“Isn’t that too much trouble?” Yue Bai said softly. “Won’t it disturb your rest, Senior Sister?”
Sang Wan smiled faintly with her eyebrows curved. “Not at all. I’m just worried it might cut into your downtime after classes.”
“No, no, it won’t.” Yue Bai switched brushes and smeared in some color blocks. “Then I’ll come over during my free time every day.”
Sang Wan stood up. She took a banana from the cabinet, peeled it, and handed it to Yue Bai. “Any time works for me. Since school’s just started, your evening study hall shouldn’t be an issue. You can come over. Who’s your counselor, by the way?”
Yue Bai gave her the name, and Sang Wan nodded. “Her? I have one of her elective classes. I’ll talk to her about it later.”
Yue Bai blinked in surprise. “An elective?”
It wasn’t surprising—Yue Bai’s counselor taught art classes. How had Sang Wan ended up in one?
“She teaches Art Appreciation. I signed up for it.” Sang Wan shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing. “I had something come up on registration day, so by the time I got back, only a few cross-major classes were left. Plus, she’s on good terms with my advisor, so we got to know each other over time.”
“Oh, I see.” Yue Bai took a bite of the banana and adjusted her graphic drawing tablet with one hand before resuming her work.
Who would’ve thought Senior Sister Sang had signed up for an art elective?
Sang Wan shifted to the side a bit, no longer chatting to avoid disrupting Yue Bai’s focus. She pulled out her phone and put on her earphones. In the meantime, she messaged Yue Bai’s counselor, explained the situation, and got approval for Yue Bai to skip evening study hall during the competition.
Yue Bai was completely absorbed when she drew, pouring her whole self into the composition. Sang Wan glanced at the dense layers in the bottom right corner.
Time flew by, and soon it was five-thirty. Sang Wan checked the clock, then looked at the intently focused Yue Bai and gently nudged her arm. “Yue Bai, it’s getting late. Let’s eat and then you can keep painting.”
Yue Bai reluctantly stroked the pen barrel. “Just a sec. Let me finish this part—should only take ten minutes.”
Sang Wan watched her helplessly but didn’t stop her.
Ten minutes later, Yue Bai set down her pen and stretched her sore wrist. “Senior Sister, let’s go eat.”
“Sure.” Sang Wan replied. “Oh, right—I already got permission from your counselor. You don’t have to go to evening study hall for a while.”
Yue Bai let out a soft “Ah.” “Thanks, Senior Sister. I’ll ask my teacher too.”
Sang Wan getting the approval was one thing; Yue Bai needed to confirm it herself. She opened QQ and quickly typed in the chat with her counselor.
“Counselor, I’m in the art contest for the campus sports meet. Could I skip evening study hall for a few days?”
“Sure, Sang Wan already told me. Good luck!”
“Got it, thanks, Counselor.” Yue Bai sent back.
After the messages, Yue Bai looked up. “Senior Sister, let’s go.”
Sang Wan was already ready. She opened the door and led Yue Bai out, through the dormitory building, around a corner, and to the cafeteria.
After dinner, Yue Bai was eager to head back and finish her painting early, but Sang Wan wasn’t in any rush. She grabbed the girl who was trying to leave. “No need to hurry. You’ve still got over ten days until the deadline.”
Yue Bai scratched her head sheepishly. “I just want to get it done sooner, in case I need to make changes.”
Sang Wan shook her head. “You’ve been staring at the screen for hours. Give your eyes a break.”
“It’s fine—my eyesight’s great,” Yue Bai protested.
“Good eyesight means you need to take care of it even more. Glasses are a hassle—hunting for them every morning and all that.”
Yue Bai gave in and strolled slowly beside Sang Wan. Suddenly, something occurred to her. “Senior Sister, are you nearsighted?”
“Yeah, but I only wear them in class.”
Yue Bai nodded in understanding and murmured under her breath, “No wonder you always have that look. So that’s it.”
Sang Wan didn’t catch it. “Hm?”
Yue Bai waved it off. “Nothing.” She certainly wasn’t about to tell Sang Wan.
Sang Wan paused mid-step and turned to look at Yue Bai, her gaze intensely focused.
Yue Bai felt the stare and turned to meet it.
So gentle, so focused. No doubt about it—that look again. Yue Bai thought with an inner shout.
She let out a soft sigh and said straightforwardly, “Senior Sister, don’t get mad if I say this.”
“Go ahead. I’m curious now.” Sang Wan perked up.
“Senior Sister, do you know what your gaze is like when you look at people?” Yue Bai asked.
“Hm?” Sang Wan looked puzzled.
“How to put it… it’s really affectionate.” Yue Bai chose her words carefully. Seeing Sang Wan’s confused expression, she hurried to explain. “Now I get it—you’re nearsighted, so you squint to make things out clearly.”
“In other words, Senior Sister, you look at a telephone pole with the same deep affection,” Yue Bai added.
Sang Wan couldn’t help but burst out laughing, shaking her head. “What kind of logic is that? By your reasoning, every nearsighted person gives off a loving vibe?”
“Uh… well, not exactly.” Yue Bai said awkwardly.
Sang Wan was right. Plenty of her classmates wore glasses, but none made her feel this way except Sang Wan.
“Maybe it’s just that you have such a gentle presence, Senior Sister,” Yue Bai ventured another guess.
Sang Wan’s expression froze for a moment. She seemed reluctant to accept that and held back from arguing.
“The track field’s still this crowded at night.” The two sat on the grass under a shady tree, surrounded by a ring of joggers. Yue Bai marveled. “All here to work out.”
“It’s good to come run now and then,” Sang Wan said.
Yue Bai nodded in agreement, her eyes following a runner past them.
The girl wore a sporty top that hugged her toned figure, paired with athletic shorts that revealed long, pale legs.
Yue Bai couldn’t help staring a bit longer and sighed. “I’m jealous.”
Sang Wan narrowed her eyes. She placed a hand on Yue Bai’s bare arm, her cool fingertips pressing lightly to draw her attention back.
“Jealous of what?” Sang Wan’s mood soured suddenly.
“That girl? She’s pretty?” Sang Wan asked.
“I don’t know—I didn’t get a good look,” Yue Bai said.
“Then what are you jealous of?” Sang Wan pressed.
“Just her figure,” Yue Bai said, puzzled.
Sang Wan tilted her head, the amusement fading from her eyes. For some reason, she didn’t feel like talking to her anymore.
“It’s getting late,” Sang Wan said. She pushed off the grass with one hand and stood.
“Senior Sister, should I go back to your place to paint some more?” Yue Bai stood too.
“You could always stay here,” Sang Wan said out of nowhere.
“Nah, I want to go back with you, Senior Sister.” Yue Bai missed the undercurrent in her words and brushed nonexistent dust from her back.
Seeing that, Sang Wan’s mood lifted a little. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at the girl trailing behind her, and the corners of her mouth curved into a faint, subtle smile.
