Chapter 8 – What kind of person

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

Si Nuo didn’t receive any refusal message from the other party the entire evening. Seeing how downcast he looked over the matter, Zhang Yu smiled and tried to comfort him, “Maybe the other side hasn’t seen the message yet. The empire’s heir must be busy with countless affairs every day—who knows, you might just get the news by tomorrow morning.”

Si Nuo looked at him. “Do you really believe that?”

If someone is that busy, would they really fail to find time to check a message? He didn’t want to deceive himself anymore.

But what he couldn’t understand was why the other party didn’t refuse.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “I really want to take a picture of you and show it to Ren Ju and that deadweight fatty. They brag endlessly about an A-rank spiritual power user, while our Si Nuo matched with the Imperial Highness and is worried sick just because the prince didn’t reject the match. Tell me, isn’t that crazy?!”

Si Nuo was amused by his words and chuckled. “Keep it low-key, keep it low-key!”

The two smiled at each other. Si Nuo got up from the bed. “I’ve got to find something to do—paint!”

He stood up, set up the easel, and prepared his brushes.

Seeing Si Nuo’s earnest attitude, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but pull out his own drawing board and sit by the bed. “What are you going to paint? Teach me a bit?”

“Paint a night scene outside the window,” Si Nuo said as he gestured toward the window.

Zhang Yu looked over; the moonlight was beautiful tonight. Indeed, it was quite a lovely sight.

He noticed Si Nuo easily spotted a scene worth painting.

This must be what people mean by having eyes that find beauty everywhere.

Originally Zhang Yu planned to paint alongside him. Si Nuo began the sketch, and Zhang Yu followed suit. Then Zhang Yu glanced up again—Si Nuo had already outlined the window clearly.

Zhang Yu: “…”

No way, that’s way too fast!

Noticing Zhang Yu staring without moving, Si Nuo looked back and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“How can you draw something this accurate from just one glance?”

Seeing the doubt on Zhang Yu’s face, Si Nuo smiled and said, “If you draw more, you can do it too. Starting today, do one quick sketch every night. In a month, you’ll definitely improve.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely!”

Zhang Yu nodded, “Alright, from now on I’ll do a drawing every night. After I finish, can you help me correct it?”

“Sure!”

Hearing this, Zhang Yu chuckled, “If I keep at it, will I eventually be better than Ren Ju?”

Si Nuo nodded firmly, “Definitely!”

Zhang Yu immediately brightened even more.

Si Nuo painted quickly and occasionally gave Zhang Yu some tips.

One drawing after another, one learning, one teaching, time slipped by unnoticed until late at night.

When Si Nuo finished his painting and placed it by the window, Zhang Yu also put his own drawing beside it.

The contrast between the two was immediately obvious.

“How long will it take me to reach your level?”

“Keep practicing, about one or two years and you’ll get there.”

“One or two years?” That was much shorter than he’d imagined.

Si Nuo patted his shoulder, “It’s late, let’s get some rest.”

He planned to deliver the painting the next day and really wouldn’t take any more commissions afterward.

The next day, when Zhuang Ning received Si Nuo’s message, he was amazed: [Master, you finished so fast! But our training isn’t over yet and we can’t leave now. Are you able to help deliver the painting?]

Si Nuo didn’t refuse; after all, they paid 300,000 yuan for it—it wasn’t a big deal to make a delivery. Besides, he had been there once already.

[Okay, I’ll deliver it during lunch break.]

It’s Zhuang Ning: [Thank you so much!]

After lunch with Zhang Yu, Si Nuo took the two paintings—a large one and a small board painting—out of the school gate. The small board painting was done that morning in the studio.

He was familiar with the procedures for the First Military Academy: first sign in at the entrance, then head to the dormitory building where Lu Cen and Zhuang Ning were.

When he dropped off the paintings, an old man inside looked at him and said, “Kid, you’re here to deliver stuff again?”

Although Si Nuo was an adult, he had a youthful face and looked frail due to his constitution.

But being called ‘kid’ so suddenly still made Si Nuo smile wryly. He hadn’t expected this old man to remember him after just one meeting.

“Yes, sir. You’re busy. I’m done here.”

“Eh, alright.”

After leaving the dormitory building, Si Nuo retraced his steps without wandering around the First Military Academy out of curiosity. After all, this place was quite different from their ordinary school. If he went somewhere he shouldn’t, Si Nuo felt he probably couldn’t bear the responsibility.

He was thinking about getting a little rest during lunch when suddenly a loud explosion came from the apartment building he was passing by.

Shattered glass scattered across the grass, with some shards even bouncing onto him.

Startled, Si Nuo instinctively crouched down, shielding his head. After the noise settled, he looked nervously at the apartment not far away, his eyes full of panic.

An explosion?

Was anyone hurt?

Si Nuo stood up, glanced around at the deserted surroundings, unsure how to seek help. Hesitating briefly, he decided to run toward the apartment.

If no one was hurt, that was best. But if someone was injured and he ignored it with such a big disturbance, it could be life-threatening.

