Chapter 271: Bro, Where Are You?
Meng Fan had already dropped all the manga related work at the studio and formed a group chat. Aside from the staff that already had work, they had pulled in extra reporters as well. They didn’t expect this to occur afterward.
“What’s going on?”
Meng Fan received the coffee FlatHeadBro handed to him. Seeing him blush as he went around distributing coffee and milk tea to the other members, he curiously asked Zhang Zhouwei next to him, who was also holding a cup of coffee.
“I heard from Yanan, this FlatHeadBro’s novel ill.u.s.trations are now being painted by senior Xixi, and she became familiar with it in just two days. Normally, aside from work, they would chat… But then, about three days ago, FlatHeadBro mentioned something that needed to be discussed in person, so he arranged for us to meet in the studio.”
Zhang Zhouwei opened the lid and took a sip. It was still hot. He continued: “I’m guessing senior Xixi’s elegance and beauty has mesmerized FlatHeadBro. Either way, after that day, the guy’s been coming around to the studio everyday, delivering food, or drinks, and even flowers one time. He comes at least twice a day. He says he lives nearby, or he was tired from typing and needed to take a walk, but like come on; who doesn’t know what’s really going on at this point?”
“Then how does senior Xixi feel about this?”
People were attracted to gossip, and Meng Fan was no different. He wasn’t very interested in celebrity gossip, but if it happened near him… He was very interested.
Yan Xixi was already a semi famous artist among the professional realm. Qin Jiao had specifically recruited her to take over the administration of the studio. Xiang Ping, or FlatHeadBro, was also a very well known author on Qidian.com. His new book was off to a great start, and rumor has it that he’s already signed a big contract.
The reason that these two could meet was related to Meng Fan. It’s not even an exaggeration to say that Meng Fan was the matchmaker. If Meng Fan hadn’t dropped the administrative work for his book, the two wouldn’t have met.
Of course, Meng Fan would be interested in this kind of gossip.
Zhang Zhouwei, being forced to idle around the studio, did little work and didn’t know much useful information, but was more knowledgeable than anyone regarding the gossip. He said: “I think it’s like this; they’re about eighty or ninety percent together. FlatHeadBro is pretty good looking, lives in Hangzhou, and has a good career. He also makes good money. I heard from Yanan that with his derpy personality, he was perfectly able to provoke the cute characteristics of senior Xixi. Either way, last night, FlatHeadBro came to pick her up right on the dot. If senior Xixi hadn’t given him the green light, he wouldn’t have arrived in such a timely manner.”
As they were chatting, FlatHeadBro had finished distributing the coffee and approached a slightly blus.h.i.+ng Yan Xixi. He spoke quietly. “Then I’ll come pick you up later.”
Seeing Yan Xixi nod slightly, his grin almost pierced the back of his head. He didn’t pause for long either and happily left the studio.
FlatHeadBro approached Meng Fan as he scratched his head. “Meng Boss, uhm, do you have some time? I’d like to treat you to dinner.”
Meng Fan smiled. “What a coincidence, I’ve got plans today.” He raised his eyebrows. “Next time, I’ll buy you candy.”
FlatHeadBro became even more embarra.s.sed, but responded firmly. “Uhm, I’ll do my best!”
Meng Fan didn’t think his light-hearted joke would be taken so seriously. His Observational Skills were very high, and could tell FlatHeadBro meant what he said.
Meng Fan was also preparing to leave and walked out with FlatHeadBro. He approached the moped he arrived on, thought for a moment, then spoke once again: “Uhm, I’m going to be driving to pick her up. It’s colder at night, so I won’t let her be cold. I only rode this here because it’s easier to park when I buy groceries.”
Meng Fan smiled. “Why does this sound like you’re promising senior Xixi’s parents you’ll take care of her?”
FlatHeadBro blushed once again. This time, he didn’t know what to say.
Meng Fan originally planned to head for the Chocolate Factory, but the experience at Da Mei had told him that it was best to avoid heading there right now. He was preparing to train anyways. If he had time to dub, he might as well spend that time finis.h.i.+ng up the two achievements.
He hailed a cab and headed home.
At night, he worked on his manga until 4:00 a.m. During this time, he received several WeChat messages and videos.
At around midnight, Wu Tong sent a message alerting him that she had finished her work. They didn’t talk for long before she headed off to bed leaving him with a ‘good night, see you tomorrow.’
