Sheng Qing turned off his phone.
He didn’t want to reply.
It was too awkward.
He had just been imitating a song without knowing what to sing.
Why was this person chasing him down like this?
A notification popped up – someone had added him.
Holding his breath, he clicked to check. Oh, thank goodness, it was Hall Manager Yanmai.
Hall Manager Yanmai: Hello~ First, congratulations on passing the assessment! New members should join the Training Camp first. There will be a three-month internship period with assessment opportunities every two weeks. After passing the assessment, you can choose a Hall. Specific rules can be found in the documents sent to you. Also, the confidentiality agreement and Four Seasons Hall regulations must be followed, otherwise there will be penalty fees.
Hall Manager Yanmai: I’ll add you to the Training Camp group chat later. You can introduce yourself and get familiar with everyone. For shift arrangements, you can check the schedule yourself. Contact me if you have any questions.
Yanmai sent him five documents in a row. After receiving them, Sheng Qing replied obediently.
Hall Manager Yanmai: Have you decided on your ID?
Nan Que: Just use Nan Que
Hall Manager Yanmai: X.Nan Que it is then. The illustrator is working on your character design. If you have any ideas, you can tell me.
Nan Que: Can I use my own?
Hall Manager Yanmai: (Surprised.jpg) Do you have images?
Nan Que: [Image][Image]
Of course Sheng Qing had images. During these past few days when he got bored from practicing singing, he would draw his own character designs.
Zhang Zhe wanted to form a CP with him. Since Zhang Zhe had a blue-themed style, he used three days’ worth of breakfast to “persuade” Sheng Qing to create a pink-themed character design, saying that red and blue have always made the perfect CP.
The chibi version was quite cute – the character was round and soft, wrapped in cotton candy, with fluffy hair framing the face. The overall color scheme was pink, with blue-purple tones at the hair ends. A cotton candy-shaped microphone was pinned at the collar, and two small wings floated behind.
The adult version was much more refined, still with the same pink hair falling loosely over the shoulders, with blue-purple tones transitioning down to the collar. Headphones hung around the neck, a white T-shirt worn casually, and what appeared to be a sports school uniform jacket. The overall look was both rebellious and energetic.
Hall Manager Yanmai: ?!
Hall Manager Yanmai: You drew these yourself?
Nan Que: Yes, no copyright restrictions. Is that acceptable?
Hall Manager Yanmai: Amazing! (Holding up cat paws.jpg) Can you take other commissions, teacher?
Nan Que: Well, that can be discussed, but payment first (Waving lucky cat.jpg)
Hall Manager Yanmai: Hahaha, of course!
After finishing his conversation with the Hall Manager, Sheng Qing returned to the Nan Que account and stared thoughtfully at those two messages from X.Xiao.
Meanwhile, the excited Yanmai couldn’t wait to share Nan Que’s character designs in the Hall Manager group chat.
Hall Manager Yanmai: [Image][Image] Can you believe it, everyone? We have a singer who can be self-sufficient!
Hall Manager Yanmai: @Illustrator Lianpeng You’re in luck!
Illustrator Lianpeng: ? Did the newcomer draw these himself?
Hall Manager Yanmai: Yep! I think the skill level is at least 30% of yours!
Illustrator Lianpeng: 30%? Sis, I guarantee this is professional level
Hall Manager Zhima Hu: So pretty! I love pink hair! (Dog blinking.jpg)
Hall Manager Xia Qiu: Is this Nan Que who just passed the assessment today? Then we just need to add the name and we’re done?
Illustrator Lianpeng: Hahaha, this is great. Can we recruit more people like this?
Qi Ji, the Hall Admin of the Assessment Hall, was also lurking in the group chat.
When Xiao received the images sent by Qi Ji, he couldn’t help but laugh.
You know what, that slightly cocky pink-haired guy kinda resembles that newbie who imitated his singing but played dead and never replied.
Xiao opened the chat window with the other person again.
【X.Xiao: Teacher Nan Que, read but no reply?】
He watched as the other side started typing…
After a long while, a message finally came through: No
【X.Xiao: Sent by Pao Pao】
Sheng Qing didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to deal with him.
After adding each other on WeChat, Sheng Qing quickly said “Hello Brother Xiao” and immediately sent over all the recorded clips from that day, just hoping this awkward situation would pass quickly.
Xiao: Okay, thanks
Nan Que: (You’re too kind.jpg)
Xiao: Can I commission some art?
Nan Que: (What.jpg)
Xiao: It’s almost 200 days, want to draw a family portrait avatar with Little Feathers
X.Xiao’s fan group is called Little Feathers.
Sheng Qing didn’t want to deal with him, didn’t want to take the job.
Nan Que: (Taking out wallet.jpg)
Xiao: Before next Friday, 1000, enough?
Nan Que: (Holding up palm.jpg)
Xiao: 5? 5000? Okay
Xiao: Transferred 5000
Sheng Qing was so shocked he almost dropped his phone.
Nan Que: No, Brother Xiao, your request is relatively simple, 500 would be more than enough!
Xiao: Finally talking?
Nan Que: ……
Xiao: Keep it for now, might need to draw a pull-up banner poster or something later
Sheng Qing: Alright then.
Whatever the money daddy says goes.
Money isn’t hot to handle anyway.
Nan Que: Okay, thanks for your trust Brother Xiao (kitty cupping fists)
With the financial transaction settled, Sheng Qing wasn’t embarrassed anymore. After getting the base image and reference images from the other party, he started thinking about how to draw.
Zhang Zhe watched him typing for a long time: ?
“Bro, are you performing a one-man play over there?”
“One moment you’re gritting your teeth, the next you’re speechless with frustration. Pay some attention to your bro here!”
Only then did Sheng Qing remember he had a good brother who’d been ignored.
He thought for a moment, “Zhe, I think joining the Hall is pretty good, convenient for expanding business.”
Zhang Zhe: ?
Is this guy a dog or what!
“Don’t forget, joining the Hall means you’ll have to do scheduling. When the equipment arrives, set it up in the main room,” Zhang Zhe reminded.
The two rented a three-bedroom apartment not far from campus. Sheng Qing lived in the master bedroom, Zhang Zhe in the secondary bedroom, and they converted the study into a computer room. Originally, Zhang Zhe used the study for scheduling and singing while Sheng Qing drew.
Now that Sheng Qing also needed to schedule, to avoid disturbing each other, Sheng Qing had to move to the master bedroom.
Sheng Qing’s puppy eyes sparkled with wisdom.
“Zhe, you’re living in the secondary bedroom and using the study,” Sheng Qing said slyly, “Pay 500 more rent next month.”
Zhang Zhe: ?
“Are you a dog?” he shouted.
Sheng Qing shook his head, “nonono, this is called keeping accounts clear between brothers.”
Zhang Zhe wanted to cry but had no tears, “Why do I feel like I’m being played for a fool… This is such a bad deal!”
“Oh right!” Sheng Qing remembered something else, “I’ll need to schedule later too. We should be fair – no self-criticism allowed, just tough out the fines. Reasonable, right?”
Zhang Zhe was in tears, “No way, then I won’t have a godfather…”
Sheng Qing patted his “son’s” shoulder in comfort and left.
Ah, indeed only money can make people feel completely comfortable.