CHAPTER 577: CHAPTER 577: LOOKING FOR TROUBLE

"He’s still just a kid, you know. If you keep flirting like this, I’ll get jealous," Xu Ke said, pinching the soft flesh on Ariel’s waist.

Ariel felt the mischievous hand on her waist and shyly stuck out her tongue and smiled at Xu Ke.

The boy watched the interaction between Xu Ke and Ariel, and his bright eyes suddenly dimmed. He seemed to become dull and gloomy, even the cowlick on his head wilted.

The painting was completed quickly. As per Ariel’s request, it was beautifully rendered, particularly Ariel’s pair of blue eyes in the painting, which appeared so gentle they seemed ready to drip water.

"Thank you, we really like this painting. This is a token of our appreciation, we hope you accept it."

Although the boy had previously said he would paint for Ariel for free, Xu Ke still intended to pay him for the artwork. After all, the painting was quite well done, and Ariel was even considering framing it to hang in her room.

The boy’s initially downcast mood improved significantly after seeing that Ariel genuinely liked the painting.

"There’s no need. We really hit it off, so consider this painting as a gift from me. Think of it as my way of making a friend," the boy said, scratching his face with his slender fingers, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Thank you, then. Here’s my contact info, feel free to call me if anything comes up," Xu Ke said, looking at the boy until it seemed he might explode from the pressure, then smiled, looked away, and handed him a business card.

"Huh? Oh, thank you." The boy first wiped his hands on his clothes, ensuring there were no sweat or dirt, before extending both hands to accept Xu Ke’s card.

"We won’t disturb you any longer. We’ll be leaving," Xu Ke said, planning to depart after the boy accepted his card. Though he knew the boy posed no threat, Xu Ke felt it best to separate him and Ariel, given the boy’s shy glances at her.

The boy did not stop Xu Ke and Ariel from leaving, instead secretly glancing at Ariel one last time to see them off.

As Xu Ke and Ariel were stepping away, the boy’s shoulder was suddenly shoved, his paintbrush snatched, and his easel kicked to the ground, spilling paint everywhere.

"Who is this? Isn’t this our little genius artist? What, performing on the street now? Could it be that you realized you’ll certainly lose in the big competition next month and came to scout the area early for your future street corner?"

A man with shoulder-length hair pulled out a previously painted picture from the boy’s art basket, examining it. "Our little artist seems completely washed up, coming out here painting such low-level stuff," he sneered, tearing the boy’s painting in half unexpectedly.

"No, you can’t just tear my paintings! Put them down now!" The boy’s face turned livid as his artwork was ripped apart, his lips trembling with anger, eyes bloodshot like a defensive little animal over its food.

He tried to rush to retrieve his remaining paintings, but was held back by two others gripping his arms tightly; no amount of force allowed him to reach the shoulder-length-haired man to reclaim his work.

Contrasting the boy’s hysteria, the shoulder-length-haired man had a smug and satisfied smile in his eyes, delighted by the boy’s helplessness.

"Oh dear, is that anger I see? This is just the start, no? Besides, with your artwork looking like trash, what’s the point of keeping it? You should thank me for getting rid of this junk," said the man, tearing another of the boy’s paintings apart.

"They’re not trash or defective pieces! Don’t touch my paintings! Give them back to me," the boy shouted, veins bulging on his neck, his previously shy and pretty face twisted with rage, though it drew more pity than fear from onlookers.

"Do you still think you’re that genius campus heartthrob artist from before?" The man feigned shock, then burst out laughing. "It’s hilarious! Everyone at school knows you’re washed up and your art is garbage, yet you’re the only one still trapped in past glories," he taunted, holding his belly in laughter, eyes filled with malice and ridicule.

"Just look at you now, no better than a stray dog by the roadside," he said, patting the boy’s head harshly.

The boy’s eyes became even redder, almost as if blood might drip from them at any moment due to this humilating action.

"Let him go," Xu Ke said, reappearing alongside Ariel without them noticing.

"Who are you? This is our business, nothing to do with you. Even if you want to play the hero, know your place," the man said after sizing up Xu Ke and giving him a forceful shove.

"Trying to act tough won’t work with me, I’m not buying it, got it?" the shoulder-length-haired man dismissed, flicking his hair.

"He’s our friend, and you’re bullying our friend. You think I won’t stand up for him? If you don’t let go, don’t blame me for taking action, and I won’t be gentle when dealing with those hands of yours," Xu Ke warned, lips curling slightly, devoid of any warmth.

Looking back at his crew, any fear or panic the shoulder-length-haired man felt quickly dissipated.

"Feel free to try; I’m curious how you plan on handling us all," he taunted, acting arrogantly.

"That’s the strangest request I’ve heard," Ariel remarked, holding Xu Ke’s hand while gripping the painting, gazing at the man standing before them, somewhat at a loss for words.

"That’s tough to describe? Then I have an even harder-to-describe request," the man commented, stepping closer to narrow the distance and reaching out to touch Ariel’s face, only for Xu Ke to intercept.

"Keep your hands to yourself if you’re talking," Xu Ke issued a low warning.

Meanwhile, the boy snapped out of his daze.

All his paintings were destroyed beyond salvation, and recreating them wouldn’t match his initial state of mind. He couldn’t sacrifice his friends for paintings already ruined.