On a sunny afternoon, Ye Mingxuan finally got into Qi Lin’s class.
Qi Lin’s oil painting appreciation class had two sections. Ye Mingxuan was assigned to Section 1, which began every Wednesday afternoon during the second period. Students needed to bring their own painting supplies.
This Wednesday afternoon, Ye Mingxuan hurried to the art academy with his oil paints and brushes.
Watching the art students bustling around him, his heart pounded. For the first time, he felt a fleeting illusion that he truly belonged here.
It was almost unbelievable. Ye Mingxuan still felt dazed, unable to fathom how he’d ever earned the chance to stand here.
Just last year, he could only stand outside the academy, staring blankly at the art students.
Following the schedule, Ye Mingxuan located the classroom. Before he even reached it, the lively chatter inside reached his ears.
He pushed open the door. Many students had already claimed seats and were whispering and chattering among themselves. Spotting someone enter, they glanced up to see if it was the teacher. Realizing it wasn’t, they quickly lowered their heads again.
Though called a classroom, the space resembled more of a workshop. Blank easels were arranged in a semi-circle around a central storage platform.
Ye Mingxuan found a spot near the corner. Beside him sat a quiet boy in black-rimmed glasses, engrossed in his phone. Noticing someone had sat down next to him, the boy looked up, surprised. “Ye Mingxuan?”
“You’re Ye Mingxuan?” the boy said. “Wow, I’ve seen your piano videos! You’re even more handsome in person. Nice to meet you! I’m Li Ran.”
Ye Mingxuan hadn’t expected to be recognized on the street. Blushing, he scratched his head and extended his hand. “Hi.”
Li Ran’s greeting drew the attention of several people. Those who knew Ye Mingxuan came over to chat, while others noticed the handsome guy sitting in the corner.
“Yufan, I can’t believe you snagged a class with Master Qi. You’re so lucky!” Hu Xiang walked beside Ye Yufan, clearly envious that he’d be attending Qi Lin’s class.
Ye Yufan curved his lips. “Getting into Qi Lin’s class? Easy. Just hire a few people to grab the spots for me.”
Hu Xiang sighed. “I had friends try too, but we didn’t get in. Speaking of which—Master Qi is so renowned. Becoming his final disciple would be incredibly prestigious!”
Ye Yufan thought the same. Qi Lin was an internationally acclaimed artist. Becoming his disciple would grant him influence not just in the oil painting world, but across the entire art scene.
But how could he get Master Qi to notice him…
After Hu Xiang left, Ye Yufan pushed open the classroom door. His gaze immediately fell on a crowd gathered around a corner, surrounding someone he’d recognize even if they were turned to ashes.
Ye Mingxuan looked up and saw Ye Yufan. The smile froze on his face, while the informed crowd around him erupted in excitement.
Holy crap! Isn’t this the scandal that rocked last semester?! Ye Mingxuan and Ye Yufan—both here, in the same class as us! What a bloody scene!
Li Ran adjusted his glasses, his eyes darting between Ye Mingxuan and Ye Yufan before silently returning to his phone.
As the crowd dispersed, Ye Mingxuan was the first to look away. Ye Yufan gritted his teeth and found an empty seat to sit down.
The bell rang. Teacher Qi entered carrying a thermos, prompting a collective gasp from the class. The wrinkles at the corners of Qi Lin’s eyes smoothed out. “Seems everyone knows me.”
The class chorused in unison: “We know you!”
“Since you all know me, I won’t need to introduce myself,” Qi Lin picked up the attendance sheet from the desk. “But I need to get to know you. Please raise your hand when I call your name…”
Ye Mingxuan took a deep breath. Since he was here, he had to study diligently and not let others distract him.
Qi Lin’s first class covered theory, explaining oil painting techniques and color theory. Due to the short elective course schedule, he had everyone sketch a still life during the second session. A pink tablecloth held a plate with two lemons and a fork.
While beginners struggled to begin, oil painting majors were already skillfully applying base colors. Just as Li Ran finished mixing his paint, he noticed Ye Mingxuan had started even faster than him. Li Ran couldn’t help but gasp: “You’re an oil painting major too?”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head: “No, I’m civil engineering.”
Li Ran murmured “Oh” and hurried to keep pace.
Everyone felt both excited and anxious—excited for the hands-on practice, anxious that Master Qi would see their clumsy work.
Ye Mingxuan was no exception. Yet one class period wasn’t enough to finish. As Teacher Qi left, he said: This classroom is always open to you. Hand in your finished drawings to the class monitor next Monday.”
The class monitor was Li Ran, chosen by Qi Lin with a little chicken-like nod. Upon hearing about the assignment, Li Ran felt the weight of responsibility and sprang to his feet. Unexpectedly, the pendant on his neck collided with Ye Mingxuan’s canvas, leaving a shallow dent.
“I’m so sorry!” Li Ran lamented. “I’m sorry, Ye Mingxuan, I didn’t mean to…”
Ye Mingxuan touched the dent. “It’s fine, just a little dent. It won’t affect anything.”
Li Ran was so touched he nearly cried. “Ye Mingxuan, you’re so kind. Let me treat you to bubble tea.”
Ye Mingxuan stood up, the setting sun softening his features. “No need, no need. I’m heading home. See you next time.”…
That evening, Ye Mingxuan dove straight into his studio upon returning home. When Tan Sizhe found him, he was sitting on the floor surrounded by scattered sheets of paper.
