Chapter 50


    When we arrived at the airport and got out of the car, Colin’s video call suddenly came in. Without


    much thought, I walked aside to answer.


    Speaking of Colin, he truly lived up to being amazing and talented. However, there was one habit of his


    that I didn’t understand. He rarely called for matters and always preferred video calls.


    I once asked him why, and he said video calls have a loud ringtone, making them less likely to be


    missed.


    It turned out that the institute was organizing apetition in coboration with several prestigious


    schools. Renowned ssical painters would serve as judges, and schools could form teams to


    participate. Colin asked if I wanted to join so he could team up with me.


    To be somewhat precise, I came from a literary family.


    My dad was a high school English teacher. If not for my mom’s restraint, he could spend all day reciting


    poems at home for me and Mom.


    My mom worked in interior design. ording to my dad, she was a rare talent in her youth.


    If not for family upheavals, she would have be a renowned painter by now. Working in interior


    design was the result of my mom’spromise under certain circumstances.


    From a young age, I inherited my mom’s talent and developed a deep love for drawing. For over a


    decade, I had persistently considered excelling in watercolor as my lifelong aspiration.


    Apart from painting, Colin and I didn’t interact much. Yet, his watercolor skills were impressive. His bold


    and precise styleplemented mine perfectly, and I learned a lot from him.


    He was both a mentor and a friend to me.


    Watercolor was my passion, and the opportunity to team up with him in thepetition was something


    I


    truly desired.


    Before concluding the call, Colin mentioned that he had returned to school and woulde to pick me


    1. up.


    I was d I didn’t have to carry the heavy suitcase back to school alone this time.


    After ending the call, I saw Felix waiting for me on the roadside with a pile of suitcases. Lc was


    leaning


    on his shoulder, wearing a soft smile.


    +15 BONUS


    “Who were you video calling?” he asked me coldly.


    I was taken aback. “Someone you don’t know.”


    Felix seemed displeased.


    “Isn’t it obvious? It must be her boyfriend since she’s been chatting happily for so long,” Lc suddenly


    chimed in.


    “But Lulu, your boyfriend isn’t up to par. You suffered serious injuries, and he never bothered to visit


    you throughout the entire two months of summer vacation. Look at Felix. He finds time to apany


    me.


    That’s how a boyfriend should be.”


    Sure enough, Lc’s words were nothing but a stream of unpleasant remarks.


    I didn’t bother with Lc and proceeded to grab my suitcase.


    Getting into a verbal spat with Lc felt like lowering my own standards.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She tearfully hid her face in Felix’s neck. “Felix, did I do something wrong? Did I offend Lulu? I tried to


    talk to her out of goodwill, but she just ignored me.”


    Felix patted her back. Surprisingly, there were no warnings or usations directed at me this time.


    I felt disgusted and quickly walked a few steps away, distancing myself from Lc’s toxic attitude.


    I couldn’t understand why Lc couldn’t grasp the concept of emotional exhaustion. Crying once would


    elicit sympathy, and crying twice would have the same effect. However, after a hundred tears, what


    would one feel other than annoyance?


    As the ne touched down in the evening. I checked my phone to find several messages from Felix.


    “Lulu, have younded? Is someone there to pick you up? Steer clear of guys. You’re too trusting, and


    I’m


    worried you might get hurt.” 2