How to raise a random guy's wife

She turned to the next page and started drawing again. This time, she drew bold, free-flowing lines and quickly finished another drawing.

Eriri placed the two paintings on the coffee table, her expression downcast. "That's it."

Kobayashi Sora and Kato Megumi carefully admired the two paintings. Even laymen could distinguish the differences between the two styles: one was meticulous and the other was free-flowing. Although they were still in the sketch stage, both were excellent works of art.

"Hmm..." Kato Megumi said with some confusion.

Kobayashi Sora looked at Eriri and asked directly, "What?"

Isn't this great?

Chapter 299 Self-Doubt

According to Kobayashi Sora and Kato Megumi, Eriri maintained her previous level of skill and drew quite well.

but......

"Are you trapped by your past self?" Kasumigaoka Utaha, also a creator, discovers the key to the problem.

Eriri nodded silently.

Kobayashi Sora and Kato Megumi cast questioning glances at Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Even the angle at which they turned their heads was the same.

Aren't these two starting to look more and more alike?

Suppressing the thoughts that were rising in her mind, Kasumigaoka Utaha began to explain.

“You guys…including me, all think these two pictures are pretty good, because we can’t draw them as well as these.” Kasumigaoka Utaha pointed at Eriri, “But she can, not only can she, she can draw even better ones, and she has drawn them before, so in her opinion, these two pictures are terrible.”

"It's not completely rotten, but I'm not satisfied," Eriri muttered softly.

“This is Kashiwagi Eri’s past style, the remnants of her past.” Kasumigaoka Utaha lightly tapped the paper. “This is not her style after her breakthrough in Nasu Highlands. For Kashiwagi Eri, who has improved, this kind of work makes her feel ashamed.”

This time, Eriri did not refute.

Because Kasumigaoka Utaha is absolutely right.

This state was also experienced by Kasumigaoka Utaha, a fellow creator.

Kobayashi Sora gently tapped her forehead, gradually understanding Eriri's state.

Just like a web novel writer he knew.

When I first entered the industry, I couldn't even get a contract.

Later, I gradually learned and wrote several million words intermittently. Finally, I had a stroke of inspiration and, riding the wave of popularity, wrote a book that had 4000 first-time subscriptions.

After finishing one book, I happily started my second one without any delay.

The initial order was 200.

It's not a big deal if I haven't written a book that has sold 4000 first-day subscriptions.

It just so happens that it was written down.

To say I lack ability... I've written things that have achieved good results.

I'd say I'm capable... but I can't produce good results.

I feel like I'm not at that level, yet I only achieve this level of results.

Along with shame came endless resentment.

Forced into a corner, he even tried to replicate his successful work, but the resulting copy didn't even get a hundred first-day subscriptions.

The series of setbacks plunged him into self-doubt, wondering if he had run out of inspiration, and led him to consider working in a factory.

Because of the poor market conditions, it's even difficult to find a factory to work in.

In the end, I could only write one last book as a last resort.

The initial subscription was only 400, but the author, who had suffered repeated failures, was no longer bothered by it. He continued writing with a calm mind, and the sales steadily improved until the book was finally completed.

They still haven't achieved the same results as before, but at the same time, they've lost their former impetuousness.

Although his later new book flopped.

I could have endured the darkness if I had never seen the light.

This statement is also applicable to Eriri now.

I could be satisfied with my current work if I hadn't painted something better.

Kobayashi Sora realized the seriousness of the problem.

If things continue as they are now, Eriri might end up like that online novel writer he knows, not only unable to maintain her current drawing skills, but also suffering a significant decline for a considerable period of time. Even if she recovers her mindset, her drawing skills will regress considerably.

But... how can I help Eriri?

“Eri,” Kato Megumi looked at Eriri earnestly, “how would you like us to help you?”

"Huh?" Eriri was taken aback. "Well... to be honest, I'm not really sure either."

If she knew what kind of help she needed, she would have asked for it already.

The worst-case scenario has occurred: neither those who want to help nor those who want to be helped know what to do.

