Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen
Although Si Nuo wanted to find a website where he could accept commissions, he had no clue where to start—mainly because the original owner was completely blank in this area. Having just arrived, he had no experience either.
He had browsed many websites in the past couple of days but found no useful information at all.
He even wondered if this kind of thing was really popular in the interstellar age. Then again, it made sense—these days, many product illustrations can be instantly generated with intelligent AI brains, fast and convenient. Who would still look for human artists to commission?
So in the interstellar era, to survive through painting, one either has to become a famous grand artist or an extremely skilled designer; otherwise, you’d starve.
Si Nuo didn’t want to starve, and if painting didn’t work out, he considered looking for other paths.
Just then, Zhang Yu pushed the door open and came in. “Si Nuo, have you handed in your sketch assignment?”
Si Nuo nodded. “Yeah, I submitted it in class this morning.”
“What did you submit? That maple forest painting?”
“No, I did a still life sketch — no coloring.”
Zhang Yu was momentarily stunned. “When did you draw that?”
“Last night, after you fell asleep. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and drew it.” Si Nuo didn’t think much of it. “By the way, do you know of any part-time jobs?”
Zhang Yu’s family was somewhat better off than Si Nuo’s, but still average. So Zhang Yu often worked part-time himself.
Hearing this, Zhang Yu was not surprised since Si Nuo often worked before. “Are you finally going to quit your old job? I’ve told you carrying goods is too exhausting for you. Your body can’t take it. But I can’t keep my restaurant job either, I’m looking too, so I can’t recommend anything for you.”
Suddenly, Zhang Yu remembered something. “Oh, right. I just heard from Ren Ju’s roommate— the chubby guy— that someone posted on our school’s website looking for paintings. Apparently, it’s a maple forest. You drew one before, right? Why don’t you submit yours? The reward is 20,000. What if you win?”
Si Nuo’s eyes lit up. “Where?”
“Our school website, don’t you know?”
“We have a school website?”
Zhang Yu: “……”
Who’s looking down on whom!
Thanks to Zhang Yu’s tip, Si Nuo successfully logged onto the campus website. The moment he entered, he saw the pinned, highlighted post. After browsing so many websites these past days, he hadn’t thought to check the campus site. If Zhang Yu hadn’t mentioned it, he might’ve missed the opportunity entirely.
“Look, the requirement’s pretty simple—paint a maple forest, and if they like it, you get 20,000 yuan,” Zhang Yu said excitedly. “I heard a lot of people submitted already. If I could paint as well as you, I’d give it a shot too. Too bad, I’m not good enough yet.”
Si Nuo glanced at the post’s timestamp—it had been posted exactly two days ago. “Has nobody won the 20,000 yet?”
Zhang Yu nodded. “If someone had, the post would’ve been taken down. Since it’s still up, it means they weren’t satisfied. You should try, who knows!”
Si Nuo agreed. Maybe the client would like his painting after all. But as someone who’d accepted countless commissions before, he also knew that seemingly simple requests like this were often quite complicated—clients often had no clear idea themselves, and whether the work passed or not depended purely on “feeling”.
After all, the hardest demand in this world is satisfying someone’s “feeling”.
“How do I show the painting to the client? Just add this contact number?”
Si Nuo asked, unfamiliar with the commission process in this world.
Zhang Yu was a novice too. “I guess so. First add them, send a photo. If they like it, you arrange a meeting. At worst, you have to make a few trips.”
Si Nuo stared at the reward amount of 20,000 yuan, calculating in his mind: if the client didn’t like the painting he had on hand, he could custom make another. Anyway, he couldn’t let go of this 20,000 yuan.
If he got this money, he wouldn’t need to worry about cash for at least three months.
He thought adding the client’s contact wouldn’t be approved so quickly, but as soon as he added them, it was instantly accepted.
Before he could even explain himself, the client immediately sent back a single character: [Painting?]
