Let me Touch your Tail

Chapter 62

Ren Qingyue.

The thin xuan paper displayed the words in black ink on white paper.

Yan Zhao silently recited those three characters. Ren Qingyue's handwriting was neat and graceful, elegant like her person. Yan Zhao thought it was easier to recognize than the characters in the alchemy book. She memorized those three words, but Ren Qingyue didn't let go of her hand, continuing to guide the brush as she wrote two more characters.

"Yan Zhao," Ren Qingyue instructed, "Do you recognize these two characters?"

Yan Zhao stared at the handwriting on the paper, entranced. This was the first time she had ever seen her own name. So this was how it was written.

Yan Zhao responded, "I recognize it now."

Satisfied, Ren Qingyue released her hand and removed the top sheet, revealing a fresh blank page beneath.

"Alright, you can start copying now."

Yan Zhao: "..."

Seeing her grip the brush without moving, Ren Qingyue raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Yan Zhao shot her a glance, her lips moving as though she had something to say, but her voice was too soft to hear.

"What did you say?" Ren Qingyue asked.

Gripping the brush tightly, Yan Zhao finally spoke, "'Snowball'—how do you write it?"

Ren Qingyue: "..."

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her gaze growing meaningful. "Why do you want to write those two characters?"

Yan Zhao answered honestly, "That's my fox's name."

Feigning realization, Ren Qingyue softly replied, "Oh," before taking the opportunity to guide Yan Zhao further: "Since you want me to teach you how to write, shouldn't you be a bit more polite?"

Yan Zhao tilted her head, not understanding what it meant to be "more polite."

So, Ren Qingyue continued, "You need to say 'please,' and also 'thank you.' Those are essential courtesies."

Yan Zhao, quick to follow instructions, parroted, "Please, thank you."

Ren Qingyue: "..."

Her temple twitched, but she managed to hold back her frustration. Why is Master's child... so... slow?

"Say it again, follow my lead." Ren Qingyue reached out and lightly tapped Yan Zhao's nose. "Senior Sister, please teach me to write. Thank you."

Looking into Ren Qingyue's eyes, Yan Zhao caught a glimpse of warmth in her clear gaze, like a soft light shining into her eyes.

"Senior Sister, please teach me to write," Yan Zhao repeated, "Thank you."

Only then did Ren Qingyue seem satisfied.

She grasped Yan Zhao's hand once again, guiding her to write the characters for "Snowball" on the paper.

Yan Zhao watched as the two new characters appeared on the paper, letting out a soft breath.

Ren Qingyue released her hand, replaced the used paper with a clean sheet, and pointed to the blank space with her slender fingers. "Now, write."

Gripping the brush tightly, Yan Zhao suddenly felt lost. Yuan Yi had occasionally taught her to recognize characters, but never how to write them.

Although it seemed effortless when Ren Qingyue had guided her hand earlier, now that she had to do it herself, she had no idea where to begin.

Afraid that Ren Qingyue might take her little fox if she didn't comply, Yan Zhao lowered her head and reluctantly started copying.