Chapter 22: The Voice of Professionals [2]
Alex paused. "Cursing me again?"
"No, this time it's an apology."
Alex was stunned.
"That author with the pen name 'Grim Critic' (Yan Ke) published a long article titled 'Re-examining Silver Spoon: My Prejudice and the Depth of the Work.'" Sue read a paragraph. "'I previously criticized Silver Spoon for lack of professionalism based on entertainment manga standards. But when it is cited by academic journals and adopted by government departments, I realized that this work has transcended the category of entertainment. It is a work with social value, and I denied it with a narrow vision.'"
Alex listened silently.
"At the end of the article, he apologizes to you," Sue said. "It shows your work silenced the critics with strength."
Alex didn't speak. He walked to the window and looked at the ranch. The early winter grass was yellowing, and the herd grazed quietly in the enclosure.
"Also," Sue continued, "Manga Weekly's 'Rural Teacher' series ended last week. Axed. Wrapped up hastily in twelve chapters."
"That fast?"
"Readers didn't buy it. The copycats are dying out," Sue corrected. "They thought agricultural themes were a wealth code, thought copying would succeed. But they forgot, you draw not just agriculture, but life."
"Additionally," Sue changed the subject, "the Agricultural Association's 'Manga Version of Livestock Epidemic Prevention Manual' draft is out. I sent it to your email."
Alex opened the email. It was a manual of over thirty pages. Using Silver Spoon images as illustrations, accompanied by concise text explanations.
He turned to the last page. The copyright page read: "Illustrations selected from 'Silver Spoon' / Author: Alex Walker."
He replied: "No problem, approved."
At the end of November, the first snow fell in Oak Creek.
Tiny snowflakes drifted down, landing on the pasture grass and melting quickly. Alex sat by the window drawing Chapter 22. This chapter was about winter ranch management.
Halfway through, Sarah's voice came from downstairs. "Al! Guests!"
Alex went downstairs and saw two people sitting in the living room. One was Mr. Henderson from the bookstore, the other a middle-aged woman with glasses, in her fifties, with an intellectual air.
"This is Professor Emily Clark," Henderson introduced. "She's a Professor at the State Agricultural University, Animal Husbandry major."
Professor Clark stood up and smiled. "Sorry for the intrusion. I've read your manga and like it very much."
Alex shook hands with her. "Hello."
"I came this time to thank you in person," Professor Clark said. "Your manga helped me a lot."
Alex invited her to sit, and Sarah brought tea.
Professor Clark took a sip and spoke slowly. "I've taught animal husbandry for over twenty years. Textbooks change every year, but students still find it boring—tables, data, formulas, they can't remember them. Until a student brought Silver Spoon into the classroom."
She paused. "At first, I wasn't happy. But later I found that students remembered the epidemic prevention process, the feed ratios, and disease symptoms through your manga."
Alex listened quietly.
"So I adjusted my teaching method." Professor Clark took a lesson plan out of her bag. "Now in class, I show screenshots of your manga first, then explain the theoretical knowledge. In the final exam this semester, I set a question based on Chapter 20. Ninety percent of the students answered correctly, the highest in history."
She looked at him earnestly. "I have to thank you for this."
Alex shook his head. "It's because you taught well."
"No, it's because your manga is good," Professor Clark said seriously. "It's not easy to draw professional knowledge so vividly. I have a request. Our school wants to open a new course, 'Agricultural Science Communication,' and wants to invite you as a special lecturer."
Alex was silent for a few seconds. "Sorry, it's inconvenient for me to show my face."
"Remote is fine," Professor Clark said immediately.
Alex still shook his head. "I just want to focus on creation right now."
Professor Clark was disappointed but didn't push. "Understood. Then... can I use your manga as teaching material?"
"Yes. Just cite the source."
"Thank you." Professor Clark stood up and shook his hand. "Your manga has changed many students' views on agriculture. This is a good thing."
After seeing Professor Clark off, Henderson didn't leave immediately. He stood at the door and lit a cigarette.
"She's an old classmate of mine," he exhaled smoke. "Very serious woman. Rarely praises anyone. For her to make a special trip, it's not easy. How does it feel now? Being used as teaching material by professors, cited by journals, adopted by government departments."
"It's heavy," Alex said.
"Heavy?"
"Before, drawing manga was drawing for myself, for readers. Now... it seems I have to carry more things."
Henderson laughed. "With great power comes great responsibility. Old saying, cliché, but true. But don't feel pressured. Draw what you should draw."
Henderson left. Alex returned upstairs and continued drawing Chapter 22.
The snow fell harder, accumulating a thin layer on the window glass. He drew the winter ranch scene.
{The snow blanketed the ranch in a soft, white silence. The cows huddled together under the heat lamps in the shed, their breath puffing out in white clouds. Hachiken stood by the fence, wrapped in a thick coat, watching the snowflakes settle on the wooden posts.}
In the final dialogue box, Alex wrote only one sentence:
{"Winter is here, can spring be far behind?"}
He put down the pen and looked at that sentence.
Yes, winter is here.
But spring will always come.
Just as doubts came, recognition would also come.
(To be Continued)
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