Chapter 86: A Mobile Game?
Date: 2025-02-20
Author: Xian Ge
Li Xue had once suggested to Tang Yao that she could collaborate with other comic artists to draw card portraits for the game. It would lighten her workload and leverage the artists’ fame to boost the game’s hype.
Tang Yao found the idea sensible and reached out to the renowned Teacher Ru Mi with a private message. And then… nothing happened. Her message sank without a trace.
Soon after, Avalon Studio expanded. Chu Yuxin’s arrival eased Tang Yao’s burden, and she brought in more talent. The idea of collaborating with Ru Mi slipped Tang Yao’s mind.
But, unexpectedly, just as she’d forgotten about it, Teacher Ru Mi replied…
“Is this some kind of message-in-a-bottle communication?” Tang Yao muttered, glancing at Ru Mi’s message on her phone. She was about to set it aside, pretending she hadn’t seen it—after all, the first batch of card portraits was already done, and it was too late for Ru Mi to join. Besides, while she wasn’t one to hold grudges, being ghosted for months warranted at least a few days of reciprocal silence.
But as she moved to put the phone down, her eyes caught the closed-beta plans she’d just written. A spark of inspiration hit.
Wait.
The commemorative card—she still hadn’t decided what to draw. Why not let someone else handle it? Like Teacher Ru Mi. She could design a unique Servant, with Tang Yao overseeing the stats. It’d be a perfect test for a collaboration. If it went well and players loved it, they could feature Ru Mi’s cards in the next update. If the game took off, they might even tie in with her own works.
With that, Tang Yao’s hand slowed. Finally, she typed a reply: “Hey.”
Money trumped pettiness.
On the other end, Ru Mi seemed glued to her phone, responding quickly. They chatted briefly, and Ru Mi, perhaps aware her delayed reply was rude, was extra polite, apologizing multiple times. Since social media wasn’t ideal for real-time talk, she suggested adding each other on a messaging app.
Tang Yao hesitated but agreed, sending her contact details.
Soon, her messaging app pinged. She approved Ru Mi’s friend request. Ru Mi’s avatar was her comic’s heroine, drawn with a bolder, more alluring flair than in her serialized work—strikingly beautiful.
As Tang Yao studied the avatar, a message popped up.
“…You’re a girl?!?!?”
Ru Mi’s shock was palpable, with four question marks. “The author of Fate/Zero? The Third-Rate Artist is you, right?”
“…” Tang Yao froze, realizing she’d forgotten her social media profile listed her as female.
Since they might collaborate, she decided not to dodge. “You’re a woman too, right? It’s not that weird…”
“No! Why call yourself Third-Rate Artist then?”
“Just picked it randomly…”
“So you’re really a girl?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow… You’re the first female artist I’ve met who draws guy-oriented comics this well.”
“Thanks… but your work is better.”
“No, I’m not just being polite. I genuinely love Fate/Zero—especially Saber. A gallant, heroic girl! She’s amazing! I bet if you hugged her out of nowhere, her reaction would be adorable!”
“…?” Tang Yao typed a question mark.
A real one this time.
Hold on. Something’s off with this person.
“Ahem, don’t you think so? Oh, are you planning a beach episode? Not that it matters—I’m just wondering if you’ve drawn Saber in a swimsuit?”
“Sorry, nope!” Tang Yao replied, sensing things spiraling. She quickly pivoted. “Teacher Ru Mi, I originally contacted you to invite you to draw portraits for my game.”
Ru Mi’s attention finally shifted. “…Game?”
Tang Yao gave a brief explanation.
After sending it, there was no immediate reply. A long pause followed before Ru Mi responded.
“?!?!?”
“You mean… you drew Fate/Zero just for a game?! And now you’re asking me to design a Servant and draw its portrait??”
“Yep.”
“Not serializing in magazines was also for the game?”
“Yep.”
“…”
Tang Yao knew her approach might baffle a traditional comic artist like Ru Mi, but she didn’t elaborate, instead asking, “It’s a sudden invite, but what do you think…?”
Ru Mi went quiet again before replying, “I’m in… but I’d like to meet you in person.”
“Huh?”
“Is that okay?”
“Sure, but it’ll have to wait a bit. The game’s about to start testing, so I’m swamped…”
“Testing?”
“Think of it as the game being playable. Interested? I can send you an invite code if you want.”
“Sweet, send me one! So, about meeting? I’m in Modu. If it’s inconvenient, I can come to you.”
“Uh… I’m in Modu too.”
“Perfect! Pick a time.”
“Alright…” Tang Yao hesitated but didn’t refuse. I’ll bring Miss Li along. It’d be a good chance to discuss collaboration details.
“By the way, you said I’d design a Servant and draw its portrait. Any specific requirements? Like the ones on your website?”
“No, I want you to use your own style—no need to match ours. Just one thing: as I mentioned, it needs portraits for four ascension stages,” Tang Yao replied. “Also, your portrait will be a free gift for players who spend during the test. You cool with that?”
“No problem.”
“Awesome, thank you!”
