บท 191: Cells at Work (2-in-1)
Ren was secretly delighted but tried to put on a troubled expression.
Seeing this, Jada felt triumphant. She crossed her arms, making her chest look even more prominent. "So, what's it going to be? Agree or not?" she teased, tracing circles on Ren's chest with her finger. "If you can't come up with something, then forget about replenishing your 'nutrients.'"
At this moment, Jada felt like a genius for coming up with such a condition. Creating a work that could enhance children's awareness and ability to protect themselves? While such content does exist, most are so childish that even kids find them boring. In recent years, there hasn't been much of it around. She doubted her husband could create something in this genre.
"Oh really!" Ren, seemingly provoked, puffed out his chest, acting all high and mighty. "Just you wait! I'll show you what I can do!"
"Oh, really?" Jada smiled, thinking her reverse psychology had worked. "I'll be waiting for your new work," she said as she walked out. "And no sneaking attacks! I'm going to take a bath."
Watching Jada leave, Ren couldn't help but collapse on the bed, laughing into the sheets. He was excited because Jada's challenge played right into his hands. He had the perfect idea already—*Cells at Work!*
This was one of the new works refreshed by the system today. *Cells at Work!* was a story about the cells in your body, personified in a lively and educational manner. It depicted the tireless work of these cells in maintaining health. There were commanders (Helper T cells), couriers (red blood cells), and protectors (white blood cells, Killer T cells, and macrophages). It even featured adorable little girls (platelets) who repaired the body.
The series aimed to inspire viewers to take better care of their health, reminding them that every minor wound involved a team of cells working hard to heal it, and every sickness was a battle being fought within. The show was scientifically accurate and respected academic rigor, making the various cells' roles clear and engaging.
In his past life, this work was so influential that it was even mentioned in official media and aired on CCTV. While *Cells at Work!* was praised for its educational value, Ren had a personal preference for its darker counterpart, *Cells at Work! BLACK*. However, *BLACK* was not drawn from the system.
Ren knew he had to adapt *Cells at Work!* for local tastes. For example, scenes where characters bow to apologize or constantly call each other "senpai" were culturally specific and uncommon in their context. These and other aspects would need to be adjusted to fit the local audience better. Even so, the core educational content and appeal of the cells' world would remain.
"Sigh... I'll miss hearing 'Ano ne~' from the platelets," Ren lamented, recalling the adorable characters from the original series.
But as he thought about the other works he had received from the system, Ren's mood brightened. Apart from *Cells at Work!*, he also received two other gems: *Fate/stay night* (FSN) and *Sword Art Online*.
The version of FSN he received was the Heaven's Feel (HF) route, which was darker and more intense than the other routes. This would perfectly continue the tone set by *Fate/Zero*. Ren planned to adapt HF as a movie rather than a manga, aiming to capture the story's depth and complexity in a cinematic format.
The third work was *Sword Art Online*, specifically the first season, which Ren loved the most. The story revolves around players trapped in a virtual reality game where in-game death means real-life death. The suspense and unique setting had captivated many fans, and Ren was excited to bring this series to his new world.
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In the city of Shi, a studio buzzed with activity. This was where Ren's assistants worked, having moved from Ren's home as the team grew. While Ren mostly worked from home, he occasionally visited the studio in the morning or afternoon.
"Porter-sensei, these works are amazing!"
"Not surprising, coming from Porter-sensei!"
Claire, Felix, and other assistants looked at Ren with admiration after reading his latest manga. They were astonished by how vividly Ren had illustrated a story about the human body.
They never imagined that the human body's interior could resemble a vibrant city, complete with grand buildings (muscles and bones) and orderly streets (blood vessels). Even the cells were depicted as handsome men, beautiful women, and adorable little girls. These cells had emotions, aged, and faced challenges, telling touching stories of growing stronger.
"Porter-sensei, thinking about all these cute cells in my body makes me feel guilty about getting sick!"
"Yeah, same here!"
The assistants spoke in unison, sharing their thoughts.
"And this 'Sword Art Online' is also a masterpiece!"
"Agreed. The story seems so possible! If a hacker really did take over a virtual game system, what would happen to us players? Would we really die, or just suffer brain damage?"
Ren nodded, pleased with their feedback. "Great, I'm glad you all like it! But now, it's time to get to work!" He then added, "By the way, if any of you have your own manga projects, feel free to show me. If they're good enough, we'll publish them in Picca Comics. If the quality is exceptional, we might even adapt them into an anime or live-action show."
Hearing this, the assistants eagerly presented their manuscripts. This opportunity was a key reason they worked with Ren—not just for the decent pay but also for his guidance. They trusted him not to steal their ideas, and the chance to have their work published or adapted was invaluable.
Ren reviewed each manuscript, offering constructive feedback. "Not bad, Li Tao. Your work has improved since last time, but the story is still a bit cliché. Look here, why did you..."
"Wang Xi, your art skills are top-notch in this studio, but your storyline needs work..."
"He Ai, this piece is ready to go. Even Jesus couldn't reject this one!"
As Ren continued reviewing, he paused at a manuscript similar to "Your Lie in April," a poignant story about growth and loss. The phrase "No regrets in April; in the next life, I want to be Friend A" resonated deeply with fans of the genre. It wasn't just a typical inspirational or romance manga but a true coming-of-age story about a pianist and a violinist who connect through their talents and experiences.
This work was not "Your Lie in April," as it was infused with local cultural nuances by Claire. Satisfied, Ren addressed her, "Claire, this manga is good, but it has some minor flaws. For instance, the ending... if you write it like this—[details omitted]—don't you think it would be more heartwarming and loving?"
Claire's expression became perplexed as she listened. The other assistants shared her confusion. "Sensei... are you sure this is heartwarming?" Claire asked hesitantly.
Killing off the main character hardly seemed "heartwarming." Shouldn't the story end with the protagonist surviving the surgery?
Ren, catching on to their thoughts, responded earnestly, "I understand you think the protagonist should survive. But that's a typical ending in many youth romance stories. Readers can predict it from the start. What's the point in that?"
He continued, "Why am I successful? Because I dare to do what others don't. The best stories are those where readers can't guess the ending after the first few chapters. Youth is not just about playing games or having a school romance. It's about unforgettable encounters and heart-wrenching farewells."
"But ultimately, it's your story. You don't have to change it if you don't want to."
"Congratulations, Claire!"
The assistants congratulated Claire, feeling a mix of envy and admiration. Getting a story published was a dream for many, and Claire's work had made the cut on her first try.
Claire, however, was deep in thought about Ren's suggestion. The more she considered it, the more she felt Ren's proposed ending—where the protagonist expresses her feelings in a letter posthumously—added a profound touch. It was a piece of artistic mastery.
Her thoughts took a surprising turn: Could it be that tragedy, not just happy endings, was the essence of a great story? Ren's penchant for bittersweet endings made more sense now. He truly was an artist of emotion.
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