Early November.
With less than a month until the art exam, the atmosphere at the institution was growing tense, as students' mock exam scores were tied to the teachers' salaries.
After lunch, Xu Jia caught up with Chang Xuyu, carrying her tray, linked arms with her, and whispered, asking what the afternoon sketching class for Class 1 would be drawing.
Both Chang Xuyu and Xu Jia taught sketching for the "Qingmei Class"—one in Class 1, the other in Class 2.
The "Qingmei Class," being the institution's most focused elite class, had long been accustomed to competition.
And Xu Jia, at times like this, would always come to cling to Chang Xuyu.
Chang Xuyu pressed her lips together.
She wasn't good at socializing, the kind of person who said as little as possible.
"We haven't finished the photo reference of a half-body figure with hands and still life from yesterday, so we'll continue with it today," she said softly.
The lesson plan was indeed like that, and she wasn't deliberately hiding anything. After all, she was just a teaching assistant; the real instructor was a man named Jian Jiayue, who was also the vice principal.
Xu Jia naturally didn't dare to probe Jian Jiayue's thoughts, so she could only occasionally come and ask Chang Xuyu.
Chang Xuyu spoke little and had a gentle temperament, much easier to deal with than Jian Jiayue.
"Okay, I got it. Thank you, Teacher Chang." Xu Jia chuckled.
Chang Xuyu gave a slight nod, relieved, and hurried to the classroom.
During the midday self-study, there would be quick sketching, and as a teaching assistant, she had to be in the classroom to supervise.
As she entered, she saw Jian Jiayue.
Seeing Chang Xuyu, Jian Jiayue smiled at her and discussed a couple of issues about the students' work.
"Xuyu, did Xu Jia give you a hard time?" Jian Jiayue suddenly asked.
He had seen it in the cafeteria earlier.
Xu Jia was competitive—a good trait, but it shouldn't come at the expense of bullying colleagues.
Especially Chang Xuyu.
Chang Xuyu was carrying a box of gouache paint. At his words, she paused, thought for a moment, and slowly smiled. "No."
Seeing her "no big deal" expression, the man sighed. He knew her temper and didn't press further, but a hint of self-blame flashed in his eyes.
"It's my fault too, for not taking this seriously enough, letting her keep bothering you."
Chang Xuyu shook her head. "The students' grades matter most. Teacher Jian, you're an excellent instructor. I believe our class will do well."
Jian Jiayue watched her busy preparing a demonstration for the students. He opened his mouth and said softly, "Xuyu, if you have any difficulties, remember to tell me. Don't bear them alone."
Chang Xuyu was taken aback for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
"I will, thank you."
After Jian Jiayue left, the students who had been observing the commotion gathered around, their faces full of gossip.
"Ooh—"
Chang Xuyu was puzzled, thinking they wanted to see her demonstration.
But the students blurted out, "Teacher Chang, you and Teacher Jian..."
Hearing this, Chang Xuyu helplessly put down her brush.
"Not enough quick sketch assignments?" she pretended to be angry.
"No, no! Bye, teacher, we're going to draw..."
A hundred single-figure copies a week—they couldn't handle any more!
Soon, a fellow teaching assistant came to call her to check out the newly purchased batch of plaster casts.
A few days ago, the chandelier in the plaster room had fallen due to aging, smashing many casts. The principal had quickly ordered a new batch.
Inside and outside the plaster room, several workers were carefully moving things.
A clear scent of dust mixed with plaster powder wafted over.
Chang Xuyu, wearing a dark green sweater, stepped back two paces and sneezed.
She rubbed her nose and looked up. A ray of dusky yellow light streamed through the glass, illuminating a man in front of her.
The man wore a black leather jacket, was very tall, with short, neat hair.
Such a striking figure was hard to ignore.
Her gaze fell on him. Seeing his indifferent face, she suddenly felt a momentary headache.
"Yi Zhuo, thanks to you, you've really solved our urgent problem," the principal said, holding the man's hand earnestly.
The man gave a polite smile. "It's nothing."
Chang Xuyu looked away and quietly surveyed the plaster statues she would send to Qingmei Class 1 for tomorrow's sketching practice.
They had already drawn David. What else should she pick?
She stepped closer for a better look.