Chapter 84: The Painting

Boom!

The hearts of the gossiping girls throbbed with excitement! Their eyes shimmered, sparkling as though adorned with pink blossoms.

“Isn’t that An Qing? The drawing is stunning!”

“What’s happening here? Could it be...?”

“The details are so precise, just like An Qing! Is this a model sketch? Hehe, when did you sketch this?”

“Are Senior Lin Xian and An Qing...?”

The girls stared at the flustered Lin Xian and the blushing Chu An Qing, their faces gleaming with mischievous grins.

Lin Xian felt a surge of panic. How could he possibly explain? He had drawn CC, but Chu An Qing and CC were identical! Moreover, CC wasn’t even from this era. Even if he told the truth, who would believe him?Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

Honestly, he wasn’t too worried about being misunderstood, as he had already graduated, and rumors wouldn’t affect him much. But Chu An Qing was just a freshman, already known as the campus’s little princess. If damaging rumors spread, how would her peers see her?

Lin Xian knew all too well how crucial a girl’s reputation was at school. Even baseless rumors could turn into sharp thorns, wounding innocent girls. He took a deep breath. Since he was the cause of the issue, he felt compelled to address it.

“Listen, everyone, this is—”

“Oh, I asked Senior Lin Xian to draw this for me. I’m sorry you all saw it.”

Chu An Qing smiled gracefully, retrieving the drawing from one of the girls.

“I didn’t expect it to be finished so quickly. I thought it would take a few more days.”

The girls widened their eyes, looking at Chu An Qing in confusion.

What was happening?

“It was during MX Company’s celebration banquet a few nights ago.”

Chu An Qing folded the drawing, addressing her classmates.

“My dad took me there because I enjoy lively events, and President Zhao of MX Company was very kind to my dad, allowing me to participate in their fun lottery.”

“And I won this~ hehe, the prize was a portrait by Lin Xian.”

“Though it was done as a little joke, Senior Lin Xian agreed immediately and promised to sketch me. I didn’t expect it to be ready so soon.”

Chu An Qing waved the folded drawing, her smile bright and joyful.

Chu An Qing’s eyes twinkled playfully.

“I know it’s not me you drew. Don’t worry, I’m not that self-absorbed.”

Lin Xian was taken aback. Could she really be so understanding?

Chu An Qing unfolded the drawing again.

“Although it resembles me closely, I know it isn’t me you drew.”

“We just met a few days ago. How could you have sketched me? You don’t need to explain. You must have drawn someone else, right?”

She closed the drawing, giving Lin Xian a knowing look.

“Was it an old classmate? Or just a random sketch?”

Lin Xian scratched his head.

“It was an old classmate.”

Lin Xian smoothly fibbed. Sometimes a lie was necessary to prevent awkwardness. Maybe Chu An Qing was intentionally giving him an escape.

“This drawing was completed before I met you, over several days.”

“Her image just came to mind, so I sketched her. I didn’t expect her to look so much like you... It was a surprise to me too.”

“Oh, I see,”

Chu An Qing nodded in understanding.

“That explains your puzzled look when I arrived at the banquet. I didn’t think much of it then. Now I understand, hehe... you were reminded of your old classmate!”

Lin Xian laughed and nodded. Once a lie is told, it often leads to more lies to maintain it.

“In that case, I should return this to you, Senior Lin Xian.”

Chu An Qing handed the folded drawing back to Lin Xian, her smile warm.

“She must be very important and unforgettable to you... Here, you should keep this safe.”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation