Chapter 240: Going AFK in the Recording Studio

Chapter 240: Idle in the Recording Studio

"Finished?"

For the two-plus hours of recording that followed, neither Director Charlie nor the voice-over coach were present. Lou Lan had, of course, cleared it with them, explaining that Meng Fan would start on his own and they could join when they were free.

Given the efficiency and quality Meng Fan had displayed earlier, the director and the coach had no concerns about potential mishaps and had gone off to rest, thinking they would check for any necessary revisions later. They were stunned to find, upon their return, that the work was already done.

They audited a few key scenes, and finding the quality as impeccable as ever, they saw no need to review the rest, handing it straight to the proofreaders.

Meng Fan had completed the most significant and voluminous portion of the recording for *Nine Heavens* in a single day, and the quality was superb. Charlie was naturally delighted. The original plan had been to spend a full week recording the twelve episodes of the first season, with a few extra days for corrections and touch-ups. With the lead role now finished, they were ahead of schedule by days.

High speed and high quality—the client was sure to be pleased. And when a super-client like Xuanwu Animation was happy, there would be no shortage of future contracts.

"I honestly thought it would take at least three days to get through all of this, but you finished it in one," Director Charlie said, sending the files to the proofing team before turning to Meng Fan. "What are your plans now? Would you like the studio to find you some more voice-over work?"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask, Director Charlie."

Meng Fan delivered the excuse he had prepared: "Before this, I mostly did minor roles, mostly in games, where the characters lacked such narrative continuity. After spending the whole day with Luo Hao, I’ve gained a lot, found inspiration, and simultaneously discovered my own shortcomings. I’ve realized that relying solely on vocal versatility and mimicry isn't enough. Voice acting is a craft that requires deep study."

If one thought Meng Fan’s words were insincere, they would be the most insincere thing ever—to have his level of talent and still claim to find flaws? But if one took them as genuine, it was a matter of profound respect. To be so humble, to believe that skill is honed through diligence, and that no one succeeds by accident—to possess such talent and still hunger for mastery—what a spirit that was!

As for what Director Charlie truly thought, Meng Fan couldn't say.

He continued, "So, I’d like to request a recording studio to focus on some intensive training. Of course, if the studio has any work for me in the meantime, please don't hesitate to assign it to me."

With the "Studio Worm" title requiring only time and experience to grind, Meng Fan had considered renting a studio himself. It was easy enough in Hangzhou, just a bit pricey, but money was no object. However, the title would grant a sudden boost of 5 points to Voice Technique and 3 points to Vocal Charisma. That was too abrupt; it was better to use the guise of "study and training" as a buffer. That way, people would simply marvel at his rapid improvement rather than suspecting anything else.

By now, everyone viewed Meng Fan as a voice-acting prodigy, so a visible display of hard work would only solidify that consensus.

"That's it? Any other requests? Like a staff member or an assistant?" Director Charlie asked with a smile, seeing Meng Fan shake his head. "I thought it was something major. Take the studio; you're already familiar with it. Besides, that booth is reserved for Luo Hao's work for the time being anyway."

Just like that, Meng Fan became the lead voice actor with his own private studio at the Chocolate Factory.

He made a quick trip home and returned with toiletries and a drawing tube.

When Meng Fan returned, Director Charlie hadn't left yet, and seeing him, he couldn't help but marvel at his dedication.

Meng Fan was indeed pushing himself. Aside from trips to the restroom, he rarely left the booth. He was racing against time. As for what he was doing in there? Well, he was drawing.

It was fortunate that the studio was now his private domain and no one wandered in unless Lou Lan had work for him; otherwise, anyone walking in would have surely thought Meng Fan had lost his mind.

A stuffy recording booth, and he was in there drawing!

He would draw until three in the morning, wake up, go for a run, grab a bite, and return to his sketches.

Truth be told, once he solved the issue of the stuffy air, the enclosed space of the recording booth was actually quite conducive to creation. It was no wonder so many writers locked themselves in "dark rooms" to meet their deadlines.

Of course, Meng Fan didn't spend all his time drawing manga. When he grew tired, he would genuinely practice his voice acting, and at night, he would livestream—often livestreaming his practice sessions.

The studio had a vast archive of voice-over content—some yet to be recorded, much already finished—and finding famous film clips was even simpler. With professional equipment, the content was fresh and exciting for the viewers in his livestream, allowing them to feel the charm of voice acting more viscerally.

...

"Robin, we've come to get you! Leave the rest to us!"

"I'm going to die anyway, so I might as well die here!"

"Robin!"

"Robin-chan!"

"Robin!"

"So that's how it is!"

"I finally understand who Robin's enemy is! Sniper King, shoot that flag down!"

"Understood! New weapon, Giant Slingshot, named Kabuto! Taste its power! Special Move: Firebird Star!"

"The pirates have actually declared war on the World Government!"

"Just as I intended!"

"Say you want to live!"

"If I'm allowed to wish for one thing, then I... I want to live! Take me out to the sea with you!"

From Luffy’s roar to Robin’s tearful scream, Meng Fan finished the most intense segment of the Enies Lobby arc in one breath. He covered Luffy, Robin, Chopper, Sanji, Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Spandam, a crowd of extras, and even the sound effects of the Firebird Star piercing the flag. The roars, the cries... it was evocative, passionate, and utterly cathartic!

And it was all in Japanese.

"666!"

"Damn, that’s insane! If I hadn't been listening to Boss Meng every day this week, I’d swear this was the original audio!"

"Hahaha, the female voice is back! That big spender who bet there wouldn't be a female voice today better pay up!"

"How many characters was that in one breath? I seriously suspect there's a whole voice-acting troupe standing in Meng’s throat!"

"Damn, doing the female voice is impressive enough, but to pull off the crying too!"

"You bastard! I almost cried myself to death when I watched this episode, and now you're here to steal my tears again!"

"Cried while listening +1!"

"Cried while listening +69!"

"I'm used to it. If Meng Fatty started mimicking every Japanese adult film star in the next second, I wouldn't even be surprised!"

"Hahaha, if Boss Meng dares to mimic them, I dare to identify exactly which teacher it is!"

"I just want to hear Teacher Ohashi."

"I want to hear Teacher Yoshizawa."

"I'm different from you guys, I want to hear Teacher Ooki."

"..."

After finishing that segment, Meng Fan ended the livestream for the day.

This was his fifth livestream since getting the private studio. Over these five sessions, he had covered everything from domestic to foreign content, from TV dramas to movies, anime, and the popular "ghost animal" memes on B-site. It was impossible to count how many clips he had voiced.

After going offline, he checked the time. The "Studio Worm" experience had reached over 9,500 minutes. Less than 500 minutes remained—about eight hours—and he would be done.

He drew until three.

Time to sleep. After a good sleep, the task would be finished.

Meng Fan lay down and drifted off, only to be awakened by the notification sound of the task completion.