Uncle Wen sensed Lin He's boredom and said, "He'er, are you bored? Close your eyes and rest for a while, or I have some books here if you'd like to look at them."

Lin He shook her head, glancing at the book in Uncle Wen's hands. She knew she certainly wouldn't be interested in whatever Uncle Wen was reading; she might as well close her eyes and conserve her energy. She smiled, "Uncle Wen, I don't know many characters. How could I possibly understand your books?"

"Oh, He'er is being modest. If He'er doesn't know many characters, where did all the things you create come from? Did you think them up yourself?" Uncle Wen inquired.

Lin He already had a rehearsed answer for this very question. "Last year, our family hired a scholar to teach Big Brother, and I sat in for a few days too. I learned some basic characters, and I asked the scholar about the ones I didn't know. I recognize the simple ones, and the things I make are half based on what I know and half the result of many trials and errors."

Uncle Wen nodded; he was aware of Lin He's family hiring a scholar. After a while, Uncle Wen lowered his head back to his book. Meanwhile, Wen Ningxuan beside him leaned against the carriage, his eyes closed as if already asleep.

Lin He watched Wen Ningxuan with his eyes shut, and now it was her turn to appraise him. He looked about fourteen, yet his presence carried a weight far beyond his years. He was perpetually cool, rarely showing any smile.

However, the boy was undeniably handsome. The skin on his face showed virtually no pores. With his eyes closed, his long eyelashes drooped down, perfectly curved like false ones, long and upturned. His peach-tinted lips were full and soft, and his high-bridged nose looked as if sculpted by an artist. Leaning against the carriage now, he exuded an air of languid ease.

Although he was Uncle Wen's son, he didn't strongly resemble him. Uncle Wen was distinctly masculine, with features that were quite square and upright, but this boy's features were exquisitely fine, and his skin was even fairer than that of most women. He must have taken after his mother; she must have been a true beauty.