The Allure of the Date and the Busy Client

Dazed, Bai Jingjing returned to Luo Xuan’s home.

As for the date, she had initially wanted to say, “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?” But… but the sheer magnificence of it was simply too much to resist.

Thus, in a daze, she found herself agreeing.

“Bai Jingjing, you’re finally back! You’ve been studying all day,” Luo Xuan remarked, having been dozing on the sofa. Hearing her return, she instinctively glanced at the time. “It’s already evening.”

How to put it? On one hand, she felt a wave of relief, and should have been pleased, for Bai Jingjing not coming home early meant she wouldn’t have to “deliver tribute”… no, I mean, provide instruction.

For the delicate body of a blossoming young woman, this was a rare moment of respite.

Yet, on the other hand, Luo Xuan felt a slight pang of apprehension. After all, Bai Jingjing had spent the entire day with Liu Wanqing, only returning so late… had they perhaps done something more?

Unable to restrain herself, Luo Xuan asked, “Bai Jingjing, did you two do anything else today besides studying?”

Bai Jingjing first chugged a glass of water, then slowly replied, “We… got to know each other a bit.”

They had asked questions and received answers, so it counted as getting to know each other, she supposed.

“Did you… get to know each other *deeply*?” Luo Xuan inquired delicately.

Bai Jingjing nodded. “I’d say it was quite deep.”

She had even asked how Liu Wanqing had initially discerned the ‘thing’ between Luo-jie and herself, so that surely counted as a deep understanding.

“Then her… this,” Luo Xuan said, making a gesture, “is it flexible?”

Bai Jingjing pondered the question carefully. Liu Wanqing’s manner of speech was truly unconventional, shifting seamlessly from a youthful style to something suggestive, from introducing the student council president to extending a date invitation. Her soft lips parted and closed, traversing a thousand topics in a mere second; it was undeniably flexible.

“Very flexible,” she replied.

Luo Xuan’s mouth opened, but no words came out for a long moment.

“Anyway, I’m so tired today; it feels like I’ve done so much,” Bai Jingjing said, stretching languidly. “I’m planning to go to bed early. What about you, Luo-jie?”

“I… I’ll go to bed early too.”

That night, Bai Jingjing slept soundly, but the blonde beauty, Luo Xuan, lay awake, clutching her phone in a state of vexation.

Fortunately, someone else on QQ was also awake and could keep her company.

[Lemon: Luo Xuan, your friend… your girlfriend, did she take on another job?]

[Eylla: You know about it too?]

What was going on? It felt as if she was the only one in the world unaware, forced to wait for Bai Jingjing to return and confess herself.

[Lemon: Just look on Weibo. She’s a group artist; I followed her Weibo a while ago, just clicked on it casually to see her drawings.]

Lemon wasn’t telling the whole truth, but Luo Xuan was none the wiser.

[Eylla: Since you’ve already seen it, what more is there to ask?]

Luo Xuan fumed, ‘She didn’t just find a new client; she found one with flexible fingers, too.’

[Lemon: But I’m a bit curious, why is she so eager to find new clients when she has you?]

Luo Xuan frowned slightly.

[Eylla: I’ll say it again, I haven’t done what you’re imagining.]

‘At least, not entirely.’

‘And it was all for her good sister.’

[Lemon: Is it because you’re too inept to satisfy her, so she went looking for someone else?]

Luo Xuan had intended to patiently explain to Lemon, to “Amway” their friendly sisterly bond with Xia Chu, but before she could finish typing, she saw that message and instantly flared up.

[Eylla: Xu Shiyao, I’m warning you, don’t talk nonsense!]

[Lemon: …Alright, alright, I won’t say another word. Happy to go to sleep now?]

Being called by her full name, it was clear Luo Xuan was genuinely angry, which startled Lemon.

In truth, Lemon hadn’t given it much thought. Luo Xuan hadn’t reacted for so long, but to suddenly lose her composure today—it must have been because she’d hit a nerve.

