In a flash, three days had passed.
Sunlight pierced through the darkness, and dawn quietly streaked across the horizon.
It was early morning.
Numerous novel enthusiasts had already formed a long dragon of a queue at the entrance of Wanwen Bookhouse.
"There are so many people lining up, even more than last time..."
"After all, Liyue Publishing House dropped a heavy bomb this time, so it's normal for there to be many people."
"True enough. It seems we'll be busy today."
"However, Boss Jifang also raised our wages and hired three extra temporary workers. If it's a bit harder, then so be it."
Listening to the discussions of the employees behind her, the boss, Jifang, cast her gaze toward the continuously lengthening line downstairs.
At this moment, the floor below was buzzing with voices.
"I didn't expect it, I really didn't. That random remark I made at Wanmin Restaurant a few days ago actually came true. Liyue Publishing House really released all the subsequent volumes of Sword and Fairy."
"It's just a pity there are no novels from Inazuma in this batch. Otherwise, I actually quite wanted to see what Inazuma novels are like."
"Of course there aren't. The Crux Fleet hasn't even returned to port. And even after they return, the publishing house needs to proofread them. How could they possibly make it in time?"
"Now that you mention it, that's true."
"Phew, we can read the full content of Sword and Fairy today. Brothers, I'm a little nervous. What should I do?"
"What are you nervous about? What's there to be nervous about reading a book?"
"Haven't Fang Qiu's previous two books taught you a lesson yet? After Kaori and Jack died, I spent a full one thousand Mora at the tavern. Just thinking about it makes my flesh ache."
"Hiss, now that you mention it, it really is... You don't think Fang Qiu will write Tang Xuejian to death, do you?"
"Xuejian is so cute. If she kills off Tang Xuejian, I will never read Fang Qiu's books again."
"When I looked at the new book preview yesterday, that very beautiful tavern proprietress was also reading it on the side. When she saw that Sword and Fairy was releasing all the subsequent volumes at once, even she couldn't help laughing out loud."
"Speaking of which, last time I read Fang Qiu's book, I went to the tavern and drank all night. As a result, on my way home in the middle of the night, I plunged headfirst into the bushes and fell asleep. My pants were even stripped off by some wicked person. Ever since then, a rumor about a 'butt monster' has been circulating in our area..."
"Brother, it's a good thing you're a man. If you were a woman, that would have been too dangerous. But why did that person take off your pants?"
"I don't know. I guess they were drunk too..."
The crowd discussed spiritedly.
Surrounding them, several Millelith soldiers held White Tassel spears, maintaining order.
"Why haven't they opened the door yet? I'm so anxious."
A young man in the front row looked at the tightly closed main door in front of him, glanced at the sky, gritted his teeth, and spoke.
"What's the rush? You're so far forward in the line; the books are right there, they won't run away."
"What do you know? I have to go to work later. I don't even know what time it is now... I feel like I won't make it."
"Brother, then you'd better hurry to work. That way I can move up one spot."
"Yeah, brother, work is important. You can come back to buy the book in the afternoon. If you lose your job, that would be troublesome."
"Little brother, listen to my advice. You can't control this timing. If you're late and your wages get docked, the loss outweighs the gain. Do you understand?"
"Sigh, there's no helping it. Brother, I'll listen to you. I'm going to work."
Listening to the earnest persuasion of those around him, the young man sighed. Then, gritting his teeth, he chose to compromise for the sake of living. He turned around and sprinted all the way toward the end of the street.
However, he had only run just over ten meters when he suddenly heard a commotion behind him.
He turned his head just in time to see the door of Wanwen Bookhouse opening.
The very people who had just persuaded him that work was more important had already surged upstairs with the flow of people.
"This mother..."
The young man stood frozen on the spot for a good long while before squeezing two curse words through his teeth.
So angry!
He had come to line up before dawn, waiting for fully three hours, just to buy Fang Qiu's Sword and Fairy a bit earlier so he could sneak some reading time during work.
As a result, just as he left the line, Wanwen Bookhouse opened...
And he reckoned he was still going to be late...
Life, suddenly, was no longer happy.
He gritted his teeth, tears in the corners of his eyes, turned around, and flew toward his workplace.
Meanwhile, at Wanwen Bookhouse.
The surging tide of people flooded upstairs.
"I want all the new volumes of Sword and Fairy, plus a copy of Records of Wandering and a copy of Records of the Gallant, and also... hmm..."
Seeing the middle-aged woman at the front of the line fall into deep thought, the people behind her voiced their agitation one after another.
"Auntie, hurry up, Auntie. The third person in the other line has already bought theirs and left, and you're still thinking."
"Hurry up, Auntie. Do you need me to pour you a cup of tea so you can sit and think slowly..."
Hearing the urging sounds behind her, the middle-aged woman frowned and shouted back in rebuke, "What Auntie! I'm only thirty-five this year!"
As soon as she spoke, the people behind her shut their mouths one after another.
Seeing them shut up, the woman huffed coldly before turning to look at the staff member and saying, "And a new volume of The Domineering Immortal Falls for Me, thank you."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
The staff member skillfully organized the books she wanted and handed them to her.
After money and goods changed hands, the middle-aged woman left satisfied, clutching her books.
"I want all subsequent volumes of Sword and Fairy except the first one, and I also want a new volume of The Domineering Immortal Falls for Me."
Time passed slowly, and sales were exceptionally explosive.
The teahouses around Wanwen Bookhouse were soon packed with people. Many even chose a tavern directly to read books together with fellow book lovers.
Of course, even more people chose to go a bit further away.
After helping out for a while, Jifang saw that the few temporary workers were becoming more and more skilled, so she breathed a sigh of relief, found a stool, and sat to the side.
She probably wouldn't have to be so tired today; she could have a good rest.
And at this moment, a young girl with a handsome and dignified appearance, elegant manners, and a beautiful face appeared near Wanwen Bookhouse.
The girl was none other than Yun Jin.
Her appearance instantly attracted the gazes of many people on the street.
Quite a few recognized her identity.
Looking at the long dragon of a queue, as well as the many novel enthusiasts walking excitedly toward nearby teahouses with excitement on their faces after buying their books, Yun Jin couldn't help but sigh softly. With a look of difficulty, she muttered to herself, "I didn't expect so many people to be queuing on book launch day. If I start queuing now, I'll have to wait until noon at least. Maybe I should come back later."
As she spoke, she looked around. Upon noticing that the vast majority of those who had already bought books held subsequent volumes of Sword and Fairy in their hands, she couldn't help but smile faintly and say, "As expected of the books written by that Miss Fang Qiu; they are actually this popular."
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