It rained all day and stopped at four o'clock the next morning. When Chen Nian woke up, the sky was clear.

Chen Nian got dressed and stood up. He opened the curtains and the room became bright.

Pushing open the window, the morning breeze rushed into the room, dispelling the dullness of the entire night. The air was filled with slightly cool moisture. Chen Nian took a deep breath and felt refreshed.

After washing up and putting on his shoes and socks, he picked up Shaffley's suit jacket from the bedside. As the night passed, the faint smell of sherry quietly dissipated. Of course, it might also be that he had adapted to the Alpha's pheromones.

Chen Nian walked out of Chen Wei's bedroom, turned to the side, and saw that the door of the next room was ajar.

Shaflay had woken up long ago.

Chen Nian knocked on the door twice and heard Shafley say, "Come in."

"Good morning." Chen Nian pushed open the door, holding a black suit in his arms, and said to Shafley who was sitting on the bed, "Your clothes were left at my place last night."

"Okay." Shafulai stood up. He had been waiting for Chen Nian to wake up. "Let's go."

The two left the Veterans Academy together, and with permission, took away some of Chen Wei's manuscripts.

Before leaving the room, Chen Nian put his head under the table for the last time. The dark grid board that emitted a violet light last night seemed so ordinary during the day.

If you don't look closely, you can't even see the seams.

He unexpectedly found something in his father's former residence that only he could see.

Chen Nian never thought that there was anything special about himself. If he had to say something, it was just that he was good-looking. But now, something strange happened before his eyes.

Sitting side by side in the back seat of the special car, Shafley asked, "What do you want to do today?"

"Let's go to the botanical garden first."

"Now?"

"Well, the botanical garden should be open for business at this time, right?"

Shaflay was quick to detect Chen Nian's intention: "Go find Professor Ji Yifeng?"

"Yeah, I've already thought about what I'm going to do next."

Chen Nian told Shaflay the decision he made last night.

"I think I have some talent for painting. Since Chen Ci has such a strong mental power, it means that I won't be bad either. If I have a teacher to take me through systematic training, maybe I can also detect and draw many primitive creatures like my father did, and help everyone with their research."

Shafley was quite surprised to hear what Chen Nian said, as he thought Chen Nian would at most learn painting.

Studying primitive organisms means stepping into dangerous situations. Chen Nian has read the biography of Chen Wei that he collected, and he knows how thrilling those straightforward experiences are.

But Chen Nian still made this decision.

The so-called lack of ambition really just means that there is no opportunity.

Shafley: "Are you planning to learn painting from Professor Ji Yifeng?"

"Yes, and he specializes in natural history painting, which is exactly what I am interested in. He should be professional enough." Chen Nian blinked, "How about you introduce me to a suitable teacher?"

Shafley was speechless. According to his understanding, Ji Yifeng was indeed a top scholar in the drawing of natural history atlases.

Shafley couldn't think of anyone with more experience and better skills than Ji Yifeng to teach Chen Nian.

If it comes to simply choosing a teacher, Ji Yifeng is definitely the best candidate, but Shafulai recalled the last time he and Chen Nian went to the botanical garden. When Ji Yifeng was explaining things to Chen Nian, he almost held the boy in his arms with his outstretched arms, and he came later and stood alone at the door, like a superfluous person.

Shafulai has never been a petty person, but this time, he was inexplicably unhappy. Before he realized it, he had already been thinking about Ji Yifeng's faults and shortcomings in his heart.

Chen Nianzheng was so excited in his speech that he didn't notice the meaning behind Shafley's silence.

"As for my mental strength, I have been practicing according to the instructions given by Chen Ci, but the effect doesn't seem to be very good. How long will it take to practice to his level?"

"Generally speaking, spiritual power will begin to show at the age of thirteen or fourteen, and Chen Ci showed his talent at the age of twelve."

Chen Nian exclaimed, "My brother practiced for six years? Then I definitely can't catch up with him, but if I can achieve half of his level, it should be okay."

Shafley nodded. "Of course, but many people know that Chen Ci has a strong mental power. If you study under his identity, it will be easy to reveal your true colors."

