A Perilous Tutor and Hidden Intentions

Despite feeling Liu Wanqing’s gaze was somewhat perilous, Bai Jingjing still agreed.

She resolved to be a little more cautious when the time came, knowing that learning held greater importance.

During her three years living in the hospital, Bai Jingjing had encountered numerous dangerous patients within its wards: those prone to self-harm, the violently manic, and others who, with their perpetually grim expressions, spread negativity, posing both physiological and psychological risks to those around them.

Having navigated those situations completely unscathed, she reasoned that even if her teacher-sister (TL Note: A term of endearment for an older female teacher, often implying a close, mentor-like relationship) was somewhat dangerous, she could surely turn misfortune into blessing (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘feng xiong hua ji,’ meaning to turn an ominous situation into a propitious one), couldn’t she?

“Speaking of which, you’re a teacher at the Art University, and it sounds like you’re involved in painting,” Luo Xuan suddenly inquired with curiosity. “Why would you still commission work from Bai Jingjing?”

Liu Wanqing’s smile faltered almost imperceptibly, and she raised an eyebrow in displeasure.

She was genuinely reluctant to continue discussing anything related to that particular commission.

“It’s like this, Sister Luo,” Bai Jingjing offered by way of explanation, “If you’re drawing for yourself, the emotions you wish to experience have already been processed in your mind the moment you ‘intend to draw them.’ By the time the piece is finished, those feelings have run their course prematurely. Consequently, viewing your own work tends to lack that thrill of excitement. It’s a completely different experience compared to seeing someone else’s creation.”

For regular portraits and illustrations, or even writing novels, it’s not so pronounced.

However, if you’re drawing something suggestive (TL Note: ‘Sese’ is a Chinese slang term for ‘sexy’ or ‘erotic,’ often used playfully) or writing erotic fiction, by the time you’ve completed the work yourself, your emotions have likely entered Sage Mode (TL Note: ‘Xianzhe moshi’ or ‘Sage Mode’ is a Chinese slang term, similar to the Japanese ‘hyeonja taim,’ referring to a state of calm, clarity, or even disillusionment after an intense experience, often post-orgasm or after creating highly emotional or ‘sexy’ content).

Luo Xuan seemed to grasp it, yet not entirely. “So, the commission she asked you for last time was for a suggestive album…”

“Luo Xuan, Bai Jingjing, the Art University boasts many renowned scenic spots,” Liu Wanqing stated, her eyes narrowed slightly as she smiled. “Let me take you to see them.”

Luo Xuan blinked blankly. “But we just sat down, haven’t even had a few sips of tea, and we were still discussing…”

Bai Jingjing clapped a small hand over Luo Xuan’s mouth. “Alright, thank you, Sister Qingqing (TL Note: ‘Qingqing jie’ is an affectionate way to address Liu Wanqing, combining her given name with ‘sister’), let’s go now.”

“Mm-mm, mm-mm,” Luo Xuan mumbled, struggling softly for a moment.

‘Strange, why was she suddenly not allowed to speak? What had happened? Come to think of it, Bai Jingjing’s hand was small, fragrant, and carried the scent of coconut milk… Huh, why did her hand smell like that too?’

‘Oh, right, it must have been from showering this morning; washing with her hands would certainly involve rubbing.’

With a head full of wild conjectures, Luo Xuan followed Bai Jingjing, touring the Art University under Liu Wanqing’s guidance.

There were many scenic spots, yet some were simply too far apart, requiring them to wait for the campus bus.

With limited time, they only managed to visit about a quarter of the campus.

Clutching her phone, Bai Jingjing snapped photos ceaselessly along the way, gathering a rich harvest of images.

“Why don’t you stand up there?” Luo Xuan suggested, gesturing towards the beautiful small tower beside the library. “I’ll take a photo of you with the scenery?”

She could tell Bai Jingjing truly adored this particular view, having taken numerous shots from every conceivable angle.

“Hmm… perhaps not.”

Bai Jingjing hesitated for a moment, tempted, but after a careful thought, she shook her head. “I’m not a student here yet; let’s talk about it once I’m enrolled.”

Uncertain if she would even pass the entrance exam, the young girl harbored a slight sense of inferiority.

Yet, this only strengthened her resolve to seek tutoring from Liu Wanqing next month.

After their campus tour concluded, Luo Xuan had intended to invite Liu Wanqing out for a meal, but the latter declined, citing a prior engagement.

Before nightfall fully enveloped the sky, the two girls embarked on their journey home.

After pulling the car out of the parking lot and waiting for Bai Jingjing to get in, Luo Xuan reflected on the day’s events, unable to suppress a sigh of admiration for Liu Wanqing, truly a kind soul.

