Chapter 216: Battle of Paintings

“Were those old newspapers enough last time? If not, I can gather some more for you,” Officer Shangguan asked Lin Fang again.

Lately, there had been a lot going on, and if Shangguan hadn’t brought it up, Lin Fang would have completely forgotten about the newspapers. Feeling rather apologetic, she replied, “I haven’t used them yet. When I asked you for the newspapers, exams were coming up, and I had to focus on studying. I also hadn’t bought any ink or brushes. After the exams, it was the weekend, so I went home for two days. Today, I still haven’t had the chance to buy the supplies. But the wooden board you gave me came in handy—I dipped my fingers in water and practiced writing on it. It worked really well!”

“Oh? Really? I hadn’t thought of using the board that way. Since you haven’t bought any ink or brushes yet, don’t bother. I’ve been practicing calligraphy myself and have some extra supplies. I’ll bring them for you later,” Shangguan said, his tone sincere.

“No need, Officer Shangguan. You should keep them for yourself. I’ll buy my own when I need them. I can’t just take your things like that.” Ink and brushes came in different grades, and even the most basic ones cost money. Besides, she wasn’t close enough to Shangguan to accept his belongings.

After a brief silence, Shangguan dropped the subject and changed the topic. “I saw you and Little Chubby heading out at noon. What were you two up to? Our school is in a remote area, and it’s not very safe. You shouldn’t wander around for no reason.” He paused before adding, “Those troublemakers like to pick on kids. Since neither of you lives in town, it’s better to stay on campus when you don’t have anything to do.”

The way he asked felt almost like an interrogation. Lin Fang decided to lay it all out at once. “Oh, we went to Teacher Gao’s place to deliver something. I’ll keep your advice in mind and stay on campus when I don’t have business outside. But I should also officially report to you in the office later. Teachers Gao and Qiu are compiling study materials, and Teacher Gao asked me to assist them. We agreed I’d go after lunch and return before evening self-study. Guo Haopeng will come with me—he’ll handle some errands and double as my bodyguard.”

Although the school didn’t strictly require students to report their whereabouts, Lin Fang thought it was better to keep someone informed, just in case something happened and they needed to find her.

Shangguan was momentarily taken aback before chuckling. “Oh? I heard Teacher Shi mention this, but I thought it was just talk. I didn’t expect it to be real. Teachers Gao and Qiu are very particular—several teachers wanted to join the editing team, but they turned them all down. Yet they chose two students? You two must be doing something right. Just be careful.”

“Got it. Thank you, Officer Shangguan. It’s pretty cold—I’ll head to the classroom now.”

Lin Fang didn’t dare continue the conversation, afraid she’d burst out laughing if she stayed any longer. As an adult in spirit, being earnestly lectured by a young man like Shangguan struck her as absurd.

Even after walking quite a distance, Lin Fang could still hear Teacher Su whispering to Shangguan:

“Hey, aren’t you being a bit too concerned about that girl?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Isn’t it a teacher’s job to care about students? Unlike you—cold-hearted and cruel, making girls cry.”

Leaving the playground, Lin Fang really did feel the chill, especially in her feet. Standing around had left them numb and aching. She considered going back to the dorm to warm up or burrow under the blankets, but the thought of Fu Hongxia’s pitiful expression made her cringe. Instead, she decided to head to the classroom. With no teacher around and the class monitor unable to enforce rules, she could sit by the stove and warm her feet.

From a distance, she could hear the noisy chatter inside the classroom. As she pushed the door open, something flew toward her. She caught it—a physics textbook, though it was barely recognizable. From cover to cover, nearly every page was covered in doodles. Lin Fang tossed it back with a laugh. “Dou Yalin, if you’re going to gift someone your art, at least make it decent. How can you even show this to people?”

Dou Yalin had been admitted to the experimental class for her artistic talent. Hearing Lin Fang’s remark, she bristled. “If you’re so good, why don’t you draw something? Don’t be sour if you can’t.”

“Fine, I’ll draw. Who’s afraid of who?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Lin Fang regretted them. She *could* draw—but that was a skill she’d acquired in another life. In this one, aside from academics, she was practically useless at everything else.

But there was no taking it back now. The class had already erupted in excitement. Resigned, Lin Fang took out a pencil from her case and asked Dou Yalin, “What do you want me to draw?”

Dou Yalin lifted her chin haughtily. “Whatever. I don’t expect much from you anyway. Just don’t embarrass yourself too badly.”

Lin Fang’s fingers itched at the girl’s princess-like demeanor. “How about I draw a portrait of you?”

“Please, as if I’d let *you* draw me,” Dou Yalin scoffed, leaning away in exaggerated disdain.

“Your loss. Don’t regret it later.” Lin Fang turned to Zhang Jiejun. “How about you? Dare to let me try?”

As Lin Fang’s deskmate, Zhang Jiejun had seen her scribbles—or rather, the way she defaced her notebooks. She hesitated, but like Yang Xiuqin, she often played the role of an elder sister around Lin Fang, treating her like a child. In other words, she pitied the underdog. Despite her doubts, she nodded. “Alright.”

Lin Fang stared at her intently, making Zhang Jiejun nervous. “How are you going to do this?”

