Chapter 68: Professional Level Painting

The next morning, there was only one class.

After finishing the morning class, Lin Yuan went straight to the music room.

Realizing his shortcomings yesterday, he wanted to improve his piano skills.

However, upon arriving at the music room, Lin Yuan was surprised to find it fully occupied today.

This was unusual.

It was the first time Lin Yuan encountered a full music room. He had been here a few times before and never faced such a situation.

No choice.

Thinking about waiting for a room to become available, not knowing how long it would take, Lin Yuan decided to leave.

But in the moment he turned around, he suddenly heard a voice beside him: "Are you here to use the piano?"

Lin Yuan turned to look and found it was Gu Xi, who had apologized to him yesterday. In his heart, he couldn't help but think—

No wonder.

Originally, the music room wouldn't be full.

But based on Lin Yuan's experience, every time he encountered Gu Xi, something bad would happen. It had almost become a law! So the music room was probably full because he encountered her.

"No, thanks."

Since his luck would worsen when he encountered her, Lin Yuan naturally wanted to avoid her as much as possible.

"It's okay, you can use my music room."

Gu Xi looked at Lin Yuan, her face full of expectation.

This was the plan she had thought of until late at night:

Fill up the empty music rooms with people so that she can naturally invite Lin Yuan to her exclusive practice room!

"I have something to do."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan walked even faster.

Gu Xi looked at Lin Yuan's leaving figure in amazement, wanting to catch up but hesitating. For a moment, she felt regretful:

Was I too harsh on him before?

How can I repair this crack?

"Gu Xi, what's wrong with you?"

The door of one of the music rooms opened.

A girl in a white down jacket asked with concern and glanced at Lin Yuan's retreating back.

"Nothing."

Gu Xi forced a smile and said, "Thanks, class monitor. It must have been difficult to organize everyone to come to the music room."

"I should thank you."

The class monitor said seriously, "These guys usually don't practice well. With so many vacant music rooms, and knowing you were giving guidance, they all agreed to come and practice. It wasn't difficult to organize them at all."

"Okay, since we're here, I'll fulfill my promise."

Gu Xi said, "Let's start from the first room on the left."

She had originally planned for Lin Yuan to use her music room to make up for kicking him out the first time they met. Meanwhile, she would teach other students in different rooms.

But Lin Yuan refused directly.

Although the plan failed, she had called so many classmates over, and with the words she had said to the class monitor, she had to follow through.

Can't let people come for nothing.

Two hours later.

Gu Xi gave guidance to every student in each music room. When she finished guiding the last room, she felt her throat was hoarse.

Teaching is really tiring.

She called her friend, arranged to meet at the cafeteria, and decided to eat something together while sharing her feelings.

"You said you had a plan yesterday."

Her friend asked as soon as they met, "Did it succeed?"

Gu Xi frowned and said, "Completely and utterly failed."

Her friend chuckled and was about to say something when a boy hurriedly ran over, "Gu Xi, are you thirsty? I bought drinks for you and your friend."

Saying that, the boy took out two bottles of orange juice and placed them on the table.

"Thank you," Gu Xi smiled.

The boy paused, seemingly momentarily lost in thought. Then, blushing, he said, "No need," while hastily running away.

"What's going on?" 

Gu Xi's friend, as if meeting her for the first time, looked at her in amazement. "I thought you hated it when guys tried to impress you? Don't tell me you find these puppy-like gestures appealing."

"Why do you call it puppy-like?" 

Gu Xi, feeling like her tail had been stepped on, retorted, "Harmonious and friendly interactions among classmates are normal, aren't they?"

"Huh?"

Her friend said, "But didn't you say before that only green tea continuously gives hope to others? You insisted that rejecting such people firmly is the only way to make them give up unrealistic ideas."

"You don't understand."

Gu Xi said, "If you don't genuinely like someone, who would be willing to act like a 'puppy'? Devoting yourself to someone, trying your best to please them, only to be rejected, can be very painful."

...

Lin Yuan walked out of the music room, discovering that his good luck had returned. Jian Yi had messaged him, saying she wanted to treat him to a meal!

"Second canteen."

Lin Yuan headed to the agreed-upon location.

Xia Fan arrived as well, immediately asking, "Your monthly allowance seems to be running low. Why suddenly treat us to a meal?"

"Hehe."

Jian Yi grinned mysteriously. "Last night, when I went out, I used the little money I had left to buy a scratch card, and I won 800 yuan!"

"I can't believe it."

Xia Fan exclaimed, "Can you really win on scratch cards? I always thought it was a scam."

Lin Yuan, on the other hand, was envious and asked, "Which store did you buy it from?"

He seemed eager to try his luck.

Jian Yi looked smugly at Lin Yuan. "You should save your energy. Not everyone has this kind of good luck."

"That's not necessarily true."

Lin Yuan reached out and patted Jian Yi.

Jian Yi looked somewhat frightened. "What are you doing?"

Lin Yuan remained silent, thoroughly patting Jian Yi up and down. Then, he stood up and said, "I'll go to the restroom. You guys go ahead and eat."

Saying that, Lin Yuan ran out.

Jian Yi and Xia Fan looked at each other, bewildered.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuan had reached the restroom and said to the system, "Do I have another treasure chest? Open it quickly."

The system was efficient, and the last treasure chest opened immediately. [Congratulations, you've gained a professional level of painting skill.]

"Painting?"

Lin Yuan's expression froze.

Why is it painting this time? Without a novel, even a song would do. At least I could sell it. Why give me this inexplicable painting skill?

"Painting is also an art."

The system seemed a bit impatient. [Moreover, the value of a professional level of painting skill is much higher than that of a novel or a song. I hope the host can distinguish between priorities.]

"..."

Lin Yuan returned to the cafeteria with a sense of loss. Unlike before, his mind was now filled with numerous painting-related knowledge, from sketches to watercolors, everything.

Jian Yi and Xia Fan looked at him. "What's wrong?"

Lin Yuan shook his head, started eating, and silently comforted himself:

Although I won't need professional painting skills in the short term, it's good in the long run. Can't blame Jian Yi for not being reliable; I did stick to some of her good luck.

After all, having an extra skill is not a bad thing:

After eating, maybe find a place with a lot of students and set up a stall to draw sketches for them?

Even though the pay is low, it adds up.

Applying for a job as a painting teacher in an art class is also an option, but I already have a job in the composition department. I might not be able to spare time on weekends, and composing definitely earns more than painting.

Lin Yuan was caught in a dilemma.