Chapter 17 17 "Chen Zan, come here"
Rather than a reward, it is more like a selfish intention.
Chen Zhan's heart trembled. With a gaze that could be seen through in an instant, he cautiously yet with immense anticipation asked him, "Our college is having an art exhibition soon. Can you...can you come?"
The words were spoken to He Jingsui alone, but the subject of the words was you, including him.
She didn't dare show it too obviously.
Her eyes timidly fell on his face.
"Art exhibition?" He Jingsui raised the corner of his lip with interest, his eyes wandering over her face. "Are there any of your paintings?"
Chen Zan nodded, and then added: "It's also appropriate..."
Carefully, she raised her eyelashes and looked at him. Meeting that burning, deep gaze, she gritted her teeth and, as if she was brave enough to risk everything, asked him again, "Do you want to come and see?"
Seeing her face, which was showing her lack of courage, and was about to reveal her weakness, He Jing chuckled softly. Deciding to lend her a hand, he spoke lazily, his voice tinged with a hint of nonchalant amusement, "The most important thing in a competition is to abide by the rules and accept defeat."
This means that you agree.
There was a sudden light in his eyes, as if he was filled with joy.
He Jingsui took these eyes in, and the slight curve of his lips revealed that he was in a good mood at the moment. There was a frown and a smile in her eyes, although she didn't show it much, but He Jingsui could understand it.
It was not until they had dinner together in the evening that Chen Zan and He Shiyi returned to school together.
He Jingsui agreed to come and see the exhibition when the time comes, which planted a seed of expectation in Chen Zan's heart. In the days that followed, she was either attending classes in the classroom or painting in the studio. Even when she returned to the dormitory, she was like a clockwork machine, drawing non-stop on the sketchbook with a pencil.
Ji Miaomiao and Tao Yiran saw that something was wrong, so they pulled He Shiyi, who had just passed by them, over and asked softly with their eyes.
"What's wrong with Zhanzhan recently?"
He Shiyi shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he didn't know either.
Tao Yiran leaned over to glance at Chen Zhan, who was sitting with his back to them, painting with his back straight. She almost whispered, "She doesn't look right. Who would draw all day long?"
"Zhanzhan participated in the art exhibition, probably because she wanted to win the first prize in the exhibition." He Shiyi said.
"Have you forgotten how many great people there are in our school?" Ji Miaomiao thought the idea was a bit far-fetched, but at the same time, she felt it made perfect sense for Chen Zhan. However, as her roommate and friend, who had witnessed her efforts, she couldn't help but feel a little distressed. "Can Zhan Zhan really handle painting all day and all night?"
Chen Zhan had long been able to endure this kind of boredom. During the summer vacation before school started, Lou Yan locked her in the room and made her paint from morning till night. At first, she felt quite aggrieved, thinking that Lou Yan should not use her hobby as a punishment for her; but later she felt quite lucky, because she liked painting, so she did not think it was a punishment. Instead, she felt that Lou Yan had done her a great favor and she had more time to paint.
She never tires of it, she always did before and she still does now.
Because she has expectations in her heart, she is willing to do anything.
But Ji Miaomiao couldn't bear to watch it anymore. She stood up and walked over, peeked from behind Chen Zan, and saw a small flower that she was sketching in the album.
The flowers bloomed vigorously, and each petal was delicate and elegant.
The light dimmed several shades. Chen Zhan stopped writing and was about to turn his head to look when a hand rested on his shoulder. At the same time, a curious voice followed.
"Zhanzhan, what kind of flower are you painting? It's quite beautiful."
Chen Zhan curved his lips and answered her: "Orange blossom."
"What kind of flower is this?" Ji Miaomiao had never heard of it. She turned her head and looked at Tao Yiran and He Shiyi behind her, asking them with her eyes. They also shook their heads, indicating that they had no impression of this kind of flower.
"It's bitter orange blossom, from the Rutaceae family," Chen Zhan said. "We used to have a lot of these flowers in our high school garden. When they bloomed, the whole campus was filled with the fragrance of orange blossoms, which was very pleasant."
The aroma of orange blossom is lightly sweet and fresh, with a light citrus scent. It is rich and mellow, but leaves a slight bitterness as it fades.
This aroma can soothe the nerves, relieve anxiety and irritability, and also help you sleep.
She once secretly gave He Jingsui a small bag of orange blossoms, which she picked herself and put into a sachet that she had picked out for a long time at the mall. By chance, she gave it to him.
He didn't know what was in the sachet, nor did he know it was a gift from her.
After so long, she could still remember herself at that time. She was happy because she had the chance to give him a gift by chance, but at the same time she was disappointed and worried that he would look down on this inexpensive little gadget.
"Hearing what you said, I also want to smell it." Ji Miaomiao's envious voice interrupted Chen Zan's slightly drifting thoughts, "Our school only knows how to grow osmanthus and chrysanthemums, which are so ugly."
Her disgusted expression made Chen Zhan laugh. Chen Zhan grabbed her hand and comforted her softly, "If I have the chance in the future, I'll give it to you."
