Chapter 10

The girl wanted to pick up the kitten but didn't know how, afraid she might hurt it, and was on the verge of tears.

"What's wrong with it?" Han Xuan asked.

The kitten seemed to sense something, struggling to open its eyes, but couldn't make a sound; it was too weak.

"I don't know. It was already like this when I found it. Big brother, can you help it?"

The girl's purple eyes stared at Han Xuan, as if she would cry if he didn't help. They say girls are made of water, and this was especially true of her.

Han Xuan's heart softened. Even if he hadn't intended to help, who could refuse such a beautiful girl's request?

He let go of his father and walked over, squatting in front of the kitten. He placed it on his lap and gently stroked its matted fur.

He knew animals liked him. Look at McDull, that chubby little pig. Although he didn't know why or if it would help, it couldn't hurt to try. At the very least, it would make this abandoned little creature feel warm.

Turning his head, he saw a deep purple hue in the girl's eyes.

Her hair was brown, and against her snow-white skin, her high nose bridge separated her large eyes.

Soft eyebrows framed her face, and her prominent cheekbones made her face appear three-dimensional. From any angle, she was perfect, like the most outstanding work of a creator.

She looked younger than him, with a slender figure. The large sketchbook on her back seemed out of place.

She wore a white jacket, blue jeans, and slightly worn but clean white shoes.

When she saw Han Xuan looking at her, she seemed a bit uneasy, as if afraid of being stared at, and lowered her head to avoid his gaze.

Han Xuan had never seen such a beautiful girl before.

In his previous life, he had seen pictures of purple eyes online, thinking they were edited. He never imagined they actually existed.

In fact, as early as 1968, scientists discovered this genetic mutation in some women of European and Caucasian descent, naming it "Alexandria's Genesis."

When they were born, their eyes were blue or gray. By the time they were six months old, their eyes began to change, turning purple, and this change continued until they were one year old.

After that, until the end of puberty, the color gradually deepened, eventually becoming deep purple, dark purple, blue-purple, or purple-blue.

This change did not affect their vision, and the color would stay with them for life.

Such lucky individuals appeared only once in every ten million people.

In other words, the girl in front of him was one in five hundred and thirty.

Han Xuan forgot everything at that moment, his eyes fixed on her pupils, which seemed to have a mesmerizing power.

The girl's head lowered more, her mood turning somber, as if recalling some unpleasant past.

Han Qianshan, seeing his son's unusual behavior for the first time, chuckled inwardly but cleared his throat. Han Xuan finally came to his senses.

He smiled and said, "I'm Han Xuan. Can I know your name?"

The girl looked up, wiping the mist from her eyes. Her small hand, covered in pencil dust, left a mark on her face, making her look very cute.

She extended her hand to Han Xuan, "Dolores. So, big brother, are you Chinese?"

"Dolores? What a sad name. Yes, my ancestors are from China."

"Really? I have a Chinese name too, Wen Ren Anya. My great-grandmother gave it to me. She was Chinese too."

"That's a rare surname in China. It sounds very nice," Han Xuan said.

"Then, big brother, call me by my Chinese name, Anya? Is that how you pronounce it? My Chinese isn't very good. My great-grandmother passed away last year, and no one could teach me..." the girl said innocently, a bit sad, and stroked the kitten, which looked much better now.

"In China, when people die, they become stars in the sky. Your great-grandmother is always watching over you, and she will be with you," Han Xuan comforted her, wiping the pencil marks from her face.

The girl stared at him, curious about his actions. After a while, she softly said, "You don't hate me, do you?"

"Why would I hate you?" Han Xuan asked, lowering his hand.

"Because of my eyes. They are so different. The kids at school are all afraid of me." The girl lowered her head, continuing, "Even the adults don't like me. They say I'm the child of Satan and don't let the kids play with me. Even my father left."

Her small face was full of loneliness, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

Han Xuan didn't know what to say. He lowered his head and stroked the kitten, speaking softly, "You have beautiful eyes, like an angel. They are so captivating. In Egypt, people believe there were once fairies with eyes like yours, so don't be sad."

The girl looked up and smiled through her tears, "Fairies? Do they really exist?"

"Of course, you are one."

Seeing Anya's radiant smile, Han Qianshan, standing nearby, squinted his eyes, a mix of amusement and joy, and whispered, "Good job, baby!"

A kind-hearted person wouldn't be bad, and Han Xuan's father felt reassured and pleased.

