Volume 2 Chapter 21: The Only Way Is to Beat the Other Person!
“XX, XXX, XXX…”
The art teacher looked at the list and started calling out names one by one.
Only then did Lin Lin understand why everyone had already filled in the forms, yet most of them were still staying.
So that’s how it was…
The names being called were mostly art students.
Using her memory, Lin Lin recalled the registration form she had glanced at earlier. She quickly noticed the pattern.
“For the students whose names I just called,” the art teacher said, “if you need guidance for the competition during the preparation period, you can come to me. Our school has special training classes for art students. They are held in a separate classroom during evening self-study. It’s optional.”
“Teacher, I want to join!”
“Me too, teacher!”
Very soon, the students whose names were called all gathered around, eager to sign up for the training class.
After all, the school’s teachers had guided this competition many times before and had plenty of experience. It would be a waste not to join.
As for the few students who were not art students but still signed up, the school didn’t seem to care much. It felt like they were being left to figure things out on their own.
Those non-art students scratched their heads and soon left.
But…
Lin Lin stayed.
The reason was simple.
She didn’t know anything at all.
If she could learn even a little, it would help!
She really wanted to join the training class. Even just listening to tips or learning about the competition process would be good.
With this thought, Lin Lin waited until the art students finished talking to the teacher and left one by one.
There were fewer and fewer people, until in the end, only Lin Lin and Han Kui were left.
The art teacher looked up in confusion at the two students standing there like they were being punished. He vaguely remembered they were from the same class.
He pushed his glasses up and asked, “Students, what’s going on? Is there a problem?”
Well…
Lin Lin was there because she wanted to attend the class.
As for Han Kui, she just wanted to see what Lin Lin was planning to do.
Why hadn’t this girl left yet?
Both of them were thinking the same thing.
In the end, Lin Lin couldn’t hold back anymore. She stepped forward and spoke in a slightly pleading tone:
“Teacher… um… that training class… I also… I also want to join.”
“Oh…” The art teacher looked down at the list and spoke with some difficulty. “What’s your name again? You’re not an art student, right?”
“Lin Lin. I’m not an art student…”
There was clearly not much confidence in her voice. The art teacher sighed and waved his hand.
“I’m sorry, Lin Lin. Our classrooms and teachers are limited. The school only allows art students to join this training class.”
“Oh… I see…”
Lin Lin nodded sadly and turned around, ready to leave the office.
Behind her, Han Kui suddenly smiled.
Now that she knew what Lin Lin wanted, what she needed to do was very simple.
She walked up to the art teacher confidently and whispered something to him.
A moment later, the art teacher froze, then nodded with a troubled expression.
Han Kui smiled, turned around, and quickly caught up to Lin Lin. She grabbed Lin Lin’s arm. Lin Lin turned back and looked at her with clear disgust.
“What are you doing?”
“Don’t leave in such a hurry, Lin Lin,” Han Kui said. “I’m here to tell you something. I’m not an art student either, but I can still join that class~”
She laughed again. “Want me to talk to the teacher for you? Such a pity~ They only gave me this spot. Otherwise… why don’t you go beg someone else to teach you, you cheating girl? Hah!”
Slap—!
A sudden slap landed on Han Kui’s face.
Lin Lin looked coldly at Han Kui, who was completely stunned.
When Han Kui turned back and stared at Lin Lin in shock, Lin Lin spoke in a calm, flat voice.
“I already told you not to bother me again, didn’t I? Han Kui, have you forgotten what you lost in our last bet?”
“Hah… y-you dare hit me?”
Han Kui covered her face. Even though she heard Lin Lin’s words, she still refused to give in.
“That last time was just an accident! If you’ve got the guts, let’s compete again! I’m not worse than you in everything!”
“I really hate endless bets,” Lin Lin said, frowning. “Just like this time. You don’t even keep your promises. What’s the point of betting again?”
She didn’t want to play this childish game anymore.
But Han Kui suddenly shouted, “D-don’t go! I haven’t hit you back yet!”
She was about to chase after Lin Lin when suddenly—
At the door of the art office, a tall figure appeared and grabbed Han Kui’s wrist.
“G-Gao Liang?”
Han Kui froze.
The next moment, Gao Liang pushed her away. His eyes were cold as he said sharply.
“Get lost.”
Han Kui was stunned by his presence. After a moment, she finally reacted and ran off in embarrassment.
After that, Gao Liang let out a sigh and turned to look at Lin Lin.
Lin Lin’s gaze was a bit complicated, there was surprise and… gratitude?
After looking at each other for a moment, Lin Lin shyly turned her head away and asked,
“Why are you here?”
“I… I was worried you’d get into trouble if you were alone with her. Looks like I was right.”
Gao Liang sighed and shook his head.
“You… do you really want to join that competition? If nothing unexpected happens, she’ll definitely target you.”
“It’s a competition,” Lin Lin said, lowering her head. “Fair play. If I can’t beat her, then I can’t. That’s just how it is.”
She thought for a moment, then quietly said to herself.
“So the only way is… to beat her! I have to start learning fast. Yeah!”
After that, she said to Gao Liang, “Gao Liang, you should go back first. I’m going to find Teacher Zhu to apply for leaving school during evening study!”
Then she turned and was about to run off.
Gao Liang froze when he heard that, then suddenly grabbed her hand.
“W-wait!”
“Huh?” Lin Lin stopped. Her face turned red as she quickly pulled her hand away. “W-what is it?”
“Lin Lin, why are you applying to leave during evening study?”
Gao Liang was anxious. He hadn’t talked much with Lin Lin lately, and if she didn’t attend evening study anymore, he would have even fewer chances to talk with her.
“Uh…”
Lin Lin scratched her head. The real reason was for streaming, but clearly this wasn’t the time to say that.
Luckily, she had a better excuse.
“To learn art! I… I signed up, but I actually have no basics at all. I just want to challenge myself. And now I have a strong enemy challenging me, so of course I need to make time to study art if I want to win!”
“Oh… then… where are you planning to study?” Gao Liang asked. “A crash course? Or…”
Lin Lin thought for a moment, then replied, “Uh… what else could I do?”