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The next day, everyone in the art studio could sense that Lin Zhan was in an exceptionally good mood.
While painting colors in the morning and taking advantage of Huang Chen’s absence, Sun Hong carried his palette over to her station: “You slept well last night, huh?”
Lin Zhan hummed a tune and nodded, rinsing her brush before finding a blank spot on her palette to mix the highlights for an apple.
Just as she prepared to scoop out some white paint, she noticed Sun Hong pulling out a pre-prepared scraper.
Lin Zhan: “What are you planning to do?”
“Wow, using classical Chinese now, so impressive,” Sun Hong flattered her as he held up an empty jar of jelly-like paint. “I’ve run out of white. Can I borrow some from you…?”
Everyone in the art room knew the unspoken rule: borrowed paint, like spilled water, was never returned—especially white.
White was the most fundamental color used in painting. Most people bought it in bulk and kept a large stock.
Non-art students wouldn’t understand the deep anguish of having a huge lump of white paint scooped away.
It felt akin to buying a brand-new, beautiful notebook, only to have half of it torn out right in front of you.
Qi Lijie laughed and scolded from the side: “Sun Hong, you’re too heartless! Borrowing a little is one thing, but you’re even bringing an empty jar to scoop!”
“Sister Zhan won’t mind,” Sun Hong adjusted his nickname for her depending on the situation. Now needing something, he turned to Lin Zhan with a bargaining tone: “Right?”
Lin Zhan didn’t confirm or deny, simply asking him: “Sun Hong, have you ever heard a famous quote?”
Sun Hong leaned in eagerly: “Huh? What?”
Lin Zhan smirked: “Those who steal my white paint shall be punished, no matter how far they flee.”
Sun Hong shivered but moved swiftly, reaching out to scoop a large spoonful of white from Lin Zhan’s jar.
“...Who said that? I’ve never heard of it.”
Lin Zhan smiled, speaking slowly: “Franklin... Zhan.”
Seeing Sun Hong speechless, she teased: “What, you don’t believe me?”
Sun Hong bowed repeatedly: “Believe, believe, believe—a hundred times over.”
///
During break time, Sun Hong came over to chat with her.
“During the upcoming National Day holiday, do you want to go sketching outdoors?”
“With the school or on our own?” Lin Zhan asked. “The whole class?”
Sun Hong: “No, just a few of us.”
Lin Zhan: “What’s the point of sket...”
Sun Hong interrupted: “Qi Lijie might invite Zhang Ze, and Zhang Ze can bring Shen Xi along.”
Lin Zhan immediately changed her tone: “Then it’s settled. Sounds great.”
That evening, when she got home, Lin Zhan still couldn’t quite put her mind at ease.
She nudged Qi Lijie: “When you get back, ask Zhang Ze if Shen Xi can really come. I feel like he doesn’t enjoy group activities much.”
Qi Lijie: “Alright, I’ll ask.”
///
Though Zhang Ze hadn’t received Qi Lijie’s specific request, he had already done his best to persuade Shen Xi.
—For instance, at this moment.
During dinner, Zhang Ze negotiated with Ye Qian: “Auntie, we’re planning to go out during the National Day holiday. Do you agree to let Shen Xi join us?”
Shen Xi: “I don’t want to go.”
Ye Qian, upon hearing this, nodded enthusiastically: “Of course! Shen Xi has always preferred staying indoors. I’m worried he’ll grow moldy. It’s perfect timing for a holiday—take him out to relax. Just be safe.”
Shen Xi sighed silently: “Mom, I really don’t want to go.”
“Go,” Shen Su said firmly. His tone brooked no argument, and every word he spoke made sense. “You’re only in your second year of high school—it’s not busy yet. By your third year, you won’t have time for this. Opportunities like this are rare. Spend time with friends, build connections, and practice independence. Otherwise, you’ll just stay home, and your mom will handle everything for you.”
Shen Xi remained silent but thought to himself that next time Zhang Ze begged him, he’d refuse to let him eat at their house.
Unable to persuade him directly, Zhang Ze had gone to convince Ye Qian and Shen Su instead.
If he didn’t go, those two would surely nag him endlessly during the holiday. Thinking about it, he realized he had no choice but to go.
After dinner, while dropping Zhang Ze off, Zhang Ze comforted Shen Xi with a smile: “Think of it as accompanying me. I won’t know many people there—I’ll be lonely.”
Shen Xi ignored him: “If you don’t know anyone, why are you going?”
Zhang Ze rubbed his nose: “To bond with classmates and have fun outdoors. Isn’t that great?”
Shen Xi: “...”
Zhang Ze pressed on: “Besides, you love visiting art exhibitions. This time, the talented students from Class Three will be sketching there. Won’t it be a feast for your eyes?”
At this, Shen Xi’s expression softened slightly.
Zhang Ze seized the opportunity: “I heard Lin Zhan is an excellent painter. I think her style might suit your tastes.”
“Go—it’ll definitely be fun.”
