Page Seventeen Sixteen Years Old Is a Young Female Writer
Because of the heavy topics, the stir-fried noodles became hard to eat, but they were ultimately swallowed, not for any other reason, but because these stir-fried noodles cost 38 yuan.
After bidding farewell to Lǐ Jiànlián, I carried my newly bought sun protection jacket back to the lounge chair area at the artificial beach, rejoining the留守四人组who were waiting there.
The dry girl, Xiǎo Cāngyǔ, was still engrossed in her Nintendo Switch game, fully controlling her green-capped character battling a huge monster, completely unaware of my return, or perhaps she did notice but didn’t intend to acknowledge me.
Indeed, this sister has an unlovable inner self. This sister is several times less lovable than my Orange.
Fēng Wǔ might have been tired from driving earlier, so he was now resting on a lounge chair without a sunshade, enjoying the sunshine…
If the indoor water park really had sunshine.
“I’m back after eating.”
I greeted someone casually, and carelessly tossed the bag containing the sun protection jacket to Tán Lǐn Huā.
“A new sun protection jacket, or would you prefer to wear your own?”
Based on Tán Lǐn Huā’s previous preference for clothing, he seemed to like blue tones, so I chose this new sun protection jacket in sky blue.
“I’ll wear the new one. Don’t take it off!”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
Putting on the jacket, Tán Lǐn Huā appeared much more spirited.
Today was the first time I saw Tán Lǐn Huā’s face without makeup, revealing a very delicate male face, much handsomer than Zhào Zhào.
With this appearance, walking alone on the beach, he would likely be approached by older women for conversation.
Yán Liúzhuǎn wasn’t holding his sketchbook but was quietly watching the beach being hit by artificial waves.
“What’s Lao Yan doing? Looking at beautiful girls?”
“Lao Yan?”
“Do you think we should consider ourselves friends? Calling him ‘Yan Student’ or ‘Yan Liúzhuǎn Student’ seems too formal.”
Tán Lǐn Huā had a different view on titles: “I think calling him Liúliú is cuter?”
…No matter how you look at it, Liúliú doesn’t suit calling a big man.
Yán Liúzhuǎn remained with his indifferent expression, as if saying “you owe me money.”
“I am composing a sketch. When I get home today, I will draw this beach.”
He didn’t respond, which also conveyed his dissatisfaction with the nickname “Liúliú.”
“Why not just take a photo with your phone and copy it?”
“Copying has no meaning. Painting is not just copying reality; it’s something more idealized.”
“Then why do you need models and plaster casts?”
“Beautiful ideals must also be rooted in reality.”
I felt like a nitpicker and didn’t continue asking.
Tán Lǐn Huā picked up Yán Liúzhuǎn’s sketchbook and flipped through it. I also leaned over to look.
This was likely a practice or rough sketch book, with mostly unfinished sketches from front to back, traditional plaster or still life drawings that weren’t highly finished, some even only half-drawn.
But in the latest few pages, there were some relatively well-done female figure drawings, based on Yán Liúzhuǎn’s artistic pursuits, those were nude figures. However, the model in this drawing…
“Hey, could this be…”
“It’s Liúliú.”
Tán Lǐn Huā confirmed my guess. Yán Liúzhuǎn boldly drew his own female figure in the sketchbook, quite realistically. Tán Lǐn Huā blushed and quickly turned the page, after all, not everyone can adopt Yán Liúzhuǎn’s Platonic mindset.
Then we saw a more anime-style portrait of a young girl, unexpectedly, he had this style of work too.
Come to think of it, Yán Liúzhuǎn did mention he was interested in digital painting.
This young girl with freckles exuded a soulful aura, she wasn’t particularly beautiful, but her eyes showed a strong spirit, like a seagull, unremarkable yet proud.
Tán Lǐn Huā exclaimed, “Ah! Could this be Li Mòlí?”
Li Mòlí? Who is that?
Yán Liúzhuǎn nodded affirmatively.