"Really?" Ji Miaomiao was overjoyed, "That's great!"
Chen Zan nodded.
…
The final work submitted was this orange blossom painting, with layers of white petals, slender green rhizomes, lush green leaves covered with dew, light yellow stamens, and a citrus fragrance that seemed to penetrate through this thin paper into everyone's nostrils, making people feel relaxed and happy.
This painting was also Chen Zan's selfish wish. She wanted He Jingsui to see it, so that he could vaguely remember that in the past, when he didn't care about it, this fragrance had once penetrated into his life.
But when the painting first came into Qin Yuyao's hands, it was severely ridiculed.
"It's just a flower, Chen Zan. Do you think an art exhibition is a kindergarten?" Qin Yuyao threw her submitted work aside in disdain. "Take it back quickly. How can such a work be put on an art exhibition?"
The paintings were abandoned and left alone, unattended.
Chen Zhan reached out and took it back, patting it lovingly to remove the light dust stains. She raised her eyes and met Qin Yuyao's impatient gaze.
All the previous events made her realize that Qin Yuyao's character was not as good as the rumors said, especially after the last confrontation between the two of them, Qin Yuyao seemed to be particularly targeting her.
She wasn't in the habit of being too enthusiastic and too passive, but she also remained gentle. Facing her deliberate sarcasm and provocation, Chen Zhan didn't show any anger, but calmly addressed the matter. "Senior, I don't think a flower can't be included in an art exhibition, nor do I agree with your view that I treat an art exhibition as a kindergarten."
"So you're questioning me?" Qin Yuyao lost her patience and told her directly, "Let me put it this way. Even a kindergarten kid could draw this. If we put this low-quality painting in the exhibition, what do you think the leaders and entrepreneurs who come to admire it will think of our painting club?"
"That's not what I meant..."
"If that's not what you mean, take the painting back," Qin Yuyao urged her away, not giving her any chance at all. "It's also a good idea not to submit it, so it won't be an eyesore."
Chen Zhan really didn't expect that her prejudice against him was so deep. When he was about to take the painting away as she said, a voice came from far away.
"What's wrong?"
Chen Zan and Qin Yuyao turned around at the same time and saw Lu Wei walking towards them.
Without giving Chen Zhan a chance to speak, Qin Yuyao called out to him, "You've come just in time. Come and take a look."
Lu Wei walked over and nodded to Chen Zan as a greeting when he passed by her, then went to Qin Yuyao's side and looked at the information at hand with her.
"I've almost sorted out all the artwork I'll need for the exhibition, including easels, tools, and set designs. I've made a list of everything I need, so I can arrange for more people to come along and avoid any hiccups."
"Hmm...Okay," Lu Wei nodded in satisfaction and handed over the next step of work to her, "I'll take care of these."
"Then I'll leave it to you, President Lu." Qin Yuyao smiled playfully.
Lu Wei made an "OK" gesture and patted his chest, "Don't worry."
When he looked up, he saw Chen Zhan there. He paused and asked her, "Student Chen, what can I do for you?"
Qin Yuyao raised her eyelids vigilantly and looked over. There was a certain scrutiny and sharpness in her eyes, which did not convey a good meaning.
Chen Zan ignored the gaze directed at her and said to Lu Wei, "I'm here to submit my work for the exhibition."
"Then put it here."
"Senior sister won't accept it."
“…”
Lu Wei turned his head and glanced at Qin Yuyao beside him, with a puzzled look in his eyes.
Qin Yuyao rolled her eyes and yelled at Chen Zhan, "You don't understand what I mean, do you?"
"I understand." Compared to Qin Yuyao's volatile temper, Chen Zhan seemed remarkably calm. "I just think you should give this painting a more careful consideration, and not deprive it of its opportunity to be exhibited just because of a childish remark from a senior."
She didn't put much effort into each word of these sentences, but she had a kind of confidence that made Qin Yuyao's face look confused and stunned.
The moment she was stunned, Lu Wei beside her raised his hand to ask Chen Zan for the work in her hand.
Chen Zan handed it to him.
After a while, she heard Lu Wei say, "This flower is well painted, Deputy Director Qin, why don't you accept it?"
Qin Yuyao didn't dare to say it was because of a personal conflict between them. She stiffened her neck and made a stiff excuse, "It's just one flower. It's too monotonous. I don't appreciate this style."
"It's not bad," Lu Wei agreed heartily. "Don't underestimate it because it's just a flower. If you look closely, you'll see that classmate Chen put a lot of effort into it."
He looked up at Chen Zhan and asked her, "You must have painted this flower a lot."
Chen Zan nodded.
"It's a great painting." Lu Wei praised it generously.
"Then...will you still accept it?" Chen Zan asked.
Qin Yuyao looked at her, with some silent anger in her eyes.
Lu Wei smiled and said, "I collected it. You put the painting here."
"Okay, thank you, President, for your hard work."
"fine."
