Chapter 112

Chapter 112 Are We Really That Different? (A 4500-word chapter)

In his past life, Mei Fang had often interacted with the art department and knew how hard it was to find talented artists. He enthusiastically shared with Guo Yun about the future of pursuing art.

Designing characters one likes, creating scenes one enjoys, and making character designs for games like “Clannad” or anime series oneself—Guo Yun had some knowledge about this, but hearing it from Mei Fang made her feel differently. It felt like she was finally being recognized.

This recognition came from Mei Fang…

The extremely socially anxious Guo Yun scratched her head, revealing an embarrassed smile.

Just as Mei Fang was enthusiastically promoting the benefits of studying art to Guo Yun, Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi appeared at the classroom door looking for him.

“Ah Fang! Why haven’t you come back to class yet? We’re going to be late!”

Xia Yuan scolded while being drawn to the blackboard drawing Guo Yun had made:

“This is amazing… I’ve never seen a blackboard drawing like this!”

“Ahh, ahh, ahh…”

Lin You Xi also rarely expressed amazement, “This is ‘The Slope under the Cherry Blossoms,’ where朋也and渚 first meet.”

Xia Yuan hurried over to Mei Fang and asked, “Ah Fang, Ah Fang, is everything on the blackboard drawn by your classmate?”

“Yes, it’s all done by Guo Yun. Even I was surprised.”

Guo Yun already knew Lin You Xi, and Xia Yuan was also familiar with her. However, seeing Lin You Xi’s aura, Xia Yuan felt both amazed and self-conscious, quickly stepping back.

“I’ve always loved drawing these… just doodling to practice… This one is different from Yu Xinyi’s layout, I’ll erase it now.”

“No need to erase. Why would you erase it?”

Lin You Xi shook her head, “We’ll keep it as is.”

“But there’s not much space left for text.”

“There’s no need to write much text. Just fill in the theme of spring.”

With only four people in the room, Xia Yuan casually wrapped her arms around Mei Fang, making Guo Yun blush.

“Right, Ah Fang! Since Guo Yun is so good at drawing, why don’t you have her help you draw for your games? You won’t have to pay for outside artists anymore.”

Mei Fang nearly fainted from Xia Yuan’s words.

Ah ah ah! My map of Yan State hasn’t even been unlocked yet, what’s with you taking out my dagger?

“Mei Fang… are you making games?”

Lin You Xi chimed in, “Yes, we’ve made one before. Right now, we’re working on a website. The logo and mascot are still using temporary resources. Guo Yun, if you know digital painting, you might be able to help us.”

Making a website too!

Mei Fang pulled Xia Yuan away, tapped her head, and whispered to Lin You Xi, “Didn’t we agree not to tell anyone else? If the teacher finds out, we’ll be in trouble!”

“But…”

Xia Yuan covered her head, crying softly. Ah Fang doesn’t hit You Xi, but he bullies me instead.

“I, I won’t say anything! What I saw and heard today, I swear I won’t tell anyone!”

“Haha… it’s not that serious.”

Mei Fang smiled, “We are making games and websites because we couldn’t find talented friends. Seeing your talent, it would be a shame if you didn’t pursue art…”

“Uh, yes… I will talk to my family.”

“If you do, that would be great. You can make games together, Ah Fang can write the plan, You Xi can code, Guo Yun can draw, and I can compose music. Together, we can create better games.”

“You haven’t even agreed, but you’re already thinking ahead. And now, during the second semester of junior high, studies are most important.”

“If you don’t mind… If you don’t mind…”

Guo Yun looked up earnestly, “I can try! I want to try…”

Everyone expects me…

Guo Yun felt happy being needed, as if flowers were blooming behind her.

It’s written all over your face…

“See! I told you, she likes it too!”

“Alright, alright… It’s getting late, let’s go back to class.”

Mei Fang and the others returned to class to continue their tutoring session, and they described the strange scene in Class 9 to Yu Xinyi.

Yu Xinyi thought her layout was so good, she couldn’t fully change it. But after seeing Guo Yun’s drawing, she was stunned and ended up feeling defeated.

“My layout is such a kid’s thing…”

“Does this style look too unique… Well, I’m not saying I’m great, but…”

Guo Yun wasn’t used to being the center of attention, “I’m afraid Teacher Li will be upset.”

“It’s fine with Teacher Li. If there’s any problem, we still have the class president.”

Mei Fang patted Lin You Xi’s shoulder, who then glared at Mei Fang, “What do you mean ‘with me’?”

“Teacher Li will listen to your opinion, right?”

“I don’t have that power.”

“Are you saying you don’t?”

Shining…

Being with such a group makes me shine too—

Guo Yun, who was initially happy, saw her bulky figure in the window reflection and felt disheartened again.

Because she had to wait for Mei Fang and Lin You Xi to go home, Xia Yuan naturally helped with the blackboard. After finishing, it was already very late. Everyone chatted and prepared to go home, but when they reached the stairs, they found the school doors locked.

“Great, are we stuck here overnight?” Yu Xinyi complained, “Why would the security guard lock the doors without checking if there are students inside? Annoying.”

At that moment, Mei Fang and Xia Yuan returned from the other side of the building, “The door there is also locked, but we can climb down from the balcony. It’s not too high. Let’s check over there!”

The group followed Mei Fang and Xia Yuan to the balcony. There was no iron net, and a desk was placed below, which seemed safe.

“I’ll give it a try.”

As the only boy in the group, Mei Fang volunteered.

“Afang… be careful.”

Mei Fang easily climbed over the railing and landed steadily on the desk.

“It’s sturdy, it’s a new desk. Come on over.”

“Afang, catch me!”

Xia Yuan was the second to try, carefully sliding down and jumping onto Mei Fang, who caught her.