Chen Nian: "Ah, what should I do?"

"Let me teach you."

All the previous words, the moment these words came out of my mouth, seemed to be a prelude.

Chen Nian slapped his thigh and said excitedly, "Yeah, I almost forgot that you also have spiritual power. Then you can teach me. It just so happens that we live next door to each other, so we can meet every day to practice or something."

Shafley breathed a sigh of relief without making a sound. He didn't know why he was nervous, as everything he did was clearly out of concern for Chen Ci's younger brother.

He doesn't, won't, and shouldn't have any other thoughts.

Now that the study of painting and spiritual power were arranged, Chen Nian had never thought that realizing his dream would be so simple.

In the past, when he was in the dungeon, he had to ask the other customers for help even when he wanted to drink. When he had some spare money, he could only buy some delicious food. He had no chance to learn anything.

Chen Nian's joy also infected Shafley.

I had just discussed in detail with Chen Nian yesterday afternoon about the question of his ideal life. After just one night of thinking, the young man gave him his answer - a perfect answer guided by the late Marshal Chen Weiyuan, with his brother Chen Ci as a benchmark, and combined with his own hobbies.

Shafley said nothing more and went to the botanical garden with Chen Nian.

When they arrived, Ji Yifeng was working.

Alpha held the paintbrush with his slender fingers and sketched the outline of the beautiful bird of paradise.

He placed his right little finger on the canvas, acting as a fulcrum for his entire hand to prevent his palm from accidentally moving and smearing the surface of the painting.

Hearing that the eldest prince and his wife were coming again, Ji Yifeng raised his head and asked, "Do you need me to entertain them this time as well?"

"Your Highnesses specifically requested to see Professor Ji." The curator spoke politely. The other party was the best naturalist in all of Cinnabar, and he, a mere curator, could not afford to offend him.

Ji Yifeng nodded, he stood up from the easel and covered the canvas on which he had just made a draft.

He washed his hands briefly, put on his coat, and went to greet the guests.

When Ji Yifeng walked into the reception room, Chen Nian and Shafley were discussing in a low voice the issues regarding future classes.

Shafley had a lot of things to do and didn't have time to bring Chen Nian to the botanical garden all day, so he thought of inviting Ji Yifeng to the palace to teach him like a tutor.

"Didn't you say that he is the most famous naturalist in cinnabar? Would he be willing to take up such time?" Chen Nian asked in a low voice.

Shafley: "Don't worry, teaching you is part of my service to the royal family."

Chen Nian is still a little confused about Chen Ci's various identities. His brother is the Elector of Cinnabar, and under normal circumstances he should be responsible for most of Cinnabar's affairs.

However, the royal family is also located in Cinnabar, which completely undermines the executive power of the Elector.

It is said that the prince's wife also has very high authority, but normally she cannot go anywhere without the company of Shafulai. However, in other aspects, she enjoys the highest treatment that others can hardly imagine.

Chen Nian always felt that it was a bit strange. Why did they have to ground his brother? Were they afraid that he would run away?

The protection that the royal family and the White Tower gave to Chen Ci always made him feel that Chen Ci was fragile.

But his brother is so powerful, with the strongest mental power. He travels in the dungeon, kills the primitive creatures, and helps the scavenger girl he meets by chance to save the camp.

Chen Ci didn't look like he was in poor health at all, and when he asked, Chen Ci directly denied it. So why did he need to have a special physical examination every month?

Is it because he and Shaflay are insensitive to pheromones?

As Chen Nian was pondering, he saw Ji Yifeng come in.

Alpha was wearing casual clothes, still looking the same as he remembered. He said with a polite smile, "Your Highnesses, I've been waiting for a long time."

At this moment, Shafley, who was sitting next to Chen Nian, could clearly feel that Chen Nian's temperament had changed.

He no longer had the reckless look he had just had. His expression became gentle and calm. He raised his eyes and looked towards Ji Yifeng, with a hint of hidden expectation in his eyes.

Even Shafley was stunned by this pinnacle of acting.

