140. Chapter 140: Didn't Sister Lan Say We Couldn't Touch It?

"Why look for Brother Ling Xiao? Didn't you say you were going to learn needlework today, Miss?"

Xiao Lian was puzzled as to why her mistress had suddenly decided to seek out Ling Xiao instead. Just yesterday, she had spoken of studying embroidery; her whims were truly erratic and impossible to fathom.

"I'll learn that another day! Right now, I need Ling Xiao to be my model. I want to practice on him first."

Zhang Xiaolan had been learning traditional Chinese painting from Li Rui recently, but she felt quite clumsy and out of practice, so she wanted Ling Xiao to pose for her. In the modern world, many students hired models, but here, she could easily find plenty of free ones. Zhang Xiaolan was so eager because she hoped that one day, she would be able to paint a portrait of Li Rui to give to him.

"What is a 'model'?"

Xiao Lian did not understand this modern term. There were many things Zhang Xiaolan said that she couldn't grasp, which is why she often asked for clarification.

"Little one, don't ask so many questions. You'll understand once you see it for yourself later."

Zhang Xiaolan was growing tired of these constant inquiries, so she decided that anything that could be explained through action would no longer be explained with words.

Ling Xiao was not idle at the prince's estate. Zhang Xiaolan had urged him to take care of his health and suggested he visit Fu Daishan when he had free time. Within the estate, he would sometimes help Hai Zi with chores, or Zhang Xiaolan would pester him to teach her martial arts or horseback riding. When asked why she didn't ask Li Rui, it was because he had become very busy after returning to the estate, often appearing only at dinner time.

Once she found Ling Xiao, she pulled him to a stone bench by the lotus pond, where the scenery was pleasant. Zhang Xiaolan sat opposite him, with the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone already neatly arranged on the table, waiting for her to begin.

"Ling Xiao, you just need to sit there and not move."

Zhang Xiaolan held up her brush, squinting as she measured the proportions with her eyes. She gave him no further instructions other than to stay still, leaving Ling Xiao feeling completely bewildered. However, upon seeing the items on the table, he realized she intended to paint—and that she was going to paint him. Secretly delighted, he straightened his posture and remained perfectly motionless.

A long while passed. Ling Xiao felt his whole body stiffening uncomfortably, but since Zhang Xiaolan hadn't spoken, he didn't dare move. Xiao Lian, finding the painting process dull, glanced over and felt that Ling Xiao looked quite pitiful.

"Ling Xiao, there is a large mosquito on your face."

At that moment, a plump mosquito was contentedly feasting on Ling Xiao's blood, its belly already swollen. Ling Xiao’s expression was grim, yet he remained as rigid as a statue, sitting perfectly straight.

Xiao Lian couldn't bear to watch any longer. She walked over and smacked the mosquito on Ling Xiao's face with a sharp *thwack*. The sound was quite crisp, indicating the force she had used, yet Ling Xiao’s resolve was truly remarkable; even after that, he didn't budge.

"Ling Xiao, aren't you afraid of the pain or the itch? Go ahead and scratch it!"

Zhang Xiaolan had witnessed the entire scene and looked at him in surprise. She knew the sting of a mosquito bite was both painful and maddeningly itchy.

"Didn't Sister Lan say I wasn't allowed to move?"

Ling Xiao was simple-minded and followed Zhang Xiaolan’s instructions with absolute obedience—though this devotion was likely reserved only for her, as he still had a rather fiery temper with others.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault for not being clear. I meant that you should maintain your pose, but if mosquitoes or dragonflies bother you, you are allowed to wave them away or scratch. Just return to your original position afterward."

Zhang Xiaolan apologized, blaming herself for saying he couldn't move at all. She couldn't very well expect him to sit through the agony of constant insect bites without flinching.

"Oh!" Ling Xiao replied blankly. Watching his dazed expression, Xiao Lian couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

"Hehe!"