Seeing his young mistress so engrossed, Thoma did not disturb Kamisato Ayaka and tip-toed out of the pavilion.
Time flowed slowly.
It wasn't until dinner time, reminded by a maid of the Kamisato clan, that Kamisato Ayaka gently closed the book.
The setting sun had already sunk behind the curtain of night, and the stars were rising.
She looked up slightly, gazing at the myriad stars shining above the sea and sky, her clear, dark eyes holding a hint of curiosity.
"Fang Qiu... is that a pen name or a real name?"
Kamisato Ayaka murmured softly, "However, looking at the content, they must be a very gentle person."
She stood up with a smile and made her way to the dining room, where Thoma was standing aside, waiting for her.
"Milady, how was the book?"
Thoma asked with a smile.
"It is written very well. The text is accessible yet incomparably beautiful, and the story structure and development are top-class. However, the only issue is that our Inazuma doesn't actually have a music competition."
Kamisato Ayaka smiled faintly, kneeling gently before the table.
"Then, could we take this opportunity to organize one?"
Thoma thought for a moment and asked.
"That is also a possibility."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded.
"Though, speaking of which, I recall there was something called the 'Iridescent Tour' from Fontaine that was supposed to be held in our Inazuma, but it seems they encountered a shipwreck later on and it was cancelled."
Thoma smiled and said, "Since this book serves as the prototype, let's wait until Milady finishes reading it before deciding on the theme."
"Mmh."
The Kamisato lady nodded. As she spoke, she used her chopsticks to pick up a small piece of grilled fish and ate it with her chazuke.
After swallowing, Kamisato Ayaka said, "By the way, Thoma, accompany me to Yae Publishing House tomorrow."
"What does Milady plan to do at Yae Publishing House?"
"I want to buy a few copies for my collection. It would be a shame not to collect a few copies of such a good book."
Kamisato Ayaka said.
"No problem."
Thoma smiled and replied.
He naturally understood his mistress's intention.
After all, if it were just about buying books, she could have sent a servant. There were likely several reasons for going in person.
First was to use her own prestige to build momentum for the author's two books. If they really were to hold a music event, the more famous Your Lie in April became, the better.
If it's a book the Shirasagi Himegimi likes, wouldn't everyone want to see what it's about?
Second, it was a chance to go out and relax.
After finishing her meal, Kamisato Ayaka took the book and returned to her boudoir.
She trimmed the lamp, draped a blanket over herself, sat at her desk, and placed the book upon it.
Outside the window, the night was thick, and the moonlight was beautiful.
"I imagine that young lady named Fang Qiu is also sitting at a desk like me. Though, one is reading a book, and the other is writing one."
Kamisato Ayaka smiled faintly and continued to turn the pages.
...
Meanwhile, Liyue.
Fang Qiu was lying on the bed like a salted fish, her clothes disheveled. Her complexion, already somewhat sickly, now looked even more weary and pale.
So tired...
I just want to lie here like this...
Fang Qiu pressed her tender, pretty face against the bed. However, she had already changed the bedding underneath her.
Lying on her stomach like this, aside from her chest being pressed until it felt stuffy and breathless, at least her face didn't hurt.
After grinding away at writing for half a month, she felt like she was about to burn out.
The plot had already pushed through the early main story line; the Demon Sword had been obtained, and Mt. Shu had been ascended.
In her past life, Fang Qiu counted as a loyal fan of the Sword and Fairy games, and she also had many dissatisfactions with the Sword and Fairy 3 TV series.
So, she replaced and modified the unreasonable or lackluster parts of both, just like she did at the beginning.
For example, in the plot she had already written, although Chonglou still came to deliver the Demon Sword, he didn't act like a madman insisting Jing Tian duel him immediately. Instead, he told him to recover his strength sooner rather than later and pawned the Demon Sword with him for a single coin.
Mmh...
There was also the removal of the plotline where Tang Xuejian likes Xu Changqing in the beginning...
In short, she was taking the best parts and making up for the shortcomings.
But because the plot of Sword and Fairy was simply too long to finish writing in the short term, she chose a serialization model.
This draft had already been shown to Bai Qing, and Bai Qing was very satisfied.
"Both the plot and the writing style are top-notch."
Those were Bai Qing's exact words.
And she had just returned from signing the serialization contract with Bai Qing outside...
But Bai Qing required that her serialization break off at an exciting plot point.
Fang Qiu could understand this.
It was the same logic as timing a chapter for premium access.
Of course, that wasn't the main point.
The main point was that her word count was exactly there; she couldn't skim from the front, so she had to write further...
According to Bai Qing's opinion, she had to clearly explain the next step of the main story and, after making full preparations, stop right on the eve of departure.
That way, there would be a sense of anticipation without cutting it at a point so exciting that readers would curse her. Moreover, stopping on the eve of departure would allow the beginning of the second volume to be free of drag, diving straight into the main theme.
Which meant she still had to write a large chunk more...
She had been grinding her liver for half a month already. This time, no matter what Bai Qing said, she was going to stall for a few days before writing.
She, Fang Qiu, was going to be a pigeon!
Having made up her mind, Fang Qiu rolled over on the bed. Of course, she didn't roll back just because her phone charger cable wasn't long enough; rather, it was because she wanted to go out for a meal, take a bath, and then come back to sleep properly.
Sitting for half a month had made her body stiff.
Just as she sat up on the bed and stretched, preparing to head out, a knock sounded at the door.
Hmm?
Who is it?
At this time of night.
Bai Qing had only just parted ways with her, so it shouldn't be Bai Qing.
Bai Qing had explained everything, even about opening the book sales channel in Mondstadt, in excruciating detail. It was unlikely she forgot to say something.
Just as she was wondering, Hu Tao's voice rang out.
"Fang Qiu, are you home?"
So it was Hu Tao coming to find her again.
Why say "again"?
In recent days, Hu Tao seemed to really like Mondstadt cakes.
She invited her out every few days, and often switched up the cake flavors.
They had tasted every flavor in the dim sum shop.
"I'm here, wait a moment."
Fang Qiu straightened her messy sleepwear, got up, and opened the door. In the light of the lantern, Hu Tao was standing prettily at the doorway.
"Going to the dim sum shop again?"
Fang Qiu smiled and asked.
"We're not going to the dim sum shop this time. Come, follow me somewhere."
Hu Tao smiled mysteriously and said.
"Where to?"
Fang Qiu was slightly stunned.
"Just come with me, you'll know when we get there."
Hu Tao smiled, grabbed Fang Qiu's hand, and said.
"Eh, wait, wait, don't rush, let me lock the door first."
Fang Qiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
With Hu Tao's impatient nature, she never left her time to lock the door.
While locking the door, Fang Qiu paid special attention.
Mmh, got the keys.
________________________________________
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