Strangely, the client seemed even more eager than he was.
Si Nuo replied: [I saw your post on the campus site. I have a maple forest painting. Can I send you a picture first?]
Lu Cen The Greatest1his nickname online replied back: [Alright!]
Si Nuo didn’t hesitate and immediately sent over the photo he had taken earlier, quickly adding this message: [Please take a look at this. If you’re not satisfied, I can customize a painting based on your ideas.]
But before he could even hit send, a flurry of messages came rushing back from the other side—
Lu Cen The Greatest: [!!!]
Lu Cen The Greatest: [Master!!!!]
Lu Cen The Greatest: [I’ve finally found you!]
Lu Cen The Greatest: [Master, I want this painting! When are you available to meet? I’m free anytime!!!]
Lu Cen The Greatest: [Please, you have to sell me this painting! The price is negotiable!!]
Si Nuo was speechless.
Zhang Yu, who had been leaning close to his screen, whispered, “There’s no way this person is actually looking for you right?”
Looking confused, Si Nuo had no idea why the other party was so excited.
[Have you actually seen my painting before?] he asked.
Judging by the reaction, Si Nuo felt as if the other person had already seen this maple forest piece of his somewhere.
Soon, Lu Cen The Greatest replied again: [Yes, I saw the master’s painting by chance that day. It was breathtaking, unforgettable. I had no choice but to boldly post a reward notice, just to see the master once more!]
Si Nuo sighed internally: this guy sounded a bit… dramatic.
Zhang Yu whispered doubtfully, “Could he be a scammer?”
Si Nuo asked, “What should I do then?”
He wasn’t sure if he could trust him either.
Zhang Yu put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll go with you to meet him. I don’t believe the two of us can’t handle one guy.”
Si Nuo nodded, “Alright, I’ll set a place to meet.”
“Go ahead and arrange it.”
Si Nuo told him to meet at a café just outside the school. The other party obviously knew the location. After finalizing time and place, Si Nuo grabbed the painting, and he and Zhang Yu headed out together.
When they arrived at the café opposite the school, Si Nuo was about to send a message to let the other party know they had arrived.
Suddenly, a young man in the First Military Academy uniform approached and asked, “Are you Master Si Nuo?”
Being called “Master” out of the blue startled Si Nuo for a moment. Then he replied, “I’m Si Nuo. Just call me by my name—I’m not some master. Are you Lu Cen The Greatest?”
“Yes, yes, I’m Lu Cen,” he said warmly as he called the waiter, “Two more coffees, please,” and then enthusiastically led Si Nuo and Zhang Yu to a table.
Si Nuo sat down without hesitation and handed over his painting tube. “The painting is inside. You can have a look first. If you’re not satisfied, I can also customize one based on your requirements.”
Lu Cen’s eyes lit up with delight at the offer. “You can accept extra commissions too?”
Si Nuo was a bit puzzled by his cautious attitude. “Yes, but please take a look at the painting first.”
“All right.” Though Lu Cen said so, his eyes were full of expectation. As he carefully unrolled the painting, his movements were delicate, as if afraid of damaging it; faint reverence shone through his expression.
The whole atmosphere felt strange.
When Lu Cen unveiled the painting, his face even showed a bit of nervousness.
Zhang Yu tilted his head and glanced at Si Nuo, his look saying, Is this guy crazy or what?
Si Nuo stayed silent, simply waiting for Lu Cen’s reaction.
Lu Cen slowly and carefully spread out the painting. The moment he saw the familiar maple forest depicted, his spiritual sea stirred again, filling him with that deep serenity and peace.
With a snap, he immediately rolled the painting back up. Fearful of losing control in front of others, he didn’t dare look at it any longer.
“Master, please name your price. How much is appropriate?”
That sudden question stunned Si Nuo for a moment. “Wasn’t the reward set at 20,000 already?”