Chen Nian is not playing the role of Chen Ci, but the prince's consort whom he wants others to see.

He has a gentle nature, and because he has not interacted with others for many years, he is a little timid and shy, like an innocent lamb, and his every move can easily arouse the desire to protect him.

Anyway, Chen Ci had never been made public before, and no one except Shafley knew what the real Chen Ci looked like.

If he didn't know the whole truth, even Shafley would have been deceived by Chen Nian.

Chen Nian: "Is my sudden visit not disturbing Professor Ji's work?"

"Of course not." Ji Yifeng sat down on the sofa opposite them. "Your Highnesses, why are you here so early in the morning? Is there something important?"

"It's not a big deal." Chen Nian looked at Shafulai embarrassedly, as if seeking her fiancé's consent.

Seeing that Shafley didn't show any displeasure, he finally put his mind at ease and said softly to Ji Yifeng, "Professor Ji, do you remember that the last time I came here, I told you that I wanted to learn from you?"

Ji Yifeng certainly remembered.

It was the first time that the princess came to the botanical garden. The boy showed a strong curiosity about everything around him, like an elf walking out of the jungle, shuttling among the flowers and plants. So many beautiful and charming things were reflected in his amber pupils, but none of them was more moving than those eyes.

The princess admired his previous natural history paintings in the corridor and said that her favorite was the mistletoe painting.

Ji Yifeng took down the picture frame and took out a small glass bottle from the secret compartment at the back. The bottle was filled with bright red fruits of the mistletoe.

Nothing makes a painter happier than seeing someone calmly appreciate the painting he has put so much effort into.

The boy even said he wanted to learn from him.

But at that time, Ji Yifeng thought it was just a momentary impulse of the princess in joy.

After all, painting is not as interesting as imagined. Practicing day after day is extremely boring, and the pain of not being able to perfectly reproduce what you have in mind is even more difficult to describe.

Ji Yifeng agreed without thinking that there would be no follow-up.

He sent Bai Ta a carefully cultivated green tea rose, and Bai Ta expressed official gratitude and then there was no further movement.

But I never thought that today the princess came with the eldest prince and mentioned the request for study again.

Are you really interested?

"Of course I remember." Ji Yifeng said gently, "Natural History Painting is actually not as interesting as it seems. Your Highness can learn from me for a while. If you are really interested, it would be great."

"That's great." Chen Nian couldn't hide the joy in his eyes, and this time it was not an act.

Shafley told him about Ji Yifeng's position in the relevant field, and it was a waste of talent to ask an industry expert to teach him, a novice who knew nothing.

But Ji Yifeng agreed. Chen Nian knew very well that in addition to her identity as the "Prince's Consort", it was more because of the many times they interacted with each other when they first met.

Chen Nian rarely interacts with other Alphas with the intention of gaining benefits from them. If he has to say what he wants to gain, it is probably to satisfy his incessant desire for domination.

Now that he has indeed benefited from it, Chen Nian also gladly accepted it. As the ancients said, if you don't take advantage of an opportunity, you are a coward.

"Professor Ji will be my teacher from now on." Chen Nian said with a smile.

Shafley finally spoke: "The palace will send Professor Ji the schedule of the speech later. Professor Ji can teach according to his own schedule."

The main business was settled in just a few minutes. Ji Yifeng stood up and said, "It just so happens that I don't have anything urgent to do this morning. Your Highness, would you like to get a general idea first?"

Chen Nian looked at Shafley, and Shafley said, "I can stay with you until ten o'clock."

There is still more than an hour left. Chen Nian nodded: "Okay."

If he wanted to move around outside the palace, he had to have Shafley accompany him. Fortunately, Chen Nian no longer disliked Shafley.

The two of them were on the same side, sharing a huge secret that they could never tell anyone else.

Ji Yifeng took Chen Nian to the studio, which was strictly speaking Ji Yifeng's office. The floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto the lush courtyard outside. A large bookshelf covered the entire wall, filled with all kinds of natural history books.

There are also some unorganized paintings lying aside.

Ji Yifeng: "Your Highness, do you have any relevant foundation before?"

