Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: You’re the Strange One
Chapter 92: You’re the Strange One
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As soon as she entered the hotel, Xu Jiaojiao heard Mr. Sun mention her name. It was a little embarrassing.
The other students could not say anything for themselves. After all, they were at fault.
Mr. Sun had said his piece, so he changed the subject. “Alright, you guys should go and eat breakfast first. Come back early, you hear?”
Relieved, everyone left to get breakfast.
Half an hour later, all the students gathered again and got ready to head out. Xu Jiaojiao checked her backpack, making sure her paints and canvases were all there before she left the hotel.
Mr. Sun led the group to their destination, which was not far away. In less than an hour, they arrived at a bridge.
On the bridge, they could see most of the town at a glance. It was the perfect scenery and angle.
Everyone began to look for a place to draw.
Xu Jiaojiao looked around, then sat down in a quiet place far away from the crowd. She unpacked her canvases and began to draw.
It was a little cold in the morning. Fortunately, Qi Shenbai had prepared a scarf and a white woolen hat for her, so she did not feel too cold.
Xu Jiaojiao began to paint seriously. It was as if she had entered the zone, completely integrating into her surroundings.
Looking at Xu Jiaojiao’s serious expression, Mr. Sun felt deeply gratified. Then, he looked at the surrounding students, only to find them humming or chatting with each other. He could not help but pat their shoulders.
“Be serious. Look at Jiaojiao over there. Unlike you guys, she’s in the zone.”
“But we can’t compare to her, sir,” a student said. “She’s not normal to begin with…”
“What are you talking about?” Mr. Sun was furious, and he even kick the student lightly.
“I think he’s only saying that because he pursued Jiaojiao previously, but she ignored him. Now, he’s slandering here!” a female classmate said.
This girl had always disliked people who badmouthed others. Although Xu Jiaojiao was just a wallflower, no one should hate another for no reason. When faced with someone who badmouthed others maliciously, there would always be people who would stand up for justice.
“I’m telling the truth.” The male classmate was exasperated. Faced with everyone’s doubtful gazes, he explained, “My friend used to be Xu Jiaojiao’s classmate. After interacting with her for a period of time, he said that Xu Jiaojiao had been abnormal since she was young. She didn’t like to talk, and she seemed lifeless. When she was younger, her family even locked her up at home and forbade her from going out. No one had ever played with her.”
“That can’t be right! Maybe her parents were just overprotective. Child kidnappings were rampant ten years ago. Also, it’s not her fault that no one played with her. What if they were ostracizing Xu Jiaojiao?”
The boy frowned slightly and thought for a moment. “My friend also said that Xu Jiaojiao attempted suicide before, but she didn’t die. Her grades weren’t good, and her parents paid her way into university. Anyway, she’s really strange…”
Mr. Sun did not say a word as he looked at Xu Jiaojiao’s lonely back. No one knew what she was thinking.
The girl rolled her eyes at her classmate. “Why are you the one who decides whether it’s strange or not? If you ask me, you’re the strange one for spreading gossip like that!”
“You little…”
The boy was halfway through his sentence when the girl stood up and moved her things far away. She could not be bothered to talk to him anymore.
Although Xu Jiaojiao was quite a distance from them, she could still hear their voices faintly with the wind. She did not hear their every word, but she could still get the general gist of it.
‘She’s strange… She attempted suicide… She’s lifeless.’
Xu Jiaojiao paused, her long and thick eyelashes trembling. She lowered her eyes to hide the loneliness in her gaze.
She had put on her hat and scarf before going out, so she put down what she was holding and covered her ears with the hat. Then, she covered her mouth with the scarf, revealing only her nose so she could breathe. Finally, she continued to draw as if nothing had happened.
By noon, the temperature was much higher than in the morning. Xu Jiaojiao could no longer wear her hat and scarf, so she took off her coat.
Mr. Sun walked to her side and bent down to look at her drawing board. “Your drawing is not bad. You’re the smartest and most hardworking child I’ve ever taught. I believe that you’ll definitely be successful in the future.”
Xu Jiaojiao smiled embarrassedly. “Thank you, sir. I’ll work hard.”
Mr. Sun straightened up and his gaze landed on the sparkling lake. He said gently, “Actually, in the eyes of the world, geniuses and lunatics are often separated by a thin line. 1 know many artists. When they create the works that they are most satisfied with in their lives, they seem to become a different person. Or rather, they seem to be immersed in their own world and can’t extricate themselves.”
Xu Jiaojiao tilted her head and looked at her teacher. She did not know why she was telling her this. Did Mr.. Sun think she was strange and eccentric too? Was he trying to comfort her?