He would never create anything artistic again in his life.
"What kind of accident? One that would make you accidentally turn a penguin into a gourd?" Luo Qinghan looked at him, uncomprehending.
"Cough... it's just that I'm surprised I have no talent for pottery."
Lin Xiao gave a wry smile and continued, "It's not too disastrous. At least, as a gourd, this thing is quite functional."
"Lin Xiao, from now on, be clear. You shouldn't participate in this kind of after-school assignment."
Facing Lin Xiao's smile, Luo Qinghan took a deep breath and looked at him pointedly. Compared to Lin Xiao's sheepish grin, Luo Qinghan was clearly in a bad mood.
"Ah? No way..."
"Leave the child's homework to me. From now on, you find a spot on the side and watch closely as I teach him!"
Luo Qinghan interrupted Lin Xiao's stubborn resistance. This matter was essentially settled.
"Okay."
Lin Xiao felt a profound sense of frustration. It was the first time since he became capable that he encountered something he was completely helpless with.
"Daddy, you can't have a crying face, or you'll turn into a little kitty cat."
Xun'er, like an adult, put on a precocious tone. She walked over to Lin Xiao and patted his shoulder.
"Mhm... Daddy won't cry, don't worry."
Hearing the little girl's words, Lin Xiao felt even more exasperated, caught between laughter and tears.
"Now tell me, if this is what she has to hand in tomorrow, will she have enough time?" Luo Qinghan said unhappily.
"Then, should we just say it's a gourd?" Lin Xiao compromised.
"No, it's a penguin that looks like a gourd."
"But it clearly looks more like a gourd."
After much discussion, Lin Xiao finally made a decision. They would tell the teacher that they hadn't seen a penguin before and couldn't make one, so they just made a gourd. After all, the teacher hadn't specified it had to be a penguin. It was just that Xun'er liked penguins, so she had always wanted to make one. However, it was clear that while she liked them, she couldn't actually make a penguin.
Luo Bing had been listening from the side. After hearing their conversation, he seemed to ponder for a moment before mustering his courage and saying, "Auntie, Uncle, actually, I can help Xun'er sister make a penguin."
"No need! I've seen real penguins, and I can make one too!" Xun'er immediately said loudly. She was confident, but that confidence lasted only a second before she added, "Probably."
"My mom taught me pottery before," Luo Bing continued. "If Xun'er sister likes it, I can make one later."
"Okay, then we'll trouble you," Lin Xiao said and immediately made a call.
"Brother Xiao."
"Prepare the necessary materials for pottery. I need to rush some work tonight."
"Yes, I'll have them delivered within ten minutes."
After the call, Lin Xiao squatted beside Luo Bing. "Good news, you've got another skill."
"Mom said that doing pottery can help one quiet down and witness an artwork come into being from one's own hands," Luo Bing said, his mother's image flashing in his mind.
"Don't worry, I'll try my best to have your mother come back for New Year's this year... if she behaves well inside," Lin Xiao said.