Chapter 94 Look at You
Professor Evans, looking sharp in his suit, confidently stepped onto the podium. The students cheered and whispered about the master in their midst.
He was used to this. Waiting for the room to quiet down, he began, "Hello, everyone. I'm Larry Evans. I'm thrilled to be here at National Capital University. I'll do my best to share my knowledge with you. Stay focused and keep up. If you miss assignments or don't listen, I'll dock your credits."
The students groaned in despair.
Seeing their hopeless expressions, I laughed.
Larry was a renowned art master who valued attitude over talent. He chose to mentor me partly because of my persistent curiosity, though talent also played a role.
After all, teaching a sheep to paint is unrealistic.
"Professor Evans, do you know Jane?" a boy in the back row asked.
Professor Evans glanced at me, straightening with pride, "I'm a visiting professor at the Northern Institute of the Arts. Jane is the most outstanding student I've ever taught. She's a rare talent, no doubt."
The students applauded, and my deskmate winked at me, making me feel a bit embarrassed.
Professor Evans was highly respected in the art world, and the students admired him.
After class, everyone was enthusiastic, taking pages of notes and saying it was the best class they'd ever attended. They continued discussing it eagerly even after it ended.
Larry called me to his office to discuss my new painting, and I explained everything.
As I was leaving, Larry mysteriously said, "Good things are coming your way."
When I asked what he meant, he wouldn't say another word.
After chatting with Larry and having lunch with him, it was almost one o'clock when I got back to my apartment.
The drizzling rain made me feel cold.
Holding a small floral umbrella, I hugged myself tightly against the cold wind and hurried to the apartment entrance.
It was quiet in front of the apartment. Just as I was about to put away my umbrella, a dark figure blocked my way.
Looking up, I was startled. 'After not seeing him for four days, how had Louis changed so much?'
His skin was dull, his eyes lifeless, his cheeks sunken, and though his suit was still sharp, it hung loosely on him.
He had lost a lot of weight, and his eyes were so hollow they seemed soulless.
My heart tightened, and I wanted to rush over and hug him, to comfort him, but I couldn't.
I regretted it.
If I could turn back time, I would have told him we had no chance the moment he said those words, cutting off his hopes directly.
That way, he wouldn't have suffered the pain that followed.
I gave him hope, only to shatter it with my own hands.
But this wasn't my fault.
"Louis, why are you here?" I spoke first, his despondency making my heart ache and my eyes well up.
In my heart, I kept saying, 'Louis, I'm sorry.'
"I had some business nearby and thought I'd drop by. Jane, are you okay?" His voice was rough, like rusty metal scraping together. The passion in his eyes was gone, replaced by a cold, empty stare.
"As you can see, I'm fine. But you've lost so much weight. Don't push yourself so hard. There's more to life than money. Your health is more important. If you don't take care of yourself now, you'll regret it later." I didn't know what else to say.
Facing Louis, especially seeing him so worn out, anything I said felt pointless.
Louis looked at me seriously, then smiled. He turned his face slightly, his smile beautiful but bleak.
"Yes, I'll remember to take care of myself. Go inside; I have to leave now. It's chilly in the autumn rain, wear more clothes when you go out," he said.
"I know, thank you. Goodbye." I turned and entered the apartment.
Through the glass door, I saw him standing in the desolate autumn rain, looking forlorn.
He hung his head slightly, his Adam's apple moving up and down, his face filled with despair and desolation.
I had hurt him. 'I'm sorry, Louis.'
Back in the room, Mindy was standing by the window, staring outside.
I called her, but she didn't respond.
I moved closer and followed her gaze, seeing Louis standing in the autumn rain.
The wind picked up, and the rain fell harder.
The leaves rustled in the wind, and the branches swayed violently, as if trying to sweep away the dark clouds.
He stood in the wind and rain, his thin body like a mast struggling to maintain balance, very fragile.
"Jane, he's been waiting for you there for almost three hours," Mindy said hoarsely.
"No way, he said he had business and just dropped by." I put the umbrella in the hallway and turned to take off my half-wet coat.
Mindy said, "You fool, you never understand what others do for you. Jane, for the sake of his sincerity, give him another chance, okay? Even if you're not satisfied with his parents, don't let him suffer like this. He just likes you, but that's not a crime. He shouldn't have to suffer for it."
Mindy sobbed quietly, calling him a fool for not cherishing those who treated him like a treasure and instead falling for someone who didn't like him.
Her words were harsh, but I couldn't find a point to refute.
Louis was indeed foolish, and so was Mindy.
"Jane, even if you don't like him, as a former classmate, can't you feel some pity for him? That day he was beaten so badly that he couldn't even stand, his back covered in wounds, unable to wear clothes. He started running a fever that night and only got a little better yesterday. Today, he came here in the rain to wait for you. What did he ever do to deserve this from you? Jane, you are too heartless," Mindy said.
I collapsed into a chair, feeling utterly exhausted. 'Why does no one stand in my shoes and think for me? Why am I always the one being blamed? Am I destined to be scolded and bullied by them, without even the right to avoid or fight back?'
I said angrily, "Mindy, he may be pitiful, but what about me? What did I do to deserve such humiliation? Why do they dare to treat me like that? Have you ever thought about it? Because they know I'm just an ordinary person, without their power, unable to fight them, and had to endure it. Now that Louis values me so much, they still dare to treat me this way. What will happen if I ever join their family? From the moment I walked in, his parents looked at me with hostility, and every word they said was full of contempt and humiliation. Why? Louis is a person, and so am I."
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