///
Without receiving a definitive answer, Lin Zhan decided to take matters into her own hands.
Since adding him as a friend, she had fully embraced her meticulous feminine side, sending him weather forecasts for the next day and reminding him to bring an umbrella or add clothes. Sometimes she also shared news of newly opened shops nearby—small crowds and delicious food.
After psyching herself up, she sent Shen Xi a message.
—[I heard you’re going camping during the National Day holiday?]
Shen Xi saw her message quickly. The words “don’t want to go” hovered repeatedly in the chat box, typed and deleted over and over. After a long while, he left only one character.
[Yes.]
Lin Zhan: [Great! I heard the stars there are especially beautiful at night. Maybe we can watch them together sometime.]
In her heart, she thought: even if there’s no chance, I’ll create one to watch with you.
Together?
Shen Xi felt indifferent. He figured she’d probably still talk a lot by then—more than the stars in the sky.
Besides, he wasn’t particularly interested in stargazing.
///
Time always flies when there’s anticipation. With the distribution of parental consent forms, the National Day holiday was approaching.
The night before departure, Shen Xi picked up his phone, feeling that something was missing.
His hand unconsciously typed a search query, leading him to a guide for stargazing at their destination.
...
He thought to himself that he must be incredibly bored tonight.
He truly didn’t care much for stargazing, especially with Lin Zhan.
Ye Qian helped him pack his luggage, carefully placing a specialized telescope into his backpack. After a final check: “Is that everything?”
As the zipper closed with a soft hiss, Shen Xi suddenly stopped her: “Wait a moment.”
Ye Qian: “What? Did we forget something?”
The backpack was nearly closed, leaving only a small opening.
Shen Xi stuffed something inside: “This too—it’s part of the set.”
Two telescopes now nestled together in his backpack.
///
The next day, under Sun Hong and Qi Lijie’s arrangements, a large group headed up the mountain. This mountain was renowned in W City, practically becoming its living symbol.
Due to unexpected heavy traffic, they arrived at their destination late at night.
Sun Hong and Qi Lijie were experienced—they often went out and had visited this mountain many times before.
Everyone decided to sleep first and begin sketching and exploring the next day.
The boys and Lin Zhan worked together to set up the tents. After dividing them, everyone settled in.
Lin Zhan shared a tent with Zheng Yi Mian.
The mountain was indeed quiet—so quiet that the chirping of insects and birds was crystal clear.
Zheng Yi Mian, tired, fell asleep on one side. Lin Zhan rested her head on her arm, closing her eyes to listen to the sounds outside.
It was an atmosphere of extreme tranquility and harmony. As soon as she closed her eyes, she thought of Van Gogh’s Starry Night .
She suddenly remembered her unfinished painting.
...She wondered when she’d finally create a masterpiece.
But for now, the priority was dealing with every competition arranged by Lin Zhengping.
Thinking about competitions made Lin Zhan restless. Any drowsiness she had cultivated vanished completely.
She lay flat on her back, staring at the tent ceiling, almost giving up.
Another bout of insomnia was likely.
After struggling on her bed for half an hour, Lin Zhan decided to step outside for some fresh air.
At least there was the night sky to gaze at. As she pulled open the tent, instead of the expected darkness, she was greeted by a flickering firelight.
Her restless thoughts, tangled like floating weeds, disappeared entirely upon seeing the person beside the fire.
Shen Xi sat by the fire, seemingly playing around with starting it.
The orange glow illuminated his face clearly, making each feature appear sculpted and three-dimensional. His lowered lashes cast exaggerated shadows across his face.
Perhaps it was the colors, or perhaps it was his presence itself, but Lin Zhan felt a warmth in her heart, a sudden urge to cry.
Too many times, she had faced overwhelming emotions alone. Never had she found someone to talk to after waking up during an episode of insomnia.
She walked over and asked Shen Xi: “Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I slept on the bus,” Shen Xi replied. “I’m not tired.”
“They say people like us, who sleep less, tend to be smarter,” she subtly tried to close the distance between them.
Shen Xi kept his head down, fiddling with sparks.
Lin Zhan knelt beside him: “Why did you suddenly start a fire? Aren’t you afraid of burning the place down?”
Shen Xi: “I was bored. I happened to find some materials, so I tried starting one. The fire’s small—it’s safe.”
Lin Zhan rested her chin on her knees with a smile: “Tried starting what?”
Shen Xi: “...”
What kind of question was that... Lin Zhan mentally scolded herself.
After a long pause, she mustered the courage to ask: “Are you mad at me?”
Shen Xi: “No.”
He was used to it.
Lin Zhan: “Then how can you prove you’re not mad?”
Perhaps it was the long night ahead, or maybe he just needed something to pass the time. Shen Xi, unusually, wanted to chat with her for a bit.
“How do you want me to prove it?”
Lin Zhan licked her lips and blinked: “Then... call me ‘Sweetheart’ and let me hear it?”
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