The car stopped. Shu Yu was a bit nervous. Si Yiheng leaned over to unbuckle Shu Yu's seatbelt. Shu Yu hadn't expected Si Yiheng to come so close. When she looked up, her lips nearly brushed against his cheek.
Si Yiheng's hand paused on the seatbelt. His knuckles, distinct and elegant, tightened around it.
He calmed the irregular pounding of his heart and looked at Shu Yu, comforting her gently, "Don't be nervous, Baby Yu."
Shu Yu clenched her hands, her eyelashes fluttering nonstop. "Gege, I feel like my heart's about to stop."
Shu Yu was incredibly nervous, her thin back trembling like a startled cat.
Si Yiheng wrapped his arms around Shu Yu, patting her back to soothe her. "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you."
"Teacher Zhang might be a bit strict, but I promise he won't be harsh on you."
Si Yiheng's steady strokes calmed Shu Yu a little.
Shu Yu took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll admit my mistake."
Si Yiheng held Shu Yu's hand and knocked on Teacher Zhang's door together.
Teacher Qin answered the door faster than Teacher Zhang.
Teacher Zhang: "..."
Whose place is this, anyway?
Coming in so familiarly, shameless.
Teacher Qin: "You're here."
As soon as Teacher Qin opened the door, his eyes scanned automatically. He spotted Shu Yu standing beside Si Yiheng—she was strikingly beautiful and looked exceptionally well-behaved.
Having been a teacher for so long, Teacher Qin could tell at a glance that Shu Yu was a good student.
Teacher Zhang also walked over and saw Shu Yu too.
Shu Yu's hands were trembling a little. Only because Si Yiheng held her hand did it not shake too noticeably.
Shu Yu spoke obediently, "Hello, Teacher Zhang. Hello, Teacher Qin."
Si Yiheng had told her earlier that his mentor, Professor Qin, would also be there.
Teacher Qin: "Ah, hello, hello."
Teacher Zhang nodded, looked Si Yiheng up and down, and said, "Mm, come on in."
Teacher Qin immediately introduced them, "Old Zhang, this is my prized student, Si Yiheng."
"Yiheng, this is my good friend, Teacher Zhang."
Si Yiheng: "..."
Teacher Zhang: "..."
Si Yiheng politely said, "Hello, Teacher Zhang."
Teacher Zhang nodded once. "Shu Yu, come with me."
Shu Yu's heart nearly leaped out of her chest, but she knew she needed to properly explain things to Teacher Zhang.
Si Yiheng gently squeezed her hand. "Don't be nervous. I'll wait for you here."
Teacher Zhang sharp-eyed noticed what Si Yiheng was holding and guessed it was a painting Shu Yu had brought for him to critique.
So Teacher Zhang added, "Bring your painting too."
Shu Yu went with Teacher Zhang into the study.
Teacher Zhang could also see that Shu Yu really didn't have a strong nerve—just moments ago, when they met, her face had turned pale.
With that kind of nerve, she still dared to come and explain. Teacher Zhang thought Shu Yu was sincere.
Teacher Zhang: "Shu Yu, don't be nervous."
Shu Yu lowered her head. "Teacher Zhang, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have had someone else attend class for me, and I shouldn't have been careless with my assignments."
Though there were reasons behind it, she didn't make excuses. Teacher Zhang liked Shu Yu a bit more.
He cleared his throat twice, putting on a show. "Mm, you did wrong. Next time, pay attention. If you're feeling unwell, you can ask for leave. I may be strict, but I'm not unreasonable."
Shu Yu hadn't expected things to be let off so easily. Her trembling eased, and she looked at Teacher Zhang in surprise. Was this for real?
Teacher Zhang: "..."
She was still young; her thoughts were written all over her face. She practically had "I've been let off" stamped on her expression.
What could he do?
He couldn't really report this whole situation of someone covering her class and have everyone get a demerit.
Teacher Zhang cleared his throat again. "Next time, no hiring a substitute. This once, it's fine."
Shu Yu said gratefully, "Thank you, Teacher Zhang."
Teacher Zhang: "You're welcome. Now show me your painting."
Shu Yu was dazed. She had no idea how things got to the point of him wanting to see her painting, but she realized what Si Yiheng meant by telling her to bring it along.
Shu Yu: "Please give me your guidance, Teacher Zhang."
Teacher Zhang looked down. She really was well-behaved so different from those troublemakers. Because of his strictness, some students viciously gossiped about him, and it had been a long time since he'd seen such an honest, obedient kid.
When he saw Shu Yu's oil painting, Teacher Zhang hesitated for a moment.
