Chapter 22: 022
Zhu Ran logged into the seller’s backend and discovered that around 5:00 AM, a new customer named ‘Paint is Too Expensive’ had bought ten of his plants, emptying the flower stands.
Then, his regular customer ‘Qin Ke is Very Cute’ had also purchased a jar of Daisy tea that morning.
And just like that, the stock in his shop was completely sold out.
[Buyer ‘Paint is Too Expensive’: I would like to request permission to use the eco-zone as a reference, as it gave me inspiration for my painting.]
“So, the other party is a painter…”
Zhu Ran immediately left a message for him, granting permission.
In the interstellar era, due to advanced technology and the rapid development of AI, people’s way of thinking had shifted toward the rational.
Consequently, the community of emotional artists had gradually dwindled.
The fact that natural plants could give a painter inspiration made Zhu Ran quite happy.
After eating a breakfast made of real food, Zhu Ran contacted the delivery person to ship the goods.
Ten plants were to be delivered to the painter ‘Paint is Too Expensive,’ and the Daisy tea was for ‘Qin Ke is Very Reliable.’ Zhu Ran also made a small jar of Daisy tea on the spot to send to Mu Qingzhou.
Mu Qingzhou had given him advice on the shop’s location, so the Daisy tea served as a thank-you gift.
After a spatial ripple, accompanied by a familiar, oppressive aura, Delivery Person Z appeared at Zhu Ran’s home as scheduled.
This was already the third time Zhu Ran had met this delivery person.
Aside from his powerful aura and few words, the man hadn’t actually done anything bad, but Zhu Ran still found himself alert every time because of the sharp, latent momentum the man exuded.
However, compared to the first two times, Z’s appearance only made Zhu Ran tense up for a brief moment before his vigilance eased.
After all, through several encounters, he had become somewhat familiar with Z.
Zhu Ran pointed to the pile of packaged items in the room. “The items that need to be shipped are all right here.”
Delivery Person Z’s hat was pressed very low, the brim obscuring his eyes entirely, leaving only the shadows cast by his eyelashes and his high nose bridge visible.
His skin was very pale, his lips were thin, and his entire being radiated a sense of coldness.
Delivery Person Z’s gaze lingered for a moment on Zhu Ran’s fluffy pajamas.
Zhu Ran was still wearing those pajamas that the “Ragdoll cat” officer had disliked; the soft, fluffy fabric made Zhu Ran look completely non-threatening.
Z looked at Zhu Ran’s face again—it was fair and smooth, without a single scar.
Afterward, Delivery Person Z scanned the plants one by one and placed them into the delivery space.
Zhu Ran noticed the other party’s gaze.
He looked down at his own clothes. Although he was wearing pajamas, they were quite normal and not indecent. There surely wasn’t a regulation in the interstellar era against wearing pajamas at home, right?
A moment of silence passed.
Delivery Person Z quickly finished packing the goods, but this time he didn’t leave immediately, instead remaining where he stood.
Zhu Ran tilted his head. “Is… there something else? Do I need to add more postage?”
“No.”
As Delivery Person Z spoke, he held out a hand clad in a black glove. Accompanied by another spatial ripple, several packages appeared in Z’s hand.
“Your packages were at the delivery station. I brought them over since I was coming this way.”
Zhu Ran thought for three seconds before realizing what these packages were.
The soil, vases, and genetically synthesized plants he had bought a few days ago had arrived.
“Thank you.”
Zhu Ran was about to take the packages, but Z only gave him two; he didn’t hand over the large box.
Z said in a deep voice, “This one is heavy. Where do you want it?”
Zhu Ran remembered he had bought 1,000 vases… that would indeed be quite heavy.
“Put it on the balcony for me! Thank you.”
Z effortlessly placed the box containing the 1,000 vases onto Zhu Ran’s balcony.
His tailored, crisp work uniform strained with the effort, outlining the perfect lines of his arms and his broad back.
It gave off a strong sense of power and security.
“I’m leaving.”
After helping Zhu Ran move the packages, Z quickly departed without staying a moment longer.
Zhu Ran tried to lift the box containing the 1,000 vases… and… couldn’t budge it.
Thanks to Z’s help, otherwise, if Zhu Ran had to move 1,000 vases by himself… with his current physical condition, he would surely have been exhausted to death.
“It feels like Z isn’t a bad person; maybe he’s just not good with words, which makes him seem a bit fierce.”
Having received help, Zhu Ran gave Z a five-star review this time.
[Zhu: A very helpful delivery person.]
After Delivery Person Z placed Zhu Ran’s plants into the spatial transport channel, he took off his hat and changed out of his delivery uniform.
A few strands of golden hair fell over his blue and gold heterochromatic eyes, making those otherworldly eyes appear even more bizarre and kaleidoscopic.
He wore an expensive, custom-made, cinched uniform. The deep blue fabric, shimmering with diamond-like fragments, paired with his cold and sharp aura, made him look like a planetary explosion above a distant galaxy—dazzling yet dangerous.
“You rushed off to deliver packages in the middle of our conversation? I never knew you were such a dedicated worker.”
Leon raised an eyebrow.
Leon was the owner of the Xinggou APP and an awakened space-type ability user.
The unique spatial transport delivery method of the Xinggou APP was rapidly developed through a combination of his ability and high technology.
The reason Zefaer could become a Xinggou delivery person without anyone knowing and use the spatial channels at will was because Leon had helped him.
Facing Leon’s question, Zefaer did not answer.
However, anyone familiar with him could tell from his peaceful aura that his current mood was likely quite good.
“But your mood seems to have been decent lately; at least you haven’t been scaring everyone away with a constant frown.”
Leon didn’t mind Zefaer’s silence; he had long since become accustomed to his friend’s behavior.
“Is your spiritual sea feeling better?”
