1RomanceEB 086 has a bright future, brother!
086 has a bright future, brother!
"Our art academy is already predominantly female, with males making up less than 30%. Of that 30%, most of them are either pursuing art, photography, or staying in their dorms playing video games. Football players? They're rarer than pandas!"
"As long as he's a man, as long as he has two legs, and as long as he's willing to kick, he's our family! What more could we ask for?"
Upon hearing this heartbreaking confession, everyone in room 404 fell silent.
Wei Jing, who was standing to the side, was still hesitant at first, but after hearing these words, his mind immediately became active.
Since there's such a shortage of people, does that mean... the competition is very low?
He cautiously stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and asked, "Senior, can I join too?"
Li Shuxian's eyes lit up, and he immediately handed over another form: "Of course! You're very welcome!"
Wei Jing took the form, then added somewhat hesitantly, "But senior, I need to clarify something first. My soccer skills are probably quite poor; I've only played in PE class. Is that alright?"
Li Shuxian laughed heartily, patted Wei Jing on the shoulder, and said in a hearty manner:
"It's okay! Of course it's okay! Skills can be learned! We have training every week. As long as you come, you can get on the field with a little guidance."
"Besides, our team needs not only starters, but also substitutes and bench depth. Even if someone can't play as a starter, helping out on the sidelines by retrieving balls, carrying water, and doing logistical work makes them an indispensable part of the team!"
"Fetching balls...carrying water?"
Wei Jing's hand froze as he filled out the form.
A picture flashed through his mind:
On the green field, Wang Zhe was sprinting around in his jersey, surrounded by girls cheering him on. Meanwhile, Wei Jing, wearing a vest and carrying a case of bottled water, was working like a workhorse on the sidelines, serving everyone.
Want to be a water dispenser operator?
Even in a team competition, this wouldn't attract the girls' attention! They might even mistake him for a staff member and order him around.
Wei Jing hesitated, and stopped writing: "If that's the case, then I'll still..."
Seeing that the cooked duck was about to fly away, Captain Li Shuxian became anxious.
His eyes darted around, and he immediately leaned close to Wei Jing's ear, lowering his voice and speaking in a seductive tone:
"Hey, classmate, don't rush. Think about it, even though you're a substitute, our college team doesn't have many people to begin with."
"When the tiger's away, the monkeys are king. Look at your year, only the two of you have signed up so far. Once the seniors retire, won't the starting positions be vacant?"
"Besides, our college team has a lot of substitutions. Even if you don't play well, if there aren't enough players, you'll have to play whether you want to or not! Then, you'll be a key player on the college team!"
Wei Jing found it strange, but he had to admit it made a lot of sense.
As long as the base number is small enough, even a novice can become a key player.
"Okay, I'll sign up!"
Wei Jing gritted his teeth, made a bold stroke of his pen, and signed his name on the form.
Just as Wei Jing finished filling out the form, a slight commotion suddenly arose behind him. Several male passersby who had been walking by all turned their gazes in the same direction.
Wang Zhe turned around.
Two girls with very different styles, but equally dazzling, were walking side by side.
The petite girl on the left, with pigtails and wearing an adorable JK uniform, was curiously looking around, holding a cup of milk tea. It was Su Xiaocheng.
The one on the right, dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, with long hair flowing down her shoulders, exudes a gentle and elegant charm. Amidst all the colorful club recruitment ads, she is a breath of fresh air.
Song Zhiyi.
"Hey? Wang Zhe! You guys are really here!"
Su Xiaocheng spotted Wang Zhe standing under the tattered tent at a glance and excitedly waved as she ran over.
Song Zhiyi followed with a smile, her gaze landing precisely on Wang Zhe, her eyes gentle.
Wang Zhe was slightly surprised to see Song Zhiyi there as well.
It's normal for Su Xiaocheng to come looking for him, after all, they just talked on the phone. But why did Song Zhiyi come along too?
But he soon understood.
Looking at Song Zhiyi's ambiguous smile, how could one not understand?
"Hello everyone!" Su Xiaocheng waved to Fang Gang, Wei Jing, and Luo Yueshi, which was her way of saying hello.
The three roommates were all stunned. Wei Jing, in particular, looked at Wang Zhe, then at the two beautiful girls, and then at the team leader beside him. At this moment, Li Shuxian looked puzzled, then stared at Wang Zhe thoughtfully.
