The girl's eyes and brows held a lively, mischievous glint.
"Well, my painting is only a little better than my handwriting."
Guo Shan sighed like a little adult.
"Why am I no good at anything when my brother and I are siblings?"
"Shan Shan is good at sports."
Guo Shan hurried to comfort his little sister. "And you're good at reciting, too."
"Your singing is lovely, too."
"And you're great at telling stories."
"I'm no good at any of those."
He was only average at sports.
His long-distance running hovered on the edge of a passing grade.
His recitations were flat and monotonous.
He couldn't carry a tune.
As for storytelling...
He wasn't any good at reciting, let alone telling stories that required changes in tone and emphasis.
Her brother's string of compliments made the little girl feel a little shy.
A faint blush appeared on her fair face.
"Oh, brother, why are you saying all that?"
Guo Shan tugged at her brother's sleeve.
What if Master Xiao made fun of her?
She sneaked a glance at Master Xiao.
Xiao Xiao's eyes and brows were warm and gentle.
"Well, Guo Shan and Guo Shan are both impressive."
Xiao Xiao opened his palm.
Two candies wrapped in pretty wrappers lay there.
Sunlight glinted dazzlingly across the wrappers.
Guo Shan's eyes lit up.
What pretty candies.
"One for each of you."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"Thank you, Master Xiao!"
Guo Shan blinked, then her eyes curved into crescents.
First, she handed one of the candies to her brother.
Guo Shan was taken aback.
Then he smiled and accepted it.
"Thank you, Master Xiao."
"Thank you, Shan Shan."
Guo Shan held the candy up and examined it closely.
The light shimmering on the wrapper sparkled in her eyes.