Killer Nights

Chapter 72: The Woman in the Painting

Time passed very quickly.  In no time at all, A-Jiao had finished teaching her double-length class.  After she took an end-of-class roll call of the children, she returned them one by one to their parents, who couldn’t stop praising A-Jiao for her professionalism and dedication.  A-Jiao was already used to the parents’ compliments by now, so she responded to their praise with a simple smile.  Still, whenever she delivered a student to their parents and saw the gratitude in the parents’ eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of accomplishment.  A person found purpose by being accepted by others, even if that acceptance came from only one person.

“What are you looking at, Honey?” she asked as she walked up to Jiang Zhengkai.  “We can go back now.  All the kids have gone home.”

“Oh, I’m just looking at your portraits,” Jiang Zhengkai casually replied.  “This one is…” he said as he...