QianFan GuoJin was very irritated these days.
She’s very confident in her skills, as a doujin artist with hundreds of thousands of followers.
Her fans had praised her too often, and she easily forgets certain things.
Having her draft rejected by FeiFan Games was like a slap to her face, and was an event that made her look very bad.
She has a lot of fans and a decent amount of antifans as well. When her fans began to criticize FeiFan Games, a post on an anonymous forum appeared that mocked her for not being good enough, and laughed at her for being worse than a no-name, unpopular artist.
This made her even more annoyed.
So when she saw that long Weibo post defaming Xie Ning, she immediately shared it.
At that time, several of her close friends thought that it was almost impossible to superimpose two pictures and have their outlines match, 100%.
Nobody thought that they would all be severely slapped by Xie Ning’s clarification video.
She dejectedly deleted the shared post from her Weibo page, and even though she was ridiculed by some, her followers still supported her to the end.
Not long after, a third slap was thrown at her.
Xie Ning was actually the original concept artist for PiXiu.
QianFan GuoJin is someone who completely understood just how popular the character PiXiu is.
Most of her Weibo followers were attracted to her account because of the PiXiu doujins she had drawn.
But a doujin artist would never be able to surpass the original.
Drawing doujin and drawing original art are two completely different things. Not a single doujin artist would be able to shamelessly say that their doujin art is better than the original.
Even though her followers like her PiXiu art, it’s admiration based on their love for PiXiu. However, the original concept artist is PiXiu’s creator, and naturally the foundation of their love.
QianFan GuoJin laughed bitterly for a while, and ended up sighing, issuing an apology statement: “I feel very sorry for misunderstanding Teacher XN during the tracing accusations…..”
But Xie Ning didn’t see her apology statement, and furthermore, he wasn’t even paying attention to what was happening online these days.
“Xie Ning, you’re now a big V on Weibo, with tens of thousands of fans.” When Yan Xi called to take credit, Xie Ning was in the car.
He glanced at the passing scenery outside the window, and asked, “Did you buy me followers?
Yan Xi choked. “I didn’t buy them, they’re all real followers!”
Xie Ning furrowed his brow, and asked, wondering, “Is it that easy to get followers now?”
“Boss,” Yan Xi said, “It’s the age of the Internet. It’s just tens of thousands of followers, and at your level, even getting hundreds of thousands of followers is not enough.”
“Oh.” Xie Ning didn’t understand much of the Internet, and didn’t get the concept Yan Xi was talking about. “So it’s like that.”
Xie Ning said, “I have nothing good to post.”
Yan Xi taught him, saying, “Post a random picture, or interact with the comments when you have nothing to do.”
Xie Ning frowned. “Troublesome.”
After a pause, he said, “A waste of time.”
Yan Xi: “...”
“Alright.” Yan Xi didn’t try to force him, rubbed his forehead, saying, “The boss is willful. We can just say your image is that of a cold person’s.”
Xie Ning didn’t really understand, but didn’t really care. Yan Xi can do whatever he wants.
While he listened to Yan Xi ramble on, he clicked open Weibo.
In the past couple days, he received an explosive amount of comments @ing him, and his messages inbox was filled with various news. There were even people who called to try and commission him.
Xie Ning didn’t plan to accept any more work for the near future. He was going to research and learn more about how original game art and original film and television art differed.
As he was thinking this, he made a new Weibo post:
XN_zxcvbnm: I don’t look at messages, I’m not accepting work, as I’m in the middle of studying.
--Did I get the front row?! Teacher XN, look at me! I love the PiXiu you designed!!!!!
--Even the boss needs to study, what about those of us that have damaged hands?
--A confession for Teacher XN! Teacher’s works are super great!
……
“Young Master, is it here?” Wu Shu, the driver asked, stepping on the brakes.
Xie Ning looked outside. There were a couple of stones, as tall as humans, outside of the community gate. Four large, Chinese characters above the gate, “Purple East Garden”, could be seen with just a glance.
Xie Ning gave a nod. “It’s here.”
Yan Xi could hear the movement from his side of the line. “Are you outside?”
“Mhm.” Xie Ning explained, “I scheduled a visit to Teacher Yang Rui’s today.”
Yan Xi understood and said, “Okay, then I won’t bother you for now,” hanging up the phone right after saying these words.
Xie Ning told the driver, “I might be here for the whole afternoon. You can go back to the compound if you’d like.”
The compound is Elder Xie’s retirement home. Xie Ning doesn’t have a private driver, since he doesn’t go outside often, so he borrows Elder Xie’s driver when he needs one.
Wu Shu smiled and responded, “It’s okay, I’ll find somewhere to wait. Elder Xie isn’t going out today, and told me to take good care of you. Just send me a message when you want to return.”
To give Teacher Yang Rui a good impression, Xie Ning dressed in a very student-like manner today. His clothes were simple and loose, but he was afraid he would be cold, so he wore a light blue scarf.
This outfit actually quite matched Zhuang Yan’s earlier description of him, like a recently graduated university student.
