao Hui received Cheng Qiao’s call, he was thrilled. His wife’s daughter’s clothing store sold well but only sold other people’s designs—it wasn’t truly prestigious.

If Xiao Nuan completed her studies and started her own fashion brand, Zhao’s clothing store could become a genuine brand boutique.

To this end, Zhao Hui had Cheng Qiao send Xiao Nuan’s sketches to him, then personally took them to Gangcheng, where they met internationally renowned fashion designer CAN.

CAN carefully examined Xiao Nuan’s work. He immediately saw her remarkable color sense and deep understanding of clothing, and agreed to take her as a student.

However, he felt Xiao Nuan was too young. As a busy adult, he couldn’t even take care of himself properly, let alone a child.