The Art of Everyday Life, and Other Propositions

Liu Wanqing cast a soft glance at her, an indescribable, ambiguous sentiment clouding her beautiful eyes.

“If you are truly grateful to me, even for the tutoring, then perhaps you could help me with a single matter.”

“Alright,” Bai Jingjing quickly puffed out her ample chest, “I’ll certainly help, provided it’s within my capabilities.”

‘As long as it doesn’t involve… *that* with me, everything else is negotiable.’

Liu Wanqing settled onto the edge of the bed, her slender, jade-like fingers idly tapping the mattress. “If you’ve ever seen my work, you would likely notice the significant limitations in the themes I depict.”

Bai Jingjing paused, a slight bewilderment in her blinking eyes. “Oh, no, Teacher Qing is clearly skilled in everything! Be it challenging battlefields or distinctive fantasy landscapes, her character illustrations are simply divine. Whether it’s the sword and sorcery aesthetic of another realm or the sleek lines of sci-fi mecha, her artistry is truly unparalleled!”

A surge of excitement coursed through her, recalling how, when she first picked up a drawing board to learn art, it was Liu Wanqing’s creations that had inspired her. Bai Jingjing had always harbored the dream of becoming an artist just like her idol.

Having illustrated key visuals for numerous games, Liu Wanqing’s art was a frequent sight for Bai Jingjing.

Were it not for the manuscript titled ‘When a Female Student Visits Her Teacher’s Home, Even Trusted People Should Be Wary~’ still laid out before them, Bai Jingjing would have long since transformed into an eager fangirl and thrown herself at Liu Wanqing.

‘Her restraint stemmed solely from the apprehension of being… *taken advantage of*.’

Liu Wanqing sighed softly. “But, what about the mundane, the everyday?”

“Dai…ly life?”

Bai Jingjing blinked, momentarily stunned.

Upon closer reflection, it seemed she truly hadn’t seen any of Liu Wanqing’s works depicting everyday life.

“But, but isn’t that the most basic and straightforward subject?” Bai Jingjing whispered, her voice laced with confusion. “Teacher Qing handles even the most complex pieces with such effortless grace, how could she possibly…?”

“It’s different. I can’t create works with a casual, everyday style, especially not sequential comics,” Liu Wanqing’s gaze settled on the manuscript. “But you, you are different.”

Bai Jingjing unconsciously straightened her posture, her slender waist becoming even more rigid. A ripple of elation stirred within her, having received acknowledgment from the object of her admiration.

Then, she heard Liu Wanqing continue, her voice unwavering: “Your drawing is actually quite poor. Your fundamentals are severely lacking; you merely scribble.”

“…”

The girl’s smile slowly faded.

“Of course, I understand you haven’t received any professional training, and for someone who is entirely ‘self-taught,’ you’ve pushed your abilities to their absolute limit. Therefore, if one were to lower their expectations somewhat, your skill level could be considered quite commendable.”

Liu Wanqing’s tone then shifted. “However, your drawings possess a unique personal style that creates a harmonious, self-contained whole. This distinct style allows your work to, overall, outshine many who possess stronger foundational skills.”

Bai Jingjing’s lips twitched. “Oh, oh, really?”

While the assessment was undeniably fair, the emotional rollercoaster of those few sentences had inflicted significant damage on the young girl’s spirit.

Liu Wanqing picked up the comic again, examining it with renewed scrutiny. “To put it simply, it’s remarkably innocent, possessing a wild sort of beauty.”

“…”

‘Is that even a compliment?’

“Once you begin formal training and strengthen your foundational skills, your art will see immense improvement. Naturally, I will impart everything I know,” Liu Wanqing stated earnestly, setting the manuscript aside. “In return, I ask that you help me master this particular style of drawing.”

‘Oh, *that*? No problem at all!’

Bai Jingjing quietly exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, thinking, ‘As long as it doesn’t involve… *that* with me, I’m relieved.’

“I am more than willing to assist Teacher Qing, but regarding this particular aspect, I’m not sure how to articulate it myself,” she confessed sincerely. “When I draw, I don’t consciously think about it that much.”