The kitten in his arms moved, meowing softly. Han Xuan sensed its mood, "It might be hungry. Do you want to keep it?"

The girl was very interested but shook her head helplessly, "My mother is very stubborn. She won't allow it. What should I do, big brother?"

She clearly saw Han Xuan as her main support, looking at him with curious eyes.

"If no one else will take it, I'll keep it. It's too small to survive outside."

"That would be great, big brother! Can I visit it? The kitten is so cute."

"I'll be back in Montana in a few days. If you miss it, you can write to me, and I'll send you pictures. Or you can call?"

"Where is Montana? Is it far?"

"Not really, it's just a two-hour flight."

Seeing Anya smile, Han Xuan smiled too, then asked, "Where are your family? It's getting late."

"Ah! I forgot! Mom is still waiting for me at home."

"..."

"Let me take you home, Dad?"

"Sure."

Han Xuan's father playfully winked at his son, "Anya, where do you live? Let your big brother hold your hand, and we'll take you home."

"Thank you, Uncle. In Williamsburg."

"This is Williamsburg. Which street?"

"Um... I forgot, Uncle. Ah, my home is an art gallery, my English name!" Anya clapped her hands, excited.

The father and son were speechless. Han Xuan's father finally spoke, "Let's go. I'll look for it."

Han Xuan silently took Anya's small hand. Two quite innocent children of the same age, right?

Just as they stepped out of the alley, Han Xuan's father pointed to a large sign across the street and turned, "Dolores, is this it?"

"Uh-huh."

"..."

"..."

"!"

At the entrance of the art gallery, a woman was looking around. She looked to be in her thirties and sighed in relief when she saw her daughter's small figure.

"Dolores! Where did you go again! Ah, thank you for bringing her back, sir." The woman's accent was distinctly Western European as she spoke to them.

"It's no problem. Your daughter is very cute. She just saved this poor little kitten."

"I was so worried about her. You see, the area isn't very safe, so... thank you again."

"I'm Han Qianshan, and this is my son, Han Xuan. Kids at their age can be hard to manage. I'm quite troubled too, aren't I, ma'am?"

"Please call me Cecilia, sir. Please come in and have a seat. I'll make you some coffee, and this young man, would you like a soda?"

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Then I'll trouble you for some water. Are you an artist, ma'am?" Han Xuan's father asked.

Cecilia smiled, "Just a creator, nothing outstanding."

"You're too modest. I happen to be looking for some paintings. Can I see them?"

"Of course, sir. Dolores, show this handsome young man your sketches."

Anya's face turned red, "Mom~ I'm not very good yet."

"It's fine. Let me see, Anya?" Han Xuan followed his father inside, winking at the girl. He was very curious.

"Okay, big brother, but you can't laugh at me..."

The girl turned and ran upstairs, her voice trailing behind.

The art gallery wasn't large, with only two rooms.

One room was closed, presumably for creation, and the wall in front had only six paintings. Four were landscapes, one was a portrait, and the last was covered with a cloth.

All were classical realism, with soft tones and good composition. It didn't seem like Cecilia was as unknown as she claimed. Good works never lack admirers.

Inheriting her mother's talent, the girl, at just six years old, had already drawn very good still life sketches, at least in Han Xuan's opinion.

Anya stood beside him, a bit embarrassed but also hopeful. This was the first time she had shown her sketches to anyone other than her teacher and mother. Han Xuan didn't disappoint, praising her, "You draw really well. It looks like we'll have another excellent artist in the future!"

"Big brother~" The girl blushed, coquettishly.

Cecilia was smiling as she introduced the paintings to Han Xuan's father, explaining their creative concepts. Han Xuan glanced at the covered painting and asked, "Anya, what's that one?"

The girl's face turned even redder. After a long pause, she asked, "Do you want to see it?"

"Sure."

"Wait a moment." Anya turned and called back, "Mom, is that painting finished? Big brother Han Xuan wants to see it."

"It's finished, but... okay."

Cecilia approached and lifted the oilcloth. The girl in the painting had a captivating smile, her purple eyes sparkling.

Even Han Xuan, who had no artistic talent, was captivated. He stared at the painting for a long time, then looked at Anya, whose face was even redder.

Han Qianshan, seeing his son's expression, knew it was time to act, "Ms. Cecilia, your work is truly excellent. Can I buy it?"

"Which one?"

"All of them."

Cecilia looked at her daughter, who nodded.

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