That night, Hai Lin lay flat on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The streetlamp outside flickered dimly against her curtains, but her thoughts were brighter and louder than anything else in the room.
I'm going to tell them tomorrow. No more hesitating.
The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Hai Lin was already dressed and brushing her hair in silence. At the breakfast table, her mother blinked at her in surprise.
"Oh, Lady Hai Lin woke up early today," she said sarcastically, stirring porridge. "Is it because you failed math?"
Hai Lin didn't respond.
Her father, who had come home late the previous night, sat beside her, yawning quietly. He looked up when Hai Lin suddenly stood.
"Mom. Dad," she said firmly, "I've decided—I want to study arts."
The spoon in her mother's hand froze mid-air. Hai Lin clenched her eyes tightly, bracing for the outburst.
But nothing came.
When she peeked one eye open, her mother was calmly eating.
"Mom?" Hai Lin said, bewildered. "You're not going to scold me?"
"If you keep studying like this," her mother said between bites, "you won't even make it to college. Better start working at the restaurant."
"Dear," her father said gently, "let our daughter choose her own path."
"Oh, so I can't even express my concerns anymore?" her mother's voice rose. "Who's the head of this family, huh?!"
Her father raised his hand, gesturing to her.
Hai Lin quickly mirrored the gesture, pointing at her father.
Her mother's face crumpled. "I raised these girls with blood and tears and now everyone says their father is the head? Fine, fine! I'll just cry myself to death!"
"No, no, you're the head, Mom!" Hai Lin said quickly. "I was just joking! How could our beautiful, kind, smart mother not be the head?"
Her mother sniffled, but her lips twitched. "Flattery won't get you far."
"Come on, just a little far?" Hai Lin grinned.
"Fine. Do whatever you want," her mom sighed dramatically, waving her spoon. "But... the fees?"
"Don't worry. My school teacher teaches art for free."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Hai Lin smiled to herself. Technically true.
The teacher in question was none other than Sun Weiming—Sun Shian's father.
Later that day, Hai Lin arrived at the Sun residence with Lingmei. The house was warm and filled with the smell of fresh ink and tea.
Lingmei greeted them first. "Uncle, Auntie, this is my friend Hai Lin. She wants to learn art."
Sun Weiming looked up from his sketchpad, eyes kind and gentle. "Welcome, Hai Lin. Come by in the evenings, I'll be glad to guide you."
His wife added, "We're happy to have anyone passionate about art."
Hai Lin bowed gratefully. "Thank you so much."
After the brief visit, Lingmei and Hai Lin walked out together, giggling.
"So," Lingmei said with a teasing grin, "you're going to see your senior every day now, huh?"
"Stop it!" Hai Lin blushed. "I'm not like you, who talks to her crush every day."
Lingmei flipped her hair dramatically. "Well, what can I do? He's just unbelievably handsome."
Hai Lin raised a brow. "Handsome? Li Zeyan? Wow, you have great taste," she teased.
"Ha! What about your senior? Sun Shian is nothing compared to my Zeyan."
"Says who?"
"Says me."
Both girls laughed as they made their way back to school, their steps light and hearts lighter.