Chapter 2: A Glimpse into Art and Life
700 Words
Returning to her old passion, Lin Lai created a new account on social media. Using the pen name “Fusheng,” which she had once employed as an online illustrator, she made her reappearance in the art world.
Her approach was simple yet effective—she began serializing comics she had drawn in the past. The characters and plots, all conceived by her, made the process seamless and efficient.
The delivery drivers couldn’t help but wonder about the peculiar young woman living in a luxurious villa. Why did someone so affluent survive on takeout meals, ordering them twice a day without fail, and occasionally indulging in late-night snacks? Was this, perhaps, the mysterious joy of the wealthy?
A month and a half passed swiftly, and the renovations for Lin Lai’s apartment at Longyu Huatai were finally complete. Designed entirely to her aesthetic, the previously cold and impersonal space now radiated warmth and comfort.
A smaller room had been converted into a study, essential for Lin Lai, who spent most of her time painting. The studio was fully equipped with all the tools she needed. Although she majored in oil painting and traditional Chinese painting at university, their niche appeal often limited her opportunities to monetize these skills. Hence, her focus shifted to more commercially viable forms of art.
Hiring a moving company, Lin Lai managed to relocate everything worth keeping from the villa to her newly renovated apartment in half a day. After all, as the villa belonged to her, so too did everything inside it—an inheritance she was more than willing to claim.
The once luxurious villa now felt like an empty shell, stripped bare of its personality.
Amidst unpacking and settling into her new space, a thought struck her. The books she had cherished in her former life were missing. Unsure if this world even had equivalents, she decided to explore a nearby bookstore with cautious hope.
After organizing her belongings, she put on a light jacket and ventured out to shop. Still unfamiliar with her surroundings, she relied on Baidu Maps to locate the nearest bookstore.
The store was large and well-stocked, a bibliophile’s paradise. After some time searching, she spotted a book she liked but found it just out of reach. Standing on her toes and stretching proved futile, and she hesitated for a moment before considering asking for assistance. Just then, a pale hand reached up and effortlessly retrieved the elusive book.
Lin Lai looked up to see a young man, likely over 1.85 meters tall, handing the book to her.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting the book with a smile.
“It’s nothing, just a small favor,” he replied casually. Then, as if the question had slipped out naturally, he added, “This is a book on art—are you an artist?”
His gentle demeanor made the inquiry feel unintrusive. Lin Lai, equally at ease, nodded. “Yes, I’m a graduate of fine arts.”
A spark of excitement lit up the young man’s eyes. “Really? That makes you my senior! I’m a freshman majoring in fine arts.”
The two struck up a conversation and, to their mutual surprise, found themselves getting along well. The young man introduced himself as Zhang Xu, a first-year student at an art academy. They exchanged contact information and spent the rest of their time in the bookstore together.
As Zhang Xu was also shopping for art books, Lin Lai recommended a few professional titles, much to his delight. He even insisted on treating her to a meal as thanks, though she politely declined. Instead, she offered to help him with any art-related questions in the future.
After buying the book, Lin Lai didn’t return home immediately. She stopped by a supermarket near her apartment to stock up on snacks. Though cooking wasn’t her forte, as a modern homebody, she ensured her pantry was always brimming with treats.
One of her life’s guiding principles: *A head may be broken, blood may be shed, but snacks must never run out.
While her diet wasn’t the healthiest, years of her mother’s discipline had ingrained in her the habit of eating fruit daily.
- Writer
