Chapter 154: I’ll Do It Myself
When Yu Linna arrived home at eight o’clock, still in her boy’s disguise, Zhao Yuyan, who was eating watermelon at the doorway, spat out her seeds in surprise.
“Whoa! It was you this morning?! I thought you brought an elementary school boy home! You scared me!”
Forgive Zhao Yuyan’s overactive imagination; she was a novelist, after all.
Yu Linna simply nodded, taking out her keys, about to enter her apartment, when Zhao Yuyan, sensing something was amiss, stopped her.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Girls were perceptive; she had noticed the change in Yu Linna’s demeanor.
“It’s nothing. I’m going to work on my manuscript, Big Sis Yuyan.”
“Wait… ah, she’s gone.”
Looking at the closed door, Zhao Yuyan sighed, feeling the world’s malice. She picked up the watermelon rind and went back to her League of Legends game.
I wonder what happened. She seems troubled. I hope she’s okay, she thought.
Back in her room, Yu Linna sat heavily on the bed, the lights off, enveloped in darkness. If it weren’t for Huo Ningning’s words triggering that memory, she might not have remembered the girl’s name. She had lived with Wu Siyu for a month, and they had a daughter she played with, but she had forgotten her name. Time had blurred the details, and after reuniting with Wu Siyu, she hadn’t mentioned her daughter, so Yu Linna hadn’t connected her to Huo Ningning.
Who knew the world was so small?
She had met her again.
The memory brought back the pain of Nangong Ying’s betrayal, the best friend who had cast her into the abyss.
“Sigh…”
She turned on the light, unwilling to dwell on the past. What was done was done; it couldn’t be changed. She had to focus on her work. She was a professional novelist now.
Opening QQ, she resumed her discussion with the illustrator. Zhiqiu was still angry, offended by her criticism of his style. Yu Linna, unwilling to compromise, wouldn’t settle for anything less than what she envisioned for her novel.
Two stubborn individuals clashing inevitably led to an explosion.
Zhiqiu: Forget it. I’m not doing your illustrations. Find someone else. I’m out.
Shion: Zhiqiu-sensei, that’s not what I meant…
Zhiqiu: Don’t bother. Find someone else. I’m not skilled enough for your illustrations.
Things had escalated quickly.
Yu Linna hadn’t expected him to quit so abruptly. With the publication date approaching and no illustrations, the release would have to be postponed.
She contacted her editor, Chen Xi, on QQ, explaining the situation.
Chen Xi: Zhiqiu said that?
Shion: Screenshot
Chen Xi: …You’re really good at causing trouble. All the illustrators are booked; it’s impossible to find someone else on such short notice.
Shion: So, my publication will be delayed?
Chen Xi: There’s no other choice. Without illustrations, no one will buy a book with just text. I’ll have to discuss it with the team and give your slot to someone else. Your publication will be postponed.
Shion: Is there really no other way?
Chen Xi: Unless you can find an illustrator yourself, and I need to see the black and white drafts within a week.
Yu Linna stared at the screen, deep in thought. She didn’t want her publication delayed. She was the Gold Award winner; her debut had to be perfect. Her dream had just begun; she couldn’t afford a setback.
But the illustrations…
Finding an illustrator on such short notice was impossible.
They were all booked. And even if she could find someone, it was unlikely they would meet her requirements. Most illustrators favored a commercial style, emphasizing fanservice, which she detested.
She looked at her hands, then back at the screen. Perhaps… another all-nighter wouldn’t hurt.
Shion: Sister Chen, how about this: I’ll do the illustrations myself.
Chen Xi: What? Yourself? Have you studied art?
Shion: I learned the basics from a talented artist when I was younger, staying at his house for a month. Then I continued learning on and off for a few years. I have some basic art skills.
Chen Xi: Do you have any samples? Send me a picture.
Shion: Picture
Yu Linna quickly sent a sample of her work, a portrait she had drawn for Fang Jiangning after she treated her to a meal.
The drawing was technically sound, the proportions accurate, the likeness uncanny, capturing Fang Jiangning’s features perfectly. It was a full-size portrait, demonstrating her skill. She had given the original to Fang Jiangning, keeping only a photo for herself.
