Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen
Si Nuo’s paintings were not only gaining attention within the school but had also started to circulate at the First Military Academy, with rumors spreading that one of his works could heal mental disorders.
Guan Xingchen had just finished reviewing some documents handed over by his aide. After signing and returning them, he noticed the aide seemed to want to say something.
“Anything else?”
“Your Highness, there have been recent rumors about a painting that can treat mental disorders. Have you heard anything about it?”
“A painting?” Guan Xingchen immediately thought of the painting he’d seen earlier today in the hands of that young man on the road. “What kind of painting supposedly has that effect?”
“They say just one glance can stop mental chaos and calm the ‘spiritual sea’. We’re not sure if it’s true. Should we investigate?”
“Is the rumor coming from someone who bought the painting at the school?”
The aide nodded. “Yes, I heard it by chance.”
“Have someone check what painting it is and whether it really works.”
“Understood, Your Highness. I’ll arrange it right away.”
If such a miraculous painting truly existed, it would be a matter of utmost importance for the empire.
That same night, Si Nuo received feedback from Lu Cen: [Master, we have received the paintings and here is our feedback. The small wooden boards also have an effect, though not as exaggerated as the large ones. After viewing them, our spiritual seas felt very comfortable, though we didn’t fall asleep — just perfect for relaxing after training!]
Looking at Lu Cen’s message, Si Nuo didn’t expect the healing effect on mental disorders to vary with the size of the painting.
Before Si Nuo could reply, Lu Cen sent another message: [Many classmates want to commission paintings from you. Do you have time?]
Si Nuo wanted to accept requests, but he first had to complete the task assigned by Zhao Chunsheng: [I’m afraid not. I’m a bit busy recently. At the end of next month, we have leadership inspections at school, and I have to paint murals. So I probably won’t have time for commissions for a while — maybe later.]
Lu Cen replied: [Okay, I’ll let them know to wait. Master, we’re waiting for your news.]
Zhang Yu, seeing his messages with Lu Cen, clicked his tongue twice: “You really should let Old Zhao see this. The task he assigned you probably cost you a lot of money. Don’t act like we’re getting the better end of the deal.”
Si Nuo smiled at how much Zhang Yu felt pained over the lost earnings. “Look at it positively. If the murals attract more attention when finished, wouldn’t that mean even more people come to commission my work?”
Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, you’re right. What if the murals have healing effects too? If that happens, Si Nuo, you’ll really hit the jackpot!”
Si Nuo was amused by Zhang Yu’s exaggerated expression.
“Don’t worry, if I get rich, I definitely won’t forget you, brother.”
“No problem. By then, just let me be your assistant casually.”
The two of them laughed heartily after that.
Si Nuo tidied up his things and sat down at the desk. Zhang Yu noticed and said, “You’re going to paint again?”
“The mural draft isn’t done yet. I want to sketch it out and show it to Old Zhao first. If he approves, I can finish it earlier, right?”
“True, but your health isn’t good. You should rest more.”
“I know. I already have some ideas and it shouldn’t take too long.”
“Then I won’t bother you.”
Si Nuo leaned over the desk, sketching with his pencil on the paper.
This kind of painting with the theme “positive, optimistic, and progressive” was something he had done before, so it wasn’t difficult for him.
He focused on painting and revising, losing track of time. Zhang Yu, after waking from a nap on the bed, saw the light still on at Si Nuo’s desk and instinctively called out, “Si Nuo, what time is it? Aren’t you going to rest?”
Snapping back to reality, Si Nuo saw the clock pointing to 1 a.m. “Oh, I’ll sleep soon. I lost track of time.”
He hurriedly put down the pencil, stood up to wash his hands, then lay down on the bed, feeling soreness all over from sitting so long.
He started worrying a little — hoping he wouldn’t get a fever tomorrow.
He really didn’t want to go to the infirmary for another injection.
Fortunately, his luck held. Though his nose was stuffy in the morning, he had no fever.
Still cautious, he made himself a big glass of lemon water to replenish vitamin C, trying to keep things from getting worse.
Zhang Yu shook his head. “You really shouldn’t paint at night anymore. Your health is just too fragile.”
Si Nuo nodded after drinking the lemon water. “Once I earn enough, the first thing I’ll do is buy the best gene therapy medicine!”
He took the draft he had painted last night to class, preparing to show it to Zhao Chunsheng after class.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived, the chubby guy who always tagged along behind Ren Ju called out with a smile, “Hey, isn’t this our class’s great artist?”
Others immediately chimed in, “Hey, Si Nuo, you’re here! I heard you’re selling a painting for 100,000 yuan. What kind of painting is it? Show us!”
“Yeah, what kind of painting can sell for 100,000? No one in our school has been that amazing. Si Nuo, how did you do it?”
“Alright, let the guy sell his stuff. There’s definitely some trick to it. Be smart and don’t pester Si Nuo too much, don’t make things hard for him,” Ren Ju said with a smile, pretending to be considerate on Si Nuo’s behalf.
But actually, he wanted to put Si Nuo on the spot and interrogate him.
Zhang Yu glanced at Ren Ju and said, “Cut the act, you’re pretending to be nice? The one who’s most curious is you. But even if you knew, you couldn’t paint like that. Your paintings? Forget 100,000, I doubt you could sell one for a single yuan.”
Ren Ju’s face darkened at once. “Zhang Yu, are you deaf? I’m just trying to help you guys here. If you don’t appreciate it, fine, but insulting my painting—that’s not right…”
“Enough, stop fighting!” Si Nuo interrupted, glancing at the chubby guy standing behind Ren Ju. “I told you yesterday, maybe I wasn’t clear enough, or maybe you didn’t listen. I only paint ordinary landscapes. I don’t have any works on me now, so I can’t show you for the time being. What are you stirring up by telling everyone this?”
