Coloring an illustration still takes time. Xia Xi explained while working, but I just couldn’t get interested. I used the chance to look around her room.

“Your room’s such a mess. Not much better than a dog’s den, is it?”

I felt uneasy—I’m a bit of a cleanliness freak. Even when swamped, I always clean my own place spotless. That sense of accomplishment? Indescribable.

Now, stuck in this filthy room… I almost grabbed a broom to start cleaning.

Xia Xi walked over and gave me a light pinch. “Stop gawking at a girl’s room like a pervert! Pay attention. Do you know how many manga newbies would beg on their knees for my one-on-one guidance?”

Those guys are the real perverts! They just want to suck up—they don’t care about your “guidance”!

“Do you ever clean?”

“I clean sometimes,” Xia Xi replied awkwardly. “About once a week.”

So after one week, it’s this bad? Or do you not clean properly at all?

Noticing my look, she waved her hand. “I’m swamped with work—who has time?”

“What about Auntie Cai? Doesn’t she help?”

“No way I’d let her in here. What if she finds my drawings?”

So you know they’re indecent… At least you’re self-aware.

Xia Xi handed me the stylus. “Here. Try coloring one. Let me see.”

“Okay.”

I took it and started on the tablet.

I picked a line-pattern screentone for the hair shadow. The moment I clicked, Xia Xi slapped my hand. “No! No taste at all? Use #013—the dot pattern gives better depth.”

“Huh? Won’t it look jarring?”

“Nope. Just try.”

Under her guidance, I applied it. “Click this,” she continued, “then trim the excess with the stylus…”

Her face was close. I stole a glance—first time seeing her so focused…

“Don’t use this color! No fashion sense? F-A-S-H-I-O-N. Spell it with me?”

“Ugh! You ruined it—the lines are covered. Are you a pig? Can’t even do this simple thing.”

“…”

Patience? Not her strong suit. Just harsh.

After half an hour, Xia Xi finally got it. “I understand now.”

She frowned at me. “—Your drawing talent matches a monkey’s.”

Speechless… Even I agreed. I’m no artist.

Ashamed, I offered, “Let me clean your room instead. I’m good at housework.”

Xia Xi hesitated, then relented. “Fine. I’ll allow it.”

“Well, thank you for your imperial grace.”

“There are my used panties in here too. Find them while cleaning? You can sneak them home. Go treasure hunting, boy!”

“Die already! I wouldn’t steal your panties! How perverted do you think I am?!” I yelled, storming out to find brooms downstairs.

After greeting Auntie Cai, I grabbed the tools and headed up.

Back in Xia Xi’s room, I set them by the door and started gathering clothes and snack wrappers.

Xia Xi sat at her desk, absorbed in drawing, energy buzzing.

“Heh heh…”

When excited, a mischievous grin spread, her signature laugh escaping.

I held the folded clothes. “Worn all these? Should I wash them?”

Too focused, she snapped, “Whatever. Doesn’t matter.”

“I’ll put them in this basket. Wash them tomorrow.”

“You do it.”

“Hey, they’re your clothes. A guy washing a girl’s underwear? And Auntie Cai’s downstairs—what if she asks?”

Xia Xi pouted. “So troublesome. Fine, I’ll handle it.”

She never turned, still drawing fiercely.

I swept the floor.

“Hey, Zong Jun.”

Xia Xi paused her pen. “You’re in my class, right?”

Still cleaning, back to her, I answered, “Yeah. Didn’t I say that?”

“Happy at school?”

“Why ask?”

“Just curious. Answer.”

“Hmm…” I stroked my chin. “Pretty happy. Interesting teachers and classmates, though classes suck. English? If Genghis Khan tried harder, everyone’d speak Chinese now… Math formulas? Ugh…”

I rambled about school joys and headaches—ordinary stuff. But Xia Xi didn’t interrupt. For once, she listened quietly.

“I see.”

She simply said it, then resumed drawing.

I asked carefully, “So… come to school with me tomorrow?”

“No.”

Instant refusal.

I sighed, sweeping on.

Could Miss Jinmu really convince Xia Xi to go? If even she failed, I’d have to give up.

Felt bad for Auntie Cai… but no choice.