"Ah, you are—"
Mei Fang's question was filled with surprise and uncertainty, "Liu Xiaoyu?"
Liu Xiaoyu smiled at Mei Fang: "You recognized me right away. It seems that I haven't changed much since I was a student."
"Ah, that's the one..."
Mei Fang really didn't expect that he would meet Liu Xiaoyu again on such an occasion. After all, the two had no contact for nearly 10 years, but they met on such an almost unimaginable occasion.
Liu Xiaoyu has actually changed a lot.
Compared with the immaturity ten years ago, Liu Xiaoyu has become more radiant now.
She was wearing a pink Lolita dress that showed a cute style, with big chestnut curly curls, and a cute and sweet face under her delicate makeup. At first glance, she looked like a girl in her early 20s, with no signs of the ravages of time at all.
But, this is also how she would be...
"Right, right... Why are you here?"
"As you can see, I'm here to visit the exhibition."
Liu Xiaoyu looked up at the booths of Lin Youxi and Mei Fang as he spoke. "White Plum Time... This is an independent game about nostalgia, right? Did you make it together? Can I try it out?"
"Um… "
Seeing that Mei Fang was hesitant and did not move immediately, Lin Youxi hurried out of the booth and pushed Mei Fang and Liu Xiaoyu forward:
"Ah Fang, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and bring your old classmate in to experience our work."
So Liu Xiaoyu became one of the few players who experienced "White Plum Time".
She was experiencing the game content very seriously, and asked Mei Fang about his recent situation from time to time. Mei Fang answered her one by one, and then patiently explained the level process and design ideas to Liu Xiaoyu.
During their conversation, we learned that Liu Xiaoyu is also currently working in the gaming industry, but in a position dedicated to game distribution and operations, doing copywriting-oriented work; in addition, she also has a side job as a novel writer.
"Didn't you like music before? Didn't you choose to continue with it?"
"Well... that's just one of my hobbies, but I can't say I like it that much. Compared to music, writing is a happier thing for me. I like the feeling of communicating and interacting with readers and players... Oh, by the way, what is your design idea here?"
During this period, Lin Youxi did not make any effort to promote her game to people around her. Her attention was all on Mei Fang and Liu Xiaoyu.
A woman's intuition told Lin Youxi that she was definitely the girl that Mei Fang had a crush on.
I say I don’t like you, but I’m not that obsessed with you either.
My eyes are wide open!
Lin Youxi puffed up her cheeks as if she was jealous, but then she smiled with relief.
If it were her, maybe...
Under Mei Fang's guidance, Liu Xiaoyu carefully played through the demo version of "White Plum Time", and then sat in his seat, sighing with emotion:
“Although the pace of play is a bit slow, it is really a great game... especially for us kids who grew up in Baimei County..."
Liu Xiaoyu said with emotion: "It's full of childhood memories. You even reproduced the streets. It can be seen that you are really dedicated to making this game. But from the current market perspective, it may be difficult to get the support of players—"
"I know, but after all, we are making independent games, so we must be pursuing our dreams."
Mei Fang said as she looked at Lin Youxi who quickly turned around, "We designed this work to commemorate Youxi's best childhood friend Xia Yuan, who passed away when Youxi was in fourth grade."
"I see... Xia Yuan is the first heroine to appear in this game, right?"
Liu Xiaoyu said gently: "She is really a very cute girl in the game."
"Like... a little angel."
Liu Xiaoyu was sighing when he suddenly heard a clear female voice coming from outside the booth:
"Xiaoyu, what are you doing here by yourself? It took me a while to find you."
A petite woman appeared next to Liu Xiaoyu. Liu Xiaoyu could hardly hide his excitement and beckoned the girl to come over.
"Ah... Xinyi, come here for a moment, look who he is?"
The little girl was obviously surprised when her eyes fell on Mei Fang.
"Oh my god, aren't you Mei Fang? Why are you here? I think it's been ten years since we last met. You and Zhang Ming didn't even come to a class reunion. We thought you were dead."
“…Are you also my high school classmate?”