Chen Nian shook his head: "No, I only doodled when I was a kid. It was only recently that I saw my father's manuscripts that I thought of learning systematically."

Ji Yifeng understood that Chen Wei was also a great figure in their field.

During his more than ten years of military career, the Marshal has drawn countless primitive creatures. It can be said that a large part of humanity's current understanding of the sea kings is due to him.

Chen Wei did not receive specialized training in natural history painting. Although the manuscripts he left behind are detailed, they are more like engineering drawings and need to be specially sorted out and recorded by naturalists.

"We don't have much time today, so I'll introduce natural history to you first. When you go back, you can practice the basics in your spare time."

Ji Yifeng found a thick book from the bookshelf. Chen Nian took it and his wrist sank under the weight of the book.

"Natural history originated from the analysis of the diversity of the natural world by ancient Greek philosophers. In the 1st century AD, the ancient Roman natural philosopher Pliny the Elder compiled the Natural History, which was the first natural history book introducing all things in nature."

The story of the birth of a niche subject is not specifically mentioned in history classes. For Chen Nian and Shafley, it is very new knowledge.

This is a discipline that was only officially born thousands of years ago, but human exploration and research on nature has been going on for a very long time.

The great geographical discoveries and commercial prosperity in the late 15th century led to the real prosperity of natural history, and it entered its golden age in the 19th century.

Goethe once said: I want to show the fragrance and color of everything I see.

Natural history paintings, in an era before photography technology was advanced, became important materials for people to conduct natural history research. They are a perfect combination of aesthetics and science.

Even though photography technology has developed rapidly and the clarity of photos has been constantly improved, natural history paintings have never declined due to their extremely high artistic quality.

Until the flood disaster occurred.

Too many things have been submerged by the rising cold sea water. Life, history, civilization, and science, along with large tracts of land, have all been lost in eternal silence at the bottom of the sea.

Biodiversity suffered a devastating blow and natural history declined.

In recent years, with the stabilization of the beacon conditions and the proliferation of original organisms in the ocean, there has been a gradual recovery.

The most popular branch of natural history is primitive biology.

Chen Nian obviously wants to go in this direction, and Ji Yifeng mainly studies animals and plants, but no matter what the branch is, they all have a common foundation.

If you take the initiative to learn the knowledge you want to learn, you will only be interested in receiving it.

Chen Nian listened to Ji Yifeng's introduction and casually opened the brick book.

Today, when electronic reading has almost replaced all paper books, these paintings are printed on copperplate paper and are so detailed that every line can be seen clearly.

Hair, leaf veins, petals, whether animals or plants, all show the reader amazing details and the painter's ingenuity.

It is easy to tell whether a person is interested in something. If he really likes it, the almost excited look in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows cannot be faked.

Shafley had only seen similar moments of interest when Chen Nian deliberately flirted with other Alphas.

Ji Yifeng: "This is probably the current situation of natural history. There are few experienced naturalists and even fewer who can paint natural history paintings. Your Highness is willing to develop in this direction. If the Marshal knew about this, he would definitely be very pleased."

"I just listened to Professor Ji's talk and found it very interesting." Chen Nian paused and said, "Shapley is busy, so I won't bother you. When the class time is arranged, we will meet at the palace."

"Okay." Ji Yifeng found some different books from the bookshelf, "Take these books first, you can read more when you have free time."

Shafley helped Chen Nian take the museum atlas selected by Ji Yifeng, and the two left the botanical garden and headed for the palace.

After sending Chen Nian back, Shafulai still had some things of his own to deal with.

"How do you feel?" Shafley asked. He was listening to Ji Yifeng's explanation and even developed some interest in it.

Chen Nian: “Very good.”

"In the future, I will not follow Professor Ji when he teaches in the palace. You must take it easy."

Chen Nian was thinking of finding an Alpha for himself. The interaction between him and Ji Yifeng during their previous visit to the botanical garden was already ambiguous. Shafulai was worried that Chen Nian's mind would wander halfway through his studies.

