I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy Chapter 88

Life rarely goes as planned.

After the festival ended, I was busy drafting plans for what lay ahead.

However, none of the ideas seed easy to execute. Instead, they kept spiraling toward more complicated and exhausting solutions.

"Do I really have to go to China?"

Even relying on Chairman Lee Ji-Cheol had its limits.

I wanted to resolve everything while staying in Korea, but it seed that wasn’t an option.

Except for Dragon and Angel, the rest of my masterpieces required attention.

This year was the only chance to handle them all at once.

I needed to get as much done as possible before becoming a third-year student.

"Co to think of it, didn’t Hong Jin-Hoo ntion participating in the Biennale this year?"

I wanted to go with him, but with my packed schedule, that seed impossible.

“Hmm. Maybe I could just go alone.”

But would my family even allow that?

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

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

"And finishing everything during sumr 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 ti.

"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 taking a GED.

They wanted 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 sothing 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 to experience school life could be fulfilled in China, allowing 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 , especially since none of them spoke Chinese.

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

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 so fresh air.

"Right… It’s sumr now."

The mild spring days were over, and the sticky heat of sumr 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 sumr vacation. So many problems to solve in so little ti.

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 so 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 ."

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 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 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 co to the main building to submit my application form, but the chairman had coincidentally co into view.

He looked like he was heading toward his office, so I decided to seize the mont 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 ti.”

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

“Doesn’t spill a drop, huh.”

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

“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 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 . 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 sothing 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 squint, prompting to hurry back to my classroom.

But another hurdle awaited there.

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

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

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

“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 ti,” Ye-Hwa declared firmly.

I turned my head, unable to et their eyes.

I hadn’t intentionally kept it from them… Okay, yeah, that was on . 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 sester. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

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

Their determination to follow 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 chid in with similar answers.

"…Maybe I should just give up."

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

"But I made a promise to restore all the masterpieces… I’ve co 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 sothing.

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

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

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

When I texted him, his reply ca back almost imdiately.

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

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

Starting in his second year, Lee Do-Yoon had soared to international fa, 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.

[: Alright, see you there.]

As absurd as this all seed, everything was sohow 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 ssed around, Ye-Seo ca over to ask sothing.

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

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

“Ew. That’s borderline obsessive!”

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

My reasons were purely goal-oriented.

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

"So 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 sa 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 statent.

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

There was so much to do before leaving for China.