The painting showed a cat crouching in the shadow of some ivy, eyes half-closed, chin slightly lifted, as if sniffing the air.
The ivy leaves layered one over another, climbing from the base of the wall all the way to the top, covering most of it. Sunlight streamed from above, gilding the edges of the topmost leaves with gold. The gold spread along the edges, growing fainter until only a trace of warmth remained.
The transition was natural.
Its orange-and-white fur gleamed, its squinting eyes revealing a sliver of light, like a glass bead pierced by sunshine.
Light and shadow shifted—a warm, lively painting.
The technique was a bit immature, but it brimmed with inspiration.
Teacher Zhang adjusted his glasses and glanced sideways at Shu Yu.
Actually, skipping class wasn't so bad.
It had led him to find a treasure.
Maybe he had been too rigid. Everyone makes mistakes; nobody's perfect.
And geniuses always have some quirks—perhaps they're just too sensitive to the outside world and dislike interacting with people.
That's perfectly normal.
Old Man Qin had a beloved student like Si Yiheng.
Why couldn't he have a beloved student like Shu Yu!
He'd quietly lure her into learning oil painting with him.
He was determined to redeem himself; he'd show everyone his teaching skills weren't bad.
He just hadn't had a good student before.
Now, his good student had arrived!
Shu Yu stood straight as an arrow, completely unaware that Teacher Zhang had already talked himself around.
Teacher Zhang softened his tone. "Xiao Yu, your future road is long. When you stand high enough, even your tendency to keep to yourself will become part of your personality."
Shu Yu blinked slowly. "Huh?"
Teacher Zhang continued in a gentle voice, telling her many things—urging her to persist in painting, saying she had great talent, advising her not to care about others' opinions, and to focus on herself.
Under Teacher Zhang's warm reassurance, Shu Yu could hardly believe what was happening.
After a long speech, Teacher Zhang finally got to the point. "You're always welcome to seek my advice."
"Your character issues don't necessarily have to be overcome, but if you want to try, you can slowly get more comfortable with people."
"You can come talk to me, and I'll help you work through it. Whatever you do, don't go down the wrong path."
Shu Yu's mind went blank for a second.
Go down the wrong path?
What if she'd already gone down it?
Teacher Zhang actually caught a hint of guilt on Shu Yu's innocent face. He clenched his fists. "Shu Yu, dating will only slow down your progress. Focus on painting."
Shu Yu: ( ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ
Ah, so this was the wrong path?
Shu Yu paused for two seconds. "Mm-hmm, okay, Teacher Zhang, I understand."
When they came out, Si Yiheng noticed that Shu Yu was no longer tense.
But Teacher Zhang was giving him a less-than-friendly look.
Si Yiheng: "..."
It was as if he were some shameless punk.
After Teacher Zhang invited the three of them to stay for a meal, Shu Yu and Si Yiheng finally left.
As soon as they were gone, Teacher Zhang spoke up, "I have to say, that Si Yiheng of yours is just so-so. I think he's a bit unworthy of my apprentice."
Teacher Qin said, "...Did Shu Yu agree to learn painting from you?"
Teacher Zhang replied, "She didn't refuse either. I'll slowly coax her into becoming my student."
Teacher Qin was speechless.
This old man.
After leaving with Si Yiheng, Shu Yu was still a bit dizzy. Things had been resolved so easily.
For the first time, she felt that running into trouble wasn't so bad after all.
When they reached the courtyard of their home, Shu Yu whispered to Si Yiheng, "Gege, Teacher Zhang said I have a lot of talent."
Si Yiheng looked down and stroked Shu Yu's head. "You've always had a lot of talent."
Shu Yu's paintings had always been lively and authentic. The one she painted of Little Orange napping was especially warm.
Hearing Si Yiheng praise her too, Shu Yu grew even happier, a smile spreading across her face. "Teacher Zhang also said I should prepare well for the final exams. There's a chance I can pass."
Si Yiheng nodded. "If you prepare well, you'll definitely pass."
The setting sun cast golden light across the entire courtyard. Creepers swayed gently in the breeze, and the fragrance of roses floated in the air.
Shu Yu gently hooked her finger around Si Yiheng's. "Si Yiheng, I'm really happy."
Si Yiheng lowered his head slightly, a smile at the corners of his lips. "That happy?"
Shu Yu said, "Gege, bend down a little."
By now, Si Yiheng was very used to lowering his head for Shu Yu, so he obediently did so.
Shu Yu cupped Si Yiheng's cheek and kissed him on the face.
