I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy-Chapter 88

But would my family even allow that?

Being a minor, my family’s protective instincts were off the charts.

They’d never let me go alone due to their sense of responsibility as guardians.

Visit freёnovelkiss.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

"And finishing everything during summer break? Impossible."

Each painting would take at least two and a half months to restore. With three pieces to fix, I simply didn’t have enough time.

"It’s not like I can go to China every school break."

Dropping out of school was out of the question, and it was obvious my parents would oppose me taking a GED.

They wanted me to enjoy a proper school life.

"What about becoming an exchange student?"

Though it wasn’t a common practice in Korea, exchange programs did exist.

These were specific initiatives supported by certain schools for the benefit of their students.

It wasn’t exactly leaving school, more like a short-term overseas study program, and my arts high school happened to have such a program.

Of course, it wasn’t something just anyone could do. But I figured I had a good shot at qualifying.

I’d proven myself with my foreign language skills and high academic rankings.

There shouldn’t be any issues applying for the program.

My parents’ wish for me to experience school life could be fulfilled in China, allowing me to gain diverse experiences while addressing my goals.

"The real problem is the people here."

I worried about leaving my friends behind. It wasn’t like I could take them with me, especially since none of them spoke Chinese.

...Still, I’d have to discuss it with them first. Deciding on my own would only earn me their resentment.

Having condensed my ideas into a rough plan, I pushed the papers aside and got up from my desk.

It was the weekend, after all. Staying cooped up inside felt like a waste.

Maybe I should go outside for some fresh air.

"Right… It’s summer now."

The mild spring days were over, and the sticky heat of summer had arrived.

The last thing I wanted was to collapse from heatstroke.

Just as I considered taking a nap instead, my eyes landed on the calendar hanging on my door.

June 24th.

One week before summer vacation. So many problems to solve in so little time.

It had already been a month since the festival ended.

"Ye-Hwa… I’m glad the painting I gave her, Party, helped."

A few days ago, Ye-Hwa had shared some good news that lifted my spirits.

Her mother, after years of battling illness, had finally been discharged from the hospital.

Apparently, Party had a significant impact over the past month.

Thanks to the painting, her surgery had gone smoothly without any major risks.

Of course, that was largely thanks to her mother’s resilience.

"I should visit her to say hello later."

With a tired sigh, I flopped onto my bed, feeling the weight of the week ahead pressing on my shoulders.

"…I’ll leave it to tomorrow’s me."

For now, sleep sounded like the best option.

***

“…What did you just say?”

Chairman Lee Ji-Cheol barely managed to catch his falling coffee cup, staring at me in disbelief.

“Cheap coffee, huh? He must really like instant mixes.”

I casually glanced at the paper cup in his hand before speaking again.

“I’d like to apply for the exchange student program.”

“…And why are you telling me this?”

“Well… you happened to be in my line of sight?”

The chairman looked utterly baffled, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

To be fair, I hadn’t planned on approaching him either.

I’d come to the main building to submit my application form, but the chairman had coincidentally come into view.

He looked like he was heading toward his office, so I decided to seize the moment and cut straight to the point.

“I already knew you were crazy, but this is beyond my expectations.”

“Well… I guess I was in a hurry. Sorry about that.”

Even though we had a transactional relationship, he was still the chairman, and I was a student.

No matter how close we were, there were boundaries I had to respect.

“Hmph. I’ll approve it, but what’s the reason for this exchange program?”

“There are three masterpieces in China that I need to restore.”

“Hmm? As far as I know—oh, right, didn’t one of them get borrowed by the U.S. recently?”

“Yes. I want to handle them all at once, but that’ll take quite a bit of time.”

The chairman nodded in understanding, casually waving his coffee cup as he turned away.

“Doesn’t spill a drop, huh.”

“Let’s assume you’ve already discussed this with your family. If you change your mind, let me know before the end of the semester.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as the chairman disappeared from view with my application in hand, I let out a deep sigh.

Discussing this with my family had, of course, already been done.

Though the results were the exact opposite of what I’d hoped for.

My parents and Yoon insisted on coming along with me to China.

I’d tried everything to persuade them otherwise, but knowing my family’s personalities, I eventually had to give in.