Chen Xi: Not bad. I didn’t know you had such talent.
Chen Xi, though not an art expert, recognized the skill and artistry in the drawing, surprised it was Yu Linna’s work.
She had pegged Yu Linna as a writer, not an artist. Such a multi-talented girl! Why hadn’t she noticed this before? A hidden gem, waiting to be discovered.
Chen Xi: But illustrations are different from realistic portraits. Are you sure you can do it?
Shion: Yes, I’ve made up my mind. Since there’s no one else, I’ll do it myself. I’m running out of time, so I’ll give it my all.
Chen Xi: Alright, you have one week. If I don’t see the black and white drafts in a week, I’ll request a postponement. That’s my final offer. And of course, your illustrations have to be… publishable quality.
Shion: Okay, I’ll do it.
She had just made a rather absurd decision: to illustrate her own novel. She wondered if any other author had done this before.
If she succeeded, it would be a remarkable achievement, earning her recognition and respect. If she failed, it would be a disaster, a source of ridicule.
She wasn’t confident.
But everyone had their moments of passion, their unwavering pursuit of a dream. She had written a one-hundred-thousand-word novel in a week, finished her second novel in less than two weeks… could she really illustrate an entire novel in a week?
Yes, she would prove she could.
She would succeed.
Yu Linna went to Zhao Yuyan, who used her connections to borrow a drawing tablet. Yu Linna downloaded some drawing software, practiced for a day, and then began working.
As her pen glided across the tablet, her dream took flight. This time, she would be an illustrator.
Zhao Yuyan was also surprised by Yu Linna’s sudden declaration, her jaw dropping. But she helped her borrow a tablet, encouraging her to focus on her art. She wasn’t sure if Yu Linna could pull it off, but she had to try. And the illustrations were a pressing issue.
She logged into the Wenqing professional authors’ group chat.
Air: My junior is working hard, so as her senior, I have to work hard too. So, can I have a two-day extension? @Chen Xi
Coffee Cat: Lol, Air’s daily procrastination.
Night Moonbeam: Grabs a small stool, ready to watch the show. Go, Air!
Chen Xi: @Air No, you can’t delay any longer. The publication date is set.
Air: Actually, I have a new story idea, about a shipwreck on a fishing trip, and then the protagonist meets a rich girl, and they’re stranded together.
Chen Xi: Sounds interesting. Have you finished Volume Four of The Rich Man’s Game?
Air: No.
Night Moonbeam: Hahaha, Air, finish Volume Four!
Bai Chen: Air, fighting…
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻: You lazy procrastinators! When are you going to submit your manuscripts?!
…
Yu Linna, entering work mode, turned off her phone, disconnecting from the world, even taking a week off from school, much to her homeroom teacher’s disapproval. But she couldn’t afford any distractions. For her novel to be published on time, she had to give it her all.
That evening, after walking Yu Linna home, Tang Yumeng returned to her own apartment. Though her university studies were demanding, she occasionally went home. Lately, she hadn’t had any acting work, a source of constant worry. At her age, she shouldn’t be so anxious about her career, but she felt a sense of urgency, a need to prove herself.
She had promised her family she would make something of herself, and after all these years, she felt like a failure.
“You’re back?”
Her father, Tang He, was waiting for her in the living room, clearly displeased about something.
“You didn’t bring any cigarettes back, did you?”
“Of course not. I didn’t buy any. I threw them all away.”
She couldn’t possibly tell him she had just finished smoking before coming home. Her father had been constantly lecturing her about her smoking habit.
“Sis, you’re back! I saved you some throat lozenges. Want some?”
A young man, bearing a striking resemblance to Tang Yumeng, emerged from the hallway. He had delicate features, his long hair tied back, his figure slender, his height shorter than his sister’s. If it weren’t for his men’s clothing, he could be mistaken for Yumeng’s younger sister.
Knowing about her smoking habit and unable to smoke at home, her thoughtful brother had prepared throat lozenges to ease her cravings.
Tang Yumeng walked over, patting his shoulder. He had grown taller; that was good.
“Yulong, I heard you’re debuting as a novelist. Not bad. As expected of my little brother. Aren’t you going to tell me about it?”
