As the breakout hit of 2013’s domestic gaming scene, Cloud Journeys—initially dismissed by investors—had become a cultural phenomenon under C-Site’s promotion. This “indie game” crafted by Chinese developers now held far greater reputational value than its commercial earnings.

Especially when one of its creators was also the nation’s top idol, Yuanbao—while the lead developer was a high school sophomore preparing for college entrance exams.

Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and their Ximilu Studio had become a traffic magnet. Gamers and music fans alike clamored for details about this genius developer-idol duo—a storyline too fantastical for fiction.

And that wasn’t even touching the whispers about the elusive “Lady Linxi.”

Thus, Mei Fang’s inbox overflowed with interview requests from media outlets, including major state-run platforms.

He’d always been media-shy, wary of overexposure. Lin Youxi’s anonymity remained non-negotiable—for now.

But for Cloud Journeys’ sales, strategic publicity was necessary. If the core trio would stay veiled, they had the perfect proxy:

Guo Yun—Gloudy’s real-life inspiration and the game’s lead artist.

“M-me? An exclusive interview?!”

Guo Yun gaped. “I-I can’t! Alone, I—”

“You won’t be alone,” Mei Fang reassured. “Yuan, Youxi, the whole Ximilu team—we’ll be backstage supporting you.”

He leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Use this platform to share your story—your transformation from middle school to now. Address every slander directly.”

“With media reach on your side, sincerity will silence the rumors. The bullies will beg for forgiveness.”

“It sounds possible but…”

Guo Yun curled into a ball on her bed, the epitome of a frail noblewoman. “Facing cameras alone, pouring my heart out… It’s too embarrassing!”

“It’s a one-on-one interview,” Xia Yuan soothed. “Just speak to the reporter like you did in our videos.”

She nudged Mei Fang. “A-Fang, encourage her!”

“She doesn’t need encouragement—this is just tsundere antics.”

Mei Fang smirked. “She endured years of grueling fitness regimes. This is nothing.”

“D-don’t twist my words! How is this nothing?!”

Guo Yun hurled pillows at him. Once the flurry subsided, she mumbled:

“But… if the interview boosts Cloud Journeys sales… that’s good, right?”

Lin Youxi nodded. “I was going to mention that. Even if bonuses don’t motivate you, the validation might.”

“I do care about bonuses…” Guo Yun pouted. “Fine. I’ll try. Won’t waste your efforts.”

Mei Fang corrected her: “Don’t do it for us. Do it to grow—to become Gloudy, who walks alone unshaken.”

“…Mm. I’ll prepare.”

Her whisper was barely audible.

---

As the trio left Guo Yun’s home, Xia Yuan clung to Mei Fang, giggling. “Yunyun really listens to you! We thought she’d transfer, but a few words from A-Fang changed her mind.”

“Not just me—you inspired her first. It’s a team effort.”

“……”

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi abruptly stopped, staring at him.

“What? Why the—”

“A-Fang, sometimes I can’t tell if you’re genuinely naive or just pretending,” Xia Yuan grumbled before disentangling herself. She hooked an arm around Mei Fang’s shoulder, her tone turning serious. “The fact that Yunyun thought to confide in you first speaks volumes!”

“We were desk mates! You two only know her through me—of course she’d reach out…”

Xia Yuan began tracing circles on his chest. “Plus, remember how kind you were to her in middle school? Now that she’s gorgeous, those orbiters can’t compare to you—the one who supported her when she needed it most.”

Lin Youxi smiled. “As the saying goes: ‘No water compares to the vast sea; no cloud rivals A-Fang’s embrace.’”

“Even if you put it like that—”

Mei Fang suddenly scooped Xia Yuan up, planting a loud kiss on her cheek. “I’m a one-woman man—well, two-woman. My heart belongs exclusively to you both.”

“W-who said I was worried?! Don’t just—flirt out of nowhere!”

Xia Yuan nuzzled his nose. “I just mean… you change people. Everyone around you grows, but other girls get the short end—stealing hearts without responsibility. What a sinful man.”

“Can’t be helped. Two hands, two sweethearts—that’s my limit.”

Lin Youxi linked arms with him. “So if you had three heads and six arms… would you collect six wives?”

“Stop with weird hypotheticals! And we’re in public—quit clinging or I’ll die of shame!”

Truthfully, Mei Fang knew exactly how his care shaped Guo Yun’s perception of him. But avoiding her plight for appearances’ sake wasn’t in his nature—not when his bond with his girls was unshakable enough to let him act freely.

---

Under their guidance, Guo Yun granted an exclusive to a major gaming outlet. As lead artist, she detailed her creative journey—including the mockery she’d endured and her grueling transformation.

The trio watched backstage. For Guo Yun, baring her past to the reporter felt like confiding in friends.

She no longer feared showing old photos, even laughing mid-interview while reviewing progress snapshots.

“Seeing your efforts pay off must feel incredible—just like Gloudy’s arc,” the reporter noted.

“It does,” Guo Yun agreed, her complexion brighter today. “Honestly, my role in Cloud Journeys—and my fitness results—wouldn’t exist without our producer’s encouragement.”

“Oh? You two are close?”

“We were desk mates in middle school,” she said softly. “When everyone else ridiculed me, he treated me kindly—like he’d known me forever.”

Mei Fang froze.

(Wrong script! This is where you call out the bullies!)

He frantically gestured. Guo Yun just smiled and kept praising him.

The reporter pounced: “Your producer’s right there squirming. Any final words for him?”

“Hmm…”

Guo Yun gazed at Mei Fang, then at the beaming Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi.

“No more thank-yous—he hates those. As for what I do want to say…”

She rested her chin on her hand. “Let’s keep making amazing games together. That way… our friendship will last forever.”

With a thumbs-up and radiant smile, she concluded. And watching her, Mei Fang realized—

The confident, laughing Guo Yun didn’t need to air grievances. Doing so would’ve undermined the interview’s warmth.

---

When the video dropped on Cloud Journeys‘ official page—boosted by C-Site’s homepage—views and comments exploded. Soon, Guo Yun’s school buzzed about her role in the hit game.

As Lin Youxi predicted, this “shockwave” prompted administrators to investigate the rumors. The spurned confessor eventually apologized privately—Guo Yun, ever kind, spared him a public reckoning.