chapter 35

Chapter 35: Born to Be

Once Shen He got used to sketching with charcoal again, he found it increasingly smooth.

Despite his short hands, it didn’t impede his drawing speed.

Dr. Min, considering Shen He was just a four-year-old, was especially lenient when he didn't pay attention in class.

In about five days, Shen He had drawn self-portraits for every child in the orphanage.

Then, he began a new venture.

"Shen He, my brother wants one too. Can you draw for him?" One day at noon, a seven-year-old approached Shen He.

Shen He was taken aback, "Huh?"

He responded, "I haven't met your brother."

Internally, Shen He thought, I shouldn't turn down a chance to earn money.

Without hesitation, he asked, "Where is your brother? Can I meet him? After meeting, I can draw him."

The young boy nodded vigorously, "My brother is nearby; he can meet you soon. He's at the middle school dormitory right now!"

Shen He was intrigued.

Oh, the middle school dormitory! How could he forget that there was also a group of well-off middle schoolers there to tap into?

Rubbing his chubby hands together, he blinked and asked, "Can you ask your brother's classmates if they want drawings too? I can prioritize you guys!"

As Shen He was contemplating offering a discount, Zheng Xueze behind him stealthily tapped his head and remarked, "The kids at the middle school dorm are older; a portrait shouldn't cost a gold coin."

Shen He: "...?"

He tilted his head back, looking up at Zheng Xueze.

He noticed Zheng Xueze's round chin and his calm, unchanging expression.

Zheng Xueze covered Shen He's face with his hand to prevent the child's shocked expression from affecting his performance.

He continued, "I only charge you a tael of gold because you are schoolmates with Xiao He, and there's a bond between classmates. Plus, seeing each other every day makes it easier to depict your likenesses. It's harder to draw someone you've never seen before, right?"

It was probably the first time the child had heard Zheng Xueze say so much.

All in all, he looked quite baffled, but it seemed to make sense.

With a contemplative look, he thought it over and then nodded vigorously, "You're right! No worries, my brother is wealthy. He gets a lot of silver every month. Shen He, how much do you want?"

Just as Shen He was about to speak, Zheng Xueze moved his hand down from Shen He's cheek to cover his mouth and calmly said, "Five taels of gold for a portrait, but for your elder brother, three taels will suffice."

The young boy was deeply moved after hearing this, "Really? Shen He, you're the best! My brother has three taels. I'll go call him now!"

For a moment, Shen He felt a pang of guilt.

Well, perhaps just for half a moment.

The child's eyes sparkled as he pulled Zheng Xueze's hand away, saying in a babyish voice, "If your brother brings five of his classmates, I won't charge any money."

Five people amount to twenty-five taels of gold.

Shen He felt he was on the brink of a fortune!

Wow! Being classmates with a wealthy kid is great!

Excitedly, he rubbed his hands together, watching the retreating figure of the young boy as if he was looking at a god of wealth.

On the side, Liu Zheng and Qi Yan just stared: "..."

Shen He waved, "Brother, we can make so much money in the future. We'll split it!"

Shen He felt it was too early to speak of it now.

However, he could hint at it, reveal just a bit.

In a few more years, when his little cousin and others are older and capable of doing substantial things, he can work with them to make a fortune!

Young Zheng's potential is already evident. As for his little cousin, he’s the tech talent, and as for the young Prince Qi...

Scratching his cheek, Shen He felt there’s potential yet to be unearthed.

He would keep observing.

Qi Yanbing touched the back of his neck.

Was the wind a bit chilly today?

As expected, the brother of the young child arrived in no time.

He brought along five or six teenagers, around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Upon arriving at the children's dormitory, he crouched down with a grin and teased Shen He, "Ah, so it's you! How could I have been so skeptical?"

A group of teenagers surrounded the tiny toddler.

Even while crouching, they seemed to tower over Shen He.

One prodded his little belly, another touched his cheek, and yet another tousled the little bun tied atop his head.

How annoying! Why were they all hands-on? Such a big group!