Liu Wanqing tapped her finger lightly on the desk. “I understand. That’s why I have my own approach.”

Bai Jingjing pulled a nearby chair closer and settled into it, nodding to indicate her attention.

“In truth, I’ve understood the reason for a long time now. My perception of everyday life diverges significantly from yours,” Liu Wanqing sighed softly, her gaze drifting towards Bai Jingjing. “Take us, for instance; there’s already a decade separating our ages.”

“Eh?” Bai Jingjing tilted her head, confused.

“The everyday life I experienced in my youth belongs to a completely different era now; it’s entirely dissimilar,” Liu Wanqing stated slowly. “Back then, the internet’s atmosphere was far less imaginative and unconstrained than it is today. What were once cutting-edge slang terms have now become painfully awkward old memes.”

Her voice drifted, light as a feather, imbued with an inexpressible sadness. “In my time, even liking Touhou Project (TL Note: A Japanese bullet-hell game series and media franchise, often referred to as ‘Dongfang’ in Chinese fan communities) was considered quite avant-garde. But now…”

Bai Jingjing pressed her lips together, not daring to interrupt Liu Wanqing’s nostalgic reverie.

“In short, I have attempted to engage with the things young people enjoy today, but most of it strikes me as far too bizarre,” Liu Wanqing said, picking up the manuscript once more. “Fortunately, not everything is entirely beyond my comprehension; some aspects even appeal to me, such as this particular storyline.”

Bai Jingjing paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

‘Wait, why is she bringing up the plot again?’

“I was in your friend Luo Xuan’s group, and I overheard them discussing many imaginative ideas. Among them, this story—about a female teacher and her female student—was my absolute favorite. However, when I tried to illustrate it myself, I simply couldn’t capture the right feeling, which is why I asked you to draw it back then.”

Liu Wanqing gazed deeply at the manuscript, a sigh of admiration escaping her lips. “Fortunately, you perfectly captured the precise feeling I desired. No matter how many times I look at it, I can’t help but be moved by its grace and allure… though your fundamentals are still somewhat lacking.”

Bai Jingjing awkwardly bowed her head, thinking, ‘I already understand my shortcomings; must we keep revisiting my foundational skills?’

‘Yet, upon a second, more careful thought, a question surfaced: ‘Wait, did Teacher Qing just make a suggestive remark (TL Note: ‘开了个车’ or ‘kai che’ is Chinese slang for telling a dirty joke or making a sexual innuendo)?”

“Cough, um, Teacher Qing, how exactly might I be of assistance?” Bai Jingjing asked proactively. “Perhaps by sharing my insights from when I was drawing the manuscript?”

“No, that would be rather pointless,” Liu Wanqing replied dismissively. “I simply need you to help me *experience* this storyline.”

A profound silence descended upon the small room for several seconds.

“Um, Teacher Qing,” Bai Jingjing asked, forcing a smile onto her face, “how should I assist you? Should I perhaps share my insights from when I was drawing the manuscript?”

‘I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that and ask again.’

Liu Wanqing observed her in silence for a moment, then abruptly picked up the phone from the desk. “Bai Jingjing, what’s your WeChat ID? Alipay would also work.”

“…What?”

“Luo Xuan can hire you to be a rental girlfriend for her friend, so I can also rent you,” Liu Wanqing stated calmly. “It’s perfectly reasonable to play role-playing games with a girlfriend, wouldn’t you agree?”

Her logic was sound, undeniably so.

“No, this,” Bai Jingjing exclaimed, her anxiety rising, “This is different!”

‘Isn’t this still just a way to… *get to me*?!’

“What exactly is different?”

Liu Wanqing continued to watch her in silence, as if patiently awaiting her futile attempts at an argument.

“I, uh, that, um, that…”

Bai Jingjing stammered for a prolonged moment, then a sudden inspiration struck her. “Even when acting as a rental girlfriend, one doesn’t immediately engage in *lewd* activities!”

Liu Wanqing crossed her long, elegant legs. “Oh?”

“That is, we must first get to know each other, understand each other, and perhaps even go on a few dates, *before* we engage in any *lewd* activities.”