“That was just a casual figure I wrote,” Lu Cen said. “Master, your painting is worth far more than 20,000. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of you. Your art is priceless. But I only have 500,000 on me right now—I’ll give it all to you. Please sell me the painting. If that’s not enough, I can—”
“No, no need. Let’s stick to the 20,000 prize. That’s enough. My painting isn’t worth that much,” Si Nuo said, stunned by the other’s words but clear that 500,000 was way beyond what he could accept.
After Si Nuo spoke, Lu Cen looked at him in shock. “Master, do you realize what your painting means to us psychics? If this painting got out, there would be fights over it. There’s no way it’s worth only 20,000. I’m giving you 500,000—please you must accept!”
Si Nuo was speechless.
Zhang Yu was speechless as well.
Could this guy really be crazy? And who just pushes 500,000 yuan onto someone like that?
Si Nuo looked at Lu Cen, who was holding out the 500,000 yuan with a look like he was getting a bargain himself, and couldn’t help but ask, “What did you mean by that? What’s so special about my painting?”
Seeing that Si Nuo truly didn’t understand, Lu Cen didn’t hold back. He revealed how, when he accidentally saw the painting before, his mental disorder was calmed—it saved his life.
“So you’re saying… my painting has a miraculous effect on mental disorders?”
Although Si Nuo wasn’t a psychic, everyone in the interstellar age knew about the mental disorder that accompanied psychics—a curse etched on them all.
This meant every psychic would die from mental disorder. Without exception.
Even the latest calming drugs only treated symptoms, not the root cause.
Yet Lu Cen claimed that Si Nuo’s painting had a special healing effect on him.
Zhang Yu’s mouth hung open in shock.
Si Nuo was hardly better. “Maybe it just works for you. At least there’s no proof, you’re the first to say it.”
Lu Cen thought for a moment. “I can’t say if it works for everyone, but it works for me. So this 500,000 is money well spent. Honestly, with this painting, I believe I can smoothly advance to S-level.”
Si Nuo saw how determined Lu Cen was and felt uneasy accepting so much money. “That’s too much. I can’t take that much. How about this: I’ll sell you the painting for 100,000. Otherwise, I won’t sell it.”
Lu Cen stared at the painting tube and couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t expected Si Nuo to refuse so outright. His respect for Si Nuo surged. “Master, you really don’t know your value yet. But since you say 100,000, then I’ll pay that. And if you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word. Rest assured, I’ll have my friends look at your painting too. If they sense the magic in it, I’ll get them to find you—and trust me, they’re not short of money. Then you definitely won’t sell a painting for just 100,000. That’d be too cheap!”
Lu Cen looked like he’d scored the deal of a lifetime. Si Nuo smiled and didn’t refuse. “Alright, thank you in advance. By the way, can I ask—what’s your level now?”
“I’m currently an A-level psychic, but advancing from A to S-level. Lately, my mental disorder’s been especially severe. If I hadn’t accidentally seen your painting last time, I probably would have died in the maple forest. Your painting literally saved my life. Not just that—I’m more than halfway through my promotion now, and not long from becoming an S-level psychic.”
As Lu Cen spoke, he transferred 100,000 yuan to Si Nuo.
After agreeing to keep in touch, Si Nuo and Zhang Yu left the café.
On the way, Zhang Yu looked dazed and said, “Pinch me! I feel like I’m dreaming. A single painting for 100,000 yuan—and that was your price! Otherwise, it would’ve been 500,000! Oh my god, it’s unbelievable!”
Si Nuo smiled and nodded. “I feel like it’s a dream too.”
When he came, he was aiming for that 20,000 yuan reward, which at the time seemed a lot.
But unexpectedly, it turned into 100,000.
It really felt like a dream. With this 100,000 yuan, at least for the time being, he wouldn’t have to worry about money. He might even be able to buy better gene therapy drugs next time.
Suddenly, the weight on his shoulders felt lighter.
“But if what he said is true, Si Nuo, you’re seriously something!”