Thanks to the shaking from the explosion, Si Nuo easily pushed open the door and shouted inside twice, “Is anyone there?”

Unfortunately, no one answered. He searched the first floor but found no one, then went up to the second floor.

The apartment wasn’t heavily damaged inside. Cautiously ascending, Si Nuo found only two rooms on the second floor.

Opening one, he saw it was a bedroom—empty.

Si Nuo breathed a small sigh of relief, thinking no one was hurt.

He then opened the last room, a study.

Standing at the door, he glanced in, prepared to leave if it was empty as well.

But then he saw a man collapsed on the floor.

Si Nuo’s heart skipped a beat and he hurried over to check on him. “Hey, sir, are you alright?”

The man was lying face down, making it hard to see his condition. Si Nuo pushed him lightly, but there was no response.

He reached out to feel the man’s neck—finding a pulse—letting out a brief sigh of relief.

Si Nuo carefully turned the man over, putting in some effort.

There were no obvious injuries on him, but his face was pale. Si Nuo called his name again, yet still no response.

But looking at the man’s face, Si Nuo felt a strong sense of familiarity. Upon closer inspection, wasn’t this the military officer he had met here last time?

“Hey, sir, wake up. Are you okay?”

The man remained unresponsive.

Seeing that calling his name did nothing, Si Nuo prepared to use his terminal to call an ambulance, unsure what else to do.

Before he could dial emergency services, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. The next moment, he was forcefully pushed to the ground, and a hand clamped tightly around his neck. Si Nuo barely had time to react before locking eyes with a pair of sharp, fierce black eyes. A sharp pain constricted his neck, and the man demanded, “Who are you?!”

Si Nuo was terrified by the man’s overwhelming presence. “Ah… L-Let go…”

He frantically patted at the iron-like arm holding him down, truly feeling like he was about to die.

But in the very next second, the murderous-looking man suddenly collapsed onto him and lost consciousness again!

The hand gripping his neck loosened. Si Nuo gasped for breath, suddenly feeling as if he’d narrowly escaped death.

After lying on the floor for a good while, Si Nuo felt some strength return. He stretched out and pushed the man off him, looking at the even paler face. Remembering the murderous glare when the man had briefly awakened, his heart jolted and he instinctively took a step back.

He was certain that if the man hadn’t passed out again, he would have been killed.

Although he wanted to save the man, he didn’t want to die himself.

Si Nuo no longer approached the man hastily but kept a safe distance, preparing to call for an ambulance.

Just then, voices came from downstairs. Hearing the noise, Si Nuo looked over to see two men in uniform running up. The aide immediately stopped in his tracks and barked sharply, pressing a hand to the gun at his waist. “Who goes there?!”

Si Nuo instinctively raised his hands. “Don’t shoot! I heard the noise and came up to check. I’m calling an ambulance!”

Now he regretted it. What kind of situation was this? Who were these people? Why were they all so frightening?

The aide turned and ordered the other man, “Keep an eye on him!”

So Si Nuo was taken downstairs and put under watch.

More people gradually arrived.

Sitting on the sofa, Si Nuo felt nervous. He quietly asked the military officer standing beside him, watching him closely, “W-When can I go? I’m really not a bad person. I just happened to pass by and heard the explosion. I was worried someone might be hurt, so I came up. I swear…”

“Sit down!”

Seeing Si Nuo trying to stand up, the officer immediately shouted at him.

Si Nuo: “QAQ” So fierce~

He stayed seated on the sofa, and as night fell, the officer who had been holding him there still hadn’t appeared. By now, Si Nuo was starving; his stomach was growling loudly.

He actually wanted to ask the officer guarding him beside whether he was hungry and if he could get something to eat—after all, even death row inmates get a last meal!

Just as Si Nuo sat there, cheeks puffed and looking pitiful on the sofa, hurried footsteps came from upstairs.

Instinctively, he looked over and saw the officer who had detained him coming downstairs. His eyes immediately lit up; he was about to ask if he could leave.

But the officer walked straight up to him, a smile on his face. “Sorry to keep you waiting. You haven’t eaten dinner yet, right? I’ll have someone prepare it right away. Please wait a moment.”

Taken aback by the sudden change in attitude, Si Nuo hesitated. “N-No trouble, you believe I’m innocent, right? Can I leave now?”

“Apologies, I was too hasty before,” the officer said sincerely. “I apologize to you. Please stay so we can make it up to you. Later, I will have someone escort you back.”

Si Nuo couldn’t shake the feeling that the officer was looking at him strangely.

Meanwhile, the aide’s mood was complicated—he never expected that His Highness’ matchmaking partner would be this young man standing right before them.

Had he known, he surely wouldn’t have let the other side get such a first impression!

When His Highness wakes up and finds out: “…”

Author’s note:

Si Nuo: Your Highness just choked me and pointed at me—I’ll remember that!

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

I Conquered The Empire By Brewing Wine 【Live Broadcast】

[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!!