“Relax. Just sit like you normally would, but turn your face toward me.”

“Okay.” Zhang Jiejun rested her elbows on the desk, twisting her body toward Lin Fang like a pretzel. “Like this?”

Lin Fang burst out laughing. “Doesn’t that feel awkward?”

“Whatever. Do what you want. I’m going to read.”

Ignoring the onlookers, Zhang Jiejun buried herself in her book. She had weekly vocal lessons in the city and would be leaving next week for midterm exams. Before Lin Fang arrived, she’d been reviewing her music materials.

This was perfect. Natural was best. Lin Fang pulled out a notebook and began sketching.

The class now had a new distraction. Everyone crowded around, eager to see what she’d produce.

With just an ordinary pencil and scrap paper, Lin Fang’s hand moved swiftly. The noisy room gradually quieted. Even Dou Yalin, initially dismissive, edged closer out of curiosity. When she saw the emerging portrait—a girl full of vitality—her eyes widened in shock.

*No way. That can’t be Zhang Jiejun.* Yet the features and expression were unmistakably hers. Dou Yalin wondered if her eyes were playing tricks.

“Wow, that’s beautiful!” Yang Xiuqin was the first to exclaim.

“It really is! She looks like herself, but… different. Better than real life.”

The speaker was the class’s resident “Doctor,” a boy known for his vast knowledge. Yet even he struggled for words, resorting to a simple compliment.

“Really? Let me see!” Zhang Jiejun, who’d been pretending to study, couldn’t resist peeking after hearing the praise.

“Haha, is that *me*?”

She looked in the mirror every day, sometimes for long stretches during vocal exercises. But she’d never noticed how lively, how *pretty* she could look.

Grinning, Zhang Jiejun turned to Xiang Meili beside her. “You know, you *are* quite pretty. You just don’t pay much attention to yourself. If you put in a little effort, you could look just like this.”

Zhang Jiejun beamed. “Really? My vocal teacher says the same, but I don’t know how. Would you teach me?”

Xiang Meili lived up to her name (“Beautiful”). Naturally attractive and raised with grace, she had her own methods for maintaining her looks. As she often said, even the most beautiful person was just a dusty rock if they didn’t take care of themselves.

As the two chatted excitedly, others weren’t about to let the moment pass. Someone nudged the silent Dou Yalin. “Lin Fang’s drawing is amazing. You’re the art prodigy here—dare to challenge her? Draw a portrait too.”

Dou Yalin lifted her chin. “Fine. As if I’d be scared of her.”

But inwardly, she was nervous. Lin Fang’s sketch was quick and lifelike, while Dou Yalin specialized in landscapes, not portraits. She wasn’t confident she could match Lin Fang’s skill, but pride wouldn’t let her back down now.

She needed a model. Yang Xiuqin called out, “Zhang Jiejun, stop chatting and sit still. Let Dou Yalin draw you.”

Engrossed in her conversation, Zhang Jiejun brushed her off. “If you’re so eager, let her draw *you*. We look similar.”

Yang Xiuqin was the picture of a clumsy country girl—round-faced, plump, with long braids. At first glance, she was utterly unremarkable. Zhang Jiejun resembled her but was taller and heavier. Without her singing talent, she’d have been just as plain.

The two often bickered, so Yang Xiuqin didn’t take offense. “Dou Yalin, what do you want me to do?”

“Sit farther away.”

“Is this far enough?” Yang Xiuqin moved to the back row.

“Too far. Closer.” Dou Yalin was in the second row, beside Lin Fang’s seat.

“Okay.” Yang Xiuqin moved up a row.

“Closer.” Dou Yalin still found the distance too great for a portrait.

“Here?” Another row forward.

“Move sideways.” The angle was wrong.

“Better?” Two seats over.

“Wrong direction. Toward the window.” The lighting was off.

“How about now?” Yang Xiuqin sat by the window.

“Too close to the window.” The contrast was uneven.

Exasperated, Yang Xiuqin snapped, “Do you even know how to draw? Lin Fang didn’t need all this fuss.”

Dou Yalin shot back, “Art isn’t something you just slap together like she does.”

“Forget it.” Yang Xiuqin’s patience, usually reserved for Lin Fang, had run out. Dou Yalin’s arrogance—acting superior just because she was pretty—had always rubbed her the wrong way. Now, she’d had enough.

“Who wants to draw you anyway? Plenty of others will model for me.” Proudly, Dou Yalin scanned the room for volunteers, but the boys who usually flocked to her had already dispersed, busy with their own affairs. No one responded.

Humiliated, tears welled in Dou Yalin’s large eyes.

The “Doctor” spoke sagely. “Dou Yalin, you say Lin Fang is careless, but art, though transcendent, comes from life. Didn’t your art teacher teach you that?”

The tears finally fell. Dou Yalin began to sob.

*Another spoiled little girl,* Lin Fang thought with a sigh. Only then did she remember why she’d come to the classroom—her feet were freezing. She hurried to the stove. As an adult in spirit, she had no interest in comforting the upset child. No matter how young, everyone had to face the consequences of their actions.

She, too, had once been a spoiled girl. But this was a new life, and she intended to walk a different path.