I Became an All-round Artist

Kong An had come today with a clear goal: to discuss Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan had single-handedly raised the sketching standards of the entire art department. Kong An had long made up his mind to transfer Lin Yuan to his own department—keeping such a talent in the composition department was a complete waste.

Initially, Kong An hadn’t planned to approach Shi Cheng so soon. Transferring departments is a complicated matter, and with the semester almost over, he figured waiting a few more months wouldn’t hurt. But after today’s end-of-semester exam results from the Art Society, he couldn’t wait any longer.

He had to bring Lin Yuan to the art department immediately—before it was too late.

Why the urgency?

Because the results of this semester’s art exams were shocking.

Among the top 50 students in the art department for sketching, 42 of them had been taught by Lin Yuan in the Art Society! This ratio was even more astonishing than last semester's exams. While Kong An had expected something impressive, he still couldn't help but be amazed. Even the sketching instructors in the art department held Lin Yuan’s teaching abilities in high regard.

But what really shocked Kong An wasn’t just the sketching exam. Even in the gouache painting exam, 33 of the top 50 students had been taught by Lin Yuan!

Sketching was one thing, but for Lin Yuan to excel in gouache painting as well? That was unexpected.

It seemed that Lin Yuan’s previous chalkboard drawings were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to his gouache skills. Mastery of both sketching and gouache—this was rare.

Kong An could no longer sit idle. He had to take action immediately, which was why he sought out his old friend Shi Cheng. No matter what, Lin Yuan had to be part of the art department.

“Go ahead, what’s your request?” Shi Cheng sipped his tea, perfectly at ease.

Kong An smiled and said, “I wasn’t lying when I said this would be a small matter for you. I’ve got my eye on one of your students in the composition department. I’d like to transfer him to the art department.”

“That’s it?” Shi Cheng was in a great mood. He casually responded, “Not just one—if you want three students, I’ll agree. But you’ll have to handle their parents since this is about their future. We can't afford to be careless.”

“You mean it?” Kong An’s tone turned serious. “Of course, I’d handle the parents. I’m asking for this student because of his future. He’s got incredible talent in art, and if he comes to my department, I’ll personally mentor him!”

“You’re that impressed?” Shi Cheng was genuinely surprised. For someone of Kong An’s stature, very few students ever caught his eye.

“Then I absolutely must help you!” Shi Cheng said earnestly. If he didn’t assist Kong An, he’d feel guilty himself. “What’s the student’s name? I’ll have him brought over, and you can talk to him face-to-face.”

“You probably don’t know him—he’s from class five,” Kong An replied.

“Class five…” Shi Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, but then he quickly dismissed the thought. What are the chances? He maintained his smile. “I didn’t ask for his class, I asked for his name.”

“Lin Yuan,” Kong An said.

Shi Cheng’s smile froze.

Kong An didn’t notice Shi Cheng’s change in expression. He took a sip of tea and patted Shi Cheng on the shoulder. “You’re a good friend, always so accommodating. Thanks in advance. With your support, I’m sure Lin Yuan won’t refuse.”

Shi Cheng replied, “Did I say yes?”

Kong An paused. “You did.”

Shi Cheng waved him off. “Don’t twist my words. Brothers are brothers, but I never agreed to a transfer!”

“That’s not cool,” Kong An frowned. “Keeping Lin Yuan in the composition department is wasting his talent.”

Shi Cheng shot back, “Wasting talent? He’d be wasted in your art department!”

“Oh, now you’re getting serious, huh?” Kong An stood up.

Shi Cheng also stood up, confronting him. “What’s wrong? You’re the one being unreasonable, asking for Lin Yuan. There’s no way I’m letting him go!”

“Why not?”

“No reason necessary.”

“On what grounds?”

“Because… let’s just say you don’t understand. Lin Yuan is the backbone of our composition department. Without him, we wouldn’t even stand a chance against Dongyi!”

“Now I’m really mad!”

“Be as mad as you want, it doesn’t change anything. You can have anyone else, but not Lin Yuan. Even if the sky falls, I’m not letting him go!”

Shi Cheng was visibly agitated. Asking for Xianyu, of all people? Kong An was practically asking him to cut the lifeline of the composition department!

“We’ve been brothers for years, and you won’t give me this one student?” Kong An stared at Shi Cheng.

Shi Cheng shouted, “Even close brothers settle their accounts clearly! Asking for Lin Yuan—have you thought about how I feel?”

Kong An threatened, “If you don’t let him go, this friendship is over!”

Shi Cheng sneered. “Then let it end!”

Kong An was stunned.

Ending their friendship over this?

He was furious. “You’re choosing Lin Yuan over years of brotherhood?”

“That’s a question for you. Why are you so set on taking Lin Yuan? Are you working for Dongyi to mess with me? Lin Yuan belongs in the composition department, and no one’s taking him!”

“You…”

The argument grew heated.

Both assistants rushed in to break it up, only to be shouted out of the room.

“Should we call the principal?”

“We might have to.”

Ten minutes later, Principal Shi Huainan arrived, and the first thing he asked was, “What’s going on? These two were like brothers, why are they fighting?”

The assistants exchanged awkward looks. “If you hadn’t come, they might’ve started swinging.”

Shi Huainan scolded, “Ridiculous!”

He pushed open the office door and saw Shi Cheng and Kong An glaring at each other in silence.

“What’s this about?” Shi Huainan asked, exasperated. Both of them were part of the school leadership, and Shi Cheng was even his relative. He couldn’t just start scolding without understanding the situation.

“It’s about Lin Yuan,” Kong An grumbled. “I told you before, Principal, that Lin Yuan from the composition department is a rare art talent. If he comes to our art department, I’m confident we can elevate the whole department’s level!”

“Is he really that good?” Shi Huainan was surprised. He remembered Kong An mentioning Lin Yuan before, but this time the praise was even higher.

Is this student really that amazing?

“I’m not exaggerating,” Kong An said firmly.

Shi Huainan looked over at Shi Cheng. “Maybe…”

Shi Cheng interrupted, “Cousin.”

Shi Huainan quickly corrected him, “Call me Principal.”

Shi Cheng leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear.

Shi Huainan’s face changed. “Is that true?”

“Absolutely,” Shi Cheng said solemnly.

Shi Huainan’s expression fluctuated, and then, to everyone’s surprise, he burst out laughing.

Why’s he laughing like that?

Kong An grew suspicious. “You’re not playing favorites, are you?”

Shi Huainan shot him a glare. “Do I seem like the type?”

Kong An muttered under his breath, but didn’t argue.

After thinking it over, Shi Huainan said, “Lin Yuan should stay in the composition department. Besides, Kong An, you already said Lin Yuan teaches painting in the Art Society, right?”

“But…”

“No buts. As the principal, I’ve made my decision. However, Shi Cheng, if Lin Yuan runs into any problems in the composition department, you’ll be held responsible.”

“Don’t worry, Principal!” Shi Cheng said, pounding his chest in assurance.

Kong An opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, the principal hurried off. Whatever he had to do must have been urgent.

“Not seeing me off?” Shi Cheng didn’t even glance at Kong An.

Kong An nodded, “I see how it is.”

He turned on his heel and left, their friendship now capsized like a sinking ship.

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