Without quarreling with the other party, he couldn’t force the gift. Jiang Chen silently took back the sketch and then lowered his head once more.

The fact proved that.

Who you sit next to really matters because they can affect your attention and your learning.

Knowing that the person beside her was drawing her, Cao Jinse’s focus was inevitably scattered. Her brain clearly told her to concentrate on the lecture, but her mind refused to obey.

After an internal battle, reason still lost to instinct.

Princess Cao turned her head again.

If it were an ordinary person, what would they do at this moment?

The most likely choice would be to put the paper away, either finding a way to give it after class or keeping it as a souvenir.

This is a normal person’s approach.

But as a genius among geniuses, how could Jiang Chen’s behavior align with normal people?

What did he do after the sketch was refused?

"Rip."

A familiar sound.

Exactly.

He ripped the sketch, which was indeed well done.

Ripping it in half wasn’t enough; he slowly and inconspicuously tore it into pieces, placing the fragments into his suit pocket, instead of littering.

Probably to avoid being discovered by cleaners later.

Cao Jinse saw it all, her breathing quickened.

As one of the few young faces in the place, she was undoubtedly a genius too, but as a female genius, her focus was first as a woman.

Women are emotional creatures; the difference lies only in the degree.

Refusing to accept is one thing, but being torn into pieces is another.

Flowers she didn’t accept, but they shouldn’t be thrown into the trash.

It’s evident that Princess Cao’s gaze subtly changed, she was somewhat angry but couldn’t react due to the setting.

And at this moment, someone’s peculiar ability seemed to malfunction; he didn’t perceive his deskmate’s emotion, and after tearing up the sketch, he calmly went back to writing and drawing.

Indeed.

He’s not neglecting the lecture.

Just like he said outside.

Deeply involved in the three-way negotiations, he really didn’t need any extra lessons here.

Cao Jinse no longer held back, staring directly at him, only to see him wield his pen like a whirlwind, "swish swish swish," and another drawing emerged.

However, this work was richer than the previous one that was torn to pieces; it not only had figures but also scenes.

And wind.

Exactly.

Wind.

The girl in the drawing still showed her side face, still sitting, with a ponytail, at a youthful age, outside the window there were black-and-white clouds, and invisible wind gently lifted the bangs on her forehead.

The "glaring" Cao Jinse suddenly found herself distracted, her eyes wandering.

This time, someone was even more cautious, reviewing the finished piece carefully and confirming it was satisfactory. Then, he picked up his pen again and signed in the lower right corner of the paper.

[Gifted to Student Cao Jinse]

No wonder he’s a straight-A student from a prestigious school.

The handwriting was angular, with vigor amidst grace, pleasing to the eye.

Mission accomplished.

He put down the pen, brimming with confidence, thoroughly explaining what it means to rise to challenges, turned around, and handed over the second sketch again.

"Here."

Can’t you change a bit of dialogue?

Utterly shameless.

Although it’s still the same "here," this time he received a different response.

"How did you know..."

The elements of this piece were quite abundant, but hidden within was a detail: the girl in the drawing was wearing a middle school uniform, and even as a pencil sketch, those in the know could distinguish that it was a uniform from a Kyoto middle school.

This is what you call skill.

This is what you call mastery.

"Teacher Cao showed me your old photos."

No wonder.

This guy clearly wasn’t there during her youth, how could he know her appearance from back then?

"Should resemble about thirty percent?"

Someone was being modest.

Cao Jinse didn’t respond directly, her elegant and delicate face revealing nothing, "Is this for me?"

Women change faces faster than flipping books.

"Yes."

Jiang Chen didn’t mind, nodding: "It’s written there, gifted to Student Cao Jinse."

Show off.

It’s not like she couldn’t read, nor was she shortsighted.

"Are we classmates?"

Though she said so, Cao Jinse simultaneously reached out and took the drawing filled with endless imagery.

The ages of the figures in both pieces differ, but the perspective remains consistent.

"We’re deskmates now, aren’t we?" someone replied.

Cao Jinse’s mouth slightly lifted, and she quickly withdrew it, lowering her head to look at the casual pencil sketch.

"Quite a few talents, huh."

Well then.

Completely distracted.

Absolutely not watching the lecture anymore.

