But after he made it clear that he was serious about his decision, his family supported him.
They even comforted him and encouraged him.
Sometimes, Zhou Yao would think... Maybe those years were when my life went off track.
Later, my life got back on track.
It took a lot of effort...
Zhou Yao's voice was a little hoarse.
"Going off track took a lot of effort... Getting back on track took even more..."
"Ha... What am I even doing?"
A sigh escaped Zhou Yao's throat.
Soft.
Heavy.
"Isn't your life pretty good now?"
He couldn't really comment on Zhou Yao giving up painting.
It was a personal choice.
Even though he had genuinely felt it was a shame when he first heard the news.
But if it was Zhou Yao's own decision, he accepted it.
"You got into the university you wanted, and soon you'll be able to stay on as a teacher."
"That isn't certain yet."
Zhou Yao tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I believe you can do it."
Zhao Luzheng's conviction brought a genuine smile to Zhou Yao's face. "Thanks."
"Ah."
Zhou Yao let out a long breath.
"I feel so much better after saying it out loud."
"I'm just sorry you had to listen to such a boring and unpleasant story, class monitor."
"It's okay."
Zhao Luzheng shook his head.
"I'm glad you told me all this."
"And I'm glad to see you're doing well now."
Zhou Yao rubbed his fingers together.
"Yeah."
"At least I wasn't completely out of luck."
Cramming at the last minute had worked out for him.
"I really wasn't cut out for painting."
Zhou Yao smiled bitterly.
Because he had stubbornly pursued something beyond his abilities, he had been so miserable back then.
People really