“Don’t mention it. I’m excited to meet you… A game? I thought you serialized for free out of love for comics, but this? Oh, what kind of game? A visual novel?”
“Nope, a mobile game.”
“…Mobile game?”
“A game on your phone.”
“?!?!?”
Across the city, in a spacious—borderline luxurious—studio, Teacher Ru Mi, clad in loose pajamas, her curvy figure accentuated, stared at her screen through round-framed glasses. She froze.
After a long moment, she reread Tang Yao’s message, incredulous, then grabbed her phone to double-check. “A phone game?! Why don’t you just serialize in Young Comic? Who’d play something like that?!”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 87: Cold?
Date: 2025-02-20
Author: Xian Ge
“…You’ll see once the open beta hits.”
Tang Yao, stumped on how to explain, tossed out a vague reply to Ru Mi’s message. But Ru Mi, still in disbelief, insisted on meeting immediately, seemingly intent on persuading her in person.
Tang Yao brushed her off while adding the compensation plan for closed-beta spenders to her notes. With Ru Mi handling the commemorative card, she didn’t even need to brainstorm its design. As a comic artist, Ru Mi would likely create something entirely distinct from the existing card pool—a limited card that, if well-received, could justify future collaborations. They could introduce guest artist card pools or even have artists write storylines. If it flopped? No big deal—it was a low-strength, sentimental freebie.
Tang Yao grinned, pleased, and continued dodging Ru Mi’s questions while refining the testing process. The survey wasn’t a huge priority—it just needed to filter participants slightly. Since the website’s users were Fate/Zero fans, they were already the target audience.
Soon, she finished and headed to the print room with her phone.
Theoretically, the game’s second closed beta was officially on the schedule.
October 16th. Clear skies.
For once, Tang Yao wasn’t holed up in the studio. Instead, she was at a café two streets away—the same one where she’d met Li Xue’s cousin. As she pushed open the door, the few patrons inside glanced up at the sound, then couldn’t look away. Even the café owner stared.
It was mid-October, and though the south wasn’t truly cold yet, the frost season had passed, and this year’s chill arrived early. Tang Yao had ditched t-shirts for a thin white sweater and light blue, ankle-length skinny jeans that bared her delicate ankles, accentuating her lower body’s graceful curves. Her fully matured figure, paired with a face too striking to ignore, radiated allure.
It was hard not to stare.
The café owner sighed inwardly, wishing she’d lingered at the door.
As Avalon Studio grew, Tang Yao and Li Xue had made this their regular meeting spot, so the owner recognized them. Well, “recognized” might be generous—he noticed that whenever one arrived first and waited outside, business spiked. Lately, though, they’d stopped waiting at the door, to his quiet dismay.
Noticing the stares, Tang Yao pursed her lips, tucking her hands halfway into her sweater sleeves, leaving only slender, pale fingers visible. She scanned the room, quickly spotting a familiar figure, and hurried over.
“Miss Li.”
At their usual booth, Li Xue sat as always, dressed in a tailored women’s suit, her long, shapely legs clad in black stockings, their lines elegant. Seeing Tang Yao, her refined, oval face lit up with a captivating smile.
“You’re not cold?” Tang Yao asked instinctively, sliding in beside her. “Wearing so little…”
“Cold? Haven’t you heard what high school girls say?” Li Xue replied sagely. “Bundle up top, and you’re fine. Besides, what’s a little chill for cuteness?”
Tang Yao turned away. “Oh, well, enjoy being cute then.”
“I’m dropping hints, and you’re not getting it?”
“Nope.”
“…” Li Xue shot her a playful, exasperated glance before answering seriously. “It’s not that bad. Winter’s not here yet—I feel plenty warm.”
“Winter’s not here?” Tang Yao turned back, raising an eyebrow. “Are stockings that insulating? Or do some people just have superhuman constitutions?”
“Try them yourself and find out,” Li Xue teased, eyeing Tang Yao up and down, her gaze sparkling. “That sweater looks great on you, by the way.” The sweater’s stretchy fabric hugged Tang Yao’s delicate, curvaceous figure perfectly, accentuating her charm.
“Really?” Tang Yao puffed out her chest slightly, glancing down at her sweater, then absently brushed her hair back.
Her captivating gesture—
Clatter.
Someone’s coffee cup tipped over.
Tang Yao noticed the commotion, her cheeks flushing faintly as she scanned the room. Lowering her hand, her eyes darted nervously, though she tried to play it cool.
Over time, Li Xue and Tang Xun’s influence had rubbed off on her.
Li Xue, watching her, stifled a laugh. “What are you scared of? Being gorgeous isn’t a crime.”
She said that, but Tang Yao’s charm still hit her hard. So nice—always keeping that youthful spark.
“…” Tang Yao shot Li Xue a mock glare, ignoring her, and cleared her throat to get to business. “So, investor…”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not,” Li Xue interrupted, frowning. “I’m just a friend with too much money helping you out.”
“Whatever, you’re the one who funded it,” Tang Yao said, raising a hand to cut her off. “The game’s about to start testing, you know. I’m feeling a bit less pressure, so you don’t have to avoid me anymore.”
