Shen Cishu held Su Li’s hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity like a child’s.
Of course, Su Li felt she was being nitpicky inside, but she still coaxed Shen Cishu gently:
“If you think this painting should be called ‘Painting of the Kitchen Maid,’ then it can be called that.”
“After all, names are what we humans give them, and once you name this painting, it gains its own meaning.”
Su Li’s tone was tender, and after she spoke, she saw a faint smile appear on Shen Cishu’s face.
“Does Mommy like painting? I want to paint with Mommy.”
Looking at the painting before her, Shen Cishu seemed to remember something, her whole body filled with anticipation as she pulled Su Li’s hand.
“Mommy definitely won’t refuse me, right?”
“Mommy has already promised Elder Sister’s request.”
Shen Cishu’s eyes locked tightly on Su Li, but unknowingly, her fingertips pressed into Su Li’s soft skin.
“Okay.”
Su Li did not refuse.
Shen Cishu had already paid her the agreed fee, and providing Shen Cishu with this service was what she was supposed to do.
After receiving Su Li’s consent, Shen Cishu gradually withdrew her fingers from the back of Su Li’s hand.
She gripped Su Li’s palm again and immediately pulled her out of the Art Museum.
Ever since she found out this Art Museum belonged to that annoying Elder Sister, she felt the whole place was filled with an irritating aura.
It wasn’t the aura of art, but a repulsive, nauseating stench.
Su Li was led by Shen Cishu to the nearby Mall outside the Art Museum.
Although there was a dedicated Art Supply Store inside the museum where one could buy paints, brushes, canvases, and other art materials,
Shen Cishu did not want to stay there.
Instead, she took Su Li straight to a store selling art supplies in the Mall.
The Mall was crowded with people.
Because it was close to the Art Museum, many art students stained with paint could be seen around.
Su Li noticed that Shen Cishu didn’t seem to know much about these art supplies and was aimlessly wandering around before casually picking items.
Su Li also noticed that Shen Cishu only selected the most expensive supplies.
She didn’t think Shen Cishu, on this whim, would actually use these items later.
But Su Li didn’t try to dissuade her.
Shen Cishu was her client; she wouldn’t do anything to spoil the mood.
Watching Shen Cishu select like a king inspecting concubines in his domain—picking whatever she liked and tossing it into the basket—
She never glanced at cheaper, more cost-effective paints, only choosing the relatively expensive ones.
Imported Oil Paints, Gilded Sable Brush Set, Decorative Palette, Brush Washing Cylinder, and French Linen Canvas.
Su Li roughly estimated that this casual shopping trip cost over ten thousand yuan.
“Mommy, let’s go.”
After finishing the selections, Shen Cishu followed behind Su Li with a satisfied smile on her face.
Her eyes shone with anticipation, as if she couldn’t wait to go home with Mommy and start her artistic creation.
Su Li’s gaze swept briefly toward the cashier’s counter.
Miss Cat was nowhere to be seen.
Indeed, not every job shift would encounter Miss Cat.
Still, Su Li guessed that Miss Cat was probably quietly working somewhere else at this moment.
The two stood in line silently, Shen Cishu holding the basket in one hand and Su Li’s little hand in the other.
Not long after, it was their turn to pay.
The clerk scanned each item, her gaze lingering on both Su Li and Shen Cishu.
Customers buying high-end supplies like this were rare.
Most who came to the store were students who sought good cost performance in their purchases.
“That’ll be 12,000 yuan in total.”
The clerk said as she looked toward Su Li and Shen Cishu, but neither of them moved to pay.
Hearing the amount, many students and people waiting in line stared at the pair with surprised and envious expressions.
Neither the Imported Oil Paints nor the Gilded Sable Brush Set were things they could normally access.
Su Li looked at Shen Cishu, whose gaze was fixed on her as well.
“Mommy, why aren’t you paying? The people behind us will have to wait a long time.”
Shen Cishu urged, her cheeks slightly flushed, seemingly embarrassed about holding up others.
With that word “Mommy,” all eyes turned toward Su Li.
Some were curious about how young she looked.
Despite everyone’s gaze, Su Li remained expressionless.
She looked at Shen Cishu, wanting to read some reaction on her face.
She wasn’t sure if Shen Cishu would pay for this.
Shen Cishu was clearly in the role of a child now.
Su Li’s choice could heavily influence what happened next.
This was a gamble.
If she didn’t pay, Shen Cishu might immediately turn hostile and end the transaction.
Though ending the deal wouldn’t affect Su Li much, compared to the second-stage mission assigned by Bai Huizi, the cost was negligible.
After long contact with Shen Cishu and reporting on her, Bai Huizi might even give her extra reward.
Paying this sum could mean a loss of over ten thousand yuan.
Su Li wasn’t used to freeloading, but since Shen Cishu and Bai Huizi had prepaid her fees, she finally made her decision.
Su Li paid the bill for Shen Cishu.
“Mommy is so good to me!”
Seeing the receipt, a joyful smile immediately spread across Shen Cishu’s face.
Like she had received a beloved toy, she excitedly carried the bags and hugged Su Li’s arm.
“Mommy, let’s hurry home. I can’t wait to paint with you.”
Shen Cishu squeezed Su Li’s arm tightly as they left the Mall.
She looked at Su Li.
“Mommy, aren’t you driving?”
Shen Cishu asked, her tone full of dissatisfaction.
“No, we’ll take a taxi home.”
Su Li’s tone remained unchanged.
She knew she was about to spend even more money.
But she was glad she had made Shen Cishu pay in advance earlier.
If Shen Cishu kept this attitude, she probably would have skipped out on paying.
“I don’t, I don’t want to!”
“I don’t want to take a car, I want Mommy to carry me home!!”
“I want to ride a horse home!!”