Si Nuo asked, “You saw the painting too. How did it make you feel?”
Zhang Yu recalled his impression: “I felt your painting was very realistic, like I was actually there. But beyond that, nothing special. Then again, I’m not a psychic—it could be that only psychics sense the effect of your art.”
“I’ve done a lot of painting these past days, even showing them to Old Zhao. Did you see any reaction from him?”
Zhang Yu paused for a moment, then said, “Old Zhao praised your talent and said you paint well, but nothing extraordinary. Although, I remember he’s only D-level as a psychic. That Lu Cen guy, even before leveling up, is A-level. Maybe your painting only affects A-level and above?”
“That’s possible. But it might also be that not all my paintings have this effect. Right now, we don’t even know if my art only works for Lu Cen.”
“Didn’t he say he’d let his friends see it? Wait for news from him. Don’t overthink it. You’re rich now—aren’t you going to treat your brother to a good meal?”
Zhang Yu bumped Si Nuo’s shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
Si Nuo laughed. “Let’s go. Pick whatever you want to eat today!”
After parting ways with Si Nuo, Lu Cen bought a frame for the painting and planned to hang it on his dorm wall to admire day and night.
When he returned carrying the painting tube and frame, his friend, hearing the noise, came over immediately.
“Lu Cen, you really bought the painting? Let me see it—does it really have the magic you talked about?”
“Zhuang Ning, just wait and see—you’re definitely going to have your jaw drop. You sit over there and don’t you dare sneak a peek. Wait until I frame the painting and hang it up before you look!”
“Is that really necessary? Can I at least have a quick look to see what kind of painting it is?”
“I’m afraid that once you see it, you won’t be able to stop. Honestly, I don’t even dare to look directly at it myself—it’s too overwhelming!”
“Come on, you’re making it sound crazier and crazier. Just hurry up—if you’re going to frame it, just do it. Why are you turning the painting over while framing it? Aren’t you afraid you’ll put it upside down?”
“If I don’t do it like this, I’m afraid it won’t fit in at all!” Not only did he put it in that way, but he also covered the painting with cloth before hanging it.
Watching his exaggerated movements, Zhuang Ning grew even more curious.
The painting was hung at the head of Lu Cen’s bed, so he could see it the moment he opened his eyes.
After hanging it, Lu Cen looked at Zhuang Ning. “Ready?”
Zhuang Ning stood beside the bed and nodded eagerly. “Couldn’t be more ready. Hurry up!”
This time Lu Cen didn’t waste words—he pulled the cloth off the painting. The maple forest embedded in the frame came into view, almost as if it were alive.
Zhuang Ning’s eyes, once curious, immediately turned to shock, and then he froze in place.
Lu Cen didn’t look at the painting but instead stared intently at Zhuang Ning’s expression. When he saw the change, he knew the painting’s effect wasn’t limited to just himself.
Clearly, Zhuang Ning felt the painting’s unusual power too.
Lu Cen didn’t disturb Zhuang Ning, who seemed as if he was frozen. He got down from the bed, walked over, and sat down nearby to wait.
No one knew how much time passed until with a sudden thud, Zhuang Ning collapsed onto the bed. The unexpected movement startled Lu Cen, who quickly went over to check. He realized Zhuang Ning had just fallen asleep.
Thinking back to when Zhuang Ning found him asleep last time, Lu Cen carefully made sure he was comfortable on the bed and gently covered the painting again.
He couldn’t get immediate feedback from Zhuang Ning, so he had to wait until he woke up.
That wait lasted the entire afternoon. After dinner, Lu Cen returned just as Zhuang Ning slowly stirred awake. Rising from the bed, Zhuang Ning blinked drowsily, looking toward Lu Cen, who was sitting in the chair smiling at him.
“What are you smiling at?” Zhuang Ning asked.
“Well, what do you think?” Lu Cen pulled the chair closer beside the bed. “How do you feel? Tell me.”
