Joe and Alexander

(Condensed version) A gifted painter falls in love with a beautiful muse. After overcoming all sorts of trials, including but not limited to "scaring himself for no reason," "renting a two-bedroom or a one-bedroom," "the object of his secret crush picking a fight," "an ex losing it and making threats," and "a disapproving father trying to break them up," they finally get their happy ending with help from their teachers, classmates, friends, and family. Congratulations to them.

(Full version) In early October, 23-year-old Alexander arrives in Popola, the city of art, to begin his first year of graduate studies in painting.

Here, he finds magnificent art, bright sunshine, an ancient city full of charm, and an abundance of delicious food.

But Popola's art scene is conservative and insular. Talent and hard work count for less than having the right "household registration" in Popola. Students from elsewhere will always come after Popola's own.

A dejected Alexander meets Qiao at an art-supply shop by the school gates. Qiao is a beautiful young man with little talent, burdened by rumors, who failed to get in.

Alexander is instantly captivated by him and finds ways to get close, get to know him, and help him.

Only when he's with Qiao does Alexander feel calm and happy.

But to break into the art world, he has to attach himself to powerful figures in Popola. They not only reject Qiao, who came from Lisabo, but also turn away his "traitor" mentor and his "non-Popola" classmates.

Alexander has to think about what matters more to him...

Note: 1. This story is entirely fictional. It is complete, with 98 main chapters and 99 including the afterword.

2. Phones, computers, tablets, and other electronic devices hardly appear in the story.

3. Popola is based on a real city, but I've never been there and have only looked up information online, so some details may be inaccurate. Please understand. Some parts are fictional, simply to help tell the story better.

Theme: Ideals and romance