His fingertips loosened, and Gu Zhuoyan returned the test paper to Zhuang Fanxin. Looking at his watch, Gu Baoyan upstairs should be out of class too. He stood up, stretched, and asked, "Are you still painting this afternoon?"

Zhuang Fanxin said, "Yeah."

The pleasant feeling of that tranquil moment instantly vanished. Gu Zhuoyan said impatiently, "Can't you guys paint a little faster?"

Zhuang Fanxin said, "If I paint too fast, I won't be able to capture your handsomeness."

It was a rather ordinary sugar-coated bullet, but since Gu Zhuoyan thought Zhuang Fanxin was interested in him, it sounded like sweet talk. He quite enjoyed it and went upstairs with Zhuang Fanxin to pick up the kid.

Class was over, and the children were swarming out of the teaching area. The parents greeted their own children, endlessly praising their darlings' classroom performance and musical talent. Gu Zhuoyan thought, 'This encouragement-based education is way too popular nowadays.'

Gu Baoyan ran out holding her violin. Her face lit up when she saw Zhuang Fanxin. "Brother, you came to pick me up too?"

Zhuang Fanxin helped the child put away her violin and asked, "Are you tired?"

"A little, my shoulder hurts." The siblings were very similar in how they answered questions. Gu Baoyan held her children's water bottle and took a drink, then turned to ask Gu Zhuoyan, "Brother, did I play well?"

The nerve of you to ask, Gu Zhuoyan said. "Don't you have a clue yourself?"

Gu Baoyan actually did have a clue, but all the other kids were being praised, and she wanted to be praised too. Since she didn't get any, she said with a bit of a mood, "All the parents were waiting outside, where did you run off to? How do you know I didn't play well?"

The siblings bickered as they walked, and by the time they reached the street, they still hadn't settled their argument. Zhuang Fanxin, an only child, was getting a headache from listening. He explained, "Little sister, I asked your brother to be a model, that's why he left."

Gu Baoyan found this novel. Her expression changed, and she immediately pestered Gu Zhuoyan for details. Gu Zhuoyan then began to spin a tale, talking about changing into seven or eight outfits and striking a dozen poses. By the time they'd bought lunch, the child was completely bamboozled.

They carried a few bags of takeout containers back to the art studio. The break room was very spacious, with two four-meter-long platforms in the center of the room where everyone had tossed their schoolbags and jackets. You could sit anywhere you liked. Some people even climbed onto the platforms to lie down and rest, or squatted on them to organize their canvases. Artists were indeed a rather unconventional bunch.

Zhuang Fanxin never ate properly. He'd take a few bites and then get distracted, checking his phone or messing around with others for a bit. In any case, he didn't touch his chopsticks again. He looked at Pei Zhi across the wide table and provoked him, "You eat so slowly."

Pei Zhi looked up. "I also drink water slowly."

Over just two boring sentences, Zhuang Fanxin laughed for a good while. He tossed a small pack of crackers at the other boy, followed by a small pack of nuts. Pei Zhi poured the nuts into his salad, and while stirring, he asked, "By the way, did you register for this year's ACC?"

The ACC was a design competition in the USA. It was highly prestigious and usually featured two design categories each year. This year happened to be fashion design and jewelry design. Registration had opened right at the start of the summer vacation, and only after a two-month-long review process was one's registration considered successful, granting them eligibility to compete.

Gu Zhuoyan, who was at the side, recalled that he had once seen an ACC trophy in a cabinet in Zhuang Fanxin's bedroom. He remembered it was for third place in the Jewelry Design Group.

Zhuang Fanxin said, "I haven't checked my email recently, so I don't know."

"I received the competition notification this morning. We registered together, so the timing should be about the same," Pei Zhi reminded him. "Remember to check when you get back, you need to reply."

Zhuang Fanxin was cautious and meticulous; he generally didn't forget important things. After the table was cleared, he laid his head on his arms for a noon nap, his gaze fixed on a can of popcorn on the table.

He hadn't seen a movie since school started and suddenly felt like watching one.

Before he could think of what movies were currently showing, a slender hand twisted open the lid and grabbed a large handful of popcorn. Gu Zhuoyan held out his hand, and he and Gu Baoyan ate. The two siblings finished the popcorn in no time.

Gu Zhuoyan screwed the lid back on, gave it a casual toss, and accurately threw it into the trash can in the corner.

Zhuang Fanxin pouted, turned his head to the other side, and saw his homework paper again. He sat up and used this bit of time to check and revise it. He had corrected most of the mistakes, but there were still two problems where he couldn't find what was wrong.