The chubby guy hadn’t expected someone as seemingly weak as Si Nuo to dare question him in front of so many people. It made it seem like he was just using others as pawns.
Sure enough, as soon as Si Nuo finished speaking, someone said, “You’re the one at fault, fatso. You asked Si Nuo yesterday, and then came again this morning pretending you didn’t know, trying to get us to pressure Si Nuo. You’re just using us as pawns!”
“Damn, that’s really dirty. Ren Ju, stop pretending to be nice. You and that fat guy are always inseparable—I don’t believe you didn’t know!”
Hearing this, Ren Ju’s face turned dark red with embarrassment and anger. He had never been accused like that before. His gaze toward Si Nuo was filled with fury.
Zhang Yu stepped forward and stood in front of Si Nuo, worried Ren Ju might recklessly make a move against him.
After all, Si Nuo’s fragile body really couldn’t take much beating.
Luckily, Zhao Chunsheng walked in at that moment. Seeing everyone standing around with the atmosphere tense, he said, “What’s going on? So energetic this early in the morning? Are you all just looking to get punished again?”
Hearing this, the crowd immediately dispersed and returned to their seats.
Seeing that, Zhao Chunsheng didn’t say much more. “I’ve already looked through last Friday’s sketches. You’ve been studying for over two months now. Look at Si Nuo’s work, then look at yours. I’m not saying everyone has to be as good as him, but at least your lines should be straight where they need to be, curved where appropriate. Can you make your work cleaner? Take your drawings back, revise them, and then submit again. Also, Si Nuo’s work—everyone, take a look!”
After finishing, he glanced at Ren Ju. “By the way, Ren Ju, what’s going on with you? You used to be quite good, but this time your sketching hasn’t improved at all — in fact, it seems to have regressed. Not serious enough, huh?”
Ren Ju’s cheeks flushed red. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Got it, Teacher. I’ll pay more attention next time.”
Zhao Chunsheng nodded. “This period is for revising homework. If you have questions, ask. How’s the task I assigned you, Si Nuo? Any difficulties?”
Si Nuo had been intending to approach him after class, but since Zhao asked now, he brought the finished draft over immediately. “Teacher, I’m done painting. Please take a look and let me know if there’s any problem.”
As he took out the draft and stepped forward, everyone else craned their necks with curiosity.
Zhao Chunsheng reached out and took the painting. Upon unfolding it, he saw a colored draft.
Though it was still a draft, to Zhao Chunsheng, this already qualified as a finished piece.
The painting depicted groups of children painting, singing, dancing, and studying seriously — so pure and beautiful.
It perfectly matched the atmosphere of their art school.
There were three simple scenes in total, with exquisite figures and perfect colors; at first glance, one could immediately think “beautiful”. Looking closer, it was clear the painter had solid fundamental skills.
Zhao Chunsheng found no faults and returned the painting to Si Nuo. “Good, go ahead with this. You must have practiced quite a bit, right?”
Si Nuo knew his own work. Others might not notice, but a professional like Zhao Chunsheng certainly could see if there were problems, so he answered without hesitation, “Yes, I believe practice makes perfect. The more I paint, the more I improve.”
“You’re right. Keep that mindset. Your work is very good. From now on, in foundation classes, you can paint whatever you want. You don’t need to keep pace with the others.”
Zhao Chunsheng’s words were a strong affirmation of Si Nuo’s abilities.
Ren Ju, sitting below, heard this and his expression fell—looking as miserable as if he’d just eaten something awful.
Even though Zhao Chunsheng had previously praised Ren Ju’s talent, he never said Ren Ju could skip following the class progress or paint whatever he liked.
It was clear now just how much Zhao Chunsheng valued Si Nuo’s skills above theirs.
This filled Ren Ju with not only unwillingness but also a vague, uneasy confusion.
All stemming from the unknown about Si Nuo.
After Zhao’s statement, someone immediately couldn’t hold back and asked, “Teacher, is Si Nuo really that good already?”
Zhao Chunsheng glanced at the student and asked back, “What do you think?”
The boy who had spoken chuckled, “I don’t know exactly, but I do think his paintings are quite beautiful.”
“Well, at least you’re not blind. Si Nuo is a great example. You should all learn more from him.”
“Teacher, do you know Si Nuo’s painting now sells for 100,000 yuan a piece?” the chubby guy suddenly interjected, and the whole class fell silent.
Zhao Chunsheng apparently hadn’t heard this before and turned to Si Nuo. “Really?”
Si Nuo looked at the chubby guy, fully aware that the comment wasn’t well-intended, and nodded. “Yes, that particular painting caught the buyer’s eye.”
Unexpectedly, Zhao Chunsheng smiled broadly when he saw Si Nuo nod. “Good! Si Nuo, you’re excellent! Everyone sees that, right? As long as you study well and paint diligently, heaven will never disappoint those who work hard. This is proof!”
Si Nuo: “…”
Well, it’s not always so certain, he thought nervously.
Author’s note:
Guan Xingchen: My wife is simply the best — anyone who dares to disagree, get ready to meet your end! [Kill!]
No reuploading anywhere else.
Support the author 灰剑如羽 by buying chapters on jjwxc!!
Your ko-fi donations would be greatly appreciated.
If you don’t know what to read next you can try these out
After leaving the entertainment industry, the Ge’er became famous for his embroidery skills
[Quick Transmigration] The Paranoid Villain is Coveting the Beautiful Cat Again
I’m currently translating these novels as well~
Ko-fi goals? Extra chapter release once we reach our goal!!