Teacher Yang Rui has retired from the industry, and only teaches a few students. He stays at home and takes care of his health, body, and flowers.
His knowledge of original film and television art is almost incomparable to the knowledge of others. He was bright and famous, so there were many people who wanted to learn under him.
Xie Ning, when he knocked on the door, was quite nervous.
Yang Rui’s face was very mild-looking, and because he wasn’t running around with a crew anymore and was living comfortably, he was a little bit round, and talked with a smile. “Xie Ning, right? I’ve seen your art. Your foundation is very strong, and it’s hard for someone your age to draw like that.”
Xie Ning handed the art drafts he brought to Teacher Yang Rui, saying, “These are some casual drawings I did recently. I just entered the world of film, so I don’t know much. You’ll have to spend some effort on me.”
Yang Rui was very welcoming towards him, and seeing that he already brought some works over, he didn’t waste any words and brought him into the study to go over the works one by one.
There’s nothing else to say about Xie Ning’s original designing skill. Yang Rui has had many students in the past, yet there were only a few who could measure up to Xie Ning. He only lacked experience and understanding.
“Original film art and original game art are different. Original film art uses ‘grounded’ as a focal point,” Yang Rui pointed out, and said, “The design and composition of this scene you drew are great, but are very hard to implement in film because this building is too unique. It’s too difficult to find one that is similar, and too expensive for the props team to build. Therefore, it would probably only be used as a reference, since the reality cannot be achieved.”
Xie Ning was deep in thought.
Yang Rui pointed to his next piece, and smiled, saying, “And this one…”
Yang Rui hadn’t seen an original painter that was as excellent, full of ideas, and skilled as Xie Ning in years. His love for talent suddenly rose, and he taught without holding anything back.
Xie Ning only needed something to be pointed out once to understand. Even though he only talked with Yang Rui for a couple hours, he benefited a lot.
“Honestly, what you need to do right now is not draw behind closed doors, but to work with a team and design original film art. It’s necessary to run around with a crew, since everything you draw is for the final shooting.”
Xie Ning smiled, saying, “I also wanted to try out a project, but I haven’t found a chance to yet.”
Yang Rui was happy while chatting with him, and said, “I’ll keep an eye out for crews that suit you. Larger crews are hard to get into since they already have a set art team, and crews that are too small won’t use your capabilities to its fullest.”
Xie Ning didn’t really mind, though. “I’m still just a rookie right now.”
Yang Rui shook his head, saying, “In film and television, some small crews are too disorderly, and an art team might actually be just one person. If you join a small crew, you’re just wasting your time because you won’t be able to learn much and will delay your progress instead.
Actually, it was the same for original game design and art. Large companies had their own art team, and smaller groups would outsource. Many of them move companies for just one game. To put it nicely, it was called learning using references, but the essence was basically plagiarism.
Even though Xie Ning had not worked on a project like that before, he’s seen it happen many times.
Yang Rui: “Don’t be so polite with me. Most groups would fight over a talent like you. I wouldn’t be helping you, I’d be helping them.”
Xie Ning put away the art drafts neatly and smiled. “Then, thank you for taking the trouble, Teacher.”
As he said this, a cell phone rang.
The music didn’t sound familiar, and Xie Ning stopped for a moment before realizing that it was Yang Rui’s phone.
“Teacher Yang?”
Yang Rui smiled in Xie Ning’s direction, and walked to the window to talk. “Yes, that’s me.”
On the other end of the phone, Zhuang Yan pulled at his collar and introduced himself, saying, “I’m Zhuang Yan. I’d scheduled an appointment to meet with you today.”
“Oh, yes.” Yang Rui seemed like he’d just remembered this matter.
Zhuang Yan asked, “Are you at home right now? Something happened and there’s a delay on my end, so I’ll come over in a little while.”
Yang Rui replied, “I am, just come over when you can.”
“Do you still love to drink red wine?” Zhuang Yan glanced at Zhao Yang, saying, “I extorted two bottles of red wine, made in France.”
Yang Rui liked red wine when he was young. Whether it was to drink or to collect, he would thoroughly research red wine. Since he got older, he stopped this hobby. “Let’s not. I’m getting on in years, and if I drink any then my partner will nag at me for a week. Leave the red wine for you youngsters to enjoy.”
Zhuang Yan laughed. “Then, I won’t hold back.”
These bottles of red wine were of high quality, and Zhuang Yan thought, Then let’s take it to Mr. Rabbit for him to taste.
He imagined Xie Ning’s thoroughly red face after drinking, and his mood suddenly became excellent.
“Right, since you’re coming over anyways, I’d like to ask you to run an errand for me on the way.” Zhuang Yan was about to hang up when he heard Yang Rui say something. “On the street in front of my house’s community, there’s a pastry shop. Help me buy some of that store’s snowflake pastry.
Zhuang Yan lifted his eyebrow. “You still like to eat desserts?”
Yang Rui explained, “My wife likes to eat them.”
Since it was on the way anyways, Zhuang Yan didn’t refuse, and tossed a coat on, getting ready to leave.
