Yang Wei was quite satisfied with having earned enough for lunch: "What time and where should we meet?"
"You can enter at nine o'clock. I'll be waiting for you outside the convention center!"
Yang Wei replied with an OK sign and then started watching TV while eating her spicy hot pot. Before going to bed, Yang Wei habitually checked Weibo and found that in three minutes, her idol had also retweeted the news about tomorrow's autograph session.
She clicked through the original poster's link to Takoyaki's Weibo account. His profile picture was an anime character, and his address was listed as overseas. Yang Wei had previously heard Jian Shuang mention that Takoyaki had posted a photo of his back on Weibo, which was unanimously voted by fans as the most handsome back view of the year.
Yang Wei was a little curious, so she clicked into his photo album.
Takoyaki's photo album didn't have many pictures, but Yang Wei quickly found the one of his back to the camera. The background of the photo was a vast blue sea, and a man was leaning against a balcony planted with flowers, gazing into the distance.
Yang Wei has to admit that even though it's just a view from behind, he looks really handsome. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs are enough to capture the hearts of many young girls.
But... why does this back view look so familiar?
Yang Wei thought about it for a while but couldn't come up with any ideas, so she decisively turned off her phone and went to sleep.
Yang Wei finally finished laying down the base colors for the painting on Saturday and breathed a sigh of relief before starting to prepare for her evening class. If she had to describe her current feelings in one sentence, it would be: thirty years of hard work, all gone in an instant.
Yang Wei lingered in bed on Sunday, arriving at the convention center at 9:30. Jian Shuang waited angrily at the entrance, her face as black as the bottom of a pot: "Why are you only arriving now?"
Yang Wei said, "Isn't the autograph session supposed to start at ten o'clock? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"How can I not be anxious!" Jian Shuang pulled Yang Wei and walked into the venue. "Do you know how long ago those people went in to line up? If we're half an hour later, we'll be queuing outside the Fifth Ring Road!"
Yang Wei twitched her lips and silently followed her to the stage that the organizers had set up specifically for the autograph session. Sure enough, a long queue had already formed in the open space, with quite a few people dressed in cosplay outfits waiting in line.
Jian Shuang pulled Yang Wei to the end of the line, looked around, and said to her, "You stay here in line, I'm going to buy books."
"Oh." Yang Wei nodded, watching Jian Shuang walk to the official booth and buy two copies of "Dead Man's Party." There was also a poster tucked inside, not of the author, but of the male lead. Jian Shuang stared at the poster for a while, then said to Yang Wei, "I think Takoyaki himself is definitely more handsome than the male lead."
Yang Wei said, "You'll see it soon, remember not to blink."
Speaking of this, Jian Shuang became a little excited: "Aww, I wonder if I can hug you, shake your hand, and take a photo together? Oh right, remember to take a picture for me later!" As she spoke, she excitedly handed the DSLR camera hanging around her neck to Yang Wei.
Yang Wei readily accepted the camera. She understood Jian Shuang's feelings; if it were Mo Tianwang who was here, she would be even more excited than Jian Shuang.
The two chatted in the queue for a while, and then a staff member wearing a work badge walked along the queue and reminded everyone: "When you see Takoyaki later, you can't hug him, kiss him, ask for a photo, or ask him to sign any random things."
Jian Shuang's enthusiasm immediately waned considerably: "Then what else can we do?"
However, the staff member had already walked to the front of the line, and no one paid any attention to her.
At ten o'clock, a scream suddenly rang out in the venue. Jian Shuang excitedly grabbed Yang Wei's hand: "It's here! It's here! What should I do? I'm so nervous!"
Yang Wei followed the crowd's gaze with great curiosity and indeed saw a tall figure being escorted by a group of staff members as he walked over. He was wearing a dark coat, jeans, and low-cut boots, but that wasn't the main point. The main point was that he was also wearing a hat and a mask.
Fans noticed he had completely covered his face, and a chorus of groans erupted. Jian Shuang clung to Yang Wei in disappointment, her expression sorrowful: "Why does my idol have to cover his face! But his eyes are so captivating!"
Yang Wei's gaze followed him the whole time; his eyes were indeed very beautiful, somewhat resembling Fang Chengran's peach blossom eyes. After taking his seat, Takoyaki didn't say anything and immediately began signing autographs.