"Now Dad’s going to be even busier because of me. I’ll make it up to him once this is all over."

Money wasn’t an issue for him, but I figured a handmade gift would be different.

Maybe not a painting, but something else he’d appreciate.

"Should I learn how to cook while I’m at it?"

With that thought in mind, I stepped out of the main building.

The glaring sunlight made me squint, prompting me to hurry back to my classroom.

But another hurdle awaited me there.

“…It would’ve been nice if you’d told us beforehand.”

Three pairs of piercing gazes bore into me as I broke into a cold sweat.

Ha Soo-Yul, Choi Ye-Seo, and Hong Ye-Hwa were all staring daggers at me.

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” Soo-Yul asked.

“If you try to leave without a word again, I won’t let it slide,” Ye-Seo threatened.

“We’re coming with you this time,” Ye-Hwa declared firmly.

I turned my head, unable to meet their eyes.

I hadn’t intentionally kept it from them… Okay, yeah, that was on me. I should’ve told them sooner.

Avoiding their sharp gazes, I let out a groan.

“Ugh. I’m going as an exchange student. I’ll be in China for a whole semester. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

Unfortunately, such questions didn’t faze them in the slightest.

Their determination to follow me was written all over their faces.

“But your families… they’d need to stay here—”

“What are you talking about? My parents are coming too,” Ye-Seo interrupted, tilting her head.

The other two chimed in with similar answers.

"…Maybe I should just give up."

Was it really necessary for so many people to uproot themselves because of me?

"But I made a promise to restore all the masterpieces… I’ve come too far to back out now."

“Fine. If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you anymore.”

I was too tired to argue. Whatever happens, happens. If we were all going, maybe we could turn this into a family tour or something.

Maybe I should even invite Lee Do-Yoon and Baek Yoo-Seol while I’m at it.

…Knowing them, they’d probably actually come along. Might as well ask.

"Though isn’t Lee Do-Yoon busy with his acting career right now?"

When I texted him, his reply came back almost immediately.

[Lee Do-Yoon: Seriously?! My next shoot is in China too!]

Was it just me, or did this situation feel like the original plot coming back to haunt me?

Starting in his second year, Lee Do-Yoon had soared to international fame, traveling the globe for film shoots.

And considering his awakening had happened in his first year, it was only natural that he was thriving like this by now.

[Me: Alright, see you there.]

As absurd as this all seemed, everything was somehow falling into place.

“By the way, Ye-Hwa, shouldn’t you be heading to the Prize with Ms. Lee Ah-Reum?”

“I’d rather stay by your side than go to the Prize.”

Got it. Watching Soo-Yul creepily run a finger along Ye-Hwa’s neck made a shiver run down my spine.

“No flirting, please.”

“Relax, Yul. It’s just a joke.”

As the two of them messed around, Ye-Seo came over to ask me something.

“But why the sudden interest in being an exchange student? You hate traveling. What changed?”

“It’s for the paintings. I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of.”

“Ew. That’s borderline obsessive!”

If anyone here was obsessed, it was them clinging to me.

My reasons were purely goal-oriented.

I needed to meet my master, resolve the matter with Angel, and address a few lingering questions that even Sanya couldn’t answer.

"Some things can only be settled directly with the source."

I sighed, resting my head on my desk. There was so much to do, so many annoyances to deal with.

"All I ever wanted was a quiet life where I could paint in peace."

If I’d ignored everything from the start, would things have turned out differently?

No point dwelling on it. The spilled water couldn’t be scooped back up, and even if I could go back, I’d make the same choices again.

Outside the window, the sky was overcast with heavy clouds, mirroring the turmoil in my heart.

The world looked as dreary as I felt.

"Before I leave for China, I should check on Seiren and Miho."

At the very least, I owed them a farewell before my six-month absence.

"Ms. Lee Ah-Reum… I feel bad leaving her alone."

The debut of a new masterpiece wouldn’t go unnoticed, and she’d undoubtedly have to face the brunt of it alone.

I’d need to drop by after the Prize to make a statement.

"What was the name of the piece I submitted again?"

There was so much to do before leaving for China.