Chapter 36: The bad stone in the villa courtyard

Chapter 36 The Troublesome Stone in the Villa Garden

In the mentor's eyes, Zhi Zhi was the little angel he had been waiting for.

When he first took Fu Siyuan as his student, he had tried both carrot and stick.

But Fu Siyuan had always been like a hedgehog with its quills out, untouchable by anyone.

Today, the moment little dumpling appeared, his problem student seemed like a completely different person.

This was the Fu Siyuan he had always wanted to see!

Seeing that little dumpling said she couldn’t take the model, the mentor quickly explained, "Big brother can make many of these little houses. Zhi Zhi can take whichever ones she likes."

[Silence from the other students] sitting in the classroom: "......"

They remembered that when they came to class this morning, the mentor had said none of the models were to be touched.

Because these models were all meticulously handcrafted by the mentor himself with a modeling pen.

If they needed one, they could use the 3D printer in the common area to print a reference model.

In short, these models were the mentor’s prized possessions.

Yet now, the mentor was saying little dumpling could take them freely...

Hearing that the mentor could make many more little houses, Zhi Zhi looked at him with admiration.

Tugging at her brother’s collar, Zhi Zhi gasped, "Wow!" and exclaimed, "Big brother is so amazing too!"

The mentor couldn’t help but puff up his chest like Fu Siyuan had, chuckling modestly, "It’s nothing, just a little bit amazing."

After saying this, the mentor thought: Was he channeling Fu Siyuan?

But receiving little dumpling’s approval truly filled him with real pride.

Finding a transparent glass case, he stuffed all the little houses from his desk into it and carried it over to little dumpling with a grinning widely.

"Here, Zhi Zhi can take all of these home to play with. If they break, just come back to big brother for more."

"Did third brother make all these little houses?"

Little dumpling looked up at the mentor with wide-eyed curiosity.

The mentor didn’t lie and shook his head. "Many were made by big brother, but some are also the works of other brothers and sisters."

He had been teaching in this field for many years and was once a child prodigy himself, though he had never managed to win the Pritzker Prize.

That was why he had been so excited when Fu Siyuan’s work was nominated for the Pritzker Prize—so much so that he insisted on teaching him, regardless of Fu Siyuan’s reluctance.

"But third brother can make even more beautiful little houses. Does Zhi Zhi want some?"

As he spoke, a mischievous glint flashed in the mentor’s eyes.

Noticing the daggers Fu Siyuan shot his way, the mentor raised an eyebrow at him, silently conveying that he was doing this on purpose.

Fu Siyuan hadn’t submitted any assignments recently, and the mentor had grown increasingly anxious. He had tried urging him, but Fu Siyuan, taking advantage of being back in the country, simply ignored his emails.

Now that he was here, with little dumpling as his "get-out-of-jail-free card," he doubted Fu Siyuan would dare slack off anymore.

Hearing that third brother could make even more beautiful little houses, Zhi Zhi immediately lit up.

Tilting her little head to look at third brother, her long lashes delicate as crow feathers, she asked eagerly, "Really, third brother?"

"Can third brother make lots and lots of little houses?"

Fu Siyuan had just promised his sister that he would study hard and be a role model for her.

Now, faced with instant karma, he had no choice but to force himself to nod—lest his sister pick up his lazy habits.

"Of course. Third brother promised to design a big castle for Zhi Zhi. These little houses are child's play by comparison."

Little dumpling applauded excitedly. "Third brother is the best!"

Meanwhile, the mentor quietly turned off his phone, which he had secretly pulled out to record. "Classmate Fu, I’ve got this recorded. I hope you won’t go back on your word later."

"After all, Classmate Fu did say he’d set an example for his sister."

One-upmanship at its finest.

Fu Siyuan, outmaneuvered by his mentor, was fit to burst.

Seated nearby in his wheelchair, Fu Yuchen couldn’t help but chuckle softly after witnessing this amusing showdown.

Hiding a smirk, he stepped in as the mediator. "Have you eaten yet? How about grabbing a bite first before coming back to study?"

Fu Yuchen was clearly baiting him!

The moment Fu Siyuan heard the word "study," he nearly jumped up as usual, ready for battle.

But he had just promised his sister he would study hard.

The firecracker that had just been lit fizzled out, and Fu Siyuan buried his face in his sister’s embrace, inhaling her sweet scent deeply.

He was upset—everyone was against him.

At least he had his sister. Only his sister truly cared for him.

"Has Zhi Zhi eaten yet? Would you like to have a little more with big brother?"

It was the mentor who spoke. Seeing little dumpling’s fair skin tinged with pink, he could tell she was a pampered child.

Sure enough, little dumpling nodded.

"Zhi Zhi already ate, but big brother and third brother haven’t. Zhi Zhi brought food!"

Little dumpling had come specifically to deliver meals.

The villa had a private chef, and the mentor, having just arrived from abroad, had developed a taste for the local cuisine.

He had even eaten an extra portion at breakfast. Hearing that little dumpling had brought food, he immediately called an early lunch break.

"Fuel up for your work. Make sure you all have plenty."

The same group of students who had been warned an hour ago that they couldn’t eat unless they finished their drawings: "......"

The favoritism was way too obvious!

As for him? Of course, he was going to tag along after little dumpling and enjoy the food she had brought.

Fu Siyuan could tell without even thinking that the mentor intended to mooch off a meal.

Holding his sister as he walked out of the study, Fu Siyuan snapped, "Zhi Zhi came to bring me food—what’s it to you?"

"Besides, didn’t my eldest brother arrange a chef for you? Get lost, quit tailing us!"

Like swatting at a pesky fly, Fu Siyuan took off in a huff, even leaving Fu Yuchen behind.

It was Zhi Zhi, peeking over his shoulder, who patted him lightly and said, "Third Bro, wait up for Second Bro!"

Only then did Fu Siyuan slow his steps.

Not that he felt bad about Fu Yuchen’s twisted ankle—he was just pleased that the man had finally did something right today by bringing their sister to see him and delivering food.

Though the home-cooked meal couldn’t compare to the gourmet dishes prepared by the mentor’s specially hired chef, of course.

The villa was massive.

With its Chinese-style decor and a small courtyard outside, it was a rare luxury in the heart of Beijing, where every square inch cost a fortune. The serene oasis amidst the bustling city surely came with an eye-watering price tag.

Originally, this plot was meant for commercial use. After Fu Cheng purchased the land, he suddenly changed his mind, scrapping the initial plan for a shopping mall and turning it into a residential villa instead.

The decision left people scratching their heads.

But once the villa was completed, a stampede of investors clamored to buy in, dispelling all doubts.

Everyone praised Fu Cheng for his business acumen, calling him a genius.

Apart from Fu Cheng, only little dumpling could see the real trick behind it.

Just as Fu Siyuan settled his sister in the pavilion in the courtyard, his normally docile little sister suddenly wriggled in his grip, trying to get down.

"Third Brother, stone!"

Pointing at a large rock not far away in the garden, Fu Siyuan followed her finger and raised an eyebrow, chuckling, "That’s probably an ornamental stone. Do you like it, Zhi Zhi?"

Little dumpling shook her head, showing dislike for the first time. "Throw away! Bad stone!"