"I knocked. I'm Yue Xinyi. I used to sit in front of you. Don't you have any memory of me? You are so heartless!"
Yue Xinyi said as she pushed Mei Fang hard, her familiar look making Mei Fang a little confused:
"Ah, I really don't remember that."
"It is indeed your classmate, Fang. Look, her name is here."
Lin Youxi took off her school uniform and pointed to the place on the back where Yue Xinyi's name was written. "This is it, right? Yue-Xin-Yi--"
"He looks so familiar!"
As soon as Yue Xinyi saw Lin Youxi, she was attracted by her appearance. "I feel like I've seen you before... Are you, that, that - the one hanging on the board downstairs in our grade -"
Lin Youxi smiled at Yue Xinyi, "Are you talking about the one who has always been on the red flag list of Baimei No. 1 Middle School?"
"Yes, the one who has always been number one, the academic genius Lin Youxi, right?"
Yue Xinyi excitedly shook hands with Lin Youxi, "I have been your fan since I was in school!"
“Haha… is this true?”
Lin Youxi smiled at Yue Xinyi, "If you are still my fan, would you like to play the work "White Plum Time" that Ah Fang and I completed together?"
"Okay, okay... I'll try it right away... wait, wait—"
Yue Xinyi looked at Lin Youxi in surprise, then looked at Mei Fang who was standing beside her. "Are you talking about Ah Fang? Are you calling Mei Fang?"
Such an intimate name must be used by people who are very close, right
So after Yue Xinyi asked, Liu Xiaoyu seemed a little embarrassed and quickly reminded her in a low voice:
"Xinyi, don't ask so many questions..."
Mei Fang was thinking about how to explain his relationship with Lin Youxi, but Lin Youxi interrupted him and said, "Haha, it's nothing... Ah Fang and I are good friends. We are a golden pair in our careers. Although we look like lovers, we are not actually lovers. Haha, I am a bachelor."
As Lin Youxi spoke, he openly put his arm around Mei Fang's shoulders to show their close relationship, which also surprised Liu Xiaoyu and Yue Xinyi.
"I always feel like... your temperament has changed a lot since high school."
"I... what was high school like?" Lin Youxi was curious.
Yue Xinyi explained, "She was that cold goddess who kept strangers away, but now she seems to be very easy to get along with."
"Actually, I was a bit immature at that time, but there was no other reason..."
Lin Youxi and Yue Xinyi chatted about the topic intermittently, which also gave Mei Fang and Liu Xiaoyu an opportunity to chat alone.
"You two have a really good relationship!"
"Um… "
Liu Xiaoyu smiled and said, "It feels very happy to have like-minded companions to make the games I like together."
"That's right."
Mei Fang responded to Liu Xiaoyu's words more than explaining them, which made Liu Xiaoyu a little concerned.
"I feel like... you've become much more mature and stable than before, and you're not as talkative as before."
"Ah... is there?" Mei Fang scratched his head.
Liu Xiaoyu nodded. "I remember when we were deskmates, we always talked about countless topics every day. I remember that the school was organizing club activities at that time. You knew that the clubs in Baimei No. 1 Middle School were just fooling around with the inspections from above, but you were still very serious in preparing materials related to the game production club."
"Now that you mention it, I remember..."
Mei Fang nodded and said, "I think I troubled you to help me prepare a lot of materials at that time, but in the end the club didn't come together. I'm really embarrassed."
"What's there to be embarrassed about? They are all nostalgic memories."
Liu Xiaoyu kept talking, "I obviously didn't know anything at that time, but as soon as I heard you say it, I wanted to do it with you. I felt that I was much more motivated than I am now."
"I just told you that I'm writing a novel. No matter whether I'm busy or idle every day, I can only write 4,000 words at most. If I write more, I won't be able to write anymore—"
Liu Xiaoyu was vividly describing her own mental journey to Mei Fang at this moment. As a result, a few new players came to the booth. Mei Fang gestured to Liu Xiaoyu, and she stopped talking when she saw this. However, when Mei Fang passed by her, Liu Xiaoyu suddenly grabbed Mei Fang's arm.
