Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Blackboard Painting

After being called out by Li Shibing for a talk, Guo Yun returned with a very guilty look. When she switched seats, she didn’t dare to speak to Tang Yu and only silently moved her desk next to Mei Fang.

Sigh…

Why is this happening…

Mei Fang smiled and greeted Guo Yun, who awkwardly nodded and then lowered her head to pretend to read the textbook.

Seeing her nervous demeanor, Mei Fang asked, “Did Li Shibing not explain the reason for the seat change?”

“Not clearly… It’s just…”

Guo Yun thought for a moment, “Is it because I’ve asked him to move too many times? Or is it because I often talk to you guys?”

Mei Fang shook his head and said mysteriously, “It’s because Tang Yu wants to sit next to Yu Lin.”

“Ah… Is that so?”

“Yeah, don’t let Tang Yu’s usual serious demeanor fool you. They were elementary school classmates and have always been good friends.”

Though Tang Yu had never said such things, Mei Fang’s description was true. Guo Yun was half-convinced but felt somewhat relieved.

Being Mei Fang’s deskmate was like a dream come true for her.

Previously, she had been rejected by many people. I need to behave well and not let Mei Fang dislike me…

Today, Guo Yun listened to the class more attentively than ever.

For Mei Fang, having Guo Yun as his deskmate again was like closing a loop in his past timeline. He believed that if Guo Yun sat next to someone nice, she wouldn’t face much bullying or mockery, and he might avoid the situation of transferring schools again.

During the break in the afternoon, Xia Yuan peeked through the classroom door. After being reminded, Mei Fang went out to talk to Xia Yuan.

“Are you here for me or You Xi?”

“Not really, I just wanted to check.”

Xia Yuan spoke honestly yet with a hint of pride, “Xiao Xue told me she saw your new female deskmate when she passed by our classroom. She said you were chatting happily with her.”

“She’s always causing trouble…”

Mei Fang stepped aside to let Xia Yuan confirm, and after seeing Guo Yun, Xia Yuan reassured, “Apart from me, you don’t have much experience sitting with girls. Since she’s a girl, don’t bully her.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

Guo Yun, like in her previous life, was easy to get along with. She always tried to be friendly and maintain good relations with those around her, actively participating in tasks like cleaning.

Because Guo Yun shared magazines like “Mengya” and “Zhiyin Manke,” Yue Xinyi had a good impression of her. Yue Xinyi frequently introduced Mei Fang and Lin You Xi’s special relationship to Guo Yun, making them gradually become more talkative.

Even though she had good friends, Guo Yun still maintained a timid demeanor.

When Mei Fang and Zhang Ming met Guo Yun at the cafeteria, she still sat alone in a corner.

Once, Mei Fang approached her and sat opposite her, startling her so much that she couldn’t eat properly. When Mei Fang asked why she didn’t eat with Yue Xinyi and Lin You Xi, she replied that she didn’t want to disturb them and quickly finished eating before leaving.

This is difficult…

Mei Fang genuinely wanted to help Guo Yun overcome her inferiority complex and submissive nature, but he couldn’t think of a way other than urging her to lose weight and boost her confidence.

Mei Fang wasn’t ready to meddle so deeply; he would consider it later.

In the second week of Guo Yun joining Mei Fang’s group, it was time for Mei Fang’s group to work on the blackboard painting.

The blackboard painting at the back of the classroom changed monthly, each with a fixed theme. As the group leader, Mei Fang needed to assign tasks and discuss the theme.

However, in junior high second semester, everyone was under great academic pressure. Most members just wanted to get by. Mei Fang realized they could only do it after their remedial class on Saturday afternoon, which was already late. So, he thought about dividing the tasks.

But one person in the group had a different mindset—Yue Xinyi, the Chinese class representative.

“We didn’t do well last time. This might be our last chance to make a blackboard painting. We might not have this opportunity in junior three. Let’s take it seriously. You Xi, what do you think?”

Lin You Xi hadn’t participated in the previous blackboard painting due to illness and naturally agreed with Yue Xinyi, “We can divide into two groups. Those not attending remedial classes can handle part of the sections. We’ll finish the rest after class.”

One girl responded, “But class monitor… I’m going to be a bridesmaid this Saturday. My brother is getting married.”

