It's all his fault for being an artist!

Chapter 5: The Promise, Past Events, and the Ascent to Heaven

In the early morning, the mist was thick, and the vegetation on both sides of the street was stripped of its moisture and covered with a layer of white frost.

very lucky.

Today's temperature is a few degrees warmer than yesterday when we were reborn; I wonder if that symbolizes some kind of good fortune.

Cheng Wang went out carrying only a painting tube, empty-handed, with light steps, and seemed to be in a good mood.

The art studio classes start at 8:30 in the morning, and Lao Wang usually arrives an hour early.

I arrived early, just in time to meet Lao Wang's usual schedule, and when I looked around, there were hardly any people on campus.

Exhausted senior high school art students usually go to bed after midnight, so they cherish every minute and second of their sleep time.

Last night, or rather, early this morning, Cheng Wang also went to bed around the same time.

The original plan was to take advantage of the fact that no one was around and go over the homework with Lao Wang.

After taking leave, I'll go home and practice some past exam questions. Maybe I can even catch up on a nap at noon.

I had just entered the campus not long ago.

Cheng Wang felt as if he had gained a companion.

"Chengwang, were you sick yesterday?"

The girl stood with her back to the rising sun, bathed in its golden light.

A face wrapped in a pale yellow down jacket peeked out from Chengwang's view.

The high ponytail, a favorite among young girls in Shanghai, is silky and cascading down to their waists. The delicately dyed rosy blue strands of hair shimmer in the sunlight, swaying with a clear, ethereal quality.

The hair tie I carefully selected every day is also in a warm color scheme today. It features a cartoon-style orange and sways gently as my pretty face is slightly turned to the side.

Paired with light blue jeans, she doesn't look bulky at all; her figure is petite and graceful.

A high school girl who stepped out of a painting.

The scenery before me suddenly became bright and clear.

That's roughly how it's described.

It was a painting that flowed with shyness, lively like a small animal, young and pretty.

The beauty of youth, bypassing the intricate and delicate thoughts of a young girl, ultimately converges into the faint smile before our eyes.

But at this moment, besides the habitual smile, there was also a hint of worry that was hard to explain.

She was carrying the same painting tube as Cheng Wang on her back, clearly indicating that she was also a student at the art studio.

Cheng Wang recognized the face almost immediately.

The name immediately came to mind.

"No, Mu Ziling, why do you ask that?"

"Oh, I see you took the day off yesterday. Take care of yourself, the joint entrance exam is next week, don't catch a cold and it will affect your performance."

Mu Ziling blinked and noticed that the microphone strap on Cheng Wang's back was crumpled up on his chest. Quite naturally, she raised her hand, took off her plush bear gloves, and smoothed out the strap.

"Don't forget, we made a promise."

"An agreement?"

"It was a promise, wasn't it?"

The Mandarin spoken in Shanghai has distinct intonation.

The drawn-out sound is called "dia" in the local dialect.

Cheng Wang quickly recalled the events.

I am indeed acquainted with Mu Ziling.

We weren't exactly childhood sweethearts, but we were in the same class from junior high all the way through high school.

Compared to her own decision to pursue art studies later in life, Mu Ziling had been studying art since childhood, making her choice of art a natural progression.

Even this art studio was introduced to her through her seniority.

However, the two were not in the same class at the art exam preparation institution.

Wang Huiming teaches Class A, which belongs to the second tier.

Mu Ziling's class is the principal's class, which has an expensive tuition that is almost double that of the regular classes.

of course.

Teaching resources have also improved accordingly, with each of the three subjects having its own professional teacher, a unique case.

As for Mu Ziling's ranking in the principal's class...

Cheng Wang was deeply impressed; she was one of the only two students who were admitted to the Yuhang Academy of Fine Arts.

At that time, I thought that art academies were better than ordinary colleges, but I didn't expect where the gap really lay.

The so-called agreement was this art school entrance exam, which was doomed to failure from the start.

We'll go to the same university in the future.

The regrets of student days, perhaps because promises were often made too hastily, are what made this phrase popular online, resonating with many people, and then being laughed off.

As time went by, some connections between him and Mu Ziling, which seemed to have never begun, gradually faded away.

I overheard that Mu Ziling went abroad for further studies after graduation, opened a small art studio, and became a well-known illustrator in the industry.

Her family background meant she didn't have to worry about making a living; she had the time, energy, and resources that she could never have access to before.

While doing what she loves, she also teaches children, turning the life that requires careful packaging and posting into the ordinary routine of each day.

The last time I heard news about Mu Ziling before my rebirth was probably during a project at a top-tier domestic company.

As an officially invited illustrator, she specifically named her outsourcing company to coordinate the subsequent model and animation production.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the large company's internal management was chaotic, the project failed halfway through, and the matter was never followed up.

The brief reunion ultimately resembled a farce.

Its arrival caused a sensation, and the venue was packed.

As they left, few people remained.

This fully demonstrates what it means to say: this world is a huge makeshift operation.

I was slightly dazed.

Cheng Wang quickly regained his senses.

I am indeed willing to chat slowly with Mu Ziling, whom I haven't seen for a long time, with a youthful mindset.

but……

There's still time to do things.

He didn't stop, but walked and talked as if he were bumping into an old friend.

Cheng Wang asked with a smile, "An agreement?"

"uh-huh?"

"Well, I am a little worried."