Chen Zan handed the painting to Lu Wei in front of Qin Yuyao and received praise, which made Qin Yuyao feel uncomfortable.
After Chen Zhan left, her expression didn't improve much either. It was gloomy and extremely ugly. However, Lu Wei didn't know what had happened between them. He simply thought Qin Yuyao was in a bad mood. While putting the painting away, he comforted Qin Yuyao: "Don't look so sad. There is still so much work to do."
On the day the exhibition opened, the gate of the Academy of Fine Arts was wide open, and all members of the painting club put on red vests as volunteers to greet important people who came to visit at the school gate.
The sun shines brightly on the earth, and the campus is bustling with people, filled with laughter and joy.
Chen Zan and He Shiyi were waiting at the school gate, hoping to see a familiar figure among the dense crowd.
This was the second time she was looking forward to it.
He said he would come, so he will definitely come.
Chen Zhan waited patiently.
"Why are they taking so long?" He Shiyi, who was standing beside them, was the first to lose patience. The bright sunlight fell on them, making them blindingly bright. She raised her hand to shield her brows and complained about the weather, "This sun is too bright..."
Chen Zan turned his head to look at her. He Shiyi squinted his eyes and frowned, unable to relax.
She discussed with her, "How about you go back first? I can just wait for them here?"
"How can that be possible?" He Shiyi said, "How can I let you wait here alone?"
"I'm fine." Chen Zhan said with a curved lip, "I'm not afraid of the sun."
This touched He Shiyi a little, because she really didn't like sunbathing. If she got tanned, she would have to wait many days to get her skin white again.
"Then I'll go back and wait for you at the exhibition square?" He Shiyi said tentatively.
He looked so cautious, as if he was afraid that she would not agree.
But Chen Zhan didn't think it was a big deal. She had to wait for him anyway.
So he bent his lips and nodded, "Okay."
"I'm leaving?"
"Um."
"Am I really leaving?"
Chen Zhan laughed and waved him away, "Go ahead, I'll come find you later."
After seeing He Shiyi off, Chen Zan stood alone at the school gate.
At this time, the flow of people coming and going was still unabated. Chen Zhan stood at the edge and took out his mobile phone to check the time.
It's almost half past ten.
Chen Zan slightly closed his eyelids, his dense eyelashes covering the joy in his eyes, but the slightly curved corners of his mouth revealed all the secrets.
A light breeze blew the hair around her ears, and the soft hair stuck to her face.
The golden sunlight enveloped her, and her hair was coated with a layer of light, making it look a little fluffy.
She raised her hand to tidy up her hair and tuck it behind her ear.
It was this unintentional moment of looking up that allowed her to catch sight of He Jingsui's figure within a second.
He was wearing a black shirt today, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing his forearms. The collar had two buttons undone, revealing his delicate collarbones. He wore matching black pants, which accentuated his height and legs. He wore a belt around his waist, and tucked his shirt in, outlining his lean waistline.
He was alone, and Jiang Qiannan was not beside him.
Someone hit his heart with a small hammer. The loud heartbeat sound was blocked by the crowd from a long distance and could not reach He Jingsui's ears.
It's just her one-man show.
His drooping fingers were tightly gripping, and Chen Zhan turned his eyes away from him.
At the same time, a joyful female voice sounded in my ears.
"He Jingsui!"
My heart skipped a beat.
Chen Zhan looked up again and saw a beautiful dress passing by him.
The bright sunlight made the silk dress look soft, along with the person running towards him.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she was in a trance in the bright light.
"Why are you here too?" Qin Yuyao was very surprised, and her voice was full of happiness. "Are you here to see the art exhibition?"
He Jingsui just felt that the girl who suddenly ran in front of him looked familiar. It took him a while to match her clothes with her face. He raised his eyebrows in disgust.
He didn't like people who were good at disguising themselves and yet clearly revealed their intentions.
This will only make him feel fake and contrived.
Not wanting to pay attention to her, He Jingsui simply said two words, "Looking for someone."
Qin Yuyao climbed up the pole, her hands beginning to restlessly climb onto He Jingsui's arms. "Are you coming to see me?"
He Jingsui's patience ran out, and he pulled his hand away with a "tsk" sound, distanced himself from her, and said, "No."
"Who are you looking for?"
She deliberately pinched her throat when speaking, and her coquettish voice was unbearable for him.
At the same time, he saw Chen Zan not far from him.
She stood there alone, wearing an ugly red vest and holding a cell phone, revealing a little.
His eyes were downcast, not knowing what he was thinking.
The girl next to him was making him feel annoyed. For some unknown reason, he suddenly spoke and called out in Chen Zhan's direction, "Chen Zhan."
Chen Zan was startled and looked up.
His sight passed through the crowd of people and went straight into He Jingsui's eyes. His pupils, as deep as ink, were thinned by the sunlight.
Her heart was cleared and she felt like a tiny duckweed, about to fall.
At that moment, she seemed to hear nothing.
Only his voice, carried by the warm wind, warmed her heartbeat and paralyzed her nerves.
"come over."
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