Qiu Yun spent the next month working as an expressionless model.
That afternoon, it was another long sketching session. Qiu Yun sat at the front of the classroom, striking a pose that looked like she had a toothache, her head tilted to one side. As she sat there, she was mentally debating whether to go window-shopping with Wang Chen over the weekend. Suddenly, she felt an itch on her back. She wanted to reach back and scratch it but felt too self-conscious to do so. Just as she was forcing herself to endure it, a commotion erupted behind her as a large group of people filed into the room.
Glancing toward the door out of the corner of her eye, she saw a man in his forties dressed in a Zhongshan suit, looking every bit the government official. He was flanked by academy leaders, professors, and a journalist carrying a camera.
The school leader enthusiastically introduced the scene to the official. "This is one of our studios; the students are currently in a sketching class. That young student sitting up front—" the leader pointed toward the front of the room, and Qiu Yun instinctively straightened her spine— "is also one of our students. The academy provides work-study opportunities for students from impoverished backgrounds, and serving as a portrait model is one of them."
The official nodded solemnly and walked further into the classroom to inspect the work. He made a circuit of the room, occasionally stopping behind a student to ask a few questions. Qiu Yun realized this must be an inspection from the education department. However, the spot on her back felt as if a flea were dancing on it; the more she tried to ignore it, the itchier it became. The moment the leaders finally left the room, she immediately slumped, reached her right hand inside her coat, and began to scratch vigorously, completely abandoning any sense of decorum.
*Ah... that feels amazing...* The sensation of her nails raking across her skin, varying in pressure, was pure bliss. Qiu Yun took a deep breath, nearly letting out a groan of relief.
"Model student," a voice suddenly interrupted her enjoyment, "please hold on and return to your previous pose."
The hand on her back froze. That voice... it sounded familiar.
***
Liang He had returned yesterday afternoon.
X City had hosted a forum for young painters, and he, along with another young teacher from the department, had attended as representatives of the academy. The training and seminar had lasted a full month. Having just returned, he learned that officials from the Bureau of Education were coming to inspect the school’s academic and daily life today. As a freshman counselor, it was only natural for him to accompany them.
He had been somewhat surprised when he walked into the classroom and saw Qiu Yun sitting motionless on the platform, her expression solemn but her eyes completely vacant. He was all too familiar with that look of hers—her body was present, but her soul was miles away. He knew that sitting still for two hours like that was a true trial for her. Suppressing a smile, he cleared his throat lightly and followed the group, unashamedly observing her. Once the leaders had departed, he stayed behind. He walked over to a student’s side, intending to correct their perspective, when he saw the model on the platform begin to twist her body and scratch her back in front of everyone.
And so, he put on a stern face and told her to return to her pose.
As expected, Qiu Yun stiffened.
She turned her head and saw Liang He standing in the front row. He held a pencil as if preparing to correct a drawing, looking at her with total seriousness.
After a month apart, Liang He’s appearance hadn't changed much, though his hair was shorter—he had clearly gotten a haircut. His clothes were thinner now, making him look quite refreshed and sharp. Looking at him, Qiu Yun felt a strange, quiet drumming in her heart. For a moment, she forgot to turn away, her gaze lingering on him quite openly.
"Model student," Liang He prompted, moving his pencil in a small circle like a conductor giving a friendly reminder. "Turn back a little more. That wasn't the pose you had just now."
Qiu Yun finally snapped out of it. Feeling sheepish, she turned sideways and cupped her cheek with her left hand, resuming her "toothache" performance.
"Model student," the voice came from behind her again, "it was the right hand, not the left."
Qiu Yun switched to her right hand.
Liang He smiled with satisfaction and leaned over to help a student correct their sketch. Qiu Yun watched his figure, feeling more and more like he was doing this on purpose.
Liang He gave pointers to almost every student as he moved from the left side of the classroom to the right. When he reached a certain spot, he suddenly stood up and clapped his hands, addressing the class. "Everyone, stop for a moment. There’s a common issue I’d like to discuss."
He asked the student in front of him to stand up and sat down at the drawing board himself. He beckoned the others, and the students quickly gathered around.
"Look at this model," he began. "The first thing you must determine is her silhouette and proportions. She is seated, leaning against the table, propping up her chin, with her head turned slightly to one side. Establish this first—fix the proportional relationship between the head, the torso, and the legs." He made a few strokes on the paper, looked up to confirm, and drew a few more. "Once the general shape is set, then you begin the details. Don't focus on details from the start. I see some students who have only drawn the upper body and haven't even placed the legs before they start detailing the face. That is incorrect."
Liang He’s expression was professional, serious, and focused, but Qiu Yun was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. She knew she was just a common model, no different from any old man from the market or cleaning lady who might sit there. But hearing Liang He explain her features, knowing he was looking at her, a sense of restlessness surged within her.
She could almost feel his gaze moving over her, inch by inch.
It was nothing short of torture.
Yet, Professor Liang continued his professional guidance.
"...Her face is somewhat oval, but because she is propping up her cheek, her face is tilted slightly upward. Therefore, the proportions aren't the usual thirds; the section from the chin to the philtrum will be longer than one-third of the face," Liang He said. "Note that there is a distinct contrast of light and shadow on the model's face. Look closely..."
*Model! Student! Model student! Don't you know my name?*
*And 'look closely'?*
Qiu Yun felt certain that Liang He was doing this intentionally!
"...The left side of the model's face is the light-facing side. Some of you noticed this, but your transitions are too harsh. A girl in her early twenties has full facial muscles, so the reflection of light should be a gradual gradient..." Liang He lowered his head to demonstrate a few strokes, then looked up, observing for a moment. He continued, "And because of the light, her eyes..." Liang He paused, his voice softening unconsciously. "There is a light in her eyes. Because of that light, her eyelashes are also clearly visible... the contours of the eyelids, the lash line, the undereye area... there is a thin, golden glow..."
At this point, Liang He suddenly fell silent. He didn't continue that line of thought, instead switching to a summary. "I hope that when you create, you can pay attention to these points and apply them to other subjects."
Hearing this, Qiu Yun felt a massive wave of relief.
Several students didn't move, silently digesting Liang He’s words. They nodded as if having reached an epiphany, their eyes still fixed on the front.
Liang He followed their gaze to where Qiu Yun sat motionless. Usually, she was quirky and mischievous, the type who would "climb the roof and strip the tiles" if left unsupervised for three days. But now, she possessed a strange stillness, like a "maiden at rest," even under the scrutiny of the crowd. He felt a sudden, inexplicable flash of irritation and stood up.
"Students, return to your seats and continue drawing."
Just as he spoke, the bell rang to end the session. Liang He immediately added, "Class dismissed, then."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
中山装 | Zhongshan suit | Also known as the Mao suit; formal attire for officials in 1980s China.
勤工俭学 | Work-study | A program allowing students from low-income families to work part-time jobs provided by the school.
辅导员 | Counselor / Instructor | In Chinese universities, a staff member responsible for the political and personal guidance of students.
人中 | Philtrum | The vertical groove between the base of the nose and the border of the upper lip.
卧蚕 | Undereye fullness | Literally "lying silkworm"; the natural puffiness below the lower eyelid, often considered a beauty trait in East Asia.
静若处子 | Still as a maiden | Part of the idiom "Quiet as a maiden, moving like an escaping rabbit," describing someone who is very calm and still.