“Exciting!” Xia Yuan seemed delighted.

Lin You Xi was third, but when Mei Fang tried to help her, she simply jumped onto the desk herself, and Mei Fang only gave her a light pull.

“Your legs are so long!”

“Guo Yun, do you want to go first? I’ll go first…”

Yu Xinyi prepared to jump, but Lin You Xi was waiting to catch her.

As for Mei Fang, Xia Yuan dragged him aside to whisper.

Miss Xia, how excellent is your Ah Fang? Every girl is eyeing him!

Mei Fang, you’re up to no good!

Yu Xinyi’s liking for Mei Fang dropped by 50 points.

Lin You Xi safely caught Yu Xinyi.

Only Guo Yun was left.

Due to her weight, climbing over the railing was difficult. After several encouragements, Guo Yun had to give up.

Mei Fang suggested, “How about this, Guo Yun? We’ll go find the security guard or someone with keys. Wait here for a bit, okay?”

“Ah… yes, okay.”

Guo Yun nodded but added, “If you can’t find anyone, it’s fine to leave me here. I can wait for the security guard myself.”

“What are you saying? How could we leave you alone?”

Xia Yuan smiled, “Don’t worry, I bet we’ll find someone at the security office soon.”

Mei Fang took out paper and pen from his bag, “Guo Yun, give me your phone number. I don’t want your family to worry if it gets too late. I’ll call them from the security office.”

“Uh… okay…”

Guo Yun squatted by the stairs waiting for rescue.

At first, she felt nothing, but as time passed, she began to feel uneasy.

Will they leave me here alone?

They wouldn’t…

Maybe the security office is empty, and they went somewhere else?

But it’s because I’m too heavy; otherwise, everyone could have gone home.

I’m a burden to them, so leaving me here isn’t wrong.

Maybe I should try climbing again.

Guo Yun gritted her teeth and decided to try climbing the railing again. Just as she started, she was startled by a voice from behind.

“Hey, you don’t need to try!”

Seeing it was Mei Fang, Guo Yun panicked and almost slipped.

“I… I’m not doubting you… it’s just—”

“I know, I know, you’ve waited too long!”

Mei Fang handed Guo Yun a bottle of Pocari Sweat from the railing, “You must be thirsty. Here, drink this.”

“Thank you… I’ll pay you later.”

“It’s a gift! No need to pay.”

Guo Yun lowered her head, feeling scolded, while Mei Fang recounted their experiences after coming out:

They found the security office locked, the administration office empty, and the phone booth’s card broken. Finally, they found a teacher at the school gate who helped contact the sleeping security guard.

“They’re coming with the key now. I was worried you’d be scared waiting, so I came ahead.”

“…”

Guo Yun hugged her knees, squatting in the corner, her voice choked up after Mei Fang’s narration.

“I always thought ugly, fat girls like me could never get attention from boys…”

“What nonsense! We’re classmates, we won’t mock you.”

“Since childhood, both boys and girls called me fatty, so I played alone, gradually falling in love with anime and drawing…”

Guo Yun continued, “But I never showed my drawings to others, fearing they’d laugh. My mom always scolded me for eating too much. She said if I had the determination to learn drawing, why couldn’t I eat less…”

Guo Yun suddenly laughed to herself.

“I’m sorry… talking about such meaningless things, you don’t need to care…”

“Guo Yun, listen to me.”

Mei Fang gently knocked on the iron door, “While this may sound cliché, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It’s unnecessary to dwell on them. Moreover, mocking someone’s appearance is very rude.”

“But honestly, do you think I’m disgusting? Like seeing me makes you sick… sometimes I find myself disgusting too. I’ve considered losing weight, but I think even if I did, I’d just be a slightly thinner ugly person, so I don’t have the motivation…”

“No, no, no, you’re just too insecure… You’re not as bad as you think! I find chubby people cute too. Plus, you’re great at drawing and have a good personality. I think you’re easier to get along with than many girls your age. Just be careful not to be too eager to please, as that can backfire.”

Mei Fang smiled at the抬头的郭芸, “In short, the most important thing in life is to be happy. Whether you lose weight or learn to draw, don’t compromise yourself. As long as you’re doing what you truly want, and it won’t make you regret, everyone will understand.”

Mei Fang spoke at length, feeling a bit parched. He drank some water, noticed Guo Yun’s silence, and grew anxious.

“Did I say something too preachy and embarrass you? If so, just pretend you didn’t hear me.”

“Hahaha—”

Guo Yun burst into laughter, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Did I say something funny?”

Guo Yun shook her head and smiled at Mei Fang, “I didn’t expect you to worry about saying the wrong thing.”

“So, we’re really not that different?”

“Not entirely,” Guo Yun smiled, “Look, you have two beautiful childhood friends who both like you. You’re like a hero from an anime.”

“Afraid… If you insist, it’s just friendship. Middle schoolers shouldn’t date.”

“I’ll seriously talk to my mom about art. And about your studio, I want to know more. Whatever you need me to draw, I’ll do it. I want to join you, to witness things together, if possible.”

“Haha, of course! We welcome you.”

“By the way, I’m neutral—I’m neither a ‘Yuan Party’ nor a ‘Xi Party’!”

Guo Yun scratched her head, “So you don’t have to worry about me suddenly acting like Yu Xinyi—”

“Hahaha, I understand, I understand!”

Mei Fang never expected to chat so happily with Guo Yun, who used to always be preoccupied with her own thoughts.

Back then, Mei Fang wasn’t into anime, so they had no intersection, which was normal.

But, to be honest, fate is indeed a strange thing…

Though the update is late, it’s two chapters’ worth of content. Thinking about it, doesn’t Cao Man’s image become more glorious?

(End of Chapter)