Another message was from Su Qingcen. It was related to the two of them reaching the trending search.
The video was sent by Bai Zhi, and was related to this as well.
At the time of the video, Bai Zhi was already at the production office. Meng Caiwei was inevitably present and had entered the frame to lecture Meng Fan.
Other people only cared about the refres.h.i.+ng news of Meng Fan beating someone up twice. Meng Caiwei was more concerned for his safety. She hadn’t held back from scolding him. Of course, based on her character, she still commended him after the lecture for doing a decent job of fighting and not completely embarra.s.sing his older sister.
He slept for two hours and woke up. Wu Tong appeared shortly after he arrived at the track. The two warmed up as usual, did their run, and chatted as they stretched.
“You’re getting faster.”
As they conversed, Wu Tong suddenly paused. “It seems like now even if I run with all my strength, you can still catch up to me. Maybe in due time, I won’t be able to catch up to you.”
Wu Tong was being honest. Meng Fan was getting faster and faster. Before, he had trouble just keeping up with Wu Tong, but now it seemed effortless, as if he could surpa.s.s her.
He was progressing rapidly and continuously as well.
Meng Fan wasn’t sure if there was another meaning to Wu Tong’s words. He could only laugh it off. “It’s good if I run fast. This way, you can’t run away from me.”
Wu Tong shoved Meng Fan, who toppled over onto the ground in a laughing frenzy. He liked the feeling of being pushed by Wu Tong.
Wu Tong was already aware of the gossip between Su Qingcen and Meng Fan.
Meng Fan said he had been recording a show with Bai Zhi, yet the scandal had involved him and Su Qingcen. Even if Wu Tong knew it was just a hoax, she was still uncomfortable.
Of course, she didn’t say anything. After all, she wasn’t in a position to be questioning him.
Meng Fan’s brain didn’t work all the time either. He felt that since it was a scandal, explaining it would make it even more complicated.
At least his att.i.tude was good though.
“I think I have to go to my professors today. Do you have time for dinner tonight?”
“Mhmm.”
“I’ll bring the scarf I knitted for you, then.”
“What about my wooly underwear?”
Wu Tong once again pushed Meng Fan to the ground after he’d just stood up.
After stretching, they returned to the dormitories. After showering, Wu Tong’s three other roommates were still asleep. She ate breakfast and turned up at Hu Hang’s art studio at 7:30 a.m. sharp.
She arrived early to make a summary of her work from the day before.
In the process of this project led by Hu Hang himself, several new techniques had been introduced. It was Wu Tong’s first time interacting with all of these. Everytime a new technique appears, Wu Tong was ecstatic. She would always pick it up at lightning speed, then digest the process in her own time.
At eight o’clock, Hu Hang and the other students arrived at the studio in a timely manner. During their break around nine, a senior was conversing with Wu Tong. As they bantered, the senior mentioned Meng Fan and his fight to Wu Tong after hearing it from her roommates.
“Your boyfriend is pretty bada.s.s. It’s not often an art student is more bada.s.s than an athletics student.”
This was Wu Tong’s first time hearing of the incident. After watching the video, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“What? When did this loser learn these skills? And what a coincidence he goes to Feng Ji!”
Wu Tong recognized Feng Ji Dojo from the video. She immediately took out her phone to call Meng Fan, but n.o.body responded!
Thinking about it, she hurriedly made another call.
Once the other end picked up, Wu Tong tentatively asked: “Big brother, where are you?”
“I’m in Hangzhou. What? Do you miss me?”
“Yeah. Where are you? The dojo?” Wu Tong smiled. “Oh, you are? Perfect. I want to eat the bread from the bakery near your dojo. Can you bring me some? I’m in the art studio and it’s been busy. I haven’t even had breakfast yet.”
“That bakery opens at ten o’clock. I’ll bring some for you once it opens.”
“I’m hungry now. Can you bring me something else, then?”
“Okay okay, I’ll be there soon. Thirty minutes at most.”
“Why do you need thirty minutes to come here! It should take you twenty minutes at most!”
“You have to let me brush my teeth and wash my face first!”
“Fine. Hurry up, I’m starving.”
After ending the call, Wu Tong told Hu Hang she had some urgent business, and grabbed her jacket before das.h.i.+ng out the door.