Kobayashi Sora looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha and asked, "Senpai, how did you get through that?"

"Through my longing for love," Kasumigaoka Utaha answered truthfully.

Xiao Lin Kong Qing: "..."

Eriri now doesn't even yearn for love anymore; she'd rather avoid it altogether.

"Isn't that perfect?" Kato Megumi's eyes lit up.

"Hmm?" Eriri looked at Kato Megumi with a puzzled expression.

“Valentine’s Day is coming soon,” Kato Megumi suggested. “We could try making a chocolate. We don’t need to give it to anyone; just experiencing the feeling is enough.”

Eriri hesitated for a moment, "Will it work?"

“Give it a try first,” Kobayashi Sora agreed. “Besides, you’ve been working hard to draw it lately, right? Take a break now, stop this pointless effort, and wait until you feel compelled to draw it before you start again.”

"Hmm..." Eriri thought for a moment, "There's one more question."

"what?"

"I won't."

Xiao Lin Kong Qing: "..."

“I’ll make it with you.” Kato Megumi took Kobayashi Sora’s hand. “It’s Valentine’s Day, and I want to give it to him.”

Yinglili: "..."

Getting married really changes things.

It can be said directly.

-

Valentine's Day.

"First, chop the chocolate you bought into small pieces so it melts more easily," Kato Megumi explained while demonstrating. "Then heat it over a double boiler, stirring constantly. Don't let the temperature get too high, or the oils will separate. After it melts, continue stirring until the temperature drops. You can also put it in the refrigerator to cool it down quickly, but naturally cooled chocolate has a smoother texture. Finally, pour it into molds, refrigerate it, and pack it into boxes to finish."

Eriri was somewhat surprised, "That's it?"

"Because this is a simplified version, if you use cocoa butter, hazelnut spread, matcha powder or the like, the method will be more complicated."

"I see..."

In the living room, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kobayashi Sora had just finished discussing a plot point.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked towards the kitchen. "Are you sure this trick will work?"

"We should give it a try," Kobayashi Sora replied. "Besides, I've found a very capable person who should be able to help."

"A very impressive person?" Kasumigaoka Utaha thought of Akane Kousaka, whom she had met at the doujinshi convention. "Right, before that I..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha was thinking of telling Kobayashi Sora about it, but then a lot happened and she forgot about it for a while.

The phone vibrated. Kobayashi Sora made a gesture to indicate that she would talk to him later, and then answered the phone, "Sister Zhu Yin."

Akane Akasaka's voice came through the phone, "You said you needed to talk to me, what is it?"

"Well, I have a friend who's run into some problems right now, and I'd like to ask Sister Zhuyin if there's anything I can do to help her." Kobayashi Sora briefly explained Eriri's current situation.

"Friend? That Eriri, right?"

"Yes."

"Heh... Kong Qing, when did you become so stupid?"

"Ok?"

“I don’t have time right now, let’s talk about it next weekend.” Akane Akasaka chuckled. “In the meantime, you should keep trying your best to help her in your own way.”

Chapter 300 Empathy

After hanging up the phone, Kobayashi Sora nodded. "It's resolved."

"Are you sure?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him suspiciously.

“Since Sister Zhu Yin said so, it means she knows what to do,” Kobayashi Sora explained. “In this way, we don’t have to worry about the situation getting worse; we just need to do our best.”

"You really trust her that much?"

“Well…” Kobayashi Sora chose her words carefully, “Everyone calls her the Multimedia Queen, praising her abilities in the multimedia field, but in reality, the foundation of these abilities is her powerful creative abilities. If you have witnessed her strength like I have, you will also believe in her.”

"All right......"

"By the way, what were you about to say?"

"What I meant to say was... I used to think that making chocolate was a process that started from scratch."

“Starting from scratch requires steps such as baking, crushing, blending and grinding, refining, deacidification, tempering and molding, which requires many professional tools and takes a long time,” Kobayashi Sora replied. “As for raw materials such as cocoa powder, cocoa butter, sugar and milk, they are similar to the current method.”

"I see..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha responded absentmindedly.