He turned back again and saw Gu Zhuoyan helping his sister sort her sheet music, so he waited quietly. Once the younger one was taken care of, he, the older one, immediately said, "Teacher Gu, music class is over, it's time for physics class."

Gu Zhuoyan was full from his meal but couldn't rest. Helplessness was written all over his handsome face, yet Zhuang Fanxin didn't seem to know the first thing about showing consideration. He had already moved his chair closer, looking all prepared to listen attentively.

Being a role model of a teacher meant enduring all sorts of hardships. With a high level of understanding, Gu Zhuoyan began his lesson. Some people were napping, so naturally, he couldn't speak loudly. He lowered his voice, and his already deep tone, having gone through puberty, became even more composed.

Gradually, their shoulders came to rest against each other, just like that day he had a fever and was on an IV drip, but Zhuang Fanxin didn't fall asleep today. After they finished with the two homework papers, Zhuang Fanxin calculated that Gu Zhuoyan had already explained quite a few problems for him in total, covering three subjects.

"You're so good at studying," he exclaimed sincerely.

His voice was too low for Gu Zhuoyan to hear clearly. Thinking he had another question, he asked, "What part didn't you understand?"

Just as he finished asking, Zhuang Fanxin leaned over, put an arm on his shoulder, and raised his head to repeat the sentence in his ear. 'You're so good at studying.' A phrase he'd heard from elders so often his ears had grown calluses, yet at this moment, accompanied by Zhuang Fanxin's breath... it couldn't help but become moving.

Gu Zhuoyan's ear tingled. He almost instinctively hooked an arm around Zhuang Fanxin and pulled him into an embrace. He restrained himself and replied, "Studying isn't hard, as long as you're not dumb and are willing to work hard. It's not like painting, which requires talent."

This sounded like a polite exchange of pleasantries, but he meant it sincerely. Everyone valued different things; some loved a pretty face, others preferred a good personality. He, of course, appreciated those things too, but what truly earned his favor was pure excellence.

Combining the three, it seemed Zhuang Fanxin possessed them all.

Gu Zhuoyan thought, 'No wonder I like him.'

The break time was spent on explaining problems. Zhuang Fanxin packed up his homework and said, "Teacher Gu, let's get to art class!"

It turned out Gu Zhuoyan hadn't rested for even a minute. He powered through the afternoon and continued to be a model. Fortunately, the afternoon session wasn't long and ended in just about two hours.

He got up to browse everyone's work. If anyone's painting was terrible, he needed to protect his own portrait rights. After wandering around, he discovered that everyone's painting was vastly different from each other. Only one had a relatively clear face; some focused only on his eyes, and one even just drew half his face.

Finally, he made his way to Zhuang Fanxin's easel. Gu Zhuoyan asked, "Are you guys from the abstract school?"

Zhuang Fanxin giggled. "It's just a semi-finished piece, a creative work based on a portrait." He took the painting down and stuffed it into a drawing tube. "I'll take a picture of the finished work for you in class next week."

Gu Zhuoyan said, "Don't bother if it's ugly."

There was no one in this studio who painted badly; everyone's resume was impressive. But Zhuang Fanxin didn't boast or praise them, wanting to give Gu Zhuoyan a pleasant surprise by setting low expectations. He was almost done packing up, then he paid Gu Zhuoyan his salary for being a model today—a total of one hundred yuan.

Gu Zhuoyan never thought he'd one day earn a hundred yuan just by sitting still for a few hours. Meanwhile, lunch had cost two hundred. He opened his hand to catch the money, revealing a small, narrow slip of paper in his palm.

"What's this?" Zhuang Fanxin asked.

Gu Zhuoyan said, "Contact information."

Zhuang Fanxin understood immediately. It must have been slipped to Gu Zhuoyan while he was walking around looking at the paintings. He raised his eyebrows and teased him with a light "Aiya-ya".

Gu Zhuoyan ignored him and went to the room full of sculptures to find Gu Baoyan, ready to leave. People began leaving the art studio one after another. It was still early, and since this was the city center, everyone started pairing up in twos and threes to go shopping.

The can of popcorn flashed through his mind. Zhuang Fanxin didn't want to go home either. He asked Pei Zhi, "Shall we go see a movie?"

"Not today, I have to go to the wet market." Pei Zhi lived with his grandmother, and it was his turn to cook today. Gu Baoyan, who was listening nearby, offered, "Brother Xiao Zhuang, I have time!"

