When Bai Yingchuan put down his phone, he specifically glanced at Jiang Ruotang. He was looking down, engrossed in sending messages on his phone, his nose perky. It seemed someone had sent him an interesting message, and the corners of his mouth lifted; that happiness was very infectious. So, they agreed to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Jiang Ruotang’s home.

Jian Sha was very excited; she was genuinely curious about what a big director’s home looked like. Zhao Changfeng directly told Cai Ji to bring a change of clothes, so they could watch anime and sleep together that night. Jiang Ruotang looked at the message Zhao Changfeng sent in their New Year’s Eve group chat and suddenly felt this was also an opportunity. He privately messaged Lu Guifan.

[Why don’t you bring your pajamas too, and we can sleep together?]

[Changfeng wants to pull an all-nighter watching anime with Cai Cai. Do you want to pull an all-nighter studying with me?]

Lu Guifan actually just wanted to tease Jiang Ruotang, but after sending it, he felt it was too serious. What if Jiang Ruotang didn’t think he was joking and took him seriously? Just as he was about to recall the message, Jiang Ruotang’s message arrived.

[You can pull an all-nighter studying, I can pull an all-nighter drawing you.]

Looking at this sentence, Lu Guifan propped his chin and smiled. This was what Jiang Ruotang was best at and what made him most charming. Even though they seemed completely different, one full of artistic sensibility and the other rational, calm, and logic-driven, Jiang Ruotang would never research something like the Goldbach Conjecture in this life, and Lu Guifan probably wouldn’t understand the difference between Van Gogh’s sunflowers and Gauguin’s water lilies in his lifetime. But this didn’t prevent Jiang Ruotang from coexisting with him in a comfortable, mutually understanding way.

Lu Guifan quickly replied: [Okay.]

This answer was enough to make Jiang Ruotang happy all day.

Looking at the chat in the small group, Lin Lu truly hadn’t expected Jiang Ruotang to be so composed, still asking everyone what they wanted to eat, drink, or if they wanted to set off fireworks together… Was he really unconcerned about Geng Yu’s report?

Before New Year’s Eve, the supervisory team’s investigation results were released. On that morning’s third period, the homeroom teacher, Song Qinghe, came to the podium and looked at all the students with a serious expression. Although everyone didn’t know what had happened, they also became nervous.

“Today, the school received a notice regarding disciplinary cheating in the provincial art joint examination.”

As soon as the words fell, the entire class first looked at Jiang Ruotang. Because his score was very high, higher than anyone expected. And for the past few days, there had been rumors that his high score was due to cheating. They never expected the disciplinary notice to arrive so quickly. Some were watching the drama, some felt it was a pity, and some gloated.

Lin Lu looked at Jiang Ruotang, and discreetly tugged his sleeve under the desk, “It couldn’t be…”

Jiang Ruotang calmly moved Lin Lu’s hand away. “Don’t worry, it definitely has nothing to do with me.”

Across the aisle, Jian Sha, as a friend, was very calm. If Jiang Ruotang had cheated, with Director Jiang’s fame, it would have leaked to the media long ago. How could it be so peaceful online? Zhao Changfeng in the back row was also full of curiosity, clearly not thinking that Jiang Ruotang was the one who cheated. When he saw other students looking at Jiang Ruotang, Zhao Changfeng frowned, warning those guys with his eyes not to let their imaginations run wild.

And Geng Yu’s grin was uncontrollable! Jiang Ruotang, you’re finished! Let you be proud, let you be wild!

“The supervisory team conducted a random check of exam papers for the provincial art joint exam. Five hundred students’ papers were pulled, and clear marks were found on three of them.”

Hearing this, Geng Yu’s pupils contracted, and he had a very bad premonition. Why was it a “random paper check” and not directly pulling Jiang Ruotang’s paper?

“And among these three, one is a student from this school.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ruotang smiled. He was very sure Geng Yu had been selected. Because with Geng Yu’s level, he definitely couldn’t integrate the V-shaped mark into the lines and shadows, making it immediately identifiable by the supervisory team. This time, it was Jiang Ruotang who slowly turned his head to look at Geng Yu. This gaze attracted the attention of the whole class, and everyone followed Jiang Ruotang’s gaze.

Geng Yu’s heart grew more and more anxious; he glared at everyone who looked his way. What are you looking at! I’m not a monkey! What the hell are you looking at! It wasn’t necessarily his paper that was selected; Jiang Ruotang’s score was so high, perhaps his mark was clear enough!

“I will not publicly announce this student’s name here. I hope he will take care of himself and cherish his reputation! The school’s disciplinary notice will be posted shortly.”

Now everyone was very curious, eagerly looking forward to after class to check the school’s bulletin board and see who had cheated.

“Additionally, I have a piece of good news to announce here. Student Jiang Ruotang achieved third place in the all-age group of the art competition held by Mr. Fu Chunshi! The first and second places were both awarded to already established emerging artists. Not only that, but student Jiang Ruotang is also the champion of the ‘New Wave’ group for those under twenty!”

