Chapter 243

Shi Muhuan had great confidence in his sister’s drawing skills.

He was well aware of her talent in portrait drawing. She could create a likeness just from a description, and now, with a childhood photo, he believed it should be even easier for her.

In fact, he had wanted to talk to her about it yesterday. However, Xiao Jia, considering that Shi Muhuan hadn’t been home for almost two years, wanted them to have some family time first. Thus, they had arranged for the meal delivery first.

Shi Tingyu carefully examined the black-and-white photo. The boy in the photo had a full forehead but a rather thin face. Overall, the photo was clear, and the bone structure was distinct. She decided to give it a try.

“When are you heading back to the team?” she asked.

“The day after tomorrow,” Shi Muhuan replied.

Shi Tingyu nodded, “That should be enough time. You take care of Shen Shen, and I’ll give it a try.”

The dorm had some basic sketching materials, including a sketchbook, pencils, and erasers. Shi Tingyu occasionally practiced sketching when Shen Shen napped.

Shi Muhuan played with Shen Shen on the bed, making sure not to disturb Shi Tingyu’s concentration.

Shi Tingyu first perfectly replicated the boy’s head from the photo, then gradually removed the skin and flesh to sketch the skull.

She carefully compared the skull with the photo, made some minor adjustments, and once satisfied, began slowly expanding and modifying it based on the skull’s structure.

From birth to seven years old, the skull grows rapidly, with teeth and nasal sinuses developing and the facial bones expanding quickly.

However, from seven years to puberty, the skull growth slows down, with gradual emergence of gender differences. The photo depicted a child in the early stages of this period.

This stage made it easier to predict the adult appearance compared to infancy.

From puberty to twenty-five, the skull continues to develop, with marked gender differences. The forehead protrudes, and structures such as the brow ridges, mastoid processes, and nasal sinuses develop rapidly. The jaw angle also becomes more pronounced, and muscles and fascia attachment points become more defined.

Recalling the anatomical knowledge from later studies, Shi Tingyu made further adjustments to the skull.

She was so engrossed in her work that she nearly missed the start of her class, had Shi Muhuan not reminded her.

With Shi Muhuan around, Shi Tingyu didn’t send Shen Shen to the daycare.

Shi Muhuan took Shen Shen to the daycare to inform them and then took him for a walk around the campus.

It was early spring, and the afternoon sun was warm. The little guy squinted contentedly in the stroller.

Shi Muhuan couldn’t help but laugh. This little one was already learning to enjoy life at such a young age.

Since her brother was there, Shi Tingyu spent a bit more time in the classroom, finishing the sample painting.

The students were eager to learn and didn’t mind the teacher taking up some break time. No one complained about the extended class.

After finishing her demonstration and answering a few questions, Shi Tingyu headed back.

As she reached downstairs, she saw Shi Muhuan waiting with Shen Shen.

Shi Tingyu jogged up to them, and they left together.

It was a busy time between classes, and many people saw this scene.

Someone couldn’t help but comment, “Who was the idiot who said our teacher’s husband looked scary? He looks better than those in the dance troupe!”

Others around nodded in agreement. That soldier wasn’t just good-looking; he had an air about him. The term “gentleman like jade” fit Shi Tingyu’s husband perfectly.

Shi Tingyu was unaware of her students defending her. As they walked, her mind was occupied with thoughts about Xiao Jia’s brother.

Shi Tingyu asked Shi Muhuan to wait downstairs while she went up to the dorm to fetch the sketchbook she had been using.

Two military jeeps left the campus, attracting curious and admiring glances.

Back home, Shi Muhuan took care of all the chores, including childcare, weeding, and picking vegetables, striving to give Shi Tingyu a quiet environment for drawing.

Soon, Xiao Jia arrived, bringing a lot of items—fish, meat, malted milk, and brown sugar.

Yesterday, he had come over with Shi Muhuan right after their mission and hadn’t had time to get these items. Today, he had specially gone out to buy them.

Shi Muhuan saw the items Xiao Jia was carrying and said, “Treat this place like your own home. You don’t need to spend money on these things.”

He was aware of Xiao Jia’s family situation. Xiao Jia’s parents weren’t in good health due to his brother’s disappearance. If Xiao Jia hadn’t worked hard and been promoted to company Captain, their lives would have been much tougher.

Xiao Jia scratched his head and said, “Captain, it’s just a little something from me. Besides, I still need Shi Tingyu’s help with my brother’s matter. If I didn’t bring something, I’d feel bad.”

Since he had already said that, Shi Muhuan didn’t argue further. He just said, “I showed your brother’s photo to Shi Tingyu this afternoon. She’s working on the drawing in her room now.”

Xiao Jia’s eyes lit up, but he didn’t disturb Shi Tingyu. Instead, he followed Shi Muhuan around, helping with household chores.

Shi Muhuan prepared dinner using the meat and fish Xiao Jia had brought. When Lu Weiguo returned, he was surprised not to see his wife, but he noticed Shi Muhuan and Xiao Jia busily working like spinning tops.

Shi Muhuan explained Xiao Jia’s situation to Lu Weiguo, who then understood that his wife was busy drawing in her room. He didn’t disturb her and instead joined his brother-in-law in the kitchen to help finish the cooking. By the time Lu Weiguo arrived, the meal was nearly ready.

After dinner, Shi Muhuan asked Shi Tingyu, “How’s the drawing coming along? Will it be finished by tomorrow?”

They were scheduled to leave the day after tomorrow. If the drawing wasn’t completed by then, they would have to wait for it to be mailed to their camp.

Shi Tingyu replied, “It should be ready by tomorrow. I don’t have any classes, so I’ll have enough time.”

She had already finalized the skull. The next step was to add the facial muscles and skin, which was crucial.

Xiao Jia was excited but tried to keep his emotions in check. “Thank you so much for your help, Shi Tingyu!”

Shi Tingyu smiled and said, “It’s no trouble. I find this quite interesting.”

Of course, Xiao Jia didn’t take her words lightly and thanked her again.

Shi Tingyu looked at Xiao Jia and suddenly asked, “Do your brother’s eyes look a lot like yours?”

Although the boy in the photo was only eight or nine, the skull she had reconstructed had a brow bone that resembled Xiao Jia’s.

Xiao Jia nodded eagerly. “Yes! I don’t remember much from when I was little, but my parents often said that my brother and I both had eyes like our father’s.”

Shi Tingyu nodded in understanding and continued, “Are your parents slim or overweight?”

Though body shape can change with diet, many traits are inherited from parents. Genetics is fascinating.

Xiao Jia replied, “Both my parents are quite slim.”

Shi Tingyu nodded again, having noted this information.