"People like us who can’t afford fresh flowers can only figure out some devious ways."

Indeed, so straightforward.

"How many girls have you painted for?" It’s not that she likes to argue, but this forces her to pay attention.

Someone starts counting on their fingers.

"Pretend I never asked."

It’s hard to feel any emotions, all that’s left is helplessness.

"When you were in school, you probably didn’t receive things like this, right?"

Jiang Chen retorted, "So am I the first one?"

Cao Jinse responded with a crisp, cold laugh, "No. I can’t even remember how many I’ve received."

"I don’t believe it."

Naturally, someone said, "I asked Teacher Cao and Yang Ting. They both said no one pursued you when you were in school."

Before the other party could speak, he continued, "I think they’re wrong."

Cao Jinse’s expression softened slightly, just about to speak, but soon heard, "No one is pursuing you now either."

Visibly, Princess Cao’s expression instantly disappeared, her complexion starting to turn pale.

"Song Chaoge doesn’t count. He definitely hasn’t given you any substantial gifts. Pursuing a girl only with words is not pursuing, that’s opportunism."

Both reasonable and rational.

Brilliant!

Even if Young Master Song were here, with his eloquence, he probably couldn’t find a flaw to refute in a short time.

"So should you thank me for giving you the experiences your youth deserved?"

Cao Jinse slowly breathes, "Just with one painting? If you really had the ability to turn back time, then I would truly thank you."

That’s a request someone surely can’t fulfill.

Some things are destined to be experienced only once in life.

No matter how great the ability, it can’t buy a return ticket. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Jiang Chen turned his head slightly, looking ahead.

Though not listening, the attitude still needs to be feigned.

"Do you really want to go back to the past? But at that time, your deskmate wouldn’t be me."

Cao Jinse was stunned, for a moment really wanting to curse!

"Can’t you be a bit more shameless?"

She couldn’t help but cursed with a smile.

"I’m just stating the facts."

"Facts? You think you’re excellent? My deskmates then were all cheerful, outstanding, handsome guys."

"Would they paint for you?"

"..."

Cao Jinse was momentarily speechless, then said, "You think everyone is as boring as you!"

Can’t call it boring.

It should be said, teenagers couldn’t possibly have the courage Boss Jiang has now.

"Give it back."

Someone focused on the lectern, spoke without looking sideways.

"What?"

"The painting."

"You gave it to me; it’s mine now. Why should I give it back?"

It’s reasonable.

"There’s something I forgot to paint."

Cao Jinse frowned, eyes revealing doubt.

"Why would I lie to you?"

Jiang Chen moved his hand over, "Give it to me, I’ll finish it and return it to you."

Cao Jinse was skeptical but ultimately chose to place that piece of paper in the other’s hand, "If you’re lying, you’re doomed."

Jiang Chen withdrew his hand, picked up the pen, and flipped the painting over.

Indeed, it wasn’t finished.

Missing a name.

He inscribed the title of the artwork on the back.

[Deskmate]

Then handed it back.

Thinking that painting a picture, writing a few words could transcend time, break into someone’s youth.

Cao Jinse pursed her lips, looking at the freshly written painting title.

"Sounds awful."

"Then do you have a suggestion?"

"Jiang..."

Someone’s expression immediately turned solemn, seamlessly transitioning, upright and meticulous in looking at the lectern, without a trace of guilt.

Such unrestrained slacking, how could it not be noticed?

"Among our entrepreneurs, you should be considered the youngest batch. We should listen more to the opinions of young people; tell everyone your thoughts."

Cao Jinse, fortunate to escape difficulty, held back laughter, eyes looking down, nose observing mind.

Someone instantly switched modes, immediately turning from a student not attentively listening to a model student identity, facing the audience’s focus, calm and unhurried.

As she heard the person beside her speak eloquently, Princess Cao gradually lost interest, lowered her head, seemingly taking notes, but was actually erasing the title someone suggested, picking up her pen.

Since it’s a painting given to her, naturally she should name it.

Although Deskmate isn’t bad, it’s a bit tacky.

Stroke by stroke, the handwriting graceful, perhaps influenced by the mood, exuding the aura of a time-confused girl.

The back of the lined paper revealed a line of small characters.

[You, Late for Many Years]