A fleeting look of tension crossed Mu Ziling's face.

She instinctively asked, "What's wrong?"

"I remember the promise, but I'm afraid you'll break it and not get into the Yuhang Academy of Fine Arts."

Mu Ziling froze, her steps faltering, and she stood rooted to the spot.

She was a little surprised by Cheng Wang's reaction, and quickly followed with small steps, walking side by side again.

"I'm sure I'll pass the exam. You'd better work hard! Cheng Wang, the student who skipped class."

"By the way, how did you know I wasn't here yesterday?"

"Yesterday, the principal went to each class to give a pre-exam pep talk. When he came to your class, he found you weren't there, so he called Teacher Wang to the principal's class so he could observe the learning atmosphere. You know the details."

Mu Ziling pressed her fingertips against her cheek, pretending to reminisce.

"However, your teacher Wang patted his chest and assured you that you did have something to do, and even boasted that you were the one he was least worried about."

Upon hearing this...

Even as the one who started all of this, Cheng Wang barely blushed.

That's not right...

Old Wang probably doesn't know I'm a reincarnated person...

He dares to swear on my behalf?

Indeed, my prejudice against him in my past life was too great.

repent!

We have to earn back this face for Lao Wang and myself, no matter what.

Cheng Wang muttered to himself, but said aloud, "I also think that Lao Wang has complete faith in me, there's absolutely no problem."

"Hmm? Didn't you complain to me a while ago that Teacher Wang doesn't think much of you and always scolds you in front of the whole class?"

That's true.

"Then...do you have some secret to your rapid progress?"

Are you curious?

"curious."

"no."

"Hmm," Mu Ziling responded listlessly, her voice tinged with resentment.

"You're just kidding me—"

Simple interaction.

Cheng Wang felt a sense of joy.

Shed the burden of rebirth and joke around like your peers.

Feeling good?

The two were about to part ways in front of their respective classrooms in the teaching building.

Art prodigy Mu Ziling arrives at the studio early for extra practice, a daily routine that perfectly illustrates how terrifying someone who is both talented and hardworking can be.

Despite having been deliberately teased by Cheng Wang earlier.

At this moment, Mu Ziling remained as if nothing had happened, her small face serious as she earnestly gave her instructions.

The woman with the high ponytail paused, then jumped slightly, as if silently echoing her.

"Chengwang, the principal will be checking very strictly these days, so you must seize the opportunity to practice hard. If you don't understand how to draw something, you can come to me anytime."

"Don't worry, see you at the Yuhang Academy of Fine Arts."

"come on!"

"..."

……

Cheng Wang knew the way well and arrived at Lao Wang's office, knocking on the door with his finger.

dong dong!

"Please come in."

Cheng Wang pushed open the door and walked in.

Old Wang had just finished boiling water. He had a glass thermos filled with tea leaves, which he held in his palms to warm them, while blowing cool air into it.

A belt cinched high at the waist, a shirt tucked into trousers, and keys hanging from the waistband.

This attire is practically the standard for middle-aged male teachers in Shanghai.

Upon seeing Cheng Wang appear...

His complexion, which had been quite good that morning, immediately became complicated.

"Old Wang, I applied to many more colleges for entrance exams, and I've already printed out the application forms."

Cheng Wang got straight to the point, taking out several sheets of A4 paper from the painting tube and handing them to Wang Huiming.

Wang Huiming quickly finished reading, and his expression softened slightly.

"Sichuan and Chongqing Fine Arts School, Shanghai Drama School, Nanjing Art School... there must be eight or nine of them? That's right, they are all well-known art schools. It's good to have ambition."

"In that case, you should take advantage of this time to improve your drawing skills. Your teacher has also told you that in my eyes you are a talented candidate."

"Even last-minute cramming can be effective. Although the art exam in Yuhang is very difficult and cannot be entered through cramming, the chances of getting into Jinyi Art Academy or Sichuan Fine Arts Institute are quite high."

"Xiao Cheng, keep up the good work. Your teacher has high hopes for you."

"Okay, thank you, teacher."

Wang Huiming took a sip of tea.

I went through Cheng Wang's registration records carefully again and again.

Several registration records were neatly bound together by Cheng Wang, centered, and presented clearly, making them easy to view.

Although these materials in his hands were just small details, Wang Huiming could definitely feel that Cheng Wang attached great importance to them.

Prior to this, he had emphasized the issues of details and attitude to Cheng Wang many times.

Unfortunately, it did not change anything.

A slight difference made him vaguely feel—

Cheng Wang seems to be a little different?

When I raised my head again.

He found his student with a bright smile on his face, his feet firmly planted on the ground, not moving an inch.

Wang Huiming asked curiously, "Is there anything else? Oh right, do you want me to check your homework?"

"Half and half."

"Half and half?"

Cheng Wang poured out several sheets of thick paper from the drawing tube; they were all professional sketching papers used in the joint entrance examination.

"Old Wang, there are still seven...six days left. I'm planning to take a leave of absence and study at home."

"Thank God, please help me!"

Fortunately, the tea was too hot, and Wang Huiming didn't drink any of it, thus avoiding a spitting-out incident.

Rao is so.

He still couldn't help but widen his eyes, suddenly raise his voice, and act as if he couldn't believe it.

"Chengwang, are you trying to reach the heavens? If you're so amazing, why don't you just go to Russia and apply to the Repin Academy of Fine Arts!"