Yang Wei and her group were at the back of the line, and Jian Shuang was worried that they would leave if they didn't get a chance to sign up at the takoyaki stall. Because the line was S-shaped, they were currently standing directly in front of the takoyaki stall. Yang Wei raised her camera and took a few close-up photos of the takoyaki stall for Jian Shuang.
Although the staff had warned them beforehand that hugs and photos were not allowed, some female fans still boldly put down their books and gave each other a hug. Whenever this happened, Jian Shuang would say that she would definitely give them a big hug later.
Takoyaki kept signing autographs without looking up, and by 11 o'clock, it was finally Jian Shuang and Yang Wei's turn. Jian Shuang's hands were trembling slightly as she placed the book in front of Takoyaki. Yang Wei had already raised her camera, waiting for the moment Jian Shuang would suddenly lean in for a hug so she could press the shutter, but Jian Shuang shyly said thank you, and left with the book.
Yang Wei: "..."
A staff member nearby urged, "Hurry up!"
Yang Wei put down her camera and quickly went upstairs. Just as she placed the book on the table, Takoyaki glanced up and then her eyes flickered.
Yang Wei was incredibly nervous when she saw him suddenly stop moving. What should she do? What should she do? Had he discovered she wasn't his reader and was refusing to sign the book? What if he asked her the name of the main character and she couldn't answer? Would she be beaten to death?!
While Yang Wei was still going through a flurry of internal monologues, Takoyaki suddenly smiled at her. Yes, even though he was wearing a mask, Yang Wei could tell he smiled; the eyes are the windows to the soul!
He lowered his head, quickly scribbled a few lines on the pages, and returned the book to Yang Wei. Yang Wei shyly thanked him, took the book, and hurried away.
After walking out of the book signing table, Yang Wei finally breathed a sigh of relief. Jian Shuang was still grinning foolishly at the autographs on the book. Yang Wei walked over and asked, "Didn't you say you wanted a hug? Why did you leave so cowardly?"
Jian Shuang looked at her and made a sad face: "I don't dare at all! I didn't even dare to say a word when I saw him. Those girls are so brave!"
Yang Wei gave her a disdainful look, then flipped to the title page of the book and glanced at it.
Be happy every day! ^_^
Takoyaki (octopus balls)
"Ughhhh, why are yours different from mine!" Jian Shuang opened her book and held it up in front of Yang Wei. "Why does yours have the words 'Happy Every Day' on it! And a smiley face!"
Yang Wei also found it strange. Not only were there a few more words, but even the four characters for "octopus balls" were abbreviated in Jian Shuang's version, while hers was clearly the deluxe version.
"Why! Tell me why!" Jian Shuang grabbed Yang Wei's hand angrily, her eyes practically spitting fire. Yang Wei stammered, then forced a dry laugh, "Maybe I'm the hundredth one, so I get special services?"
"Two hundred and fifty is more like it!" Jian Shuang clutched her chest, looking like she was about to burst into tears.
Yang Wei handed over the book she was holding: "Here, take this one."
Jian Shuang instantly perked up: "Weiwei'er, you really do love me! Come on, I'll treat you to seafood!"
When the autograph session ended, the organizers warmly invited Takoyaki to have dinner together, but he politely declined. Fans followed Takoyaki all the way until he got into his car, but they still couldn't see him take off his mask.
Fang Chengran leaned back in his chair, removed his mask, and shook his wrists to relax. The editor in the front row glanced back at him and asked, "Where are you going now, sir?"
"Go home, my hand is about to break."
The editor blinked and asked solicitously, "Would you like me to rub it for you? It's free."
Fang Chengran smiled slightly at her: "No need, thank you."
The editor clutched his heart: "Oh, sir, don't seduce me, I can't resist the temptation."
Fang Chengran was too lazy to speak.
The editor added, "If you showed your face, your fan base would grow exponentially."
"At that time, I will change to a different editor."
The editor shut up.
The car stopped in front of Fang Chengran's house. He got out and went inside without looking back. He poured himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen, and just as he stepped into the living room, he heard Liang Minghao coming down the stairs.
"Uncle, you're back! How was the book signing?"
Fang Chengran thought of Yang Wei and gently curled the corners of his lips: "It's fine."
Seeing that he was in a good mood, Liang Minghao quickly handed over the test paper in his hand: "The teacher needs a parent's signature."