Facing Shafley's reminder, Chen Nian snorted with disdain: "Of course I know what is important and what is urgent. It is definitely more important to learn the knowledge first."

Hearing him say this, Shafla felt much more relieved.

After returning to the palace, there was still some time before dinner, so Shafla left and Chen Nian sat at the table, flipping through the books Ji Yifeng had given him.

There was an illustrated book of primitive creatures in it, and Chen Wei's name was clearly written in the author column.

Chen Nian saw many of Chen Wei's manuscripts in the book. As Ji Yifeng said, these drawings were sorted out by specialized naturalists and became one of the cornerstones of primitive biology.

After lunch, Chen Nian rested according to Chen Ci's schedule.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Gui Zhiqi came to the palace as agreed to play with Chen Nian.

They went to the courtyard together to feed the big goose "Prince". After several days of persistent training, Prince's performance had improved a lot. At least he had recognized Chen Nian as his master and would no longer rush up to bite him.

Chen Nian sat by the pond and fed the prince grass. Gui Zhiqi reached out and touched its long snow-white neck.

The prince turned his head and looked at her, then continued eating.

Chen Nian suddenly remembered that he had something else to do: "By the way, Qiqi, I have a set of architectural drawings here, can you help me take a look at them?"

As a student majoring in architecture, Gui Zhiqi agreed, "Okay."

Chen Nian called up the drawings and photos that Shafley had taken in the Veterans Hall yesterday. The virtual screen opened and the appearance of Shelter No. 41 appeared in front of Gui Zhiqi.

Chen Nian specifically cut off the handwriting from Shelter No. 41, not because he was worried that Gui Zhiqi would talk nonsense, he still trusted his friend very much, but because he was afraid of causing unnecessary trouble for Gui Zhiqi.

"Hmm..." Gui Zhiqi looked at the drawing carefully, zoomed in with two fingers to confirm the details, and frowned: "What is this building used for?"

"It's probably a shelter or something like that."

"Shelter?" Gui Zhiqi wondered. "What kind of shelter would be built like this? As a shelter, the most basic requirement must be to ensure that the people inside can survive smoothly. Food, energy supply, and water circulation, these three elements are indispensable, but look at this drawing, there is no complete circulation system at all."

Chen Nian: "Could it be that the drawing is too simple and that part is not drawn?"

Gui Zhiqi pointed to a spot and patiently explained to Chen Nian: "It's impossible. Look, the diversion pipeline route here has been drawn. There is no need to not do the whole thing."

Chen Nian: “If it’s not a shelter, then what is it?”

Gui Zhiqi: "I only know that this happens in some laboratories. The diversion pipes are to avoid contamination by biochemical agents, and the ventilation facilities are also more complicated."

Laboratory?

Chen Nian blinked. Could this be part of the research institute? If it was a secret laboratory on Cinnabar, Shafulai, as the eldest prince, should not be completely ignorant of it.

Maybe in another region?

Gui Zhiqi studied it carefully for a few minutes, then shook her head and said, "This picture is not very detailed. This is all I can see."

"It's already amazing." Chen Nian turned off the screen. Although he was still confused, Gui Zhiqi provided him with important information.

After feeding the geese, the two went to the playroom for afternoon tea and chatted casually. When Gui Zhiqi heard that Chen Nian wanted to learn natural history painting, she became excited.

"Maybe we can practice together in the future."

Chen Nian thought that she was studying architecture and would have to draw a lot, so she smiled and said, "Okay, but I don't know anything yet, you have to teach me."

"That's easy. You don't have any basics, right? How about practicing arranging the lines first? This is very important. Let's practice for a while and I'll explain the structure to you."

"Come." Chen Nian did what he said. He asked someone to bring a special drawing board and sat at the table with Gui Zhiqi.

The basic skills are boring, but they are indeed useful. After practicing for the evening, Chen Nian felt that his hand tremors seemed to have improved a little.

After having dinner with him, Gui Zhiqi went home. They agreed to come back and paint together someday when they were free.

Chen Nian looked at the time. It was now 8:30 in the evening. Shafulai should have returned.

Now, it's time to find his dear psychic teacher.