“Dinner’s ready, little artist.” ” Tan Sizhe approached.
Ye Mingxuan was chewing on the end of his brush, lost in thought as he sat on the warm-toned floor. Hearing Tan Sizhe call him “little artist,” he turned, blushing as he stood up. “Sir…”
Tan Sizhe: “What were you thinking about?”
Ye Mingxuan neatly arranged his brushes. ” Today in class, the teacher told us to go home and find what we’re best at drawing.”
Tan Sizhe: “Did you find it?”
Ye Mingxuan walked behind his teacher: “No, I don’t know what I’m good at drawing.”
Ye Mingxuan walked slowly, so Tan Sizhe slowed his pace slightly to let him catch up: “If you don’t know, go out and find inspiration.”
“Field research?”
Since Ye Mingxuan’s pregnancy, anti-slip carpeting had been laid on the stairs. Ye Mingxuan reached the stairwell entrance.
Tan Sizhe descended two steps and turned to face him. “This Sunday, bring Bai Yu and Yangyang. We’re going camping and barbecuing.”
Ye Mingxuan blinked, his mouth watering involuntarily. “Really? Barbecue!”
The thought of sizzling, fragrant lamb skewers instantly pushed any lingering concerns from his mind.
Tan Sizhe playfully pinched his cheek. “Once it’s in your stomach, how could it be fake?”
Though they hadn’t even gone scouting locations yet, Ye Mingxuan could almost smell the lamb skewers already. “So… what do I need to prepare? For camping…”
Tan Sizhe took his hand and led him downstairs. “Nothing. I’ve got it covered. Just be ready.”
Ye Mingxuan floated downstairs, his head spinning as Tan Sizhe held his hand. “Oh.”
–
On Sunday, they drove the RV to the lakeside. Yangyang got out with Akin, who dashed across the wide grassy field.
Here, green mountains met clear waters, lush foliage filled the air, and a faint floral scent lingered.
Tan Sizhe and Bai Yu set up a makeshift barbecue stall, lit the charcoal, and laid fresh meat skewers over the flames. Their aromatic impromptu grill was up and running.
Ye Mingxuan brought his sketchbook down, sitting beneath a sturdy tree. Leaning against its gnarled trunk, he sketched with his pencil.
Tan Sizhe and Bai Yu had only ever eaten barbecue, never cooked it. At first, they were clumsy, but they learned quickly. After just ten minutes of practice, they were flipping, basting, and seasoning with the skill of seasoned grill masters.
Ye Mingxuan closed one eye, propped up his paintbrush, and watched Yangyang and Akin playing with a frisbee. His gaze drifted and settled on Tan Sizhe.
He hadn’t expected Tan Sizhe to look so good even while barbecuing. Dressed in a simple black hoodie, he sat on a beach chair grilling meat with concentration, his hair falling smoothly over his eyes, indistinguishable from a pure-hearted college boy.
Ye Mingxuan stared blankly, unaware when his sketchbook had slipped to the ground.
Tan Sizhe finished grilling a satisfying lamb skewer and turned to call Ye Mingxuan over. Instead, he found the other staring at him in a daze. Tan Sizhe paused slightly, but Bai Yu had already started teasing, “Oh my!”
Ye Mingxuan snapped back to reality at Bai Yu’s teasing, his face flushing instantly. Tan Sizhe curved his lips, ignoring Bai Yu’s calls as he walked over with the skewers: “Hungry? Have some first.”
“Lamb skewers! Lamb skewers, lamb skewers!” Yangyang spotted the skewers and sprinted faster than a dog, barging in front of Tan Sizhe. “Cousin, I want lamb skewers!”
Tan Sizhe: “…” He cleared his throat forcefully.
Bai Yu called out to Yangyang: “Yangyang, Bai Ge has some fresh off the grill. Come over here to eat. You can have any flavor you want!”
Yangyang, sensing the situation, ran over: “I want super spicy! Super super spicy!”
He took a bite of his lamb skewer, exchanged a glance with Bai Yu, and both silently looked toward the large tree.
Ajin rolled happily on the grass, chasing butterflies. Tan Sizhe handed a lamb skewer to Ye Mingxuan, who accepted it: “Thank you, sir.”
He brought it to his lips, sniffed, and his eyes crinkled. “Smells amazing.”
Tan Sizhe: “Try it.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded, took a bite. The meat was tender, juices bursting in his mouth. Paired with the seasoning, it left a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth.
He savored it slowly, nodding. “Delicious.”
Seeing his little wife eat with such satisfaction, Tan Sizhe chuckled softly and sat down beside Ye Mingxuan. “What are you drawing?”
Ye Mingxuan showed him the sketchbook. “I drew a blade of grass.”
Tan Sizhe looked at his drawing board. A pencil sketch filled the white paper. He murmured an “Oh,” then deliberately crossed one leg, teasing, “I thought you were drawing me.”
Ye Mingxuan: !!
He gripped the pencil in his hand tightly, nervousness making him stutter, “I did plan to draw everyone… it just takes a lot of time…”
Tan Sizhe lazily rested his arm on his knee, his voice as cool and soothing as a breeze brushing past one’s head: “What’s so interesting about them?”
Ye Mingxuan looked up blankly. Tan Sizhe curved his lips, his gaze intense as he met his eyes: “Just drawing me is enough.”