Shen He puffed up his cheeks, which were then deflated by a poke, making him go, "Puff."

With the help of his cousin Liu and Zheng Xuezhe, Shen He was finally rescued from the group. The three held the child and eyed the taller teens warily.

"Why so guarded? We won't eat him," one laughed. "I heard you charge five gold pieces for a drawing, Shen. That’s what renowned artists in the capital charge."

Tucked under an arm, Shen He found himself elevated higher than when standing.

He wasn't intimidated by these older boys. In fact, their playful and casual demeanor felt oddly familiar.

He said earnestly, "Only I can draw like this." At least until the technique is widely understood, he was the sole artist.

Rubbing his chubby hands together and tilting his head up, he asked, "Would you like a drawing?"

Blinking his large eyes, he added with a soft, polite voice, "Big brother?"

With his expectant eyes and cherubic face, it was almost impossible to refuse him.

The teenagers were left speechless.

The youngsters chorused, "Draw! What's a mere five taels of gold to us if you draw?"

Hehe.

Young Master Shen displayed an "innocent" smile.

Young lads, show your purses!

The youngsters promptly pulled out their money and stuffed it into the small pouch around the child's waist.

Someone then embraced the child, saying, "Don't you need to know how I look to draw me? Look, am I not handsome?"

"Move along. I'm better looking than you, don't fool the kid."

Shen He was passed around, the familiarity fading due to their age difference.

Darn it, there's a different price for cuddling youngsters!

……

Shen He headed to school with his heavy pouch.

His cheeks felt numb from all the pinching.

Upon returning to the Liu Mansion with his cousin, Shen He saw the prince's carriage at the entrance.

Shen He's eyes lit up instantly.

After being lifted off the carriage, he hurriedly trotted into the mansion, asking the gatekeeper, "Has the crown prince arrived?"

The gatekeeper replied, "Yes, young master, he's been here for about the length of a tea ceremony."

Shen He scampered back, with Liu Zheng following. Seeing him in a hurry, Liu Zheng picked him up and dashed alongside.

Back at the courtyard, Shen He heard the mature voice of the main male character asking Lian Qiao, "Does he do this every day?"

Shen He tiptoed to the door, motioning everyone to be quiet with a "shush" gesture, resembling a sneaky little kitten, peeking inside.

Qi Zhuo had already noticed when he heard the footsteps outside the courtyard, knowing that the child had returned.

He sat by the window with a playful gleam in his dark eyes.

Pretending to be upset, he remarked, "It seems he's been enjoying his time at the Liu Mansion, not yearning for the palace or missing me."

Lian Qiao suppressed her laughter and played along, "Your Highness, perhaps the young master is still young. Give it some time, and he might miss you."

Alarmed bells rang in Shen He's heart!

The next moment, he heard the main male character say, "Nevermind, since it's like this, if I take him back to the palace too soon, he might not like it. Let him stay at the Liu Mansion for a while longer."

Shen He hurriedly rushed in, exclaiming, "Brother! I've missed you so much!"

Nonsense! I've been thinking of you every single day!

Darn it! I can't let four years of hard work go to waste!

As the child burst in, he failed to notice the amused glint in Qi Zhuo's eyes.

Using both hands and feet, the little one leaned against Qi Zhuo's leg, trying to climb into his embrace.

Qi Zhuo reached out, effortlessly scooping up the warm, soft bundle into his arms.

The child's chubby hands were stained with dark marks today.

Qi Zhuo glanced down and swiftly grabbed both of the child's pudgy arms, preventing him from flailing around.

With his arms restrained, Shen He felt awkward. Only then did he realize the dark handprints he'd left on Qi Zhuo's clothes.

The embarrassment was clearly visible on the child's round cheeks.

His tiny eyes darted around nervously.

Finally, he wriggled and looked up at Qi Zhuo, blinking his eyes endearingly to cover up his blunder, "Brother, I didn't mean to."

If only his gaze wasn't so guilty.

Qi Zhuo's lips curled up, holding the child's arms, his eyes shifted to the bulging pouch around the child's waist.

