Noon in Liyue Harbor held an extreme allure for Fang Qiu, who hadn't eaten for several meals and was dizzy with hunger.
On both sides of the quaint and simple streets, there were not only luxuriously decorated grand hotels but also roadside stalls emitting rich fragrances.
"Zhongyuan Chop Suey, tasty and not expensive!"
"Bovine offal, crispy and numbing bovine offal!"
Fang Qiu swallowed her saliva and walked all the way toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Endure.
It was fortunate that she had been sleeping and hadn't consumed too much stamina.
Otherwise, with her constitution, skipping several meals would have left her with no energy to walk such a long distance.
However, when she finally arrived at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the young female undertaker told her that Hu Tao wasn't home, saying she had been called away by Xiangling early in the morning.
She was probably called away to taste test new dishes again.
Sympathize with Hu Tao for three seconds.
Thus, Fang Qiu walked all the way to Wanmin Restaurant.
When she arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, there was still no sign of Hu Tao or Xiangling.
After asking Chef Mao, she learned that Xiangling had been helping out at the construction site in the southeast these past few days, and it was said she called Hu Tao along this morning.
"Is that so?"
Fang Qiu nodded helplessly. She had originally wanted to go pick out new clothes with Hu Tao and Xiangling.
Now, it seemed she could only go home and be a shut-in.
The great Fang Qiu was about to return to her loyal little bed.
Sigh, how sorrowful.
However, since she was already here, naturally she couldn't go back hungry. So, Fang Qiu ordered a table full of dishes.
If she couldn't finish it, she would just pack it up.
Anyway, Hu Tao and Xiangling seemed very busy, and with her stamina, she probably wouldn't be of any help.
No, if she went to help, she might actually be more of a hindrance.
At most, she could cheer from the sidelines.
Therefore, since dinner would likely be eaten alone as well, she might as well order more. Heating up leftovers at home tonight would save her from running this far again.
She was practically a lonely empty-nest elderly person.
Fang Qiu sat in a seat by the window, waiting quietly. Chef Mao's cooking speed was extremely fast, and the dishes were served very quickly.
Grilled Tiger Fish, Crystal Shrimp, Squirrel Fish, Mora Meat, Matsutake Meat Rolls...
It smelled so good.
As expected of Xiangling's father, the dishes he cooked were indeed fragrant as well.
Fang Qiu licked her lips. Just as she intended to move her chopsticks and start eating, a group of people walked into Wanmin Restaurant. When she saw the appearances of that group, Fang Qiu couldn't help but freeze.
Those people were none other than her own editor, Bai Qing, and her seniors.
When Fang Qiu saw them, they also saw Fang Qiu.
For some unknown reason, Fang Qiu suddenly felt the atmosphere become strange. Her chopsticks, extended to pick up food, froze in mid-air.
There was murderous intent!
Danger!
Looking at Bai Qing, whose eyes were slightly red and who was staring at her with a look of resentment and unkindness, Fang Qiu asked tentatively, "Sister Bai, do you want to eat together?"
"Since Miss Fang Qiu is treating, we won't be polite then."
Without waiting for Bai Qing to speak, a female editor grinningly pulled Bai Qing over to sit opposite Fang Qiu. Li Ling and the other editors also took their seats one after another.
"This amount of food seems a bit insufficient. Sister Bai, order whatever you all like to eat."
After handing over the menu, feeling Bai Qing's unkind gaze, Fang Qiu subconsciously shrank back, then added in a soft voice, "I'm treating."
Looking at Fang Qiu before her—who looked pitiful, like a frightened little white cat—Bai Qing sighed and took the menu.
"Then we won't be polite. I heard from Ah Qing that your royalties last month were quite substantial. Don't blame us for fleecing the tycoon."
A female editor to the side said with a smile.
"Order with peace of mind. You can order whatever you want."
Seeing Bai Qing's gaze soften, Fang Qiu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled gently and spoke.
"Is that so? Then I want to eat Adeptus Temptation! I also want to eat..."
That female editor said grinningly.
Before Fang Qiu could react, Li Ling, sitting aside, pinched the editor's cheek and said, "Don't push your luck. Just order some home-style dishes."
"Woo, that hurts. I was just joking."
The female editor covered her face, pouted, and said.
Thus, the few female editors quickly finished ordering. After a round of self-introductions, everyone began to eat.
Fang Qiu had endured for a long time. She picked up a piece of fish and ate it with rice. Feeling the food enter her stomach, Fang Qiu finally felt the slight cramping pain in her stomach disappear.
Eating was indeed a very blissful thing.
Soon, the dishes Bai Qing and the others ordered were also served, and the atmosphere gradually became lively. Just as they were eating happily, another group of people took their seats.
Fang Qiu didn't recognize this group and didn't pay much attention, but after they sat down, the topic they chatted about attracted the attention of Fang Qiu and several female editors.
"Speaking of which, I remember the preview for the new books of this issue is about to come out, right?"
"According to Old Wang next door to the younger sister of my brother's neighbor..."
"I thought you were going to say, according to the dog of Old Wang next door..."
"Don't interrupt. I heard him say that Liyue Publishing House might have big moves this issue! Something big is coming."
"What big moves? It can't be that they're releasing all the subsequent volumes of Sword and Fairy and Legend of the Lone Sword in one breath, right?"
"Ahem, not to that extent. It is said that previously, Liyue Publishing House and the Inazuma side opened up book channels. This issue might see a large number of Inazuma books released."
"Tsk, your 'might' is the essence of it. However, I'm not that expectant about Inazuma books anyway. I'm actually looking forward more to the next volume of Sword and Fairy."
"I really want to see the scene of a grand reunion where Tang Xuejian and Jing Tian eat together after getting married."
"I actually like Xu Changqing quite a bit. I wonder what he will encounter later."
"I like Chonglou. He's truly too cool. I plan to get that kind of weapon and go out adventuring too."
They chatted, talking and laughing.
"These people, at a glance, have only read Sword and Fairy and haven't read the other two books."
A female editor named Li Yao shook her head to the side and sighed.
"Say, should I tell them the ending you wrote?"
Bai Qing gave Fang Qiu a resentful look, then recounted the ending of the novel Fang Qiu had written.
Although Bai Qing's voice was suppressed very low, the few editors at the same table heard it clearly.
After listening to the ending Bai Qing recounted, they all sucked in a breath of cold air one after another.
Hiss...
This plot is just too cruel!
Although they hadn't read it, they could still imagine how sad the female lead would be after the protagonist died.
No wonder Bai Qing cried like a tear person after reading it.
With Fang Qiu's terrifying writing prowess and ability to render emotions, if they were to read it, they definitely wouldn't fare any better than Bai Qing.
It was fortunate.
It was fortunate they didn't go read Fang Qiu's book out of curiosity; otherwise, it would be too miserable.
They cast their gazes toward that peerless beauty who looked innocent.
Although they had already read Your Lie in April, and Kaori's death still made it hard for them to forget.
But they didn't expect Sword and Fairy to be tragic to such a degree. This hand was dealt too ruthlessly...
How could she have the heart?
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