Chapter 76


    +15 BONUS


    With most lecturers and students out of campus, only Colin and I were in the usually quiet studio.


    Apart from watching me eat, he kept reminding me to focus and put more effort into my work. It was so


    deste that I felt like crying.


    Oh, Christmas.


    The holiday came just once a year, and yet I was forced to waste it. How heartbreaking! I wanted to


    cry!


    On the night of the 3rd, I was enved until 9:00 pm. Exhausted and sleepy, I snapped that it was


    bedtime and that I would finish the rest tomorrow.


    However, Colin adamantly refused, using both soft and hard tactics to drag me intopleting the


    remaining work.


    At 10:45 pm, he escorted me back to the dormitory. After three consecutive days of working day and


    night, I was physically and mentally worn out. I was sound asleep as soon as I got into the bed.


    In my dream, Julia and Queenie were sitting in a restaurant, proudly showing off the photos they took in


    Verdantmont. The scenery was beautiful, making me want to cross through the dream and give them a


    good beating.


    Originally, I thought I could rx idly during the holiday. Nheless, just as dawn was breaking, my


    phone started ringing incessantly like it was haunted.


    Thinking it was my mom, I didn’t bother to check the caller ID and answered with a sleepy “Mom“.


    There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a softugh that was so familiar that it


    made me shudder.


    I instantly woke up, subconsciously looking at the screen. Colin was smiling at me charmingly. Why


    was he bothering me so early in the morning? It was a holiday, and I had finished all my y work.


    My morning anger went through the roof.


    Momentarily I forgot that my face was unwashed and my hair was messy. I shouted, “Why are you


    awake so early during the holidays? Are you crazy?”


    Colinughed even more devilishly, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. The corner of his lips lifted,


    making him look like a refined scoundrel. “Lazy pig, get up already. I’ll take you out to have fun.”


    +15 BONUS


    Being my stubborn self, I refused.


    He then patiently described how delicious the food was, how beautiful the scenery was, and how many


    artists flocked there for inspiration. He imed that I might not want toe back once I visited the


    ce.


    Colin’s clear voice carried a teasing tone. He was not only a master of watercolor painting but also an


    expert at brainwashing. By the end, all I could think was that if I missed this opportunity, it would be the


    biggest mistake of my life.


    Moreover, there were still four days of vacation left. Lazing around in the dormitory would be a waste.


    Not wanting to miss the second chance after the first, I sumbed to Colin’s sweet talk.


    After I hastily got ready, I exited the dormitory with a small backpack. Colin was waiting for me under a


    tree, silently watching me as I approached. His gaze was so dark and deep. It was shining in a way that


    made him extraordinarily handsome.


    He resembled a tall, straight pine tree, emitting a clear, refreshing aura. The overall impression he gave


    was pure, noble, and dignified. For some reason, I felt my heart rate elerate a bit.


    Colin’walked toward me, took the backpack, and then led me to his ck SUV.


    “It’s too early for breakfast. I bought something on the way. Just eat this for now.” He handed me a


    beautifully logo–printed paper bag.


    Opening it, I found the pancakes and milkshake from my favorite diner. The diner was located nearly 25


    miles away from Lincoln University, and it was only just dawn.


    Colin had woken up so early!


    The sweet milkshake slid smoothly down my throat, making me want to sighein contentment.


    Speaking honestly, although Colin was strict with me, he was very good at pampering me. I gazed at


    Colin’s focused expression from the side as he drove, finding him genuinely good–looking.


    I often had this feeling that I couldn’t divert my gaze from him. His lips were slightly pursed, and his


    starry eyes were mischievous. Even his broad shoulders tempted me to lean my head on them.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    “Are


    you satisfied with what you see?” Colin noticed my stare and nced at me with a teasing smile.


    T