Time Is Slow - Chapter 9
“Can you paint?” Chi Can stared at Qiao Zhao, his eyes long and slightly upturned. Even though there was a hint of mockery in his gaze, it couldn’t hide his striking appearance. “And then? Are you going to paint something for me to take back and hand in?”
Standing behind Qiao Zhao, Yang Houcheng gently coughed, reminding the young girl not to speak recklessly.
If she truly angered that guy, he wouldn’t care whether it was a woman, an old person, or a child—he’d still toss them off the boat. How pitiful would the young girl be then?
Zhu Yan gently reminded her, “Anyone who has learned to paint can paint ducks, but there’s a big difference between ‘can’ and ‘can’—”
Qiao Zhao curved her lips slightly. “I understand, Brother Zhu.”
After speaking, she looked back at Chi Can, her tone calm yet full of sincerity. “I’ll paint a ‘Duck Playing in the Water’ for Brother Chi, as a gesture of gratitude for your help.”
Chi Can was already annoyed, and what appeared as sincerity to him now only seemed like arrogant ignorance.
He stared at her intently, not angry but smiling, though his voice was icy. “Fine, go ahead and paint.”
He paused, then added, “But if I can’t deliver what I need, you’ll get off the boat as soon as we dock!”
“Shi Xi—” Zhu Yan gently patted him. “Isn’t that a bit…”
… Too harsh?
Zhu Yan couldn’t bring himself to finish those four words.
The three of them had grown up together, so he naturally understood his friend’s temperament.
The scandal between the princess and the prince consort had changed Chi Can’s character significantly, but back then, he wasn’t this extreme. As he grew older, his allure only increased, bringing more and more trouble.
He vividly remembered a time when Chi Can had kindly rescued a girl being harassed by a local thug. The girl insisted on following him back to his residence, but Chi Can refused. Unexpectedly, the next day, the girl hanged herself from a tree outside Princess Changrong’s residence, leaving a note saying she belonged to Chi Can in life and would remain his spirit in death.
Good deeds rarely spread, but bad news travels fast. The incident became the talk of the entire capital. Eventually, no one remembered Chi Can’s heroic act; they only gossiped that he must have seduced the girl and then refused to take responsibility for her, leading her to take her own life.
At that time, Chi Can was only thirteen years old. The weight of public opinion was like a mountain, suffocating the young boy. His mother, Princess Changrong, took up a whip and left him covered in lash marks.
Since then, Chi Can’s personality had grown increasingly twisted.
To be honest, the fact that he hadn’t refused Li San’s plea for help the other day had surprised even Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan sighed softly.
Forget it. If Miss Li really did get thrown off the boat, he could always watch over her from the shadows. He couldn’t let the young girl be left with no way home.
“None of you interfere—she brought this on herself,” Chi Can said coldly.
Women were all the same, from age three to eighty: greedy, vain, arrogant, and completely lacking in self-awareness…
A dozen adjectives flashed through Chi Can’s mind in an instant, all too familiar.
Qiao Zhao blinked.
This person wasn’t quite like how she remembered him.
Back then, he had merely seemed thick-skinned—where did this sharp, petty side come from?
“So Brother Chi does favors without expecting anything in return,” Qiao Zhao remarked.
Chi Can narrowed his eyes, momentarily not understanding her meaning.
Zhu Yan, with the clarity of an observer, thought for a moment and then chuckled softly.
Yang Houcheng nudged Zhu Yan, whispering, “What are you laughing at? What does she mean?”
Zhu Yan shook his head without answering.
Chi Can glanced at the two of them, then back at Qiao Zhao, whose expression remained calm. Suddenly, he understood.
The little girl was saying that he had already agreed to take her back to the capital. Her offer to paint for him as gratitude actually ended up putting her at risk of being thrown off the boat, showing that he didn’t expect her to repay him at all.
So, in reality, she was subtly mocking him for being so petty, wasn’t she?
Chi Can couldn’t help but glare fiercely at the young girl.
“Is this girl even thirteen?” Chi Can thought. “She’s already so full of twists and turns in her mind, every word she says requires careful thought. What will she be like in the future?”
Qiao Zhao felt quite wronged, her clear black-and-white eyes looking at Chi Can.