"How's it going? Have you registered?" Su Xiaocheng leaned closer to Wang Zhe and looked at the form on the table.
"I've submitted it. I just finished filling it out."
Su Xiaocheng glanced at the simple tent and then at the deserted surroundings, then pouted and said, "Are you really not planning to join any other clubs? That guitar club over there looks pretty lively, with lots of people watching."
"No," Wang Zhe shook his head. "I still have to work on my games, I don't have time to do manual labor in other clubs. The soccer team is just for physical training, I'll pass on the others."
Su Xiaocheng nodded, then, as if remembering something, said excitedly:
"By the way! Do you want to go to the office to work this afternoon? I just heard from two senior students in the computer science department that they worked overtime last night and have already made a playable, early-stage demo!"
"Although the graphics are still quite rudimentary, consisting mostly of blocks and lines, the core gameplay is already working. Next, I just need to adjust the various parameters and fill in the art and music assets I mentioned. I really want to know how it feels to play!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhe raised an eyebrow.
They finished it already? It seems those two senior students were quite efficient, and were well motivated by Zhu Qi's financial power.
He smiled and said, "Sure, we'll find out this afternoon when we go have some fun."
At this moment, Song Zhiyi, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly raised her hand, like a well-behaved elementary school student:
"Um... can I go check it out? I've heard Xiao Cheng talk about your game for ages, and I'm really curious. Could you take me to see it?"
Before Wang Zhe could speak, Su Xiaocheng looked at him and said, "Is it okay? Wang Zhe, you're the lead planner, so you're in charge."
Wang Zhe smiled helplessly: "Although I'm the chief planner, the office is rented by Zhu Qi. Why don't you call Zhu Qi and ask her? She's the boss."
"Okay!"
Su Xiaocheng immediately dialed Zhu Qi's number.
"Hey? Sister Qiqi! It's Xiaocheng... Yes, we're planning to try out that demo this afternoon. Um... Zhiyi'd like to go check it out too, is that okay?... Okay! Thank you, Sister Qiqi!"
After hanging up the phone, Su Xiaocheng gave a "V" sign: "Sister Qiqi said there's no problem with the trial, and having more people means we can get more feedback."
"That's great." Song Zhiyi smiled, her gaze sweeping over Wang Zhe, a sly glint in her eyes that only he could understand.
Just then, Wei Jing, who was standing next to him, also weakly raised his hand.
He had been listening to their conversation the whole time. Although he didn't quite understand what the demo or parameters were, he did understand one thing—they were going to an office where there were only a few of them, and there might be other female students there as well.
However, before he could utter a sound, he was mercilessly pulled down by a large hand.
Fang Gang grabbed Wei Jing by the neck, pulled him aside, and asked in a low voice:
What are you doing?
Wei Jing protested defiantly, "I want to go see how games are made too!"
Fang Gang said in a low voice, exasperated, "Are you stupid? There should only be two or three girls in that office. They're all pretty, but which one do you want to date? Su Xiaocheng? Song Zhiyi?"
Wei Jing paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "Indeed... Su Xiaocheng and Song Zhiyi both seem to be revolving around Lao Wang. If I were to force my way in, it would seem rather awkward."
"Besides," Fang Gang scoffed, delivering the fatal blow, "it's not a matter of loyalty or unfairness, it's that you can't even get in. Don't believe me? Look at the atmosphere over there. Old Wang is standing there chatting and laughing with them. What could you possibly say? Ask them if they like being a third wheel?"
Wei Jing was a little annoyed by the insult, but when he turned to look at Wang Zhe's calm and composed demeanor, and the way Su Xiaocheng and Song Zhiyi were both smiling at him, the harmonious scene of the handsome man and beautiful woman seemed to have an invisible barrier separating him from them.
That's truly something that's hard to refute.
At this moment, Luo Yueshi also came over, pushed up his glasses, and said, "Old Wei, Old Fang is right. Instead of wasting time being a background character over there, you might as well take advantage of the fact that they're still recruiting and sign up for a painting club or a manga club. There are more girls there, and the chances are much better."
Upon hearing this, Wei Jing regained his spirits.
"That's right, there are plenty of beautiful girls waiting for us elsewhere!"
Fang Gang scoffed, "Heh, quite the high standards, and it has to be big."
Wei Jing: "..."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.