Zhuang Ning’s expression stiffened, then he suddenly glanced back at the painting, now covered again with the cloth, his eyes wide open. “This painting really has healing powers. At the time, I just felt my spiritual sea was calm and peaceful—an experience I’d never had before. It was like all conflicts vanished. I was standing in the maple forest, a gentle breeze brushed my face, and I heard the rustling of leaves swaying in the wind…”
As he spoke, Zhuang Ning couldn’t help but squint his eyes, looking utterly blissful.
“The monochrome spiritual sea seemed to gain color and warmth. I’ve never felt so comfortable before.”
“Now do you believe me? Can you feel changes in your spiritual sea?”
Zhuang Ning fell silent to concentrate. After a moment, his eyes snapped open again. “It’s expanded! It feels like I’m close to advancing to S-level!”
Lu Cen smiled at him. At this moment, no words were needed, yet it was as if a thousand words were spoken.
Zhuang Ning couldn’t stay calm. “How much did you buy this painting for? I’ll pay double if you share it with me!”
He knew Lu Cen wouldn’t sell it to him, but sharing would be good enough.
But Lu Cen shook his head.
Zhuang Ning grew anxious immediately. “You’re not seriously that stingy? Besides, I’m giving you money, not taking the painting away from you, you…”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” Lu Cen said. “I have Master Si Nuo’s contact info—he takes commissions. Don’t you want your own finished painting?”
Zhuang Ning suddenly understood. “Send me the contact info, bro2again, close friends can call each other bro. I call my best friends bros even though we’re all girls, fast!”
Lu Cen pushed Si Nuo’s contact info to him while saying, “I have a feeling with this painting, I’ll surely advance to S-level.”
Zhuang Ning nodded. “I think so too. Consider it a favor I owe you!”
He then hugged Lu Cen and swiftly left the dorm to contact the master right away.
Si Nuo didn’t expect Lu Cen to be this efficient. As soon as he got back, Lu Cen had already connected him with a “client”.
After adding Zhuang Ning, Si Nuo immediately received a flood of messages—just like Lu Cen:
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master!!!]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master, I want to buy a painting!!!]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master, I have money! I want to buy a painting!!]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master!!!]
…
Si Nuo looked at the messages and had this strong feeling the other party was eagerly rushing to get scammed (not really).
Si Nuo: [Hello, just call me by my name—I’m not a “master”. May I ask if you want to commission a painting? I’m good at both people and landscapes!]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master, I don’t have any requirements, just like Lu Cen’s painting!]
Si Nuo thought these two really were friends, both ignoring the fact he wasn’t a “master”: [You want a landscape like Lu Cen’s? Do you prefer maple forests too?]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master, anything you paint is fine with me—any scenery works. You just paint whatever you want. I’ll pay you now!]
Si Nuo: “…”
Though reluctant to admit it, that feeling of someone eagerly wanting to pay you was actually pretty nice.
[No need to pay upfront. You can pay after you’re satisfied. If you have no preference, I’ll decide the scenery myself.]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Master, you’re so kind. Please decide as you wish. Just a small question: how soon can it be finished?]
Painting a landscape would only take half a day, but Si Nuo replied: [At the earliest, three days. At the latest, seven days. I’ll contact you when it’s done.]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [Alright, alright. Master, I’ll wait!]
Zhang Yu came out after showering and curiously asked, “Someone commissioned you?”
Si Nuo smiled and nodded. “Yeah, Lu Cen’s a good guy.”
“That’s not just good, he’s a big spender! He even recommended someone for you. So your painting’s not only effective for him, huh? What level is this new guy?”
Upon hearing that, Si Nuo quickly messaged Zhuang Ning: [May I ask your psychic level?]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [I’m in the same cohort as Lu Cen, a first-year student this year. I’m also A-level, currently advancing from A to S. Master, is there even a level requirement for your paintings?]
