The first day’s classes weren’t too intense. After the professional course instructor casually asked about everyone’s painting habits, they assigned a quick in-class exercise.
Figure drawing.
They randomly selected one classmate to serve as a model for the others to sketch. Since models generally couldn’t make large movements for extended periods, the chosen student was exempt from turning in the assignment.
“This is making me want to be the model instead of drawing,” Chen Han said with a resigned sigh as she arranged her art supplies.
Xu Nuo raised an eyebrow. “I don’t really want to draw either, but being a model seems even more exhausting. You can’t even fidget.”
That was especially unsuitable for someone like her, who was full of little tics and habits.
Yue Bai quietly organized her art supplies and stickers. Once everything was prepared, she lazily leaned back in her chair, waiting for the model to take the stage.
“Teacher, I’d like to be the model,” one boy volunteered eagerly.
The teacher naturally had no objections. He fetched a chair for the male student to sit on, which was a bit more comfortable than standing.
From Yue Bai’s position, she had a three-quarter side view of the boy. She roughly measured the proportions with her hands, then quickly sketched the basic form on her paper. Every so often, she glanced up at the steadily posed model to confirm the exact outlines.
Yue Bai became completely immersed in her own little world. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she finally added the last stroke. With a long exhale, she shook out her slightly sore arm, stood up, and took a few steps back to check the overall composition.
“Not bad,” the teacher remarked, noticing her movement. He walked over, studied it for a moment, and said, “You’re free to go once you’re finished.”
Yue Bai nodded. After packing up her supplies, she glanced at the other students’ work in the classroom. Most of them were already wrapping up.
She left the classroom and pulled out her phone to check the time. The screen was flooded with notifications from various apps. She tapped to clear them all indiscriminately, watching the unread WeChat messages vanish one by one. Then Yue Bai turned off her phone.
As she exited the teaching building, she spotted the library not far away and paused for a few seconds.
Was Senior Sister Sang still at the library?
A University’s library spanned five floors, each one quite spacious. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned back toward the dorm instead.
Sitting at her desk, she plugged in her phone to charge. Accompanied by a ding, the screen lit up automatically.
Yue Bai opened WeChat and messaged her roommate to ask if she was back. On the initial interface, one red notification badge stood out prominently.
“Senior Sister?” Yue Bai murmured, reading the contact name.
She tapped the message.
“Junior sister, are you free after class to bring me a jacket at the A University Library on the third floor? Table 12.”
Sent an hour ago.
“No need, sorry to trouble you.” Twenty minutes ago.
Yue Bai hurriedly typed a reply: “Senior Sister, I was drawing in class this morning and didn’t check my phone. I’ll bring it to you right now.”
She pulled a white jacket from her closet. Just as she stepped out of the dorm room, her phone chimed with new messages.
“No need, I’ve already left the library.” From Sang Wan.
“Are you free after class?” Sang Wan.
Yue Bai checked her class schedule. She had nothing after three-thirty in the afternoon.
“I’m free after three-thirty,” Yue Bai replied.
“Come find me at Building 10 Girls’ Dormitory Room 317 after class, okay?” Sang Wan.
Without a second thought, Yue Bai agreed: “Sure thing, Senior Sister.”
After three-thirty, Yue Bai made her way to Sang Wan’s dormitory building, counting the floors as she climbed to the third. She found Room 317.
Standing at the door, she curled her fingers and knocked lightly. The door opened from inside almost immediately.
“Senior Sister, I’m here,” Yue Bai said.
“You’re so quick,” Sang Wan said with a smile. She stepped back to let Yue Bai in, then closed the door behind her. “How was your first day adjusting?”
Yue Bai took in the room’s setup. It was a standard four-person dorm with beds above and desks below, but three of the beds were empty. The desks held only essentials for daily use. A laptop sat open on one desk, its screen glowing with cool white light.
“It’s going fine,” Yue Bai replied.
“Have a seat.” Sang Wan gestured to the chair in front of the computer.
Only then did Yue Bai get a good look at what was on the screen: a line drawing.
“Senior Sister, did you draw this?” Yue Bai asked in disbelief, admiring the fluid, confident lines that clearly demonstrated strong artistic skill.
Sang Wan shook her head gently. “I don’t know much about this stuff. A senior from your Art College drew the line art.”
“Oh, got it.” Yue Bai looked away.
Sang Wan smiled and moved the mouse to zoom in on the line drawing. “Want to try adding some color?”
“Huh?” Yue Bai thought she was joking and waved her hands hastily. “I’d better not ruin the senior’s work.”
Sang Wan opened a document on the computer and navigated to a folder labeled for a first-year Art College freshman. She clicked it open.
“I checked your professional course grades—you ranked first,” Sang Wan said. “If you’re up for it, give it a try.”
Yue Bai blinked, realizing Sang Wan was serious. She straightened up a bit. “Senior Sister, what exactly are you planning?”
Sang Wan pulled up a chair and sat beside her, propping her chin on her hand with evident interest. “Well… this piece is for the School Sports Meet Poster Contest. It’s also the university’s anniversary year, so picking the right design is important.”
“If it gets selected, there’s a cash prize and extra credits.”
“It’s open to anyone regardless of major or year, and teams of five are allowed,” Sang Wan continued. “Interested in joining?”
“I don’t know the other people… It might not work well if we’re a team,” Yue Bai hesitated. She was confident in her skills, but a group of five could lead to clashes in vision.
“No worries. Aside from you and the line artist, the others don’t draw at all. The line art’s already done, and that person won’t interfere with your coloring. You can go wild creatively.” Sang Wan addressed her concern. “For this contest, we’re just lending our names.”
Yue Bai: “You can do that?”
“Yep, mutual help?” Sang Wan chuckled lightly. “So, will you help your senior out?”
Yue Bai didn’t hesitate any longer. “If you’re okay with it, Senior Sister, I’ll give it a shot.”
Sang Wan launched the software. “Does Photoshop work for you?”
“Yeah, that’s what I usually use,” Yue Bai said.
Sang Wan connected the graphic drawing tablet to the computer and handed it over. “Bet you didn’t expect me to have one of these.”
“I really didn’t.” Yue Bai was honest. Sang Wan was in music—what did she know about drawing? And this tablet looked pretty high-end, too.
“Borrowed it from the line artist. Returning it tomorrow,” Sang Wan explained.
“Senior Sister, any color requirements?” Yue Bai paused her brush to ask.
“Nope, go freestyle.” Sang Wan rested her elbows on the desk.
“But we can’t let anyone else see this piece yet, so you’ll have to come to my dorm to work on it sometimes. That okay?” Sang Wan watched as Yue Bai focused on coloring and adding details.