Wait, I remember this name…
On the way to Yán Liúzhuǎn’s house, Tán Lǐn Huā bought a female-oriented novel from the bookstore.
Tán Lǐn Huā mentioned leaving it at Yán Liúzhuǎn’s place, and surprisingly, Yán Liúzhuǎn actually finished reading it and enthusiastically drew the main character.
Different from the illustration in the novel, his drawing was more realistic, possibly influenced by traditional art.
“You mean Li Mòlí, the protagonist of ‘Dream Fragrance’?”
A warm male voice came from behind, Fēng Wǔ had apparently woken up and was standing behind Tán Lǐn Huā and me, looking at the sketchbook. Though he looked disheveled, his voice was soothing.
Xiǎo Cāngyǔ was standing next to him, curiously peering over… but Tán Lǐn Huā held the sketchbook high, so Xiǎo Cāngyǔ couldn’t see.
Handing the sketchbook down to Xiǎo Cāngyǔ, Tán Lǐn Huā looked surprised at this unkempt man, “Oh? Are you saying Brother also reads female-oriented novels?”
“No, that book was an exception. Don’t be surprised, it’s written by my little sister.”
“What? This child is actually Teacher Gongyong Xiaojī? The promotional material indeed promoted her as a ‘young female writer,’ but I never imagined she was a middle school student.”
A middle school student writing about high school romance?
Xiǎo Cāngyǔ shyly lowered her head and hid behind Fēng Wǔ.
“Your little sister’s book is excellent, both in story pacing and character portrayal.”
When discussing things he appreciates, Yán Liúzhuǎn’s brows relaxed, a genuine compliment.
“Not really, your paintings are also great, full of spirit.”
People nowadays suddenly start flattering each other when chatting.
“Could I be considered for illustrating your little sister’s book? Frankly speaking, the illustrations for ‘Dream Fragrance’ are too perfunctory.”
“The novel has already been published, so the illustrator can’t be changed… and this illustrator is also quite famous, who can boost sales.”
It makes sense from the publisher’s perspective to use a famous artist to boost a new writer’s sales, but precisely because of this combination, the artist might not take the new writer’s work seriously.
“Is Brother Fēng Wǔ Xiaocangyǔ’s editor?” I asked.
To this, Fēng Wǔ shook his head denying it.
“Of course not, but I handle all communications with the publishing house and editors, my sister is… socially anxious, usually prefers staying at home, and wouldn’t have come out today if not for Little Hai Tang’s invitation.”
This little girl is indeed a fan of Little Hai Tang. What charm does that violent, towering wall have?
“Isn’t she a game streamer with social anxiety?”
Xiao Cangyǔ popped out from behind Fēng Wǔ, stuck out her tongue, and said, “Game streaming doesn’t require showing your face, so I’m fine if I don’t show mine!”
Fēng Wǔ affectionately patted her head, continuing the previous topic.
“But my sister definitely has another book, there’s still a chance for collaboration. If you’re interested in commercial illustration, you can bring your works to Lilim Publishing House.”
Yán Liúzhuǎn shook his head, “Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not interested in commercial illustration, I’m only interested in the author Gongyong Xiaojī.”
Hey!
Saying you’re interested in his sister in front of a brother who’s protective of her—what’s the deal?
Xiao Cangyǔ timidly shrunk her head, “Thank you for your support…”
“Other authors’ books are also written with heart. Next week there’s a large manga exhibition, Lilim Publishing House has a booth, and due to the signing event, the editor and other authors will be present. You can go check it out.”
“Signing event! With such popularity, won’t Teacher Gongyong Xiaojī participate?”
Tán Lǐn Huā looked puzzled at the cat hiding behind Fēng Wǔ, Xiao Cangyǔ, to which Fēng Wǔ could only smile bitterly.
“Do you think… can she participate in the signing event in this state?”
The large manga exhibition, speaking of which, Xiao Wūqílán’s club also has a booth, but isn’t it too hot to go to the exhibition recently?
