Fu Qingqing muttered to herself.
She had seen some of Fu Chuan’s previous drawings, but never like this—so mature, so full of soul!
This level of talent could only come from a naturally gifted professional artist.
Fu Chuan slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to the school store to buy some bread, planning to wash it down with the plain water provided for lunch.
Once he got into G City’s best art academy, he planned to cut ties with the Fu family entirely. The expenses ahead would be endless.
Art was an expensive field.
But drawing was all Fu Chuan had—a passion and a gift. He hoped that his dedication wouldn’t be wasted after a life of hardship.
He decided to take freelance illustration jobs online whenever possible, to prepare for the future.
He didn’t want to owe the Fu family anything. Once he had enough money, he would repay them and sever the connection. From then on, he would no longer be a Fu—debt-free and independent.
For his specialty classes, Fu Chuan was supremely confident, ready to apply early to G City StarManga Art Academy.
The struggle was with the academic subjects.
He hadn’t touched them in ages, and much of the knowledge had slipped away. He needed intensive review.
Even for art-specialty students, universities still had minimum academic requirements, especially StarManga.
There was so much to do this year.
Thunder rumbled.
Suddenly, dark clouds rolled in and a fine rain began to fall.
Fu Chuan had no umbrella, but at least he had bought his bread.
He hid under the science building’s entrance to avoid the rain, taking out his water bottle to have lunch. Bite by bite, he ate.
Then…
A graceful figure entered his sight.
It was Shen Shutang.
With headphones on, holding a book above her head as a shield, she dashed toward the shelter, coming face-to-face with Fu Chuan.
It was just the two of them now.
Their eyes met, and Fu Chuan simply nodded: “Hello, senior.”
Noticing that Shen Shutang was soaked, her wet clothes clinging to her developing figure, Fu Chuan inwardly marveled at her long, delicate legs and elegant form.
No wonder everyone talked about the allure of being drenched.
He averted his gaze, continued eating his bread, and opened his textbook for review—he didn’t want Shen Shutang to think he was being inappropriate.
Thankfully, his foundation from his past life hadn’t faded completely.
As he reviewed formulas, some memories stirred, even recalling a few high school exam questions from before.
Unfortunately…
Being reborn had caused countless butterfly effects. The exams might be completely different.
As Fu Chuan pondered, Shen Shutang drew a deep breath.
This wasn’t what she had expected.
She thought Fu Chuan would greet her proactively.
Now, when she wanted to bring up something important, he seemed completely oblivious—like a block of wood.
Shen, slightly socially anxious, wasn’t used to such distance, and it troubled her.
The rain showed no signs of stopping.
Fu Chuan paid no attention to her presence.
After holding back for a while, Shen finally spoke:
“Uh… Fu Chuan, junior.”
“Hm?”
Fu Chuan looked surprised.
Someone as famous and beautiful as Shen Shutang remembered his name?
In his previous life, they had no connection at all.
Call it “senior-junior” at best; at worst, strangers.
Shen paused, then quickly asked: “What are you looking at?”
“Math textbook… preparing for the exams.”
“Oh.”
Silence fell again.
Fu Chuan wondered if Shen’s odd behavior was another butterfly effect of his rebirth.
He couldn’t concentrate with her there.
“Senior… I’ll head back to class first.”
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his bag and dashed off in the rain.
“Hey, junior…”
Shen froze.
Clenching her fists, she wanted to bang her head against the wall.
Ahh!!!
After school, Fu Chuan went into an internet café with his ID.
The Fu family had Wi-Fi and computers—but his room didn’t.
His sisters claimed it was to keep him focused for his senior year, to prevent distractions.
His phone could only call and text—a so-called “antique phone.”
Meanwhile, Fu Zichen had ultra-high-speed internet, top-of-the-line computer, and the newest iPhone 20 Pro Max.
The preferential treatment was obvious.
Fu Chuan had always told himself that sincerity would eventually win his family’s affection, and justified Fu Zichen’s privileges because of his illness.
He said he didn’t care—but he actually did.
He just dared not show it. Afraid the sisters would think he was jealous.
Zichen excelled academically; Fu Chuan only had his art. He had to work harder in school, and the sisters’ rules were “for his own good.”
He used such reasoning to numb himself.
But which teenage boy wouldn’t want the newest tech?
This life, he wouldn’t rely on his family. He’d earn what he wanted himself.
“Ah, if only I could remember some lottery numbers…”
In his past life, his days were orphanage, art, school, and trying to please the Fu family.
A terrible life.
If he could remember numbers to change his fate, he could get rich overnight this time.
He set up a computer and logged into “Picasso APP” through the café’s system.
The app demanded experienced illustrators, but the rewards were high if clients liked the work. One or two commissions of a thousand yuan each were easy to land.
Fu Chuan needed a phone to upload work anytime. For now, he registered, digging up past works from his memory to show previous clients, hoping for a response.
Initially, he didn’t expect much—his old pieces were imaginative but immature. Given time, he could improve them greatly.
One hour online cost three yuan; registration took half an hour, leaving thirty minutes to try his luck.
A little hope was better than none.
He registered a “Green Bubble” account, and just as fifty minutes passed, someone responded!
“Is this piece yours?”
It was a miniature kingdom painting from his first year of high school.
“Yes! That’s mine. Are you interested?”
“Beautiful work. I’ll place an order for a commercial piece through the platform; if satisfied, we’ll continue. Do you have a Green Bubble?”
“Yes!”
Time was short, so he extended the session another hour for three yuan—his entire lunch money.
No problem! Good service would bring more earnings.
They finalized the commission: ancient-style male protagonist, black robes, silver hair, mask, standing atop a tall building, controlling the stars, ruling eternity.
First commission, low price—1,000 yuan.
Future orders would be more lucrative.
“When can it be delivered?”
“By tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Fu Chuan already had a plan. Tomorrow at school, he could borrow a computer from the lab and secretly finish the client’s work.
Perfect execution!
In his past life, Fu Chuan had been a small-time celebrity on Picasso APP; each successful order thrilled him. Being recognized for his art felt amazing.
This time, earning money for the tools he actually needed made it even better.
On the bus ride back to the Fu residence, Fu Zichen and the others were already eating.
Fu Chuan didn’t bat an eye.
Whenever he was late, the family ate without waiting; he would have to settle for leftovers.
If Zichen was late, everyone waited.
No matter—just one year left until exams. Once at university, he could finally sever ties with the Fu family.
However—
“Why are you back so late?”
Fu Zichen hadn’t spoken yet; Fu Qingqing beat him to it.
Everyone stared in surprise at Fu Qingqing.