Jiang Ruotang was stunned, “Me… me?”

Teacher Song clapped his hands, “That’s right, it’s you! Everyone, let’s give him a round of applause!” Jiang Ruotang had been so engrossed in chatting about New Year’s Eve in the group chat that he had overlooked the award information Teacher Liang from the art studio had sent him.

In the back row, rhythmic and strong applause broke out. Jiang Ruotang instinctively looked over; the first student to applaud him was Lu Guifan. Zhao Changfeng, sitting in the back, directly put his arm around Jiang Ruotang’s neck: “Jiang Ruotang, you’re amazing! I’m starting to idolize you, what do I do!”

“If you idolize me, then obediently call me ‘bro’!”

“Bro! You promised me, you’re going to hold an art exhibition for me!”

Jian Sha also leaned over: “And paint one for me! I want to enshrine your painting!”

Cai Ji looked in Jiang Ruotang’s direction, a proud smile on his face. Jiang Ruotang felt a sense of fulfillment in life, because of that painting; he had painted Lu Guifan. He felt that in this life, he could not achieve the same level of accomplishment painting anything else as he had painting Lu Guifan, which was a collection of all his suppressed, profound, and explosive emotions.

“With this level of skill, it can be confirmed that the person who cheated on the joint exam is not Jiang Ruotang,” Bai Yingchuan’s words brought realization to those around him.

Lin Lu looked at Jiang Ruotang in surprise. He didn’t even know that Jiang Ruotang’s painting skills had improved so much, or that his artistic attainment was so deep. Or perhaps, he had never truly paid attention to Jiang Ruotang’s achievements in his professional field. Thinking carefully, aside from the painting Jiang Ruotang gave to Bai Yingchuan, Lin Lu hadn’t seen Jiang Ruotang’s work for a long time.

“Ruotang, you… you’re too strong…”

Jiang Ruotang looked at Lin Lu’s surprised expression and nodded, “I can tell, this time you’re sincere.”

Sincere? What did Jiang Ruotang mean? Lin Lu looked at the confident and composed Jiang Ruotang, feeling that he himself appeared mediocre in comparison.

After class, Geng Yu opened his phone and saw a text message, which was from the supervisory team. His fingers trembled violently, and he didn’t even dare to open it. Meanwhile, Song Qinghe called out his name directly, “Geng Yu, come with me to the office.”

His hanging heart finally died. Geng Yu opened the message, and indeed, it was a notification of disciplinary action against him. When he stood up, he looked at Lin Lu with a cold glare. Lin Lu couldn’t help but shiver. Could Geng Yu blame him for the disciplinary action? But Geng Yu himself made the call, he himself told the supervisory team about the ‘V’ mark, and cheating was his own choice!

The school bulletin board was crowded with people, creating the illusion of a college entrance exam results announcement. Previously, there were big character posters about Lu Guifan winning various competitions, and after a while, everyone got used to it. But this time, it was Jiang Ruotang’s big red award announcement and Geng Yu’s white disciplinary notice posted side by side.

Jian Sha stood on tiptoes, still unable to see. Zhao Changfeng stood behind her, feeling tired watching her struggle.

“What’s there to see?”

“It’s a mix of joy and sorrow! How many times in this life do you get to see both at once?” Jian Sha replied.

Cai Ji, next to them, was amused by Jian Sha’s analogy.

“Shall I lift you up?” Zhao Changfeng asked.

“What do you mean? Am I a pot?”

“Then forget it. Anyway, I’ve already seen it.” Zhao Changfeng had just turned around when he was pulled by Jian Sha. “Lift me! Quickly lift me! I’m telling you to lift me!”

The next second, Jian Sha was lifted by Zhao Changfeng. At that moment, all eyes were on them. Jian Sha personally experienced what “being lifted high” felt like. She was even more conspicuous than the “mix of joy and sorrow” on the bulletin board. Seeing Old Man Wang, who loved to catch puppy love, about to walk over, Jian Sha shouted, “He and I are brothers!”

Zhao Changfeng replied, “Nonsense! Unless we’re sisters!”

Cai Ji was doubled over with laughter nearby.

Old Man Wang gave the two attention-seekers a cold glance and walked past. Jiang Ruotang, on the other hand, remained in his original spot, not joining the crowd, because he felt it was a pity that the good news came late. Otherwise, his and Lu Guifan’s names could have been posted side by side.

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At the same time, Geng Yu’s father rushed to the school and severely reprimanded Geng Yu. “Tell me exactly what happened? The examiner told me that someone maliciously reported a high-scoring candidate, and it turned out that candidate was fine, but during the random check, you were found out!”

Geng Yu didn’t dare to tell his father that he had actually reported himself. But now, looking back, he felt as if he had been led by the nose by Lin Lu all along. Didn’t Lin Lu say it wouldn’t trace back to him? But why did it end up tracing back to him? The more he thought, the angrier and more regretful he became.

