In a flash, a week had passed.
Early morning.
The rising sun.
Slightly glaring sunlight pierced through the gaps in the window, shining into the room.
"Mmm..."
Fang Qiu set down her quill pen and collapsed limply onto the Jumpy Dumpty plush. She stretched lightly, emitting a soft hum from her nose that sounded like a sigh or a moan.
Then, with a 'salted fish' flip, she sprawled out. Her upper body lay prone on Jumpy Dumpty, while her lower body slid down so she was kneeling on the carpet.
Due to the friction of the plush toy's fabric, the clothes on her body had rolled upward.
Her flat lower abdomen, her slender and flexible waist, and the southern hemisphere of those steep snowy peaks—slightly deformed from the pressure—were largely exposed to the air.
As she lay prone on Jumpy Dumpty, the perfect curve of her buttocks was also fully displayed beneath her loose trousers.
However, she didn't care. There was no one else in the room anyway, and the feeling of her body pressed against the fluffy fabric of Jumpy Dumpty was quite comfortable.
Lying there, she let out a yawn, her sleepy eyes somewhat bleary.
Dazed and confused.
She had pulled another all-nighter.
Although she had finished writing the first volume a week ago, she hadn't stopped to rest after editing and signing the contract. Instead, she continued to grind away for another week, intending to write the rest in one go.
However, a week was still not enough. Looking at the plot progression, it would take at least another half a month to finish the rest.
She had already done her best; the speed of a quill pen ultimately couldn't compare to a keyboard.
For the sake of writing the book, she hadn't even gone to buy a cat.
And she estimated she wouldn't have much time in the remaining half-month either.
I'll wait until I write out 'Sword and Fairy' in one breath, then buy one.
After all, a newly bought kitten requires a lot of time and energy to look after.
If she bought it just to leave it in a cage without care, that would be too irresponsible.
Not only had she not bought a cat, but she also hadn't really gone out to play with Hu Tao and the others. She hadn't even been to Bubu Pharmacy for a week; she wondered if Qiqi had forgotten her...
Even if she hadn't been forgotten, it would be hard to say after the next half-month.
"Speaking of which, today seems to be the book release day... Jumpy Dumpty is so comfortable."
Fang Qiu lay on the plush toy, her slightly sickly yet pretty face gently nuzzling against it.
She muttered to herself lazily, her eyes subconsciously about to close, but then she suddenly became alert.
No, I have to sleep in bed...
Sleeping here makes it easy to catch a cold or fever.
She forced herself to cheer up, propped up her body, ate a piece of Lotus Cake to fill her stomach, and washed up. Then, efficiently stripping off her clothes until only her undergarments remained, she burrowed into the quilt, curled up into a ball, and closed her eyes.
Goodnight, Teyvat.
While Fang Qiu slept, a large number of novel enthusiasts were waiting in front of Wanwen Bookhouse.
Just yesterday, they had seen a heavy-hitting piece of news in the new book announcement.
"Extra, extra! Old Thief Fang Qiu is writing Xianxia!"
Consequently, this earth-shattering news spread by word of mouth through almost the entire circle of novel enthusiasts in Liyue Harbor.
Many fans sat up in shock and went out early in the morning to queue up. The entrances of major bookstores were packed with people.
Almost everything they discussed was about Fang Qiu's book.
"Although Old Thief Fang Qiu is cruel, isn't this publishing frequency too fast? How long has it been? She's written another one."
"Damn it. Originally, after reading the first two books, I swore I'd never read that Old Thief's books again. But this time, she actually wrote a story about Immortals and Heroes! This is forcing me to break my vow!"
"Me too. After finishing The Eternal, I drank for two days straight; my body almost couldn't take it. I didn't intend to buy her books anymore, but who knew she would write Xianxia this time? I actually can't suppress my anticipation."
"Damn it! This Sword and Fairy is definitely going to be another tragedy. Someone hurry up and persuade me not to buy it."
"Don't buy it! Let this old man buy it. I bet Sword and Fairy is absolutely excellent! I don't believe every book by this Old Thief will be a tragedy!"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes. That's what I thought when I read The Eternal. I didn't believe this fellow would make both books tragedies, and what happened?"
"You can't put it that way. Ever since reading Fang Qiu's books, I feel my inner heart has become stronger and stronger. My life no longer has joy or sorrow; my heart is already stone."
A bald young man in his early twenties spoke as calmly as if he had seen through the mortal world: "There are thousands of words in the world, but only the word 'Love' is the most murderous. If I can finish this book without joy or sorrow, I will go to Jueyun Karst to seek the Adepti and ask about the Dao."
"What if this one isn't good?"
"Then on to the next one. Where the heart leans, day after day, there must be progress."
Looking at the densely packed crowd downstairs, Jifang, the boss of Wanwen Bookhouse, couldn't help but be somewhat astonished.
The number of people here this time had almost doubled again.
However, it was not surprising.
After receiving the preview from Liyue Publishing House yesterday, even she was shocked on the spot.
Fang Qiu's book this time was actually of the Xianxia genre.
Even she was extremely curious about what the Xianxia world under Fang Qiu's pen would look like, let alone those novel enthusiasts.
However, although she had guessed there would be more people today, she hadn't anticipated there would be this many.
The road was crowded with people here to buy books, and there were even a few Millelith soldiers helping to maintain order.
Soon, the time arrived.
With a command from Jifang, the shop opened.
Several employees rolled up their sleeves, ready for battle.
For a moment, the queue rippled with commotion. Figures surged and orderly flooded upstairs.
"Hello, may I ask what book you would like to buy?"
"One copy—uh, no, three copies—no, five copies of Sword and Fairy. Also, Your Lie in April and one copy of The Domineering Immortal Falls for Me."
The person at the front of the line spoke.
"Hello, I want ten copies of Sword and Fairy..."
The first person in the adjacent line spoke up.
"Holy crap, brother, isn't that excessive? Buying so many?"
"Are these people too crazy? Buying so many copies at once? Luckily I came to queue before dawn; if I were further back, I reckon I wouldn't even be able to buy a book."
"Isn't this too explosive?"
"It is Fang Qiu's book after all; there's a guarantee of quality."
Time passed, and sales were exceptionally explosive.
However, the queue not only failed to shorten, but grew longer and longer.
The few people who had just wondered why others bought so many books got their wish and bought their copies, exiting Wanwen Bookhouse together.
Just as they were planning to find a quiet tea house, order a cup of strong tea, and carefully savor Fang Qiu's Xianxia novel, they suddenly saw the youth who had just bought ten books talking to a young girl very far back in the line.
"Excuse me, are you here to buy Sword and Fairy?"
"Mm, yes. Is something the matter?"
The girl nodded.
"It's like this: I always read alone and can't find anyone to discuss books with. So, this time I specially bought a few extra copies, wanting to find a few book friends to read together. If it's okay with you, shall we find a place to read together?"
The youth smiled faintly and spoke.
Seeing that there were both men and women following him, the girl thought for a moment and nodded, then accepted the book from that youth's hands.
"Then, thank you."
The girl expressed her thanks.
This operation left those few bystanders stunned.
So it can be done like that!
Learned something new.
________________________________________
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