"Mei Fang, it's a rare opportunity for old classmates to reunite. Do you want to have a meal together after the exhibition? I'll treat you. We can talk slowly while we eat."
"… "
After hesitating for a while, Mei Fang smiled at Liu Xiaoyu and said, "Let's do it another day... I have to treat our friends who helped Zhan Zi to dinner today."
"Well... I'll see you next time if there's a chance. Then, add your contact information. I see that you don't use your Penguin account anymore. I think everyone is using WeChat now."
"Yeah, everyone is using prestige, come... I'll sweep you."
So everyone exchanged contact information.
Apart from the chance encounter with high school classmates Liu Xiaoyu and Yue Xinyi, this nuclear fusion exhibition did not bring Mei Fang and Lin Youxi too many unexpected discoveries.
Their work did not attract long queues of people to view, but it was not completely unpopular either. There were about a hundred players who came to experience "White Plum Time".
These hundreds of players have given high praise to "White Plum Time". They like the characters and stories of the two heroines in the story, as well as the small town scenery depicted in the game, which has a nostalgic atmosphere. They hope that Mei Fang and others can complete the work as soon as possible.
Under everyone's encouragement, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi also set up a game exchange group to update and publicize the game's development progress.
"Now we have our first batch of core fans. Next, should we release the game on Steam? Even if we put up an early access sign, that would be a good idea."
"Don't worry... Our game is a story-based game, so we have to complete the main storyline before we can release it online. That will take at least half a year to polish."
"By the way, didn't Liu Xiaoyu say before that she was writing a novel? How about asking her for help? Maybe it will be more effective with less effort."
After Lin Youxi mentioned Liu Xiaoyu's name, Mei Fang suddenly fell silent and seemed a little cold.
Seeing that Mei Fang did not respond to her words, Lin Youxi coiled around Mei Fang's waist like a water snake and lay in Mei Fang's arms:
"We have already taken the first step in our game, why are you still not happy at all, Fang?"
Mei Fang was silent for a while, then gently pinched Lin Youxi's cheek and said:
"I don't like it. I don't like you telling others that we are good friends."
"So what do you want to use? Best friend? Male friend? Brother and sister? Sister and brother? Or... childhood sweetheart?"
Lin Youxi narrowed her eyes and smiled at Mei Fang, "As long as we are not in a romantic relationship, I can acknowledge it with you no matter what kind of relationship it is."
"… "
Faced with Lin Youxi's countless identical answers, Mei Fang could only reveal a helpless and bitter smile.
Although they were clearly doing things like a couple, he and Lin Youxi were still unable to be labeled as a couple. This torment was almost impossible to accept for Mei Fang, who had extremely high moral standards.
Seeing her lover sad, Lin Youxi must have felt unhappy, so she sat up and whispered to Mei Fang with her forehead against hers:
"Okay... Let's skip the unhappy topic for now. I haven't had time to ask you, what was it like to meet your first love again?"
"Liu Xiaoyu is not my first love, you are."
"Look, I didn't even tell you who it was! You're already exposed."
Lin Youxi patted Mei Fang's head and said, "She is the top ten singer, your old deskmate, right?"
"Um… "
“She’s really beautiful and has a gentle personality.”
Lin Youxi gently kissed Mei Fang's cheek.
"If I were a man... I would like her as much as you do."
"I told you it's not my first love... I just have a simple crush on you."
Although the two were being intimate, Mei Fang was a little impatient with Lin Youxi's questioning. He held Lin Youxi's cheek and said seriously:
"She and I have had very little contact since we stopped being deskmates in high school. We haven't had any contact for ten years since then. If either of us had feelings for each other, wouldn't we have found a way to get in touch long ago?"
"Besides, for a girl as outstanding as her, there were seven or eight boys in our class who liked her at the time. She must be in a relationship now."
"No, I asked her privately on the way, and she has always been single."
As Lin Youxi spoke, he showed Mei Fang the chat history between him and Liu Xiaoyu:
"Look, she has been single all her life, I don't know if she is waiting for someone..."
Mei Fang suddenly became annoyed after seeing Lin Youxi's chat history:
"Why did you tell her that I was also single from birth?"
