Luo Ying met Cheng Ji during the spring of her junior year.
She had just accepted a commission from a publisher. She took her tablet to the south bank of the city moat. She sat on a small hill to draw.
Her original major was Animation. Later, she developed a high interest in illustration. She willfully changed her major.
There was a publisher near [Yuntai Academy of Fine Arts]. They mostly published children's books and textbooks. She noticed them long ago. She finally gathered the courage to walk in during her junior year.
She found the Editor-in-Chief. She showed him her sketches.
The editor took the tablet. He scrolled through the pages. His frown disappeared. A look of surprise replaced his irritation. He looked at her clear face. "Are you a student at the Academy? What year?"
"Junior year." Luo Ying saw his expression change. She gave a confident smile. "Can you give me some work? I do not need pay at first. Treat it as a learning opportunity."
The editor laughed. "Add my contact info."
He took out his phone. He added Luo Ying. "I will give you a few simple ones first. Thirty per page. However, if you do not meet my requirements, you get zero [Exp] (No money)."
Luo Ying nodded like a little chick. "Mm-hmm!" (I understand!).
After that day, she became an illustrator for the publisher. Her pay increased from thirty to one hundred.
She received her first commission for a cover and interior pages. She felt excited and nervous. She took her tablet to a quiet hill on the south bank.
The air was full of spring life. Luo Ying took a deep breath. She opened her drawing software.
She finished the draft. Now, she needed to color it. She held her stylus. She chose a specific tool from over a thousand brushes. This was a [Unique Skill: Custom Brush]. Her classmates wanted to buy it for a high price. She gave it to them for free.
She selected a color block. Her pen moved across the screen. It was not a simple fill. She used many strokes. It gave the art a hand-painted texture.
The publisher required this. It could not look like AI work.
Luo Ying entered a [Focused State]. She did not notice her surroundings. Suddenly, a warm breath hit her left cheek. She ignored it at first. The breath kept hitting her face. It felt itchy.
She rubbed her face. She kept working. A cute rabbit appeared on the screen. The flowers and grass next to it were smiling. It matched the spring scenery.
"One rabbit is too lonely. Draw another one."
A voice appeared next to her. It startled her. She turned her head. She saw an interested face.
"Who are you? Why are you peeking at my work?" Luo Ying moved back. She glared at the man.
He wore a white striped tracksuit. He had a buzz cut. His skin was slightly dark. He had narrow phoenix eyes. The corners of his eyes turned upward. His dark gaze moved to Luo Ying's face.
Luo Ying felt surprised. His eyes were as clear as a glacier. They also showed a wild streak. It was a strange contrast. She suddenly wanted to draw him.
"Why did you only draw a female rabbit?" He glanced at the tablet. He focused on the screen again. "Look, right here."
He pointed at the empty space next to the rabbit. "Add a male rabbit. It is only right for the spring season."
Luo Ying pulled her tablet back. She was angry. The publisher only asked for one rabbit. There was no such thing as a male or female rabbit!
If she added another one, she would not get paid. She would have to redo the work. It was a waste of [Stamina].
"Are you drawing this or am I?" Luo Ying rolled her eyes. Where did this [Target: Annoying Person] come from?
He sat down on the hill. He sat right next to Luo Ying.
Luo Ying moved away with disgust. She stared at him warily. 'Leave me alone. Do not disturb my work.'
He did not understand her gaze. Or he ignored it. He did not move closer. He began to critique her art. "The image is clean. The colors are elegant. Are you a student at the Academy? An illustration major?"
Luo Ying ignored him. She planned to finish coloring in the morning. She wanted to submit the work in the afternoon. She did not want to waste time on a stranger.
"Hey, why are you ignoring me? That is rude." The man raised his voice. He sounded displeased.
Luo Ying was annoyed. The quiet atmosphere was gone. She turned off the screen. She stood up to leave.
The man stood up too. He blocked her path. He had a playful smile. "Why can you not take advice? Humility leads to progress. Pride leads to failure. Did your teacher not teach you that?"
Luo Ying did not look at him. She tried to walk around him. She wanted to go back to school.
He stepped forward. Luo Ying bumped into his arm.
The impact was light. It was just a graze. However, he let out a cry. "Ouch!" (I am injured!).
He fell to the ground. He grabbed Luo Ying's pant leg. He began to cry. "Are you trying to run away after hitting me? You look like a white rabbit, but you are actually a big gray wolf! This is a hit-and-run! Where is the justice? Where is the fairness? Where is your chat ID? Where is your phone number?"
Luo Ying tried to pull her leg away. She could not move. She glared at the man on the ground. She was unlucky. She had encountered a [Random Event: Scammer].
"If you want to fake an injury, find someone bigger than you." Luo Ying gave a cold sneer. "Get up or I will call the police! Let them teach you a lesson!"
The man immediately stood up. Luo Ying finally realized how tall he was.
Luo Ying only reached his chest. He stood in front of her. He cast a large shadow over her. The pressure was intense.
Luo Ying stepped back. She watched him carefully.
He scratched the back of his head. He gave a sheepish smile. "Do not be angry. It was a joke. My name is Cheng Ji. Like a 'mark' or a 'trace.' What is your name?"
Luo Ying wanted to mock him. He spoke first.
"If you do not tell me, I can find out anyway. You should just add me as a friend. It will save me the trouble."
Luo Ying regretted not learning martial arts. She wanted to kick him.
She turned around. She ran toward the school as fast as possible. She thought Cheng Ji would chase her. She listened for footsteps.
Fortunately, there was no sound.
The next evening, Lu Liangchen came to find Luo Ying for dinner. Jiang Yuqing walked next to Luo Ying. Her eyes were fixed on Lu Liangchen. She did not hide her crush.
Luo Ying and Lu Liangchen were used to it. They ignored her. The three of them walked out of the school gate. Suddenly, they heard a whistle.
Luo Ying recognized Cheng Ji immediately. She moved closer to Lu Liangchen. They locked fingers.
Cheng Ji's sharp gaze fell on their hands. His expression changed for a moment. Then, he gave a wicked smile. He looked at Lu Liangchen with hostility.
"Luo Ying! [Class: Junior Illustration Student]. [Age: 21]. [Zodiac: Dragon]. [Father: Luo Sheng - CEO of Yuntai Construction]. Your mother..." Cheng Ji had his hands in his pockets. He leaned forward. He listed her [Character Stats] one by one.
"Shut up! You!" Luo Ying trembled with anger. Her face turned red.
Lu Liangchen charged forward. He swung his fist at Cheng Ji's face.
Jiang Yuqing let out a scream. "Ah!" (Help!).