Another girl added, “I need to get my braces adjusted. I won’t have time then…”

A boy shook his head, “I’m not good at drawing. I wouldn’t be much help anyway.”

Yue Xinyi complained, “You can at least do some miscellaneous tasks. Hurry up!”

“I might have a game on Saturday! Maybe we can just sketch something quickly tonight. Ugh, we’re not kids anymore. What’s the point of doing this?”

Clearly, even with the encouragement of the class monitor, everyone wasn’t enthusiastic about the blackboard painting.

“I… I have time…” Guo Yun raised her hand. “I’m free on Saturday. I can come early and help paint.”

“Great! Guo Yun, it’s wonderful that you have time!”

Yue Xinyi excitedly said, “Our April blackboard painting can follow the usual format, a spring theme. I’ll find a layout first and draw it. Then you can start with the underlined parts. If you’re not confident about the text and pictures, we can finish them together after class…”

Even if it was just doing menial tasks, the feeling of being needed made Guo Yun happy.

On Saturday, despite Xia Yuan’s friends wanting to hang out, she lacked enthusiasm since her last test results were poor. She was now copying mistakes into her error book, feeling overwhelmed.

“There are less than two months until the Bai Mei No. 1 High School science experimental class entrance exam. I hope everyone can show some spirit and give a satisfactory answer to our hard work.”

Mei Fang had clear life goals and pursued the science experimental class.

He thought that if he could enter the science experimental class of No. 1 High School now, he wouldn’t have to worry about his future studies in junior three and could focus on games, websites, and learning guitar.

Besides the early bird approach and C Station, Mei Fang didn’t have many achievements yet. The later he started, the fewer successful cases he could learn from. He needed to achieve something soon.

But if he wanted to create a more advanced game, lacking talented artists would be troublesome…

“Afang… What’s this problem? Can you help me?”

Xia Yuan’s voice was filled with frustration. She was clearly troubled by her recent test failure.

Seeing Xia Yuan so upset, Mei Fang put aside his thoughts and comforted her.

He patted Xia Yuan’s shoulder and leaned closer, “Let me see…”

At the same time, Lin You Xi sighed quietly while looking at Xia Yuan’s tear-stained test paper.

During the break, Mei Fang went to the restroom and thought Guo Yun might have arrived at the classroom. He decided to greet her on his way.

As soon as Mei Fang entered the classroom, he froze—drawn in by the beautiful scene depicted on the blackboard.

The blackboard was painted with a vibrant sakura-covered path, though drawn with chalk, it looked lifelike. At the bottom, two figures held hands, smiling at each other. For such simple blackboard paintings, it was an incredible downgrade.

Mei Fang’s arrival caused a commotion. Guo Yun, engrossed in her creation, hurriedly grabbed the eraser to erase it.

“It was just practice! I’ll use Yue Xinyi’s layout to paint the blackboard painting…”

“Don’t erase! Why erase such a good blackboard painting!”

Mei Fang carefully examined Guo Yun’s work, “If I’m not mistaken, this sakura-covered path and these two characters are the protagonists of Clannad, right?”

“You also watch Clannad!” Guo Yun’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why can’t I?”

“No, it’s just… It’s hard to believe meeting a fellow fan in real life.”

“Well, our class monitor has watched it too.”

Though I recommended it…

Mei Fang smiled and asked Guo Yun,

“Guo Yun, do you know how to use a graphics tablet?”

“Before… My sister gave me one she wasn’t using. I used it for a while, but it broke.”

“If you want to try again, I can lend mine to you. Speaking of which, have you considered becoming an art student?”

“Huh…?”

“Because I think you have real talent in painting. Whether it’s scenes or characters, you’re excellent. If you love painting, don’t waste your talent!”

“I… I’ve thought about it… But I haven’t decided yet. My parents are worried about my future prospects.”

“There are prospects, absolutely!”

At this moment, a different light sparkled in Mei Fang’s eyes—

Enthusiasm for anime, experience with digital painting, excellent color coordination, and perspective techniques. This young child had so many advantages. Perhaps he could cultivate her into the artist their studio had been lacking—a main artist!

Tonight’s update will be delayed. I’ve been reorganizing the outline all day, and I’m so tired.

Damn, I wrote the title wrong.

(End of Chapter)