"do not you?"
"We were dating for a few days before, right? During team building."
"Isn't that just pretending to be a couple? A few days is considered a relationship, right..."
Lin Youxi was joking with Mei Fang, but when she saw Mei Fang staring at her with a sullen face, she suddenly felt very aggrieved and punched Mei Fang hard in the chest.
"As expected, you like Liu Xiaoyu! You will be mean to me for her..."
"ah?"
Mei Fang didn't expect that Lin Youxi's heavy punch would hit him, "Is this considered being mean to you? Even if I am mean to you, it's because I feel that you are messing around..."
"You are just being mean to me!"
Lin Youxi's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and they turned red. "You didn't talk to me when you came back today. You must be thinking about Liu Xiaoyu, right?"
As she spoke, she started hitting Mei Fang with her fists, even hitting him in the face.
Mei Fang did not fight back, but just kept apologizing to Lin Youxi:
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have been mean to you... I have no feelings for Liu Xiaoyu, really not at all. I didn't say anything on the way because I was just thinking about "White Plum Time."
"You really don't like Liu Xiaoyu at all?"
Lin Youxi sobbed and glared at Mei Fang, "You're not lying?"
"I don't lie."
"You're really not lying?"
"Lying to you is like a puppy."
"Besides that, you have to swallow a thousand needles! You have to be boiled in oil! You have to become an ugly monster! And..."
"No... your curses are too many and too harsh!"
Mei Fang coaxed Lin Youxi like a child, "Okay, okay... I'm really scared of you. I've blocked and deleted all the contact information of Liu Xiaoyu and Yue Xinyi. Okay, now you can rest assured, right?"
As Mei Fang was talking, he started to delete and block Liu Xiaoyu. This made Lin Youxi, who was still sobbing, change his expression immediately. He snatched Mei Fang's phone and stopped him from operating it. Mei Fang also showed an unexpected smug expression, and pulled Lin Youxi's ear and said:
"I knew it... you were just acting on purpose to make me dislike you."
"How did you tell? I acted so well!"
Lin Youxi looked aggrieved, and her coquettish and cute appearance was particularly adorable. Seeing this, Mei Fang also said seriously:
"You take your medicine on time every day under my supervision. How could you suddenly get sick for no reason? And the force with which you punched me was so light. It doesn't look like you're having an attack. Last time you had an attack, you bit me and made me bleed. Have you forgotten that?"
Lin Youxi lay on Mei Fang and muttered, "Sometimes when an attack occurs, even medicine cannot control it..."
"That depends on whether I can bear it, not whether you can control it."
"Afang...really, don't love me too much."
Lin Youxi turned her head and looked at her lover, "I'm not worthy."
Bang!
Before Lin Youxi finished speaking, Mei Fang suddenly slapped her PG hard.
"Ugh... what are you doing, you stinky Fang!"
"I don't want you to feel that it's not worth it, I want me to feel that it's worth it."
Mei Fang said as she gave Lin Youxi another PG.
"Next time, don't use this kind of acting to irritate me. It doesn't matter if you hurt me, but the main thing is that it will hurt you too. I feel bad, don't you know that?"
Lin Youxi blushed and whined at Mei Fang:
"I... I don't want to listen to you. You are not my boyfriend. You are the one who is sentimental and has to suffer for me. You are just my dog!"
"You still want to be beaten, right? Hmm!"
Bang!
"Hit me again if you dare!"
Bang!
“Come again!”
"Youxi... Do you really like this kind of PLAY?"
"Don't you like it too?"
"… "
The two looked at each other and smiled. Then Lin Youxi stood up with the help of Mei Fang. The two hugged each other and began to make love formally.
…
Liu Xiaoyu is a very nice girl.
But... I have to know what she thinks.
If I didn't love Alfonso half as much as I do... no, one third as much—
I can't approve of her!
Lin Youxi silently made calculations in his mind.
I have been typing all day with a high fever today, and the God of Sudden Death has come to report. Considering that I am suffering the same as Mei Fanglin Youxi, please give me a monthly ticket and subscription.
(End of this chapter)