Chapter 102

Page Fifty-One: A Distant Utopia (Additional Update)

At ten o’clock, the tourists officially began to pour in.

Some of the booths from well-known enterprises had precious limited-edition items, and the first batch of tourists were all rushing towards those things, so the not-so-famous “Witch Workshop” hadn’t started bustling yet.

Looking at the frenzied crowd in front of her, Tian Qian let out a sigh.

“Everyone is running, the convention is like an early morning supermarket.”

“Early morning supermarket?”

I didn’t quite understand her statement.

“Oh, Xiao Kai doesn’t know? In the morning, supermarkets have limited discount items, like eggs and vegetables, so many aunties line up, and when they open, they rush in like this.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard about it, discount items…”

I couldn’t resist the word “discount,” so I was a bit interested and decided to experience it later.

However, there were two or three people holding flyers who came over here to take away a copy of “The Heavenly Realm of Magic Girls.” The flyers distributed by Wu Qinglan still had some promotional effect, but just a little.

She also gave me a plastic board with the label “Last in Line,” asking me to maintain order… how could order be maintained with just a few people? This was completely unnecessary! She even added another 200 copies, where did she get such confidence?

Thunder Meow-Meow and Tian Qian went to the entrance to act as human walking signs, while Xiao Yao and Sister Feiyue stood behind the cash register, acting as decorative figures. Lin Hua had run off somewhere, and for a moment, I couldn’t find anyone to act together with.

I threw the board to the corner.

Alright! Let’s go to Lilim Publishing House’s booth and find Wu Jiang!

As expected of a major publisher, the queue at the cash register was already forming. The hundred-square-meter booth was somewhat crowded, and compared to the Witch Workshop, it had entered the atmosphere of the convention. People were queuing up with books, and the stack of books in the center of the booth was visibly decreasing.

Most importantly, it was much cooler here than at the Witch Workshop.

Because the ceiling of the venue was high, the central air conditioning system was hard-pressed to cover all areas. Therefore, booths with their own air conditioning outlets felt particularly comfortable.

Even the signboard of the publishing house above the book mountain was slightly swaying due to the cool air, indicating how strong the air conditioning was.

Air conditioning is great!

After greeting the familiar staff, I slipped into their backstage area and saw Xiaoye Butterfly supporting her forehead and shaking her head, and Wu Jiang looking down at the ground.

What was going on with this scene that resembled being scolded by a homeroom teacher?

Although this homeroom teacher was a bit shorter.

“I guessed you weren’t a novice at writing novels; I’ve been an editor for years and can tell. Plus, your submission passing through the chief editor’s eyes shows your true ability.” Xiaoye’s tone softened as she pulled Wu Jiang’s hand and continued, “But no one knows unless we say it, so let’s keep it between us, okay?”

It seemed Wu Jiang had already confessed about not being a new writer.

While Xiaoye was speaking, Wu Jiang, facing the door, noticed me and waved.

“Chang…Kai, you’re back again.”

“Cough, cough, nothing much happening next door. I came to see how your meeting went. Any disagreements?”

Xiaoye, like a drowning man grabbing at straws, grabbed my arm.

“Youngster, you heard it too, Teacher Xiaoji plans to admit at the signing event that she’s not a first-time writer… what do you think about this?”

From Xiaoye’s perspective, there wasn’t much problem if they didn’t speak about it, but if they did, it would give others ammunition and cause trouble, potentially even damaging the publisher’s reputation.

However, Wu Jiang didn’t want to continue deceiving the readers and should not be denied the courage and determination to publicly admit the lie.

“You really gave me a tough question.”

I scratched my neck, feeling conflicted.

“What time is the signing event?”

“Two to three in the afternoon,” Wu Jiang replied.

“Alright, since there’s still plenty of time before the signing event, let’s take a look around first.”

Xiaoye panicked and spread her arms to block the door, her hair standing up threateningly.

“Hold on, we haven’t finished discussing this!”

I bent down and whispered in her ear, “I’ll persuade her, so don’t worry.”

“Youngster, you mean…”

“That’s right, I agree with your view.”

“Agree? Then I leave it to you!”

She patted my arm, making me feel fully trusted.

Thus, Wu Jiang followed me away from the publisher’s booth, but she seemed preoccupied, trailing behind me with a heavy heart.

“Where are we going now?” she asked.