Si Nuo: [I’m not sure yet whether my paintings only affect your level.]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [That’s easy to test. Tomorrow I’ll have some senior students at different levels look at Lu Cen’s painting. Then I’ll report back to you, master.]
Si Nuo thought that was a good plan. [Thank you so much!]
It’s Zhuang Ning: [No problem, Master. Whenever you need me, just reach out!]
Seeing their conversation, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but ask, “So, have you decided what to paint yet?”
Si Nuo shook his head. He definitely wasn’t going to paint another maple forest for Zhuang Ning.
But with the sudden rush of wealth clouding his mind, he couldn’t think of what to paint. “I’ll sleep on it and decide tomorrow.”
Zhang Yu said, “The weekend’s almost here. If you’re out of inspiration, maybe take a walk during the break—you might find some.”
Si Nuo nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
With 100,000 yuan suddenly in his account, easing his immediate worries, and another commission secured, good days had apparently arrived. Yet, lying in bed, Si Nuo found himself too excited to sleep.
He tossed and turned for a long time before finally drifting into a hazy sleep.
But even then, the dreams came back—
In the dream, he was still standing on the palace hall’s floor, a familiar scene but slightly different.
The man who had once scared him was walking step by step toward the throne; he vaguely saw someone seated there.
But the man blocked his view.
He watched as the man suddenly raised a long sword in hand, then decisively brought it down. A sound echoed—next instant, blood soaked the carpet, leaving a deep red stain.
Si Nuo instinctively covered his mouth—the man had killed the person on the throne!
Suddenly, the sharp gaze turned to him again. This time, the man didn’t say anything but looked at him with ominous eyes. His pale cheeks stained with blood, the man resembled a fierce demon climbing out of hell, ready to pounce and take his life.
Si Nuo shot awake, his breath caught in that instant.
His vision darkened, his body chilled as if he had just emerged from cold water, sweat soaking his shirt.
He had dreamed of that man again!
That man had killed someone!
Thinking of the man’s cold glare, Si Nuo felt his heart race. He was certain the man bore murderous intent toward him. If he had been there at the scene, he would have been killed!
Though it was just a dream, it felt incredibly real.
Si Nuo gritted his teeth against the discomfort in his body, wanting to get out of bed to wash his face, but found his limbs weak and his throat sore. Not wanting to disturb Zhang Yu’s rest, he forced himself to endure the unease, telling himself it was only a nightmare—nothing to be afraid of.
Yet he had clearly overestimated his fragile body.
The next morning when he woke up, he discovered he had a fever.
Zhang Yu saw his flushed face and was alarmed. “No way! What did you do yesterday? Did you catch a cold? Or was it the hotpot we ate? How did you suddenly get a fever out of nowhere?”
Si Nuo guessed he was probably scared by that nightmare but felt too embarrassed to admit it.
He was an adult—getting a fever from a nightmare? If anyone found out, how could he face them?
“I’m fine. I just need to rest a bit.”
Zhang Yu clearly didn’t believe him. “Don’t fool me. Your fragile body won’t get better from just a bit of rest. Hurry up and put your clothes on. I’ll go with you to the infirmary. I’ll even first give Old Zhao a heads-up.”
“No need. You go to class. I’ll go myself later.”
“No way! I’m coming with you. I’m afraid you’ll slack off if I don’t. I’ll wait for you, so hurry up!”
With Zhang Yu insisting, Si Nuo couldn’t refuse. His heart warmed at the unspoken care. “Thanks… sorry for troubling you.”
Zhang Yu, embarrassed by the sudden thanks, said, “Stop with that stuff. We’re good brothers. You’re having a hard time, and I’m the one feeling bad? If you really feel guilty, once you recover, teach me how to paint. I’m not asking for much, just be better than Ren Ju, so he stops snorting at me for no reason!”
Author’s note:
Guan Xingchen: My wife came to see me in a dream again, muah~
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