Because of an accidental early awakening at age 15, Zefaer’s spiritual sea was in a terrible state; the slightest slip could cause him to lose control, resulting in unimaginable consequences.
“Mm.”
Zefaer gave a soft, brief reply.
Leon: “Eh~ I’m a bit curious about how it got better.”
Leon leaned in closer and sniffed Zefaer. “What is that smell? It’s so fragrant… it seems to be the scent of natural plants? Don’t tell me you just came from the research institute.”
“No.”
“I thought so; there’s no way you’d visit the research institute on your own. So… you found someone who can cultivate natural plants?”
Zefaer nodded.
“Then where does he live? How old is he? Is his background clean? Are you planning to—”
“You talk too much.”
Zefaer glanced at Leon.
“Fine, fine, I won’t ask, I won’t ask anymore.”
Leon dropped his carefree attitude, his gaze becoming cold and sharp as he wore a half-smile. “Any progress on the weapon theft case?”
Zefaer let out a cold laugh, his heterochromatic eyes filled with a wintry chill.
“It’s time to close the net.”
S-grade Planet—Wenduerier
As one of the three S-grade planets in the interstellar space, Wenduerier differed from the disciplined and orderly styles of Jialan and Suoli. Named after the famous artist Wenduerier, the planet championed a free, romantic, and spontaneous lifestyle.
Wenduerier was also a famous gathering place for artists in the interstellar space. Two of the top three art universities were located on Wenduerier, and many artists chose to settle there.
After Yan You completed his painting in the holographic world, he sent the work to his teacher, Bai Luo.
Once it was sent, he kept his eyes fixed on the message box without looking away, his heart filled with a touch of anticipation, yet also repeatedly denying himself.
“I painted quite well this time, right…?”
“But Teacher has seen so many incredible works. This painting of mine probably won’t even catch his eye.”
Yan You’s eyes dimmed.
He slumped dejectedly on his dorm bed, covering his eyes with the back of his hand, letting his mind go blank.
Unlike other people who studied art, whose families were either rich, powerful, or influential…
Yan You had nothing. He studied art only because of his love and a surge of passion.
In the beginning, everything went very smoothly. Although Yan You had no foundation in painting, he was full of talent.
He could paint innocent, spirited works—like a green pigeon with a red fruit on its head, or feathers blooming alongside fireworks in the summer sky.
The concepts and designs of his paintings were filled with unbridled imagination and beautiful visions for the future.
When people saw Yan You’s works, they would smile.
“These paintings are so interesting.”
“My mood improved just by looking at this.”
“This painter’s ideas are very special.”
Yan You was called the man ‘kissed by the God of Art,’ and because of this, he became the disciple of Bai Luo, one of the most authoritative artists in the interstellar space.
However… his good fortune did not last.
After Yan You entered Wenduerier Arts University to study, he was constantly shot down.
His major professor evaluated him like this:
“Trash! Repaint it.”
“I told you to use dye G1923 to mix the gray. Who gave you permission to use another shade?”
“Realism, realism! Just copy it for me stroke by stroke. You can’t even do this?”
And others evaluated him like this:
“Yan You? He clearly painted well before, how did he end up painting like that once he entered school? Maybe he used a ghostwriter before!”
“Tsk! With this level, he can be Master Bai’s disciple? How does he still have the face?”
“Junior Yan Han has already held a solo exhibition, while Yan You’s paintings can barely get a passing grade. Even so, how did Yan You have the face to compete with Yan Han for the exhibition slot back then? What a thick skin! If you ask me, the most promising painter right now is definitely Yan Han.”
The cold gossip was enough to make Yan You turn silent; he curled himself up like a snail into a hard shell.
Yan You could no longer pick up a brush to paint.
Until today, when Yan You entered the [Zhuying Anxiang] shop and saw that life-filled eco-zone, his withered inspiration burst forth again. The desire to paint something was stronger than ever before.
His heart beat fast, thump-thump—a throb and surge of excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time.
He had found his original intention.
Right now, Yan You was waiting for Bai Luo’s reply with great trepidation, one hand pinching the hem of his shirt, his fingertips turning pale from the force.
Even though he was a tall young man nearly 1.8 meters tall, in this state, he looked just like a student waiting for a teacher to grade his homework—youthful and uneasy.
Could he really get his teacher’s recognition again?
He had disappointed his teacher so many times; would he let him down once more?
Amidst wave after wave of doubt, Yan You’s optical computer finally received a reply.
[Bai Luo: A good painting.]
Yan You was in disbelief; his painting was actually praised as a ‘good painting’ by his teacher.
His vision blurred, and his eyes grew sore, welling up with warm tears.
In the next moment, Yan You suddenly laughed—he laughed heartily, with a sense of relief.
He had finally… been validated again.
Because of shame, Yan You hadn’t contacted Bai Luo to catch up for a long time, but now he poked his soft body out of his protective shell.
He plucked up the courage to send another message to Bai Luo.
[Yan You: Teacher, can I come to see you? I have some new ideas about painting.]
[Bai Luo: Of course you can, you’re always welcome.]
Having received permission, Yan You breathed a sigh of relief.
His teacher, Bai Luo, didn’t care at all about his low period over these years.
His mood suddenly brightened.
Yan You’s gaze landed on the holographic painting he had sent to Teacher Bai Luo—a small, fragile daisy blooming in the darkness. It was delicate, yet it brought Yan You endless hope and energy.
His eyes held a faint light.
Dazzling and full of hope.
Translator’s Note
Terms used:
- Wenduerier (文德瑞爾): The name of the S-grade planet, which is also the name of a famous artist in the story’s lore.
- A-grade/S-grade (A級/S級): Levels of rating for planets or abilities.
- ID Card (ID卡): The universal identity card in the interstellar era.
