Daddy Academy

Chapter 3305 I'm Willing

The early summer sun shines brightly, and the afternoon begins to make one drowsy.

Chengcheng and Xiaobai were invited to the Datang Huanye magazine office.

Chengcheng looked around curiously: various illustrations on the walls, various anime character models on the shelves, and bookshelves densely filled with books...

The two first met with the art director, and then were led to the conference room. Not long after, the art director brought three illustrators to the conference room: a lady with a delicate style, a young man who was good at exaggerated style, and an old painter who specializes in children's picture books.

The art director first introduced both parties, and when introducing Xiaobai, he said that Xiaobai was a good friend of the author and also a young director.

Xiaobai: →_→

She glanced at the art director, somewhat dissatisfied with her introduction. How could she call herself a junior director when she was clearly a renowned director, the kind that has won international awards?

If Liuliu were here, she'd be jumping up and down.

But Xiaobai is not like Liuliu, a rude and conspicuous person.

Today she brought a portable home video camera, which is lightweight and easy to use. She plans to film the entire process of Chengcheng's story collection being published, and then edit it into a video. If the story collection becomes popular, her documentary short film can help boost its popularity.

Xiao Bai felt that this job was very meaningful, and since she had nothing to do anyway—she hadn't made a film in a long time, and Chengcheng was just writing a script!
The art director said gently, "Chengcheng, these three teachers all want to draw illustrations for you. Can you tell them what the characters and scenes in your story are like in your mind?"

The three illustrators sat facing each other, and each took out a notebook and pen to take notes.

Chengcheng first thanked the three people, and then began to explain her story's creative process: "The girl with the oil-paper umbrella... she's not a real person, she's a warm light. Her skirt is made of mist, and it floats up when it rains. Her umbrella isn't for blocking the rain, it's for collecting people's sorrows..."

The three illustrators listened attentively, occasionally taking notes in their sketchbooks.

The old painter asked, "What color was that light?"

He considered things very carefully, leaving no detail overlooked.

Chengcheng said, "It's pale gold in the morning, transparent at noon, and a light blue in the evening, like moonlight."

The old painter smiled and said, "It's different at every time of day, it's really beautiful, I think I know how to paint it now."

Next, everyone kept asking questions. Chengcheng had thought about some of them and could answer them without hesitation, while others were ones she hadn't thought of and needed to be discussed with everyone on the spot.

"Chengcheng, what kind of light will the starlight that Little Stone collected emit in the dark?"

Do dandelions leave footprints when they walk?

Why does the old piano only play at midnight? What does it do during the day?

……

As the exploration of the subject deepened, the three illustrators' notebooks were filled with simple line drawings. For example, the girl with the oil-paper umbrella transformed from a blurry ray of light into a hazy and beautiful figure; the walking dandelion sprouted slender legs; and a tiny, transparent sprite played music beside an old piano at midnight…

Just one day later, three sample illustrations were placed in Zhang Tan's hands.

The first painting is delicate and beautiful, with the girl under the oil-paper umbrella looking like a fairy; the second is exaggerated and interesting, full of childlike innocence and fun; the third has an indescribable gentleness, the painting does not pursue exquisiteness, but retains the texture of hand-painted, with warm and soft colors, as if you can really see that ball of light.

Zhang Tan compared them for a while, then called over Xiao Bai and Xi'er, who were playing at home, to ask for their opinions. Robin also came along out of curiosity; these were complimentary gifts.

“Write down your favorite one in your palms, and then unfold them together later. Don’t discuss it with each other; just write down your preferences,” Zhang Tan said.

So the three little ones wrote down the numbers of their favorite sample photos on their palms. Robin, holding a water-based pen, didn't know how to write and kept glancing at her aunt.

Her aunt and Xi'er finished writing, but she hadn't even started.

Xiao Bai said helplessly, "You write it yourself, don't look at me. Write whichever one you like."

Robin then said "Oh," and wrote the number "2" in his palm.

Zhang Tan said, "Now open your palms."

Xiaobai and Xier both wrote "3", but Robin, seeing this, wrote "2" with his wet palm.

The little guy looked dejected, as if he had lost a battle.

Everyone comforted her, saying that there was no right or wrong in this matter, it all depended on personal preference.

Then, in the evening, Chengcheng was invited to look at it herself, and she also chose sample number three.

Zhang Tan then called the art director and said, "Mr. Wang's illustrations are the closest to Chengcheng's original feeling."

The art director said on the other end of the phone, "I think so too. Mr. Wang said that the light contains the image of the person people miss, so we don't need to draw a specific face, just the feeling of being warmed by longing."

Once the illustration style was decided, the publishing process accelerated.

The contract was signed, and the text polishing was completed. The editors were very careful, changing only a few words to preserve Chengcheng's original style as much as possible.

Just two days later, in the evening, Zhang Tan brought a folder.

Chengcheng, Xiaobai, Liuliu, Xier, Dudu, Xiaomi and other children gathered around.

Zhang Tan opened the folder and took out the first color proof: it was the cover of "The Girl with the Oil-Paper Umbrella in the Rainy Alley".

In the serene rain-soaked alley, amidst the hazy mist, a hazy figure holds an oil-paper umbrella. Her face has no features, only a warm and gentle light.

"Wow--"

The children exclaimed in amazement.

Chengcheng reached out and gently stroked the familiar yet unfamiliar girl with the oil-paper umbrella in the picture, her eyes sparkling with light.

Zhang Tan said, "This is just a proof; the official print will be even more beautiful. Chengcheng, your book has entered the printing process and will soon be available in bookstores."

Liu Liu excitedly grabbed Cheng Cheng's shoulders and shook her, shouting, "Cheng Cheng! You're going to be a writer! A real writer! From now on, I'll be Da Yan Yan, and you'll be the great writer. We can collaborate, hahaha~~~"

She took the opportunity to inhale the fragrance of the small melon, which was truly intoxicating.

Xiao Bai started dreaming: "Old man, how many copies of Chengcheng's storybook will be printed? We want to buy them! No, we want Chengcheng to sign them and give them to us!"

Zhang Tan smiled and said, "The first batch will print 5,000 copies, and Chengcheng will get 50 sample copies to give to her friends. In addition, the publisher suggests holding a small book-sharing event. Chengcheng, would you like to tell stories to the children who come to buy books in the bookstore?"

Chengcheng's face lit up, and she nodded without hesitation: "I do."

"I'd like to too, hahaha~~~" Liuliu chimed in, beaming with pride, and winked at Chengcheng as if she had gotten a huge advantage over her!

"What a silly goose!" Xiao Bai muttered to himself.