I’m Really a Superstar

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

The praise from China, Japan, Korea, and the rest of Asia flooded in.

Especially in Japan. Almost everyone was mesmerized by the works.

“How satisfying!”

“It’s a feast of cartoons!”

“Good cartoons are piling up by the heaps!”

“I’ve become obsessed as well!”

“These seven teachers are amazing!”

“Hurry up and publish the chapters!”

Within Asia, a lot of those who did not used to watch cartoons were attacked by this wave of Japanese comics and got pulled into the army of followers. They were no longer capable of getting ahold of themselves.

The seven cartoons were competing with each other, frequently breaking records in the Japanese comics world. Sometimes, it would be this series, and other times, it would be another series. All of the other cartoons had no business in this competition. In the current Asian market, it had become a performance by these seven cartoons with no others involved.

Throughout the history of Japan.

Throughout the history of cartoons.

There had never been such a feast before!

…

At Zhang Ye’s Studio.

Coming to work in the morning, everyone’s morale was soaring high.

“Director Ha, morning.”

“Brother Zuo, good morning.”

“How are the results?”

“The new standalone volume of Dragon Ball has broken another record.”

“That’s great.”

“It’s the same for the animations too. Detective Conan has surpassed Doraemon’s viewership ratings.”

“It’s our own record anyway, haha.”

“Yeah! No matter how the fight goes, they’re all Director Zhang’s works.”

“What new works will Director Zhang come up with next time?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t heard from him for several days.”

“Let’s hold a video conference meeting with him and find out then.”

“Alright.”

When everyone had gathered, they went into the conference room.

Ha Qiqi turned on the software and connected to Director Zhang.

Du du. The video call connected. But when they saw Zhang Ye on the other end, everyone in the studio was dumbfounded. They gasped endlessly!

The video feed showed Zhang Ye, who looked like he had just escaped from a refugee camp. His hair was disheveled and he was unshaven as well. Meanwhile, his clothes were still the same as when they held their last video conference call with him. His entire person looked listless and dispirited, and his eyelids were drooping. It was as if he were going to collapse at any moment and a gust of wind could blow him away.

Little Wang exclaimed in heartache.

Ha Qiqi immediately shouted: “Director Zhang, what’s the matter?”

Zhang Zuo was also scared: “What’s with you? Did you come up with a new work again?”

Little Wang asked: “How many new series have you drawn this time?”

New work?

How many series?

Hearing that, Zhang Ye nearly vomited blood!

Zhang Ye said angrily: “Why would I draw any more new series? I’ve already got seven series on my hands, and there are only seven days in a week. With each series updating at three chapters a week, I have to finish three chapters a day on average. When this bro’s in good shape, I can only draw that many chapters. But now, I have to draw three chapters every day! I haven’t slept in two days already. Do you all really think that I’m made of steel?!”

Ah?

Haven’t you always been made of steel?

But of course, they didn’t dare say that out loud.

Ha Qiqi quickly said: “Aiya, quickly go and rest, quickly go and rest.”

Zhang Zuo said: “Yes, yes, don’t draw anymore.”

Zhang Ye said dejectedly: “I finished drawing after burning the midnight oil. They’ve been sent out to your inboxes, so go and check them. I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to catch up on some sleep.”

Ha Qiqi urged: “Go on, go on quickly!”

After ending the video conference call.

Zhang Ye returned to his bedroom and laid down. He didn’t even have the energy to lift a finger. This fellow only brought out these seven comic series in a fit of excitement without thinking of the commitments. In the end, he got entangled, having to draw three chapters every day, and occasionally even four. Even Zhang Ye could not take such a punishing schedule! He used to actually be quite happy to see the comics doing great and even bragged to Old Wu about it. But when this fellow heard the word “comics” now, he trembled!

Persist!

Persist a bit more!

Victory is right before my eyes!

An hour.

Three hours.

He fell asleep. When he opened his eyes again, it was already noon.

Zhang Ye checked his watch in a daze and immediately got up from bed. “Aiya, I forgot to prepare lunch!” He hurried out of bed and headed downstairs.

The aroma of cooking was overflowing.

As well as the fragrance of cooked rice.

Zhang Ye was startled and increased his pace to rush downstairs.

On the lower floor, all his family had come. His parents, Li Qinqin, and Wu Changhe were all here. Over in the open kitchen, it was actually Wu Zeqing doing the cooking.

“Dad, Mom.”

“Ai, Little Ye is awake.”

“What are you all doing here?”

“Zeqing called us over.”

Zhang Ye turned around and said angrily, “What are you doing, Old Wu?”

Wu Zeqing smiled. “Making lunch.”

Zhang Ye complained, “Who said that you could move around! I already said that I’ll make the meals!”

His mother said, “I said the same thing, but she insisted on doing it herself.”

“For today’s meal, I have to be the one preparing it.” Wu Zeqing smiled and then moved her leg a little. She said, “See, my ankle has healed. I’ve been bored out of my mind these past few months. If I don’t start moving, I’ll have forgotten how to walk. Little Ye, wash your hands and get ready to eat.”

Zhang Ye went over and crouched down to have a feel. “Have you really recovered?”

Wu Zeqing said gently, “Yes, I’ve been feeling fine since about two days ago.”

Lunch was ready.

Everyone was seated together.

Wu Zeqing suddenly raised her glass and said with a smile, “Before we start, let me offer my husband a toast first.”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Aiya, there’s no need for that.”

But Wu Changhe said, “It’s a must.”

Li Qinqin sighed and said, “It’s really been hard on Little Ye these past few months. He has thrown aside all his work and stopped going to the office just so that he could take care of Zeqing. It really wasn’t easy at all.”

His mother said, “It’s his wife, so how could he not?”

His father said, “Zeqing has always been the one taking care of him in the past, so it’s about time he did his part.”

Zhang Ye chuckled. “Mom and Dad are right. It’s my responsibility, my responsibility!”

Though she had an injured leg for almost a hundred days, Old Wu did not dare take any medication as she was pregnant. As such, her recovery speed was much slower than most people’s. During these several months, there had been many changes in the entertainment industry. Some newcomers shot to fame, while other veterans dropped in their popularity rankings. There were new movies that led the trend, and also some famous movie stars encountering their Waterloos. A lot had happened during this time, but Zhang Ye remained indifferent to it. He single-mindedly stayed at home to take care of his wife and did not step out of the house except for grocery shopping. With Zhang Ye being someone who could never stay idle, it was indeed not easy.

He learned to cook.

He learned to do the laundry.

He learned to handle many of the household chores.

During these several months, Zhang Ye had also grown by quite a bit.

Wu Zeqing said, “Go back to work starting tomorrow.”

Zhang Ye blinked. “Have you really recovered?”

His mother rolled her eyes. “Are you hoping that Zeqing won’t recover?”

“Hey, I was just asking,” Zhang Ye said in a speechless manner.

Everyone laughed.

Wu Zeqing said, “Go and sleep a bit more after lunch. Rest well so that you’ll have the energy to work tomorrow. There are still a lot of things waiting for you.”

Zhang Ye smiled. “Sure, I’ll listen to my wife.”

After lunch, Zhang Ye went upstairs and went back to bed. It was time to recharge.

After bidding the entertainment industry farewell for so many months, I wonder if anyone misses me?

Haha! I, Hu Hansan, am back again!