At the moment, only the Gu siblings were left. Zhuang Fanxin didn't even consider the brother; after all, he was the kind of strange person who could fall asleep even during a Wong Feihong versus Clubfoot fight scene. But he was fond of the sister, so he agreed, "Let's go, I'll treat you to a movie."

Zhuang Fanxin and Gu Baoyan hit it off right away. A big hand holding a small hand, walking without slipping. They discussed what to watch as they walked. Only after walking a dozen or so steps did they finally remember there was another person.

They looked back and saw Gu Zhuoyan trailing behind them, carrying the violin case. To say he looked pitiful... his tall and straight posture looked cooler than anyone's. To say he looked lonely... that cold expression on his face clearly screamed 'strangers keep out, and acquaintances don't provoke me either'.

Zhuang Fanxin said considerately, "You can go home first. I'll take little sister to the movie and then bring her back."

Gu Baoyan was even more direct. "Bye-bye, Brother."

Gu Zhuoyan's Adam's apple bobbed. He swallowed a trace of grievance that others couldn't see. He, such a big living person, was actually being abandoned and driven away just like that?

According to his usual temper, he would have hailed a cab and left without another word.

But things were different now. A bit of affection was enough to drastically increase a person's tolerance.

Gu Zhuoyan casually found an excuse. "I don't feel at ease with her following someone else. Let's go together."

Zhuang Fanxin was originally afraid Gu Zhuoyan wouldn't be interested, so this was naturally even better. The two of them flanked Gu Baoyan, with him carrying the drawing tube and Gu Zhuoyan carrying the violin case, as they slowly ambled to the movie theater.

It was crowded on the weekend, and there were queues for almost all the popular movies. Zhuang Fanxin and Gu Baoyan decided to watch a live-action Disney film. Upon entering the theater, Zhuang Fanxin sat in the middle. Before the movie started, he and Gu Baoyan discussed the original animated version, quickly bridging the age gap between them.

Gu Zhuoyan felt isolated. He took out his phone to search for the original story. So boring.

The screening began. The only light in the theater came from the big screen, occasionally punctuated by the shouts of children. Zhuang Fanxin loved both watching movies and eating potato chips; at this moment, he was radiating happiness. Gu Zhuoyan, on the other hand, had never liked watching movies, regardless of the genre. When Gu Shibo and Xue Manzi took him to the theater as a child, he would often run out and wait outside.

Ten minutes later, Gu Zhuoyan's gaze shifted to the top of the head of the person in front of him. It looked a bit bald.

Another ten minutes passed. Fatigue washed over his body, which hadn't rested all day. The movie acted as a further catalyst, so he closed his eyes and began to sleep.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zhuang Fanxin noticed Gu Zhuoyan's condition. Once the boy was sound asleep, he reached out a hand, cupped Gu Zhuoyan's chin, and gently guided his head toward himself, offering a shoulder.

Gu Zhuoyan slept on Zhuang Fanxin's shoulder, his breathing even, more peaceful than Snow White before being awakened by the prince's kiss. Zhuang Fanxin, however, was a bit tired. To replenish his energy, he took Gu Zhuoyan's popcorn and started eating.

On and on, the movie's plot progressed.

As the film reached its climax, the children in the theater began to scream with excitement. Gu Zhuoyan was woken by the noise. He stirred slightly with his eyes still closed. After a moment of drowsiness, he slowly opened his eyes.

Zhuang Fanxin asked in a low voice, "You're awake?"

Gu Zhuoyan was still leaning on him, his forehead brushing against the other's neck. He said shamelessly, "Why are you eating my popcorn?"

Zhuang Fanxin had just taken one piece. Hearing this, he curled his hand into a fist. "I didn't finish it all..."

Gu Zhuoyan reached over. He ignored the half-full bucket of popcorn and instead hooked a finger into Zhuang Fanxin's palm, snatching away the piece that had been warmed by his hand. Popping it into his mouth, he played dumb, "Sorry, I accidentally snatched yours."

He had used the other's shoulder as a pillow until it was sore and warm, and the strands of his hair had tickled the other's skin, yet he was still haggling over a bucket of popcorn. Now, he pretended to have a pang of conscience and said, "Let me give you one back."

Zhuang Fanxin didn't understand. He only felt Gu Zhuoyan reach over again and press something small into his palm. He examined it in the dim light. It was a small wad of paper. Unfolding it, he saw it was the slip of paper with the phone number on it.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Gu Zhuoyan stated his attitude clearly: "Didn't save it. I don't want it."

Zhuang Fanxin was slightly taken aback. "Why?"

Leaning toward his ear, Gu Zhuoyan said in a low voice, "I've already got my eye on someone else."