Father Li was still reluctant, feeling that his daughter switching to become an art specialty student wasn’t quite respectable, and remained unwilling to agree.

Zhang Jingchan pondered for a moment and said: “How about this—once I’m at university, I won’t date or go out to have fun. I’ll use my spare time to pursue a double degree in a cultural field—that means studying two majors simultaneously and getting two degree certificates.”

Father Li’s eyes lit up: “Really? Then you must keep your word. In university, don’t date casually or play around. Study properly for that double degree.”

Zhang Jingchan pulled at the corner of his mouth in a smile: “It’s a deal.”

Mother Li: “But won’t that be very exhausting?”

Zhang Jingchan: “I’m not afraid of hard work.”

Li Weiyi: !!!!

Father Li sighed, his gaze filled with loving kindness, and said: “Dad knows you’ve wanted to learn painting since you were young. Before, when Mom and Dad wouldn’t let you learn, your heart still… Now times are changing too fast. Mom and Dad don’t understand what’s happening outside, but after hearing you explain, learning painting does sound good. However, no matter what you study, you must work steadily and diligently. If you have difficulties, tell Mom and Dad. If after switching to painting you feel you can’t adapt or keep up, immediately switch back. At least your academic performance isn’t bad.”

Zhang Jingchan was silent for a while before saying: “That won’t happen. I really love painting and will persevere no matter how difficult it gets. Actually, everything I said before was to prove to you that this is a good path, that I can live a decent life on my own. That way you can feel at ease. But the main reason is that I like it. This is my dream, something I want to pursue for my whole life. Only then will I be happy. If I can’t study painting, I’ll definitely regret it in the future.”

Father Li and Mother Li had a simple meal at the café and then left. Zhang Jingchan said he was going to buy reference books, went out for a circle, and then circled back to sit in front of Li Weiyi.

Li Weiyi asked curiously: “The China Academy of Art professor looking at my paintings—you made that up, right?”

Zhang Jingchan placed his phone in front of her. She saw those screenshot images of chat records, her eyes widening.

“A professor at my school has a very good personal relationship with this Academy professor. I asked him for help last night.”

Li Weiyi looked at him sitting there so calmly. Even having become a girl, he was like a pool of tranquil, deep water. She had only asked him for this favor last night after 9 PM, yet he had not only looked at her paintings but had also gone roundabout to get help from the Academy professor, and had thought through this entire set of arguments.

She suddenly really wanted to ask him: Is it always like this? Any matter, as long as he’s backing it up, will never disappoint people.

“Thank you.” Li Weiyi said faintly. “However, I still won’t easily forgive you for agreeing to the double degree thing. You’ve mortgaged away my happy university life! I don’t want to live such a miserable university life!”

Zhang Jingchan picked up his teacup and looked down as he drank: “Anyway, switching to study painting means you won’t encounter your ex-boyfriend again. Isn’t using the time wasted on dating to pursue a double degree better? With your eye for picking men, you’ll likely repeat past mistakes. I think you should wait a few years after working before considering it.”

Li Weiyi actually found this very reasonable and nodded: “That’s right, men will only slow down my painting speed.” Then she frowned: “What do you mean? Are you saying my eye for picking men is terrible?”

Zhang Jingchan laughed lightly. She had briefly mentioned her romantic history to him, as this was also one of the fates she wanted to change.

Li Weiyi felt embarrassed and tried to save face: “He wasn’t that bad—top ten in the whole department, vice president of the student council, many girls chased him…”

Zhang Jingchan raised an eyebrow: “Top ten?”

Li Weiyi suddenly didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

However, after a while, she leaned toward him again: “I didn’t expect you’d persuade my parents like this.”

Zhang Jingchan sat up straight and raised his eyes: “How did you originally think I would persuade them?”

“Well, talk about ideals, hobbies, life and such.” Li Weiyi answered. “I originally thought since they love me so much, maybe they’d support me pursuing my dreams? As long as I spoke sincerely and earnestly.”

Zhang Jingchan shook his head and said: “People often say: When parents love their children, they plan far ahead for them. In many parents’ eyes, making choices for their children is for their children’s good. Especially since you’re currently a minor—if you lead with ideals and hobbies, it will only provoke their displeasure. They might not even listen carefully to what you say. People of their generation mostly don’t consider dreams. Especially with your parents’ personalities—the more they love you, the more they hope you’ll live a conventional, rule-following life.”

Li Weiyi nodded.

“You must start from reality, persuading them based on income and respectability—things they care about. After they approve of painting, then mentioning hobbies and ideals becomes icing on the cake. However, your parents care very much about your feelings. Precisely because they care, they’ve always wanted to make choices they believe are right for you.”

Li Weiyi: “Mm-hmm, I understand. My parents are the best. Actually, your parents also care a lot about your thoughts.”

Zhang Jingchan showed a dismissive expression.

“Really! Otherwise, could your dad have listened to my words and decided to rein in at the cliff’s edge? That’s several hundred million, his life’s work accumulated over half a lifetime, and he’s willing to let it go just like that.”

Zhang Jingchan’s brow finally showed some signs of relaxation.

Li Weiyi continued: “I’ve never seen you talk so much in one breath—all to help me. You’ve helped me so much. Besides the Fuming matter, is there anywhere else I can be useful? As long as I can do it, I’ll definitely go through fire and water without hesitation. I’m serious—you can think about it slowly.”

Zhang Jingchan was slightly stunned.

Aside from work, he indeed rarely spent effort talking to people at such length in one go. To be precise, in daily life, he was almost a taciturn person.

However, this habit seemed to have unconsciously changed since he met her…

Zhang Jingchan looked at her, folding his hands together, his right index finger and thumb lightly rubbing his chin, saying indifferently: “There’s no need to go through fire and water. Since you want to repay me, repay me right now—you… roll your eyes at me again.”

Li Weiyi thought she had misheard: “What?”

Zhang Jingchan’s mouth curved in a very faint smile as he said: “You heard correctly. Like yesterday at the airport—roll them once.”

Li Weiyi was thunderstruck, saying: “That’s a bit perverted, Zhang Zong.”

He snorted with laughter: “I just want to see an expression meme, to see just how ugly you can make me look. Go ahead and roll them.”

Li Weiyi: “I won’t!”

“What about your promise to go through fire and water?”

“But that can’t include satisfying someone’s perverse taste!”

Zhang Jingchan laughed softly again, his pitch-black eyes staring at her as he softened his tone: “What would it take for you to roll them?”

Li Weiyi was completely speechless. The illustrious Zhang Zong, negative one billion in debt, was actually negotiating conditions with her just to see her roll her eyes! Should she increase her commission from one hundred million to one hundred fifty million?

However, Li Weiyi was incorruptible and resolute in her will: “Absolutely will not roll them!”

He said: “Fine, we’ll talk about it later.”

Li Weiyi: “Bah, there is no later.”

Zhang Jingchan returned to his tranquil and far-reaching demeanor, as if the person with the perverse taste just now wasn’t him. On the other hand, Li Weiyi, after being quiet for a moment, burst out laughing with a “pfft.”