Fang Chengran took the test paper, glanced at it, and then looked at Liang Minghao: "87 points? Whose intelligence did you inherit?"
Liang Minghao pursed his lips: "It's probably yours."
"I never got 87 on a math test in elementary school." Fang Chengran picked up a pen from the table and quickly signed his name. Liang Minghao took the test paper, stuffed it into his schoolbag without even looking at it.
The next morning, before the start of morning self-study, the math class representative collected all the papers that had been handed out for signature over the weekend. Ms. Luo sat in her office reviewing everyone's corrections. When she came to Liang Minghao's paper, she turned to Yang Wei by the window and called out, "Ms. Yang, come take a look."
"What's wrong?" Yang Wei looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Teacher Luo held up Liang Minghao's test paper and said to her, "Look what Liang Minghao signed on his test paper?"
Yang Wei walked over, picked up the test paper, glanced at it, and her expression subtly changed.
Although the signature was very illegible, she could still make out what it was—because she had seen it just yesterday.
Takoyaki (octopus balls).
Author's Note: Special thanks to: Ying_like an angel who threw a landmine, Xiaoyutang an angel who threw a landmine, and lestat an angel who threw a landmine. Thank you, little angels, mwah! (* ￣3)(ε￣ *)
30
Yang Wei looked at the test paper and thought for a while, then said to Teacher Luo, "I'll ask Liang Minghao to come and ask him."
"Oh, okay." Teacher Luo nodded, then smiled and said to her, "Teacher Yang, your clothes suit you very well today."
Yang Wei chuckled twice, placed Liang Minghao's test paper on her desk, and turned to leave the office. In the classroom, the language arts representative was leading everyone in reading the text. Yang Wei entered through the back door and knocked on Liang Minghao's desk: "Come to my office with me."
Liang Minghao's heart skipped a beat. Had he done anything recently that would warrant a parent-teacher meeting? Could it be because he had tied his red scarf too casually today? He nervously followed Yang Wei into the office. Yang Wei sat down in a chair, looked up at him, and asked, "Who signed your math test?"
Liang Minghao was taken aback for a moment, then honestly replied, "Uncle."
"Oh, Uncle." Yang Wei smiled at him. "Your uncle's name is Takoyaki? You wouldn't be called Dorayaki, would you?"
Liang Minghao: "..."
He glanced down at the math test paper on the table, and the four characters "octopus balls" written in a flamboyant style almost blinded him.
A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in Liang Minghao's heart. How could my uncle be so stupid!
He sniffed, looking deeply remorseful: "I'm sorry, Teacher Yang, I was wrong. I did so badly on the test that I didn't dare take it home to get signed. I happened to see someone holding a book signing event, so I took the test paper over and asked him to sign it for me."
Yang Wei: "..."
This kid is really going all out for his uncle!
"Teacher Yang, I have realized my mistake from the bottom of my heart. I will take the paper home now and have my uncle sign it again."
Liang Minghao picked up the test paper and was about to leave when Yang Wei slammed it down and smiled at him, saying, "This is a serious problem. I may have to contact your mother who lives abroad to help you."
Liang Minghao: "..."
I'm sorry, Uncle, this is all I can do for you.
After returning to the classroom with the test paper, Liang Minghao quickly took out his phone and sent a text message to Fang Chengran: "To my silly uncle: Happy to have your identity revealed ^_^"
After the first class ended, Fang Chengran saw the text message and sent a reply: "What?"
Liang Minghao took a picture of the signed exam paper and sent it over. Ten seconds later—
uncle:……
Liang Minghao: O(∩_∩)O——
Yang Wei was preparing for her next class when her phone vibrated. The caller ID showed Fang Chengran. Yang Wei blinked, walked to the window, and answered the phone: "Fang Chengran, what's up?"
"Um... would you believe me if I said I really love takoyaki and imitated his signature?"
Yang Wei tilted her head and said, "If this will make you feel better, then I'll believe you."
Fang Chengran: "..."
He was silent for a while before speaking, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lie to you. It's just that my family thinks writing novels is a waste of time, and I was afraid you would think so too, so I pretended to work at a hotel."
Yang Wei said, "Why do I think that way? You didn't steal or rob, you earned money through your own labor, which is much better than some rich kids who just sit around and do nothing. Besides, being a writer isn't a profession that everyone can pursue."