****

The night quickly passed, and on Friday morning, Bai Jingjing rose early, heading to Liu Wanqing’s home to color the characters she had drawn the previous day.

With a date scheduled for next week, she had to complete the work today. Bai Jingjing was exceptionally diligent, barely even pausing for a few sips of water.

Witnessing her earnestness, Liu Wanqing also performed her duties conscientiously, refraining from any more peculiar or suggestive remarks. She quietly observed Bai Jingjing coloring, occasionally offering a word of guidance.

The entire day slipped away amidst their diligent work, until Bai Jingjing could finally put down her digital pen and stretch languidly.

“Finally, I finished it before the weekend. Phew, I’m so tired.”

“If you’re tired, then rest up,” Liu Wanqing said, gently squeezing her delicate shoulder. “Take a few more days to rest; we don’t have our date until next Wednesday.”

‘Save your strength.’

Bai Jingjing’s cherry-red lips pouted adorably. “It’s not as simple as just resting. This weekend, I still have to discuss plot details with the client, and I might even be rushed to finish the order.”

Liu Wanqing considered this for a moment. “If I’m not mistaken, your client probably won’t have time to discuss it with you, nor will they be in a hurry to rush the order.”

If the main character in the drawing was indeed a little loli, then they certainly wouldn’t have the time.

“Why?”

Bai Jingjing was immensely curious, but Liu Wanqing merely smiled mysteriously, offering no reply.

“Go home and rest, Jingjing,” Liu Wanqing said, calling her affectionately. “See you next Wednesday.”

“Alright… goodbye.”

Upon returning home, Bai Jingjing was so exhausted she couldn’t even speak, collapsing onto her bed and falling instantly asleep.

Seeing her in such a state, Luo Xuan was slightly startled. “You’re that tired today?”

“Yeah, I’m so tired,” Bai Jingjing mumbled indistinctly. “But it was incredibly fulfilling.”

She had spent the entire day drawing and coloring, completing two exquisite commercial characters, and even received personalized instruction from Liu Wanqing, learning numerous small techniques.

It truly was an incredibly fulfilling day.

“Fulfilling… really?” Luo Xuan stood frozen, a flicker of alarm in her heart.

‘Could it be that her ‘little tiger’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘xiǎo nǎo fǔ,’ a playful mispronunciation of ‘little tiger,’ often used to refer to a girlfriend or someone intimate, especially implying satisfaction or a passionate encounter.) had eaten its fill, which made her feel so fulfilled?’

She didn’t know, and she was too embarrassed to ask.

Nevertheless, Bai Jingjing had indeed been living a very full life these past few days, leaving early and returning late. Even when she came home, she had no free time, not even a moment to “collect her tribute” from the blonde beauty.

****

On Saturday morning, as soon as the client came online, Bai Jingjing promptly sent over her completed artwork.

After reviewing it, Lemon, the rich loli, offered her evaluation:

[Lemon: To be honest, putting everything else aside, you really are quite beautiful.]

Bai Jingjing, who was having a cup of soy milk for breakfast and chatting while biting her straw, felt that something about the message was off.

Lemon quickly realized her mistake, swiftly retracted the message, and sent another.

[Lemon: To be honest, putting everything else aside, your drawing really is quite beautiful.]

‘Oh, so she had just missed a word.’

Bai Jingjing, her mood lightened, replied cheerfully: [It’s a skill that puts food on the table, so naturally, I apply myself diligently.]

‘See? She even feigned humility a little; how satisfying!’

The young woman felt utterly delighted, brimming with renewed vigor, and decided to press her advantage: [While I have some free time, let’s discuss the plot.]

To her surprise, Lemon replied with this:

[Lemon: Forget it, I’m busy. Just do what you think is best.]

[Xiaobai Is Big and White: Are you very busy?]

[Lemon: Of course! Final exams are coming up soon; how could I not be busy?]

Bai Jingjing paused, slightly taken aback; she hadn’t expected that.

[Xiaobai Is Big and White: Alright then, I’ll just draw as I see fit.]