“You won’t be happy anywhere in this state… someone might think I mistreated you.”

People’s gazes were piercing, and she lowered her eyelids, looking like a sad Samoyed.

“Click” I suddenly took out my phone and snapped a photo.

“Wow! What was that for?”

“I’m sending it to your sister.”

“Don’t mess around, Chang Kai! Delete it!”

She tried to grab my phone, but I held it high above my head, and she couldn’t reach it no matter how she jumped.

Hmph, shorty.

So this is what it feels like to be “superior”?

“Let me introduce you to someone first. Though different, her situation might provide some reference.”

“What kind of person?”

“It’s someone you’ve met.”

Finding the person I was looking for wasn’t difficult, but reaching them required effort. Fighting against the incoming crowd, I finally found a space surrounded by people.

Thunder Meow-Meow and Tian Qian, who were sent by Wu Qinglan to distribute flyers, were now surrounded by photographers with giant lenses, receiving flashes non-stop.

“Sorry, sorry, please make way.”

While apologizing, I dragged Wu Jiang forward, but we didn’t get any closer to our destination. No matter how hard we tried, the magic girls remained distant… Is this some unreachable Avalon?

“Excuse me, miss, may I take a photo of you?”

Unable to move and then being approached by a photographer.

“I’m not a cosplayer.”

“My camera captures more than just cosplayers; it’s for all charming women, like you.”

This deep voice sounded familiar. I turned around and saw the familiar scarf-wearing big guy.

“Lightning?”

“Hmm? Youngster?”

He noticed me holding Wu Jiang’s arm and exclaimed, “Miss, are you… his girlfriend?”

Wu Jiang quickly withdrew her arm and shook her head.

“No, not at all.”

Her denial was too quick and decisive, which made me a bit sad.

“Then, miss, may I take a photo of you? You’re so beautiful, it would be a shame not to capture it!”

She hesitated for a moment and nodded, seemingly considering my face.

“Thank you so much!”

With Wu Jiang’s permission, Lightning’s backpack quickly transformed, rising a circular ring light with reflectors on both sides, gathering soft light and shining it on Wu Jiang.

I actually found this setup quite cool…

In no time, Lightning was satisfied with his work. He shot quickly, and the nickname “Lightning” seemed to refer to his speed.

“I saw you two stuck here for a long time. Going to the magic girl booth?”

“Yes, but the crowd is too thick, we can’t get through. Just staying in place is already exhausting.”

It was still the entry period, and people kept pouring in, so the entrance was the most crowded.

“The commander asked me to take some photos of the magic girls for online promotion.”

He looked at the not-so-distant but unreachable destination.

“Alright, youngster, hold onto my backpack, I’ll take you in. This cute lady can hold onto your arm.”

“How are you getting in?”

“Of course, by squeezing in! This convention is a battlefield, hold on tight!”

Then he led me forward with his strength.

What Lightning meant by squeezing in wasn’t pushing people aside rudely. He found gaps by weaving left and right, then led me and Wu Jiang through, moving flexibly without stopping, like a salmon swimming upstream.

“How strong! Did you activate phase-shifting shoes to ignore volume?”

“Of course, I’m known as Lightning. Such crowds can’t stop me!”

Wu Qinglan’s core members were indeed extraordinary. Treating them as ordinary otaku would be disrespectful.

“Please take a flyer before taking photos. If you have time, visit our booth! Thank you for your cooperation!”

Tian Qian’s energetic calls reached my ears, indicating we were close to our goal.

“Didn’t I say no crawling! I’ll kick your ass!” There was also Thunder Meow-Meow’s angry voice.

Tian Qian played the role of a little angel, while Thunder Meow-Meow was a fierce guardian, leaving deep shoe marks on the faces of every photographer trying to sneak shots under Tian Qian’s skirt… Was this role reversal? Who was the idol?

Around the two magic girls, it was relatively empty. The photographers surrounding Thunder Meow-Meow and Tian Qian respectfully kept a distance, forming an inviolable sanctuary. As soon as Lightning approached, he removed the lens cap from his camera and joined them.

Under these circumstances, it was impossible to get closer!

If I rashly entered this sacred ground, I felt these dark cameras might actually shoot something and blast me to pieces.

There was no choice, I had to pull out my phone and send a message to Tian Qian.

[Do you two need a break? I have something to talk to Meow-Meow about.]