She was just telling the truth—why was she getting the side-eye for it?
Chi Can turned his gaze away, sneering coldly. “It’s too late to regret it now. I’m waiting for you to paint, master.”
Qiao Zhao really couldn’t stand the word “master” anymore. She suppressed her displeasure and said, “My grandfather passed away long ago.”
Chi Can was startled, then became furious. He pointed at Qiao Zhao. “You—”
He “you’d” for a long time, but seeing her eyes turn red, he couldn’t get another word out.
Zhu Yan and Yang Houcheng could tell that Qiao Zhao was deliberately mocking Chi Can. Yet, her taunt was so cleverly delivered that it left him with nowhere to vent his anger, and they couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Chi Can grew even angrier when he heard them laugh.
Qiao Zhao had never been thin-skinned, and now, with such a young face, she cared even less. She calmly asked, “Is there brush, ink, and paint on the boat?”
“Yes, I’ll take you there.” Zhu Yan, fearing the atmosphere was too tense, took the initiative to lead Qiao Zhao into the cabin’s guest room.
The passenger boat could originally accommodate a dozen people, but the three of them, being wealthy, had rented the entire vessel. They had even set up a room specifically as a study.
Qiao Zhao followed Zhu Yan inside, taking a quick look around. The room was simply furnished, but everything that was needed—writing desk, low couch, and so on—was present.
“You can use all the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones here as you wish,” Zhu Yan said as he led her further inside. “Just don’t mess with these books, or you’ll make Shi Xi angry again.”
“Thank you, Brother Zhu. I understand.” Qiao Zhao bowed slightly to express her gratitude.
“Then I’ll leave you to it.”
Artists typically didn’t like being disturbed while painting. Besides, considering the difference between men and women, being alone in a room together wasn’t quite appropriate.
Qiao Zhao nodded gently. “Please feel free, Brother Zhu.”
Seeing the young girl already seated at the desk, spreading out the rice paper, and starting to grind ink with her fair hand, Zhu Yan paused, then spoke softly: “Don’t worry, Shi Xi is all bark and no bite.”
Qiao Zhao looked up, meeting Zhu Yan’s gaze, a bit surprised. Then she tugged the corner of her lips. “Thank you, Brother Zhu. I’m not worried.”
Chi Can’s so-called “bark but soft-hearted” was false. It was Brother Zhu who truly had a soft heart.
She had nothing to worry about. Once she repaid the favor, she probably wouldn’t have any further interaction with these three.
Her voice was too calm and her expression was too composed, leaving Zhu Yan a bit embarrassed. He nodded to her and stepped out.
Hearing the footsteps, Chi Can turned back, his expression playful. “Why are you out here?”
Zhu Yan walked to his side and gently punched him. “What kind of question is that?”
Chi Can lowered his eyes with a smile, looking at the river.
The spring scenery was beautiful. The willow trees on both banks reflected their graceful forms on the water, like maidens before a mirror, showcasing their gentle and elegant charm. However, the ripples stirred by the passing boat disrupted the serene beauty.
“Nothing. I’m just worried you’ll bring trouble upon yourself for no reason,” the man, whose beauty outshone even the spring light, said lazily.
Zhu Yan was taken aback, then chuckled. “Shi Xi, you’re overthinking it.”
The image of the young girl, standing straighter than a poplar tree, flashed through his mind, deepening his smile.
That girl was probably hoping they’d owe each other nothing.
The boat moved slowly as the sun sank in the west.
Yang Houcheng glanced frequently toward the cabin.
“The little girl’s been in there for half a day, not even coming out for lunch. Could she be unable to paint, too afraid to come out because she doesn’t want Shi Xi to throw her off the boat?”
Chi Can and Zhu Yan exchanged a glance.
It did seem very possible!
“I’ll go take a look.” Zhu Yan said softly.
Chi Can stopped him, sneering. “I’ll go. Let’s see how long she plans to hide!”
Hearing the soft footsteps, the three of them turned to look, only to see Qiao Zhao walking over.
Chi Can’s gaze dropped, seeing her empty-handed. He raised an eyebrow. “Where’s the painting? Did you eat it?”