It was incredibly stuffed, every inch of fabric seemed stretched to its limit, pulling down a part of the child's clothes.

It looked weighty.

He took hold of the pouch.

It felt heavy in hand.

Shen He, whose purse was taken, looked puzzled: "?"

He stared at Qi Zhuo, then at his pouch, murmuring, "Brother, that's mine."

Qi Zhuo unfastened the pouch, revealing a golden shimmer within.

Shen He felt incredibly guilty. Looking at the gold in his pouch and then at his stained hands, it all seemed like damning evidence.

Qi Zhuo weighed the pouch, remarking, "Hmm... At least twenty taels of gold. How did you get so much savings, Shen He? Where did you gather all this gold from?"

He placed the pouch on a small table beside the couch, using one hand to hold the child's chubby arms while the other supported him, walking outside.

Shen He glanced around, turning his gaze first to Liu Zheng.

The younger cousin clearly felt uneasy. He was somewhat intimidated by the crown prince, and upon noticing his arrival, he became unusually quiet.

Catching the pleading glance from his younger cousin, he first assessed Qi Zhuo's expression. After a brief moment, he offered an apologetic, helpless look in return.

Shen He eagerly looked towards Lian Qiao.

Lian Qiao, Lian Qiao, he's about to be exposed! Come rescue him!

Lian Qiao, who was behind the crown prince, met Shen He's desperate gaze. She had to suppress her smirk and gently shook her head.

Shen He thought: This is it.

Shen He's mood: utterly dejected.

Shen He felt there was still room to salvage the situation.

He nuzzled Qi Zhuo's neck with his little head, pressing his cheek affectionately against him and cooed, "Brother, I've learned how to draw! I made one for you!"

And that's the truth!

He had already prepared a drawing for him, stored safely away.

He Lian had already prepared water, ready for Shen He to wash his hands upon his return.

Since day one, Shen He would have Liu Zheng roll up his sleeves, ensuring only his hands got stained with charcoal, keeping his clothes clean.

But his hands getting dirty was inevitable, and washing them became a daily routine.

After setting down the water, Lian Qiao approached. The two palace maids exchanged glances and couldn't help but giggle.

Qi Zhuo set the child down, having him lean back into his embrace. Holding onto his hand, he inquired with a gentle lilt, "Really? When did our little Shen He learn to draw? How come Brother didn't know?"

Shen He quickly brainstormed, "Hmm, I didn't learn. I just knew how!"

I'm naturally talented. Do you believe that?

He attempted to change the subject, "Don't you want to see, Brother? I drew you, and it looks just like you!"

Qi Zhuo took a cloth handed over by He Lian and first wiped Shen He's chubby little hands. Then, he dipped them in water, using a bit of the steamed glutinous rice to scrub the hands clean.

The pristine rice quickly turned grey-black from the charcoal, staining Qi Zhuo's fingers in the process.

Unfazed, while holding Shen He's warm little hand, he remarked, "Shen He is truly remarkable. Who would've thought he had such artistic talent? When he grows up, he might even become a renowned artist. The Grand Tutor would surely be delighted to know of such talent."

Shen He: "..."

He knew it!

He knew it would come to this!

Cursed over-enthusiastic parents!

Never missing an opportunity to exploit the child!

Shen He rubbed his hands together with a menacing glint.

The weight on his head began to increase.

Pressing down, making him slouch.

Qi Zhuo rested his chin atop the child's head, using it for support, holding his chubby hands and cleaning between the fingers. He casually inquired, "How many people have the talented Shen He drawn for? Your purse feels quite heavy; even I'd have to work hard to earn that much. You're truly impressive."

It sounded like a compliment.

But to Shen He, it felt more like an interrogation.

The menacing hand rubbing halted, and his confident posture dipped. He mumbled, "Umm... not many, just ten or twenty, maybe."

Qi Zhuo, with a playful glint, pressed, "Oh? And which number was the drawing for Brother?"

Shen He: ...

His confidence waned further.