Jiang Yu barely had enough time for everything. Besides painting, she also had to study. As a high school student, the academic workload was heavy. For Jiang Yu, there was an additional challenge – thirteen years had passed in between. She had long forgotten her high school knowledge and now having to start over from scratch was quite difficult, even for her.
Her primary focus was on her studies and Shen Zhiwei’s painting of the Liangshan heroes. After finishing Water Margin, she finally began working on the piece. Her progress was steady, so she wasn’t too worried about that. However, her studies were another matter entirely.
Fortunately, she had Xu Ruyi, her deskmate, who ranked second in the entire school. Aware of Jiang Yu’s struggles, Xu Ruyi helped tutor her during breaks and lunch. Jiang Yu’s situation was quite strange – she was decent at English, math and Chinese, but for other subjects, she was practically a beginner. However, Xu Ruyi showed no curiosity about this and didn’t ask any questions, sparing Jiang Yu the trouble of making up excuses.
The school held monthly exams and to put it bluntly, Jiang Yu’s results were disastrous. She used to be among the top ten students in the entire school, but now she had fallen beyond the 300th rank. When the results came out, people looked at her with odd expressions.
Even the homeroom teacher called her in for a talk.
“I know your family has been going through some issues,” the teacher said. “But you still can’t fall behind in your studies. This is about your future… Of course, art students have lower academic requirements, but scoring higher is always a good thing, right?”
Jiang Yu had always been an exception among art students, with grades even better than many regular students. To teachers and parents, she was the model student – the kind everyone envied.
The teacher’s words made Jiang Yu feel a little guilty. “I understand, Teacher. I’ll adjust quickly. My grades won’t be this… bad next time.”
The teacher nodded and handed her a document from the desk.
“I’ve discussed your situation with the school. You can continue practising in the art studio and your studio fees will be reduced by half. Also, this is a financial aid application. If you get it signed and stamped, you’ll receive a 3,000 yuan stipend per semester.”
Jiang Yu hesitated as she held the thin sheet of paper. It felt unbearably heavy in her hands. Without thinking, she immediately refused.
“Teacher, I can’t accept this subsidy. I’m not in need of financial assistance.”
The teacher, knowing her family background, didn’t believe her at all. “I understand that students like you have a lot of pride and don’t want to be seen as poor. Don’t worry, I haven’t made the aid recipients public. No one will know about this.”
Jiang Yu: “…”
She had a headache trying to figure out how to convince the teacher that she really wasn’t struggling financially. She could take on commissions online and earn a decent income. Plus, Shen Zhiwei’s commission alone had given her a 100,000 yuan deposit. She wouldn’t run out of money anytime soon. As a high school student, she didn’t even have high expenses.
“But even if you have some money now, you’re still a student. You’re only spending, not earning in the long run. Eventually, you’ll run out. What will you do then?”
Without giving her a chance to argue, the teacher dismissed her. “Alright, go back to class. No more discussion on this.”
Jiang Yu had no choice but to nod and return to her seat.
Back in the classroom, Xu Ruyi handed her a milk tablet. As she chewed on it, a pleasant milky fragrance surrounded her.
“What did Teacher Huang want?” Xu Ruyi asked.
Jiang Yu waved the document in her hand. “A financial aid form. He thinks my family is struggling and went out of his way to get this for me.”
Xu Ruyi glanced at it, then suddenly said, “Oh, this? My family funds this program.”
Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, amused. “As expected of the richest family in S Province. You really are loaded.”
Xu Ruyi immediately downplayed it. “Not really, just a little better off than most people.”
Jiang Yu couldn’t help but laugh.
After the last class of the afternoon, Jiang Yu headed to the art studio.
The room was quiet, filled with the distinct scent of paint. Many outsiders found the smell unpleasant, but for artists, it was comforting and familiar.
In the center of the studio was a display stand covered with a white cloth. On top of it were various objects – cylinders, apples, pears – all arranged for students to sketch.
“Jiang Yu!”
Teacher Shen was the first to notice Jiang Yu entering the studio. She immediately smiled and walked over. “I figured you’d come this afternoon. Teacher Huang must have told you – I applied for it and your studio fees have been cut in half. I originally wanted to get them fully waived for you, but I’ll keep trying.”
