Chapter 41 - A Fat Man’s Ambition (1/2)

6300 online viewers, 9300 total views!

This wouldn’t have been possible without his accumulated popularity over the last few days of streaming, and FlatHeadBro, Mr. Sleepy, and the heavy promotions done by other authors. Even with these factors, Meng Fan still couldn’t shake the fact that this had been a result of his +2 validation.

Especially considering the discrepancy between the total viewers and total online viewers, he could imagine how many people had clicked by accident or wandered in. Even if these people didn’t fancy art streams or didn’t like his stream, they still contributed to the number of views Meng fan received.

Those were precious numbers indeed.

Marketing phone calls and fraudulent texts were annoying. Having his classmates call the wrong number also made him hopeless. Even more tragic was catching the attention of his teacher so he couldn’t skip class… These were nothing compared to the inability to feel the burning passion of being in love.

Who hadn’t received a scam phone call or felt the fear of being picked out by a teacher? But Meng Fan really hadn’t been in a relationship before!

Once he gains validation, he would be able to complete his streaming task faster and get the final charm attribute award as soon as he finished.

The streaming mission would add a total of 15 points of charm if completed. Meng Fan wasn’t trying to become an idol, only seeking entry into the ‘normal’ ranks so he could compete fairly for a chance at love with all the other players.

“Increased validation will definitely make more pretty ladies notice me, and one of them is bound to like my type!”

As a decisive man, after considering the trade-offs, Meng Fan managed to convince himself in one sentence.

He was willing to give up video games for love; this was just a bump in the road!

It looked like he had to keep performing his ‘thumbs up’ dance.

“It’s over?”

It was rare that the administrator who usually watched TV shows was painting today. However, she was not very focused, as every ten or so steps she would smile at Meng Fan.

“This must be the Lei Feng pagoda at sunset, right?”

Meng Fan glanced at her aisle, and his eyes suddenly lit up. This drawing wasn’t done, but it was enough to see talent.

The administrator put away her brush. “I can’t seem to get it right. I’ve been to see the pagoda several times, but I just can’t recall the feeling. Well, I’m done drawing for today. I should go back earlier and watch my TV shows!”

“No wonder you said you never finished a product within a month. Your excellent working spirit is very admirable!”

Meng Fan gave the administrator a thumbs up. This really wasn’t a compliment, nor was he trying to gain experience—or else he wouldn’t have just given her one thumbs up. It was sincere admiration.

The studio administrator dressed in neutral colors with a smile hanging off her mouth was not just any person. This was a real artist who held onto the title of ‘lecturer’ at the art academy by teaching two classes a month. Even though she only produced a piece every two or three months, if she really wanted to sell it, she could buy a parking spot in any of the neighborhoods next to the university.

A real-life hidden master!

Meng Fan had heard his mother mention her when galleries were trending. Ms. Chen Fu had followed the trend and opened up a large-scale gallery in the city of Hu known as China’s gateway for oil paintings. Later due to issues between Ms. Chen and her business partner, she resolutely chose to pull out and declare bankruptcy. Some people thought it was arrogant; others believed her to be plain stupid. In short, from then on, Ms. Chen Fu disappeared from the public eye.

Apparently, she had returned to the HuaXia Academy of Fine Arts five years ago. It was only in the last two years that someone had learned that this unassuming studio manager was the famous Ms. Chen Fu.

Even now, there were few who knew about this hidden monk. If he didn’t hear it from his mom, a plumpish homebody like Meng Fan would never have known about her.

“What do you mean by excellent work ethic? It’s just OCD.”

As she spoke, she lifted her hand to look at the time. She turned and reminded the remaining three students in the studio to close the door when they were done.

Obviously, the administrator was not happy having her time wasted.

“Where are you going?”

Meng Fan had just left the studio when he saw Zhang Zhou Wei approaching.

Zhang Zhou Wei grinned. “I’m here for you. I knew your stream was over so I came to get you.”

“It’s not like I don’t know the way. The hell are you doing? You just dropped off Wang Ya Nan at her dorm and ran into me by coincidence, right?” Meng Fan didn’t believe a word Zhang Zhou Wei had said.

“Actually, I wasn’t, but it does have to do with Wang Ya Nan. Zhang Zhou Wei continued, “Remember when you bought all the girls in her dorm cakes to apologize for your crazy confession spree? Ya Nan said her dormitory wants to invite you over for a late-night snack. Let’s go! They’re already at sister Ma’s. Da Qiang and Pigeon are headed there too.”

“Seriously?”

Meng Fan thought this couldn’t be because his increased validation had caused them to think of him.

It might be due to his ‘thumbs up dance’ that had made its way around the entire art academy.