Sang Wan sat on the edge of the bed. The room’s curtains were half-drawn, and sunlight streamed through the other half of the window, barely illuminating the entire space.
Sang Lin stood ramrod straight not far from the door, his head slightly bowed, his tone laced with confusion. “Sis, did you call me for something?”
Sang Lin was still stewing over the adult and child he’d seen at the dining table. He pondered darkly in his heart how he might deal with those two next.
Sang Wan braced her hands against the bed, gazing out the window. “You don’t need to bother with those two anymore.”
“Huh?” Sang Lin hadn’t caught it clearly. He tugged at his ear. “Sis, what did you say?”
“Especially that little boy.” Sang Wan’s palm slid repeatedly over the bedsheet as she continued on her own. “If you don’t like the look of him, just stay home more.”
“That’s not it.” Sang Lin felt dizzy from her words. He took a couple of steps forward, looking utterly baffled. “Sis, at the start, wasn’t it you who told me to… Why the sudden change?”
“I’ve changed my mind.” Sang Wan spoke softly. Her pupils unfocused as she thought of Yue Bai once more. “From now on, I don’t want to hear you calling him by that name again.”
“Which name?” Sang Lin furrowed his brow, and a word suddenly popped into his head. “Bastard?”
“Yeah.”
“Sis, since when do you care so much about that bast—”
Smack. Sang Wan grabbed a doll from the bed and flung it at Sang Lin. Her gaze swept coldly over him, her tone turning ominous. “Are you saying you don’t understand me?”
After dealing with Sang Lin, she collapsed limply onto the bed. After a moment’s rest, she got up and went to the desk, pulling a wood carving from the drawer—the one she’d come home specifically to retrieve.
A wood carving she’d made herself.
The next time Sang Lin passed the dining room, he was much more subdued. Xiao Ye spotted her and seemed about to call out “Big Sis,” but his mouth opened without a sound. Sang Wan calmly skirted the crowd and pushed open the door. “Dad, I’m heading to school.”
“You’re leaving this early? Let Uncle Li drive you.” Sang Dad stood up.
Sang Wan murmured an agreement and didn’t refuse. She turned and left.
Sang Lin pinched the bridge of his nose. After Sang Wan had gone, he sneered. “If you didn’t want Big Sis to leave, why didn’t you try to stop her?”
Sang Dad flew into a rage. “What the hell are you trying to do?”
The door slammed shut behind her, cutting off the argument inside the house. In a good mood, Sang Wan pulled out her phone and sent Yue Bai two messages.
“Senior Sister, I ordered takeout for lunch.” From Yue Bai, followed by a photo of the delivery.
A smile Sang Wan herself hadn’t noticed flickered in her eyes. She tapped the screen to enlarge the picture.
One meat dish, one vegetable—decent enough.
“Eat more.” Sang Wan.
“I already finished it all.” Yue Bai.
After more than an hour’s drive, Sang Wan lounged lazily against the seat back, resting with her eyes half-closed. Uncle Li, driving up front, turned off the in-car music to avoid disturbing her.
Once they arrived, Sang Wan headed straight for the dormitory building. Her steps were unhurried, a spark of anticipation rising in her heart at the thought of seeing Yue Bai soon.
Inside the dorm, Yue Bai was making her final adjustments. Her movements were swift, layers flashing by rapidly on the screen. With the last stroke complete, she let out a long breath, stretched lazily, and saved the work.
Click. The door lock sounded, and Sang Wan twisted the handle open.
“Senior Sister’s back!” Yue Bai called out brightly. “I’ve finished the artwork completely. Want to take a look, Senior Sister?”
She slid the laptop toward Sang Wan a bit and zoomed out so she could see the full image.
Sang Wan leaned in closer. She didn’t know much about art, but the overall composition still drew an involuntary exclamation from her. “It’s really good.”
Yue Bai smiled shyly. “I went with a thick impasto style. I hope it meets your requirements, Senior Sister.”
Sang Wan nodded absently. Her fingers tapped a few keys, then she named the file and posted it to a group chat. She typed: “Take a look and see if there’s any issues.”
She @’d Hua Yun.
Yue Bai turned her head away from the screen, not wanting to pry into Sang Wan’s chats.
Once she’d sent the message, Sang Wan closed the program with satisfaction. She clicked the mouse lightly, her smile serene. “To celebrate you finishing it, what do you want to eat tonight? My treat, Senior Sister’s buying.”
“No need, Senior Sister. You brought me into this competition, so I should treat you.” Yue Bai scratched her head, smiling bashfully.
“Either way’s fine.” Sang Wan shrugged noncommittally. “Doesn’t matter who’s paying, right?”
Yue Bai pursed her lips in a smile. “It does matter. You’ve treated me a few times already, Senior Sister. It’s my turn this time, no matter what.”
Sang Wan didn’t argue the point. She quietly shut down the laptop and checked the time. There was still a while before dinner.
“Want to watch a movie?” Sang Wan pulled up her phone screen and showed Yue Bai an image. “The school auditorium’s showing one today. Shall we go?”
Yue Bai shook her head. “I don’t watch movies much usually. I prefer anime.”