Hearing how much Teacher Shen cared, Jiang Yu felt warmth in her heart and couldn’t help but be touched. She said, “Teacher Shen, you don’t have to go through all this trouble for me.”
Teacher Shen waved her hand. “It’s not trouble – I just don’t want to see a promising talent wasted in front of my eyes. Hmm… where are your drawing materials? Didn’t you bring them?”
Jiang Yu replied, “I didn’t expect to come to the studio today, so I left them at home.”
“Let me think… Then use mine for today. I happen to have a set in the studio. They might be a bit dusty, so don’t mind that…” Teacher Shen said as she led Jiang Yu inside, heading towards her office.
As they walked, Teacher Shen asked, “Have you been keeping up with your studies during this time? Are you still sketching daily?”
Jiang Yu nodded. “I’ve been keeping up with it.”
Teacher Shen was pleased. “Good. With painting, if you go even a day or two without practising, your hand can get stiff. So, you have to keep drawing, understand?”
The two entered the office and as soon as the door closed behind them, the entire studio buzzed with whispered discussions. Naturally, the topic of conversation was Jiang Yu.
“Teacher Shen really does treat Jiang Yu differently!” A girl in a blue dress grumbled. She turned and saw the girl beside her still focused on her painting, seemingly indifferent, which made her even more frustrated. “Yu Bing, how can you not react to this at all?”
Yu Bing didn’t even glance up. “Why should I?”
Ji Lan huffed, “Jiang Yu is back! Teacher Shen has always favoured her. Now that she’s returned, doesn’t that put your position in danger? You’re clearly the best artist in the studio, but Teacher Shen still favours Jiang Yu. She’s obviously biased… And Jiang Yu’s sudden improvement must be because Teacher Shen secretly gave her private lessons!”
Yu Bing curled her lips slightly, as if she wanted to smile, but she rarely did, so the expression faded quickly. She seemed completely unconcerned and responded nonchalantly, “If Teacher Shen is willing to teach her privately, that’s her own ability.”
She moved her brush aside and examined her nearly finished painting, noticing a slight issue with the shading. She continued adjusting it and then added indifferently, “Jiang Yu is indeed talented at painting, but what does that have to do with me? As long as I paint well, Teacher Shen will eventually realise that I am the best artist in this studio, with the highest talent.”
Her words carried a natural sense of confidence and pride, as if Jiang Yu wasn’t even worth considering. Ever since she was young, she had always been the most outstanding among her peers – the one most favoured by teachers. Even if Teacher Shen preferred Jiang Yu now, she was sure that sooner or later, the teacher would recognise that she was the more talented one.
To her, Jiang Yu was just another ordinary student in the studio, not worth paying attention to.
Seeing Yu Bing’s indifferent attitude, Ji Lan became even more frustrated, her jealousy toward Jiang Yu nearly bursting.
Why? Why did Jiang Yu get Teacher Shen’s attention?
Her heart burned with anger. She had been relieved when Jiang Yu left the studio, but now that she was back, she felt even more upset than before. In her irritation, her hand slipped and she pressed too hard on her canvas, leaving an irreversible mark.
“Ah!” Ji Lan gasped and hurriedly tried to erase it, but the stroke was too deep – the painting was ruined. Frustrated, she tore the paper off the easel and replaced it with a new sheet, starting over.
At the same time, she resented Jiang Yu even more. She convinced herself that it was all Jiang Yu’s fault that she had to redo her work.
Jiang Yu was always so annoying!
Jiang Yu and Teacher Shen soon returned from the office and now Jiang Yu was carrying a drawing board and various art supplies.
“I rarely paint in the studio, so these materials have just been sitting around. The paints are all new – take them and use them,” Teacher Shen said, pulling out all the art supplies from her office and handing them to Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu insisted, “Teacher Shen, I’m not short on money.”
“Mm-hmm, I know, I know, you’re not short on money…” Teacher Shen nodded absentmindedly, completely ignoring her words. Her tone and expression were so dismissive, it was as if she was humouring a child throwing a tantrum.
Jiang Yu: “…”
I’m telling the truth! Why does no one believe me?!
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