Zhao Yang stopped him, saying, “Since Teacher Yan doesn’t want the red wine, why not give it to me? You know I’ve been dying to taste these two bottles of red wine for a long time now.”
Zhuang Yan smoothed out the wrinkles on his coat and said, “No. Wouldn’t it be a waste to give you such good red wine?”
Zhao Yang: “...You’re not happy if you can’t insult me every day, are you?”
Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrow. “So you knew.”
Zhao Yang pretended to be angry. “We’ve been friends for so many years!!!”
Zhuang Yan: “We...have something like that?”
“...” Zhao Yang became impatient, saying, “Who have I been working so hard for recently? I just found a cameraman for you, and now you want to burn the bridge, is that right?”
Zhuang Yan decided to ignore his act, and plainly responded, “I’m going to give it to someone.”
“Doesn’t Teacher Yang not drink wine?” Zhao Yang said. “I’d told you that he was trying to stay in good health, so he doesn’t even touch wine or smoke. Even if you give it to him, he won’t accept it.”
Zhuang Yan lifted his eyelids for a moment. “It’s not for Teacher Yang.”
Zhao Yang was surprised, and asked, “Who?” He knew how important those two bottles of wine were to Zhuang Yan, and curiously asked, “What kind of person can make you become so generous? Qi Rui?”
After saying this, he immediately refuted it. “That’s not right, if I remember correctly then you extorted these wines from Qi Rui.”
Zhuang Yan walked to the door and smiled, in a good mood, “I’m giving it to someone who doesn’t spoil the wine.”
Zhao Yang became even more curious. “Why do I feel like you’re a little weird these days? Once it’s nighttime, you leave faster than anyone else, saying that you have an appointment, but I’ve yet to see who you have an appointment with. Even with gifting bottles of wine, you have to do it while being so secretive…”
“Wait!” Zhao Yan found it stranger and strange as he kept talking. “You must be in a situation.”
Zhuang Yan looked at him with a curious gaze. “What kind of situation?”
Zhao Yang winked at him. “Tell me honestly, did you get to know a…”
“Didn’t I tell you already that I met a very interesting person?”
Zhao Yang frowned and thought for a bit. “That Mr. Rabbit? That’s too mysterious, isn’t it? What’s his name, what does he look like? When will you bring him for us to meet?”
Zhuang Yan: “Why do you have so many questions?”
“See,” Zhao Yang spread his hands out, “you’re dodging the question again.”
Zhuang Yan couldn’t be bothered to mess with him anymore, and finally said, “Wait a little longer. I don’t want to scare him.”
Zhao Yang was even more shocked. “You actually know how to be worried for others?”
Zhuang Yan smiled, and went on his way.
It was still too early, and he didn’t want to push Mr. Rabbit in front of others. He was afraid of shocking Mr. Rabbit, and also afraid that someone else would begin to covet him.
When he and Mr. Rabbit become more acquainted with and closer to one another, then he’ll bring him over and introduce him to everyone.
……
As he was listening to Yang Rui talk, Xie Ning lowered his head to look at the art drafts in his hand. Many of Teacher Yang Rui’s suggestions suddenly made him see things clearly, so when he looked at his art drafts now, he wasn’t satisfied with them no matter how he looked at it. There was a lot to fix.
Teacher Yang Rui was probably talking to a student on the phone, and Xie Ning wasn’t able to hear the voice on the other end of the phone, only what Yang Rui was saying. He could guess that someone was coming to visit later.
Yang Rui hung up the phone, returned to the table, and smiled at Xie Ning, saying, “The pastry shop in front of the community gates is a time-honored store. The taste is different from other shops; you can buy some to try on your way out.”
Since there were guests coming, it wouldn’t be proper for him to stay any longer.
Xie Ning straightened himself, and said, “Since someone is coming to visit, I’ll excuse myself first.”
Yang Rui originally wanted Xie Ning to stay so they could have dinner together, but he thought about it again. Since Zhuang Yan was probably coming to talk about business, it would probably be very awkward for Xie Ning.
He was a little regretful, and chatted with Xie Ning for a while longer until Zhuang Yan was about to arrive. He reluctantly accompanied Xie Ning to the door.
Xie Ning wasn’t in a hurry to find Wu Shu, and wandered for a little bit on the street in front of the community before seeing the pastry shop that Yang Rui had mentioned.
He favored sour and spicy things, and he wasn’t a huge fan of sweets. He didn’t really eat pastries, but since it seemed like the elderly liked to eat it, he wanted to buy some and ask Wu Shu to bring it to Elder Xie.
The time-honored pastry shop’s decorations were quite simple. Xie Ning didn’t pay attention when he walked in, and tripped over the raised threshold on the ground at the door.
His body swayed, staggered a couple steps, and was suddenly caught and supported by a pair of hands.
He fell into a large, firm embrace. The scent of a complex, yet dry, oak musk cologne enveloped him.
He heard a chuckle from above.
“You’re this eager to throw yourself into my arms?”
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Author’s Note: Congratulations to NingNing for missing the opportunity to find out Mr. Blue Whale's identity X1