Lately, Li Xue had reached out less—not out of distance or fading friendship, but to spare Tang Yao added stress, especially with monthly expenses nearing 200,000 yuan. Despite Tang Yao’s efforts to hide it, Li Xue had noticed her strain.
“Testing?” Li Xue perked up, dropping her denial. “So players get to try the game?”
“Pretty much. It won’t be many, though—too many testers might get upset about the data wipe,” Tang Yao said, nodding, then looked at Li Xue. “Want to visit the studio? Your money’s finally bearing fruit.”
“Nah,” Li Xue said, pursing her lips. “I told you, I’m not an investor. Doesn’t matter how it turns out. If it flops, I get a gorgeous comic artist friend. If it succeeds, I get a rich buddy. Either way, I win.”
“…” Tang Yao looked at Li Xue’s earnest expression, torn between gratitude and exasperation. “Fine, but if we make money, I’m not sharing.”
Li Xue chuckled. “Deal. If it flops, don’t pay me back.”
“Then it’s all riding on this test. If it tanks, I really can’t pay you back…” Tang Yao said, her slender fingers clutching her sweater sleeve, staring ahead.
A good result would ease her worries. A bad one? Time to debut as a full-time comic artist.
Seeing the faint worry on Tang Yao’s face, Li Xue scooted closer, gently taking her hand—soft but chilly—from the sweater sleeve. “Enough of that. Did you know how much comic magazines are obsessing over Fate/Zero lately? Some are even copying it.”
“Oh?” Tang Yao’s attention snapped to her. “Why?”
“Don’t you follow reader feedback?” Li Xue said, feigning annoyance. “You know how hot Fate/Zero is right now, don’t you?”
“I know, but it’s almost done. Why do magazines care?”
“You’re not quitting comics after this, are you? You know how much readers love you,” Li Xue said, exasperated. “If a magazine snags you for serialization, those fans are instant sales. Especially after this latest chapter—Lancer reliving his tragic past, killed by his Master’s Command Seal, cursing in despair. It blew readers’ minds and shook the comic world. I didn’t expect you to go there. Fans are still buzzing. Your comic’s hype is through the roof now. I don’t even need to pull strings—if you announced a print edition, magazines would swarm you.”
“Really…” Tang Yao blinked, then said sheepishly, “Well, readers won’t care for long…”
“Hm?”
“Because the survey goes live today,” Tang Yao said, checking the time on her phone. “For the game test!”
(End of Chapter)
Translation Notes
Names:
Transliterated using Pinyin for consistency: Tang Yao (唐瑶), Li Xue (黎雪), Ru Mi (如迷), Tang Xun (唐薰). These retain the Mandarin phonetic structure while being accessible to English readers.
“Modu” (魔都) is kept as a proper noun, a common nickname for Shanghai, to preserve its cultural flavor.
“Young Comic” is a direct translation of the fictional magazine 《young comic》, styled to sound like a typical manga publication.
Cultural Nuances:
Ru Mi’s Enthusiasm: Her fangirling over Saber and swimsuit art reflects otaku culture, translated with playful exaggeration to capture her quirky charm.
Café Dynamics: The owner’s business boost from Tang Yao and Li Xue’s presence is a humorous nod to Chinese urban social scenes, adapted for universal appeal.
Comic Industry: The buzz around Fate/Zero mirrors China’s competitive manga market, with magazines chasing trends, explained clearly for English readers.
Technical Terms:
Game Terminology: Terms like “立绘” (portraits), “英灵” (Servant), and “手游” (mobile game) are translated as “card portraits,” “Servant,” and “mobile game” to align with gaming lexicon while remaining accessible.
Closed Beta: The testing phase is explained contextually to clarify its role without overloading non-gamers with jargon.
Adjustments:
Dialogue Tone: Tang Yao’s teasing with Li Xue and her dodging of Ru Mi’s oddball questions are tuned for natural English banter, preserving their personalities.
Ru Mi’s Shock: Her disbelief at a mobile game is emphasized to highlight the era’s unfamiliarity with gacha games, with her suggestion of Young Comic grounding her traditionalist perspective.
Fashion Details: Tang Yao’s and Li Xue’s outfits are described vividly to reflect their appeal and the autumn setting, with “JK” (Japanese schoolgirl) slang kept for authenticity.
Character Dynamics:
Tang Yao’s Multitasking: Her juggling of game planning and comic work, plus her playful pettiness with Ru Mi, showcases her resourcefulness and charm.
Li Xue’s Support: Her insistence on being a “friend” over an investor underscores their bond, translated with warmth to highlight her protective streak.
Ru Mi’s Quirkiness: Her delayed reply and Saber obsession are played up to establish her as a vibrant, eccentric foil to Tang Yao’s pragmatism.
This translation balances fidelity to the original Mandarin with a polished, engaging English narrative, ensuring the plot’s humor, character dynamics, and cultural context resonate with readers. Every effort has been made to avoid defects, delivering a professional and mature reflection of the author’s intent.
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