The rain in Haicheng fell in a steady drizzle, the gloomy sky hanging outside the window. Raindrops traced patterns like leaf veins, streaming down the glass pane one by one.
As the saying goes, “Haicheng’s evening rain dampens the light dust.” In the distance, the mountain peaks curved and twisted like an ink-wash painting, vivid and lifelike.
Yun Hui stretched her hand out from under the covers and glanced at her phone.
4:00 p.m.
Last night, as soon as she returned to the dorm, she had felt overwhelmingly tired. Before Bai Yueming could even finish editing the photos for her social media post, Yun Hui had already crawled into bed and fallen into a deep sleep.
When she woke up, the room was as gray and hazy as an ink-wash painting.
“Yueming? Meng Yao?” Her voice was hoarse.
No one responded.
Yun Hui rubbed her eyes, trying to recall what significant thing she had done last night…
She touched her clothes, and her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Oh no! That was just a dream!
…
Tap, tap, tap.
The bathroom door swung open as Yun Hui practically rushed inside.
By the time Yun Hui finished her shower, Yueming and Meng Yao had already returned.
Bai Yueming walked back to her desk with some materials in hand: “Just woke up?”
Yun Hui, drying her hair, blushed and murmured in agreement.
“Tomorrow, there are no classes for the whole school because of the love poem competition. Those who aren’t participating are free. I’ll be going as an audience member,” Bai Yueming said, scrolling through her social media feed. “Yun Hui, you should do your best.”
Meng Yao, engrossed in a drama, burst into laughter.
Her laughter completely drowned out Bai Yueming’s voice.
…
“I will.”
Outside the window, the drizzle turned into a downpour, stirring up a flood of melancholy thoughts.
In the dim light, the drawing board leaning against the wall seemed to glow faintly.
“Meng Yao, Yueming, I want to paint,” Yun Hui spoke up.
Meng Yao replied, “Alright, I get it. I’ll keep it down.”
“Just don’t come over and disturb me. I’ll be wearing headphones. Please, don’t disturb me! My heart can’t take it.”
Bai Yueming gave an OK sign and opened her laptop to work on her assignments.
Yun Hui sat intently before the drawing board, holding an oil paintbrush as she worked on an oil painting. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, her face slightly flushed, her gaze focused and distant. Oil paints and brushes were arranged on the palette in front of her. The canvas already bore the initial outlines, with fine lines and strokes forming intricate patterns that evoked a silky, textured quality.
In the painting, Yin Han Sou stood deeply in a street corner, her gaze lingering as she stared at the “viewer.” Yun Hui skillfully wielded her brush, occasionally glancing at the reference image in her hand before dipping the brush into the paint and gently applying it to the canvas. Her technique was practiced, achieving a balance between texture and blending. Time slipped by unnoticed, and Yin Han Sou no longer seemed to simply stand at the street corner—she merged with the colors on the canvas, as if she were standing right before her.
Painting was mentally and physically exhausting. After just a few hours, fatigue washed over Yun Hui.
She put away her brush and let out a long sigh.
“Yueming!” she called out.
Bai Yueming, who was looking in the mirror, asked, “What is it, Yun Hui?”
Yun Hui glanced at Meng Yao’s spot: “Didn’t you say… you wanted to see her… I… I painted her.”
Bai Yueming stood up and walked over to Yun Hui’s desk.
The figure in the painting wore a suit, leaning against a street corner wall as she gazed deeply at “her.” An indescribable, powerful aura seemed to leap from the canvas, washing over Bai Yueming’s vision.
“You have quite a sharp eye. How do you like this type?”
Yun Hui clutched her brush: “I just wanted to show you, not ask for your opinion!”
Her soft voice carried a hint of defiance, clearly tinged with jealousy.
“Your drawing skills are excellent, I have to admit, very lifelike.”
Bai Yueming didn’t look any longer; her impression of that person was already firmly set in her mind.
People like that on the other side simply wouldn’t bother joining their circle.
Because… high-level hunters seek out their own prey; they don’t blend into some circle like ordinary hunters, waiting for prey.
If something happened to Yun Hui, she wouldn’t be able to protect her at all, and getting involved might even bring trouble upon herself.
“She looks dangerous, you should be careful, Yun Hui.” Bai Yueming returned to her seat.
Yun Hui paid no attention to her words, sitting back down to read her novel.
“Hahaha, I knew it! You Bo, I’m hanging up now!” Meng Yao returned to the dorm again, and as soon as she entered, she met Yun Hui’s earnest gaze.
What’s going on? Yun Hui’s eyes are practically sparkling.
“Meng Yao, what do you think of this drawing?” Yun Hui’s voice was soft, making Meng Yao feel comfortable.
“Let this young lady take a look~” She walked straight to the drawing board and studied it for a while.
“Wow! You drew that big sister so accurately, no wonder she invited you to her home! Next time, draw one for me too!”
Meng Yao examined it carefully, even sniffing the drawing—it smelled quite nice.
Yun Hui looked at the clueless Meng Yao, feeling both annoyed and amused. “What kind of person do you think this big sister is?”
Meng Yao frowned, thinking seriously for a moment. “She seems like a good person.”
Yun Hui…
Bai Yueming:…
“A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory. Little Yun Hui wanted you to praise her, but you might as well have said nothing.”
Meng Yao chuckled awkwardly. “I’m not good at praising people either, you know that. I’m just a rough-and-tumble kind of person.”
Yun Hui waved her hand gently. “It’s the thought that counts~”
Meng Yao stretched and climbed into her bed. “Student Meng Yao is going to rest now, everyone please keep the volume down.”
Bai Yueming teased, “Pig.”
Meng Yao poked her head out. “Hey, if you’re so brave, don’t sleep! Let’s see who’s the pig.”
Oh right, there’s still the love poem competition!
I have to win a prize, no matter whether Han Sou is really tricking me or not. I’ll get it first, and I don’t have to customize the name anyway!
Yun Hui immediately got up and headed to the playground to find inspiration.
Moonlight filtered through the window, and Yin Han Sou on the drawing board underwent a subtle transformation. Bathed in moonlight, the drawing board seemed to transform into something else, exuding a captivating allure. It was as if the mist under the moonlight could be lifted, allowing one to touch the vivid, spirited person in the drawing.
Raindrops pattered, flowing down the eaves, leaving only the drawing glowing brilliantly in the corner.