She ventured to ask Bai Jingjing for her opinion: “What do you think of Teacher Liu?”

Bai Jingjing, who had been lost in thought herself, instinctively replied, “A commanding presence, dangerous.”

“…Huh?”

“…What I meant was, she possesses a great deal of charisma. Anyway, let’s head back. What do you feel like eating tonight?”

Ultimately, they ended up dining at an outside restaurant.

It was too late, and their hunger couldn’t wait for Bai Jingjing’s leisurely cooking.

Upon returning home, Luo Xuan promptly collapsed onto her bed.

While out, she hadn’t felt it, but the moment she walked through the door, she realized just how exhausted she was from all the traveling.

Bai Jingjing was also tired, though not quite as much; she had grown accustomed to strenuous efforts over the past few years.

The house was vast, with empty rooms and quiet nooks everywhere.

Bai Jingjing casually found a spot, settled into a soft sofa, and stealthily retrieved her phone.

Although she had resolved to attend tutoring, Sister Qingqing (TL Note: ‘Qingqing jie’ is an affectionate way to address Liu Wanqing, combining her given name with ‘sister’) was a dangerous older sister, and it was essential to understand her a little better.

As the saying goes, ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles’ (TL Note: A famous strategic principle from Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War,’ ‘zhi ji zhi bi, bai zhan bai sheng’).

She tapped open “My Files” → “Commercial Works,” entered the password, and among the various albums, located a folder titled “Qingqing.”

This, she surmised, contained the commissions delivered to “Qingqing.”

Sorted by name, the very first image that met her eyes, serving as the cover, was a colorful illustration featuring two figures.

It depicted a gentle teacher-sister (TL Note: A term of endearment for an older female teacher, often implying a close, mentor-like relationship) and a beautiful girl with a baby face and a voluptuous figure.

Bai Jingjing reached up and lightly adjusted the strap on her fragrant shoulder.

For some reason, revisiting this particular piece today evoked a sense of immersion entirely different from before.

Perhaps it was because she had once been an unremarkable otaku (TL Note: A Japanese term for a person with an obsessive interest, often in anime, manga, or video games, sometimes used to describe socially awkward individuals), whereas now she was a curvaceous, beautiful girl with a prominent bust and ample hips.

Slowly, she began to scroll down, image by image.

****

Luo Xuan lay sprawled on her bed, engrossed in her phone, chatting in a QQ group (TL Note: QQ is a popular Chinese instant messaging platform), a small circle of acquaintances.

[Lemon: Luo Xuan, I heard you helped a friend find a temporary girlfriend, is that true?]

She knew this person, a rich loli (TL Note: ‘Loli’ is a slang term derived from ‘lolita,’ typically referring to a young girl, often used in anime/manga contexts to describe cute, sometimes wealthy, young female characters).

Truthfully, Luo Xuan wasn’t keen on discussing such matters with her.

After all, she was just a loli; what could she possibly understand about emotions, or yuri (TL Note: ‘Yuri’ is a Japanese term for a genre in anime, manga, and other media that focuses on lesbian relationships)?

Those were adult affairs.

[Eylla: Yes, what about it? I’ve already found someone.]

She replied casually.

[Lemon: No, no, no, I’m asking if it’s true, meaning, is the friend real?]

Luo Xuan’s delicate brows furrowed.

[Eylla: What do you mean?]

[Lemon: I’m just wondering if this friend actually exists, or if you made them up as a shield?]

[Eylla: How could that be? To put it plainly, I’m helping Xia Chu.]

Their families were all acquainted.

[Lemon: Of course I know she’s real, but thinking about it, with her personality, would she really need something like that? It still feels like she’s a shield for you.]

Luo Xuan raised an eyebrow: [What are you implying?]

[Lemon: It means you’re pretending to find a girlfriend for her, and you did find one, but on the surface, she’s her girlfriend, while in reality, you’re secretly enjoying her.]

The little loli (TL Note: ‘Loli’ is a slang term derived from ‘lolita,’ typically referring to a young girl, often used in anime/manga contexts to describe cute, sometimes wealthy, young female characters) was small in stature but bold in spirit, speaking her mind without reservation.

Luo Xuan’s pretty face flushed crimson, unsure if it was from anger or a guilty conscience: [Don’t talk nonsense! I genuinely found her for Xia Chu!]

It was merely a matter of providing some pre-employment training to ensure her best friend had a better user experience.

It was all for her best friend’s benefit, a heart of pure sincerity that the sun and moon could bear witness to!

****