“I see.” Sang Wan smiled and didn’t push.
Midway through, Hua Yun replied to her message.
“You really struck gold. That impasto technique is spot on.” From Hua Yun.
“Does it need changes?” Sang Wan.
“Nope, I’ve already submitted it to the school. Results next weekend.” Hua Yun.
Sang Wan curved her lips. She really had found a gem.
“Senior Sister, I need to head to class.” Yue Bai pointed irritably at her phone screen. “The counselor’s calling us to the classroom for a class meeting right now.”
“Classes just started, so yeah, lots of meetings. Need me to walk you?” Sang Wan, half-leaning against the desk, looked up at the question.
“No need. Half an hour till the counselor’s deadline.” Yue Bai said, “I’ll head out first then, Senior Sister.”
“Mm. Take it slow on the way.” Sang Wan reminded her.
Leaving Sang Wan’s dorm, Yue Bai made a beeline for the classroom. By the time she arrived, most of the class was already there. She scanned the room—none of her three roommates yet—and took a seat in the middle.
“Everyone, move up to the front, please.” The counselor said as soon as she entered.
People scattered in small groups throughout the tiered classroom shifted forward voluntarily. Yue Bai, figuring her spot in the third row was close enough, stayed put.
Soon, Xu Nuo and the others arrived.
“Little Bai, you’re here early.” Xu Nuo plopped down beside her.
“Just got here a bit ago.” Yue Bai replied.
Once everyone was there, the counselor turned and picked up a piece of chalk, writing two words on the blackboard.
“Class Meeting.” Simple and direct.
“Not a big deal today, just that we haven’t picked class reps yet. We’ll do that now.” The counselor announced.
“Any volunteers?” She asked again.
“If I were a few years younger, I’d jump right up. But alas, I’m all grown up now.” Xu Nuo said with exaggerated world-weariness.
“You’re barely an adult.” Chen Han couldn’t help but shoot her down.
“You wouldn’t get it. I’m old, old.” Xu Nuo said profoundly.
“No one?” The counselor asked once more.
“Teacher, I’d like to be the League Branch Secretary.” A clear female voice rang out from the left front of the room.
Yue Bai looked over to see a tall, slender girl stand up. She adjusted her glasses to ease her nerves. “I’d like to give it a try.”
“Sure.” The counselor was happy someone volunteered. “Anyone for the other positions?”
With the first, others followed—second, third. Soon, all the class reps were selected.
Yue Bai, with the top grade in their major course, was directly appointed by the counselor.
“Yue Bai, you’ll be the Academic Committee Member.” The counselor said with a beaming smile.
“Ah…” Yue Bai blinked in surprise. She’d only come to the meeting reluctantly; she hadn’t wanted any position.
“Is that okay?” The counselor asked again.
The whole class’s eyes turned to her. Xu Nuo gave her arm a light nudge. “Say yes already.”
“Okay.” Yue Bai agreed.
After the meeting, Xu Nuo said excitedly, “I’ve heard the Academic Committee Member has to collect homework. Now that you’re it, Little Bai, no more worries about assignments.”
Yue Bai spread her hands helplessly. “Just for that?”
“Yep, just for that.” Xu Nuo said seriously.
Afterward, Yue Bai returned to the dorm with her roommates. She’d planned to have dinner with Sang Wan tonight, but shortly before, Sang Wan had messaged her.
“Student Council has something come up. Rain check on dinner.” From Sang Wan.
“Sure, Senior Sister, go ahead.” Yue Bai.
Back in the dorm, Yue Bai tidied her things, then scampered up to her bed in a flash. She popped on her headphones and opened an app to scroll videos.
As evening fell, she went to the cafeteria with her roommates. After washing up back at the dorm, Yue Bai lay down on her bed again.
“Yue Bai, you’ve been acting weird these past couple days. Are you really dating someone?” Xu Nuo stood gossipy at Yue Bai’s desk, gripping the bedpost with both hands.
Yue Bai rolled over. “What are you on about?”
“Not single yet? Then why are you running off every day?” Xu Nuo wasn’t buying it.
“I told you, I’ve been at Senior Sister Sang’s.” Yue Bai admitted frankly. With the artwork done, no need to hide anymore. “She asked me to help with a painting, but we have to keep it secret till the results are out.”
“Senior Sister Sang had you paint something?” Xu Nuo was surprised, curious. “What?”
“For the Sports Meet.” Yue Bai’s gaze stayed on her phone screen. Seeing the notification pop up, she couldn’t help curving her eyes upward.
“Just finished up. Has my little underclassman eaten?” From Sang Wan.
“Yeah, Senior Sister. Have you?” Yue Bai.
“I’ll head out with the Student Council later.”
Sang Wan typed out her reply.
“Then I won’t keep Senior Sister any longer. Hurry and go grab some food,” Yue Bai responded.
“Okay.” Sang Wan smiled as she sent the message.
“Little Wan, who are you chatting with? You look so happy?”
Li Ci wasn’t far from Sang Wan. Seeing her good mood, he smiled and struck up a conversation.
“No one.” Sang Wan toned down her smile a little.
