Xiao Su Ying seemed to be a child unlike other children.
For example, most young boys preferred cool things, while most young girls preferred cute things.
But Xiao Su Ying, he seemed to lack the innocence and liveliness of a child, appearing uninterested in anything.
The butler bought all the popular toys for children his age, filling an entire room, yet Xiao Su Ying would only occasionally touch them, showing no real interest.
Until one day, while sitting amongst a pile of toys, Xiao Su Ying saw a graphic scene on television.
The person on screen seemed impatient, grabbing a chicken, twisting its neck, and then slashing it with a knife.
Because the chicken was still alive, it struggled. A large hand held it firmly. It must have struggled with all its might, but its struggles couldn't shift the grip even a fraction.
That scene, where bone and flesh were separated by a sharp instrument, was the first thing that sparked his curiosity.
He glanced at the elegantly dressed lady, chatting with other ladies over tea, then turned away. He quietly put down the toy in his hand and, with his small legs, went to the kitchen.
The kitchen staff were busy. They called out "Young Master" in a low voice upon seeing him and then continued their work.
His small body stood amidst the bustling adults, unable to find what he sought.
The small Xiao Su Ying walked to the butler's side and tugged at the hem of his always immaculate jacket.
He looked up with eyes that were not yet fully developed, slightly slender yet somewhat round, and asked in a child's uniquely soft voice, "Butler, I want a little chicken."
The butler looked at his incredibly cute young master, his heart melting. He crouched down slightly, smiled kindly, and told Xiao Su Ying that he would find him the most beautiful little chicken.
A few days later, an expensive and brightly plumed pet chicken was brought before Xiao Su Ying.
Xiao Su Ying's parents were very busy, both occupied with making money and enjoying life.
As for him, he seemed like an accident.
They seemed to take for granted that a child only needed sufficient material possessions and proper care.
Xiao Su Ying often found himself alone in the vast house, his companions always being the countless toys he disliked, the butler, and the maids.
Xiao Su Ying looked at the pet chicken strutting proudly before him, its feathers exceptionally bright. He rummaged through his toys and found a toy knife for cutting fruit.
He instinctively felt this was something he shouldn't let others know. He tiptoed to the door, locked it from the inside, and shut himself in his room.
Xiao Su Ying, a small figure, held a pet chicken that was slightly too large for him.
But even as a human infant with a milky voice, he had enough strength to deal with a pet chicken.
Piercing, sharp squawks from the pet chicken echoed from the room.
The butler gently knocked on the door, asking, "Young Master?"
Xiao Su Ying was busy. He replied, "I'm playing with it."
Once left undisturbed.
Though the toy knife was blunt, he still managed, with his own strength, to twist the pet chicken's neck with his small hands.
Xiao Su Ying thought for a moment. He liked the brilliant feathers of the pet chicken.
He carefully selected a few of his favorites and laid them neatly on the table.
These must not be stained.
Then he proceeded to cut open the chicken.
With great effort, the toy knife could only pierce, but it lacked the ability to cut through.
This was not easy for a small child with little strength, and the chicken was bony.
Xiao Su Ying visibly deflated. He hadn't experienced the joy of flesh and bone separating.
Disappointed, he went to the door and tiptoed. *Click*, the lock opened.
The worried butler had been waiting by the door, watching over his young master.
When the butler was permitted to enter again, he found his young master covered in blood.
He anxiously checked Xiao Su Ying for injuries, only to realize it was all the pet chicken's blood.
And the pet chicken, the butler glanced, was no longer a complete chicken.
The butler was a loyal servant; his father and forefathers had dedicated their lives to the Su family.
From birth, he had been taught the responsibilities he needed to bear.
He forced himself to remain calm, looking at the round, innocent-looking young master who was smiling happily with chicken feathers in his hand.
If not for the bloodstains on his body, this scene would have filled him with paternal affection.
He asked Xiao Su Ying, "Young Master, why did you do this?"
Xiao Su Ying just lowered his head, looking at the feather in his hand, "I saw it on TV. Does it look good?"
"It's beautiful," the butler instinctively defended Xiao Su Ying. "Ah, Young Master, do you want to be a doctor?"
The bewildered Xiao Su Ying looked up, "Doctor? What is that?"
The butler patiently explained, "Weren't you performing surgery on the little chicken?"
Xiao Su Ying nodded in a daze. So, this was called surgery.
Madame Su was very pleased that her son had found his life's ambition at such a young age. Upon learning that Xiao Su Ying wanted to be a doctor, she was very supportive—financially, at least.
"As long as he's happy," she said to the butler.
The butler never thought of his young master in a negative light.
After consulting with the Su couple, he even hired an expert for the young Xiao Su Ying, teaching him how to properly dissect a chicken.
Xiao Su Ying had a strong learning ability and seemed to possess an innate talent in this area.
In a very short time, he not only learned how to dissect a chicken but also learned to dissect many other things...
The butler felt a subtle sense of unease. He often advised Xiao Su Ying: what could be done, where it could be done, what could not be done, and what consequences would arise if discovered by others.
Xiao Su Ying, wearing a cute cartoon apron and holding a cartoon dissection knife specially made for him by the butler, nodded obediently.
At that time, Xiao Su Ying understood the butler's words as: apart from what could and could not be done, if something was done that shouldn't be, then it must not be discovered by anyone.
Xiao Su Ying learned from the butler that doctors could dissect people.
Xiao Su Ying followed his own feelings.
He successfully became a surgeon.
He enjoyed the sensation of sharp instruments slicing through flesh and blood, and he yearned to preserve beautiful things.
He left home and chose his own path.
He had ample financial resources.
He built himself a dedicated space.
He stored all his trophies there and lived there normally, visiting his beloved possessions every day.
There lay the enlightenment of his life, the feathers of that first pet chicken, and many other things.
For example, a pair of bright eyes from a prized dog, a birthday gift from a lady;
Or the wings of a colorful butterfly that landed on his shoulder during his travels;
And the entire bodies of beautiful insects he encountered...