Nainai instinctively nodded her little head, then suddenly realized and quickly shook it.
This action left Bai Ningning confused: "Busy, but not busy?"
So, just a little busy, not completely busy, right?
"I was quite busy at first, with a lot of assignments," Nainai said softly, "but now there aren't any."
Bai Ningning blinked: "What do you mean?"
"I was providing content for a mobile game team, but they are about to disband, and many people have been poached," Nainai said cautiously, "so now I... have nothing to do."
Ah, this is a client-side issue; that's indeed quite unavoidable.
Bai Ningning thought for a moment and comforted her: "It's okay, your skills are great; you'll easily find new work."
She had seen the artwork Nainai showcased on her QQ space. Although the subjects were all loli characters, the quality was excellent, enough to be considered game-level commercial work.
However, Nainai shook her little head in disappointment: "I can't do it."
"How can you not? I've seen your drawings," Bai Ningning said, "they're very cute."
A hint of bitterness flashed across Nainai's small face: "They're only cute... I mean, I can only draw those characters."
Bai Ningning tilted her head: "Isn't that bad?"
"The assignments for loli characters are limited; the market doesn't need many," Nainai sighed again, "In today's commercial art market, big sisters are much more popular."
Bai Ningning was taken aback: "Is it hard to sell loli character illustrations now?"
"I can't say they're unsellable, but... how should I put it," Nainai said softly, "In today's market, even if the character is a loli, the illustrations need to lean towards... a more mature direction."
This is the reality of competition; life is tough, sighed the loli.
Bai Ningning finished a set of blood circulation massage techniques and released her hands: "I see, then why don't you try switching to a more popular style?"
Before Nainai could respond, she asked, "How does it feel? Is it better?"
What feels better? Her foot?
Nainai belatedly realized and shyly nodded, trying to move her little foot, which was wearing white bubble socks, down.
"No need," Bai Ningning gently grasped her ankle, "If you put it down, you won't be able to touch the ground. It wouldn't be good if you got hurt again, so just leave it like that."
"Okay," Nainai buried her small head on the table, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
What? Didn't I scare you into a cramp? How is it all your fault?
Bai Ningning asked in confusion: "What do you blame yourself for?"
"I blame myself for being too short," Nainai raised her little face, looking very pitiful, "because I can't touch the ground, that's why I cramped."
Well... that does make some sense.
"Alright, back to the main topic," Bai Ningning continued to massage her calves, "Why don't you try drawing a more popular style, like big sisters?"
"I can't draw," Nainai said with a sad little face, "there are... difficulties."
Difficulties?
Bai Ningning didn't understand: "What about girls? Can you draw girls?"
"I can only draw very small girls, but the popular ones are older girls... I can't draw them," Nainai said pitifully, "there are still difficulties; it's all my fault."
Bai Ningning was about to ask what those difficulties were when she noticed the little loli's gaze drifting to her pillow.
Oh, I see, it's that kind of difficulty.
"Anyway, I'll find a way," Nainai said, gathering her courage, "you don't need to worry about me, senior."
Bai Ningning hesitated for a moment but nodded: "Okay, fine."
She originally wanted to say that she could help solve that difficulty. Let's find some time to go to your house so you have a reference to practice well.
But saying something like that abruptly might scare her. Nainai is a timid loli who can't handle stimulation.
Bai Ningning's gentle gaze fell on Nainai.
Hang in there, Nainai. If you get tired, you can always tell me—senior, I don't want to try anymore.
At that time, let Ningning help you solve your difficulties.
The public class ended, and Bai Ningning finished her blood circulation massage. Nainai packed her bag, her little face flushed as she bid farewell to Bai Ningning.
"Thank you, senior. Goodbye."
"Is this goodbye then?" Bai Ningning looked at her ankle, "Can you walk? Or should I help you back?"
"No, no, no, it's not necessary."
It's just a cramp, and after resting for so long, it's already fine.
"Alright then."
Watching the loli leave, Bai Ningning stretched and lazily yawned.
Another week of school was coming to an end, but unfortunately, she couldn't just lie in bed for two days over the weekend; she still had to go to that company to discuss some mobile game project with the manager.
There's no way around it; that's the downside of relying on others.
Returning home in the evening, with the smoke from dinner just rising, Bai Ningning found her favorite sofa and casually lay down.
To be honest, she felt quite regretful about the weekend arrangements. Because she thought carefully, it seemed that Qin Yue's state this week was noticeably not high-spirited; she seemed to have entered a cooling-off period.
For example, she was so wild on Monday, and the big sister was very angry.
It was said that they would settle accounts on Wednesday.
However, on Wednesday, Qin Mom came, seemingly fierce and ready to say a lot, but in the end, she just raised her hand high and gently put it down, saying nothing substantial.
Bai Ningning had reason to suspect that Qin Mom was brought over by Qin Yue to save the situation, to avoid exposing the truth that she had no energy to deal with things that day.
Then came the weekend. Logically, after a week of pent-up anger, she should have let it out over the weekend.
But instead, there was a meeting at the company to discuss a mobile game project, and Qin Yue personally admitted that it was her specific instruction.
This clearly indicated that Qin Yue was in a period of rest and recovery this week, with no energy to deal with me, humph.
So, I should casually practice my communication skills over the weekend. No matter what I say, even if it makes the big sister furious and adds to her anger, she would be powerless, right?
"What are you thinking about?" Qin Yue walked over and saw Bai Ningning in a daze, curiously asking.
"Thinking about you," Bai Ningning replied.
Qin Yue was slightly taken aback, her heart warming. She never expected that the little green tea would think of her; did she have a place in her heart?
The big sister was in a good mood and reached out to play with her hair: "What about me are you thinking?"
"I was thinking about how you have endured for so long this week, from Monday to Friday. Every time you said you would deal with me, it always got postponed due to various coincidences," Bai Ningning tilted her pretty little face and looked at her calmly, "Once or twice is a coincidence, twice or three times is also a coincidence, right? It must be a coincidence, how could it not be?"
What?
Qin Yue bit her silver teeth: "What you mean by thinking of me is this?"
"Or what?" Bai Ningning tilted her head slightly. "Monday, you said you had class. Tuesday, you said Aunt Qin was coming on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday goes without saying. Thursday, you pretended not to exist. And Friday, you said you had important weekend plans. You're really busy, aren't you, Yueyue?"
Since you're busy over the weekend, let's talk more now and practice my eloquence.