As she gently wiped away the dust, the original appearance of the window frame emerged.
Xia Xiaolan didn’t know where these materials came from. Ning Yanfan explained that renovating ancient buildings wasn’t about demolishing and rebuilding but rather making the best use of existing old elements. Renovation wasn’t about building from scratch but adapting to local conditions.
“Architecture is built by humans, so it inevitably incorporates human subjectivity.”
Whether Cao actually wrote about the Qing Dynasty remains debated to this day, but when building the Grand View Garden, such arguments had to be set aside. The Garden exemplified the Ming-Qing courtyard style.
Construction of the Grand View Garden began last year, and after nearly a year, its overall outline had taken shape. Ning Yanfan gave Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue an impromptu lesson in the workshed before letting Ning Xue show Xiaolan around.
“If you’re interested in ancient architecture, you should observe more.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Xia Xiaolan understood then – she wasn’t here as an assistant, as she wasn’t qualified for that yet. This wasn’t just about auditing Ning Xue’s lesson either, as why would the academic prodigy need such basic instruction? With her ability to publish papers, Ning Xue must have mastered these courses long ago.
As for the Grand View Garden, from last year until now, Ning Xue has probably visited countless times.
So this “lesson” was meant for Xia Xiaolan alone.
It couldn’t be that Professor Ning saw exceptional talent in her for architecture and wanted to pass on all his knowledge. It must be because of Grandmother Yu… When Xia Xiaolan had planned to bring Grandmother Yu to live in Beijing, she hadn’t known about her connection to Professor Ning – it was truly a coincidence.
True to her reputation as an academic god, Ning Xue gave Xia Xiaolan an assignment when Professor Ning suggested touring the Garden.
She handed Xiaolan a measuring tape and rope, saying, “Draw an architectural floor plan of the Grand View Garden.”
How could Xia Xiaolan refuse?
She had to be grateful for the academic god’s guidance.
Architectural floor plans… They hadn’t covered that in the first semester. Xia Xiaolan only knew some basics from researching on her own. She had drawn simple floor plans before, for Gong Yang’s rural house renovations. But professional floor plans? She had no experience with those.
Especially for a building complex as large as the Grand View Garden.
Xia Xiaolan felt her teeth ache, but she couldn’t admit in front of Ning Xue that she didn’t know how or couldn’t do it.
Looking on the bright side, at least the academic god hadn’t asked for construction drawings – she’d left Xiaolan a way out.
Ning Xue wasn’t trying to make things difficult either. Without her help holding the measuring tape, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t even get accurate measurements. The workload was not something that could be completed in a weekend. In two days, she might manage a rough sketch, but a complete floor plan of the Grand View Garden would take much longer!
While measuring and taking notes, Xia Xiaolan recalled an earlier incident:
“I only met Director Wang once. He wanted me to act in his film, but I declined. I didn’t expect to run into him here at the Grand View Garden when you invited me.”
Perhaps in Ning Xue’s world, everything besides architecture was a distraction. Not wanting Ning Xue’s impression of her to worsen, Xia Xiaolan knew what mattered and had no interest in acting.
Ning Xue nodded, “Continue measuring.”
Though she said nothing more, the academic god’s expression had softened considerably.
Xia Xiaolan discovered that the academic god was quite approachable. Whether due to Professor Ning’s instructions or other reasons, Ning Xue patiently accompanied Xia Xiaolan as she took measurements bit by bit. She occasionally taught Xiaolan some professional knowledge. Taking measurements wasn’t easy work – it required repeated squatting, and after just one morning, Xia Xiaolan’s back and waist were sore.
Ning Xue seemed completely unfazed.
Without realizing it, they had wandered far from the group of experts until someone called out that lunch was ready. Only then could Xia Xiaolan take a break.
“Let’s go eat, then we’ll continue measuring.”
Lunch was served right in the Grand View Garden. Many workers were busy here, along with the group of experts Xia Xiaolan had met, including Ning Yanfan. Everyone ate the same food, with no special treatment.
Several large tables were set up in the open space, with food served in large bowls. Clean dishes and chopsticks were kept in baskets for people to help themselves. There were no chairs – people just found spots to sit and eat.
“Professor Ning, do you have any dietary restrictions?”
Ning Yanfan shook his head, “I’m not picky.”
Xia Xiaolan hurried off to get food for him.
A nearby expert commented enviously, “It’s nice to have an assistant.”
Ning Xue, not wanting to squeeze in with the crowd, stayed by her grandfather’s side for a while. Ning Yanfan asked her, “How was the morning?”
He was asking about Xia Xiaolan’s performance, and Ning Xue’s assessment was fair: “She’s not afraid of hard work and eager to learn… but she’s too slick, wasting her talent.”
This wasn’t the first time Ning Xue had called Xia Xiaolan slick. Ning Yanfan remained neutral:
“You’re still too young.”
Not everyone could focus solely on research. Different family backgrounds meant facing different life circumstances, so attention would naturally be divided.
Expecting others to be single-minded, content with poverty, and devoted to academics… that was often easier said than done. Ning Yanfan had spoken with Grandmother Yu and knew about Xia Xiaolan’s family background. Getting to where she is today couldn’t have been achieved through diligent study alone!
If Xia Xiaolan had been like Ning Xue, not having to consider other matters, she wouldn’t have been able to settle in Beijing.
The burden of life would have fallen entirely on her divorced mother, a true rural woman. Middle-aged and divorced, without Xia Xiaolan’s intelligence, if Xiaolan hadn’t led her mother to seek opportunities outside their village, relying solely on her mother’s farm work to support Xiaolan’s education would have been extremely difficult.
Some people could endure such poverty and hardship, believing it would pass after a few years, prioritizing their studies above all.
Others couldn’t bear it, neither wanting to suffer themselves nor wanting their loved ones to sacrifice by tightening their belts, so they actively sought ways to improve their lives.
Neither choice was wrong. Ning Yanfan had been through it himself. Ning Xue had always had a smooth path and never experienced setbacks, so naturally, she couldn’t empathize with Xia Xiaolan’s choices.
As grandfather and granddaughter sat in silence, Xia Xiaolan returned with the food.
Though Ning Yanfan said he had no restrictions, Xia Xiaolan, considering his age, chose softer dishes. The rice and dishes were served separately, and she even brought him a bowl of rice soup.
Ning Xue quickly helped take the bowls, and Xia Xiaolan smiled brightly: “Classmate Ning Xue, what would you like? I’ll get it for you.”
Ning Xue gave her a look, but Xia Xiaolan defended herself confidently: “You spent all morning teaching me how to draw plans – getting you food is the least I can do!”
So slick indeed!
Ning Xue shook her head, “I’ll go myself.”
After his granddaughter left, Ning Yanfan smiled: “Ah Xue’s temperament has always given me headaches. Thank you for being patient with her, Xiaolan.”
“You jest, sir. Classmate Ning Xue’s genuine nature makes her very easy to get along with.”
Talented people were never afraid of having strong personalities.
What was Ning Xue’s attitude compared to the proud chefs at state-run restaurants? With her abilities, Ning Xue had earned the right to be unique and unbound by social conventions. Rules were for ordinary people, not for geniuses – Xia Xiaolan had always considered herself ordinary, just somewhat lucky. Rather than pretending to be a genius, she’d better focus on completing the assignment given by the academic god.