“Look how much Jiang Ruotang achieved! In the art competition held by Mr. Fu Chunshi, he was the champion of the ‘New Wave’ group! Do you know what that means? Those art academy instructors and professors will be scrambling to take him as their apprentice! Direct disciples,重点培养 (key cultivation)! Collectors will start buying his works in advance, waiting for them to appreciate! And you? You can’t even make a mark properly! And you even implicated the examiner who helped us!”

It was a foregone conclusion that Geng Yu would have to retake the year, and the main issue was that with this disciplinary action, he didn’t know which school would still accept him. If he hadn’t made that call, hadn’t reported Jiang Ruotang, his score would have been enough for him to fight for a provincial second-tier university. Now, it was completely ruined. He suspected that Lin Lu had intentionally misled him. After all, Jiang Ruotang’s painting had entered the finals of a national competition; how could Lin Lu not know?

After class that evening, Geng Yu slapped Lin Lu’s desk and sneered, “Come on, let’s go eat hot pot together?” Lin Lu’s throat gulped, and he instinctively wanted to grab Jiang Ruotang next to him, but he grabbed air because Jiang Ruotang was turning around, leaning on Zhao Changfeng’s desk, chatting about whether to have hot pot or barbecue on New Year’s Eve.

Lin Lu tugged on Bai Yingchuan again. Bai Yingchuan, however, replied, “You go eat with Geng Yu. I want something simple to control my fat intake.”

No! That’s not it! Lin Lu’s pleading gaze wasn’t received by Bai Yingchuan at all.

Geng Yu’s arm wrapped around him, acting like buddies, and half-coaxed, half-pulled Lin Lu out of the classroom. Along the way, Lin Lu was nervous and uneasy, his palms cold. Especially when they passed the bulletin board, where many people were still gathered, some even saying, “Who is Geng Yu?” and “Cheating happens every year in the joint exam, but this year Geng Yu takes the cake”…

As expected, once they were out of the school gates, Geng Yu’s attitude changed. He practically grabbed Lin Lu by the back of his collar and dragged him into a corner. “Lin Lu! Were you deliberate? You instigated me to report Jiang Ruotang! You even said he knew about the ‘V’ mark, just to trick me into thinking he cheated!”

Lin Lu’s eyes immediately reddened, “Geng Yu, how could you think that of me… You were the one who kept saying Jiang Ruotang cheated, and I was just going along with what you said… How could you be like this!”

“Going along with what I said? Didn’t you yourself admit to revealing the ‘V’ mark to Jiang Ruotang?” Geng Yu’s voice rose by an octave.

“I… I… I did reveal it, but that doesn’t mean Jiang Ruotang would necessarily use it!” Large tears streamed down Lin Lu’s eyes.

“Still pretending!” Although Geng Yu was arrogant, he rarely laid hands on people, at most resorting to verbal sarcasm and ridicule. But this time, it concerned his future, and Geng Yu couldn’t bear it any longer. He swung a fierce slap, catching Lin Lu off guard, who had no time to dodge. The sound was so loud it stunned the passersby. Geng Yu wasn’t satisfied at all, gritting his teeth, wishing he could kick Lin Lu—this faker!

Lin Lu’s cheek stung, half of his jaw felt numb, and his head buzzed. It took him a while to realize he had been slapped by Geng Yu. Sure enough, students passing by looked on with concern.

“Didn’t you say the supervisory team wouldn’t check other people’s papers! If you hadn’t said that, I wouldn’t have made the second call at all!” This time, he didn’t need to pretend; Lin Lu’s tears flowed freely. His voice choked, “But the supervisory team does random checks… you just had bad luck… even if you didn’t make that call, how do you know the supervisory team wouldn’t have randomly picked your paper?”

Lin Lu looked increasingly pitiful. He tugged at Geng Yu’s arm, acting out weakness and seeking reconciliation perfectly. “Geng Yu, don’t be like this, I really didn’t mean it. I truly couldn’t have predicted such a low-probability event…”

A student passing by saw Geng Yu’s furious expression and Lin Lu’s pitiful and helpless look, so they said, “Talk things out properly! Didn’t he already apologize?”

“Apologize! Is what he did something an apology can fix?”

“Alright, then tell us what he did exactly?”

More and more students stopped to watch. Geng Yu was extremely angry, but he couldn’t reveal the matter of making the phone call and reporting. He could only suppress his rage in his chest. But he couldn’t just let Lin Lu go like that either.

“You wait for me!” Geng Yu’s molars were almost ground to dust.

Lin Lu took a deep breath, finally managing to fool this idiot away. I’ll wait, what can you do? Can you tell your dad that your cheating verdict this time was the result of you reporting yourself? Damn it, how dare you hit me…

Lin Lu went to the restroom and splashed cold water on his face, but the slap had been too hard; the swelling didn’t go down for a long time. He thought about just taking the afternoon off and going home. He didn’t want anyone to see his face.

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