Hua Kai smiled and said, "You flatter me. My mind is still focused on my studies."
Gu Yan agreed, saying, "Me too. I was delayed by a year because of transferring schools. Otherwise, I would have taken the college entrance exam next year. Let's work hard together and try to get into the same university."
Hua Kai dared not make a promise on this lightly: "I don't want to be too far from home, so I'll basically be studying at a university in the provincial capital, which means our aspirations are different."
Gu Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't want to go too far. The Provincial Polytechnic University is a prestigious school, which is quite good."
Hua Kai said, "There's no rush to think about that now. You'll have to consider your own major later, right?"
Gu Yan said, "That's true. You've thought of things more thoroughly than I have. The little crybaby has really grown up. You used to be the least talkative, but now you're so capable."
Hua Qingyi also said, "Yes, Kaikai used to be very introverted, which was forced upon her by the people over there. Fortunately, she is smart and capable. Now our family is different from before, and we can fight back."
"That's good. I remember when I was little, I saw your grandma stealing grain at your house. It scared me to death. I thought she was a black witch from a story." Gu Yan's expression became serious and tense as he thought about these things.
Now that Hua Kai knows more about Gu Yan, she realizes that he is different from what she initially thought. She had been overthinking things; this young man is quite naive.
She laughed and said, "Back then, I also thought my grandma was a devil, but now our family has fought back and we have our own abilities. Looking back at them, they're really nothing special; they're just bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong."
Hua Qingyi also said, "Yes, I used to be afraid of them, but now that my family is making money and we've gotten out of poverty, seeing how chaotic their lives are, I really think they're not all that great."
Gu Yan looked at the two of them and said, "You two are really different from before. It's better this way, so you won't be bullied."
At this time, the waiter served the food, and they began to eat. While Hua Kai went to the restroom, she paid the bill. Gu Yan was still a student and was already earning money, so it was only right for her to pay for it. Besides, Gu Yan had helped the original owner a lot in the past. Even though he was just a kid and his help wasn't huge, at least he had left warmth in the original owner's heart.
After the meal, Gu Yan learned that Hua Kai had paid, and said that he would definitely treat her next time.
When they arrived at the rented apartment, Hua Qingyi went back first, while Hua Kai and Gu Yan went to school together.
As soon as Hua Kai entered the school gate, Guan Rui called her over.
Gu Yan saw someone calling out to Hua Kai and said to Hua Kai, "Do you need me to come with you?"
Hua Kai shook her head and said, "No need, friend. I also have something to talk to him about."
Previously, Huakai needed someone to paint decorative paintings, so I planned to tell Guan Rui and go to the art studio tonight to talk to Teacher Lu about it, to see if there were any students or teachers in the studio who wanted to take on this job. After all, not everyone wants to make money, and not everyone has the ability to make this kind of money.
Gu Yan said, "Then I'm going back to the classroom. Remember to come find me when you have time."
Hua Kai agreed and walked towards Guan Rui's direction.
Guan Rui watched Hua Kai talking to Gu Yan, and he felt uneasy. He knew that Hua Kai was doing business with Ye Yifan, and he knew how outstanding Ye Yifan was, in many ways that he couldn't compare to her. But who was Gu Yan? Why was Hua Kai so close to him? And why didn't she seem happy when she talked to him?
He admitted that he was at fault for not handling Lu Xue's situation well, which implicated Hua Kai, but that wasn't what he wanted.
He was originally going to give up on Hua Kai, but Gu Yan's appearance made him feel unbalanced again.
He looked at the blooming flowers and asked, "Did you and Gu Yan know each other before?"
Hua Kai nodded: "Yes, he's a relative of my neighbor. We used to play together when we were little, but his family moved away later. I didn't expect to run into him at school this time."
Guan Rui then asked, "You haven't seen each other for so many years, but you don't seem to have any awkwardness."
Hua Kai said, "Yes, Gu Yan is quite cheerful and enthusiastic." With her mind on important matters, she said to Guan Rui, "By the way, I need to go to the art studio tonight to see Teacher Lu about something. Come find me in class after you finish dinner."
Guan Rui's mood improved considerably when he heard that Hua Kai was going to the art studio with him: "Okay, then I won't go home for dinner tonight either. Let's eat together and go to the art studio together, shall we?"
"No need for that. I'll probably be going to the art studio often in the future, so please don't be shy. I still have to help Zhang Miao get dinner tonight."
"Then I'll come back soon."
"Um, is there anything else? If not, I'm going back to the classroom."
Guan Rui shook his head: "No."
Hua Kai had always considered Guan Rui a friend because of his attitude towards his friend Zhu Tao. However, after getting to know him better, she realized that Guan Rui was too calculating. But since he was a friend, she couldn't avoid him when she went to the art studio.
Now that she had finished talking, she said goodbye to Guan Rui and went back to the classroom.
After school in the evening, Hua Kai went to the cafeteria to get food, brought her older brother along, and then took him back to their rented apartment. Zhang Miao ate dinner and then went to set up his stall.
After finishing her meal, Hua Kai rolled up the decorative paintings she had drawn earlier and took them back to the classroom to wait for Guan Rui to come so they could go to the art studio together.
Guan Rui arrived shortly after.
Hua Kai took the painting out of the classroom and went with him to the art studio at the Children's Palace.
As they walked, Hua Kai explained to Guan Rui why she wanted to see Teacher Lu: "You know my furniture store needs some decorative paintings. I don't have that much time to paint them myself, and I can't keep up with the demand. It doesn't have to be very detailed; the main thing is to get the color scheme and feel right. Different styles of houses suit different paintings, so I wanted to ask Teacher Lu if there are any suitable students or teachers in the studio so I can earn some extra money."
After hearing this, Guan Rui said, "I can help you. I can also ask my friends to help you."
Hua Kai smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but this is a long-term business. Even after we leave for the college entrance examination, we will still need to paint. Teacher Lu will always be in this studio. Even if a group of students leave, there will be new students. This is not a matter of helping out."
As Guan Rui listened to Hua Kai's words, the more he wanted to show off, the more ignorant he felt.
He could only say to the flowers, "If you need anything from me, just say so, don't be shy."
Hua Kai nodded and said, "I know, thank you. By the way, how is Zhu Tao's recovery going?"
"It's fine. The check-up a few days ago said there was nothing wrong, but I can't do too much activity."
"It's good that you're alright."
When they arrived at the Children's Palace, they ran into Teacher Lu, who was returning from shopping. Hua Kai went over and greeted Teacher Lu.
Teacher Lu was delighted to see the flowers in bloom: "You've finally arrived! I was wondering when you would come and give me some more surprises."
Hua Kai said, "I should have come to visit Teacher Lu, but I was really busy and it was delayed. I came here this time because I have some things to discuss with Teacher Lu, and I'm sorry to trouble you."
Teacher Lu said, "Then let's go upstairs and talk."
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