Chapter 223: The Current Situation of Online Literature Authors
What’s hidden? A card.
A membership card for the author’s lounge on the second floor.
With this card, during the lunch banquet on the second floor, they could head up there.
Sang Zhe originally had one from Bai Ming, who had given it to him so he could eat on the second floor and then find her on the third floor.
Sang Zhe’s plan was to let Hua Jianglian have fun on the first floor while he dealt with business on the second.
But now, they had two cards.
Seeing Hua Jianglian’s eager and excited expression, Sang Zhe sighed.
Well, now he had to take her.
Clearly, Gongzi Shuiming must have gotten the card from Bai Ming for Hua Jianglian.
Really, he got played by that person again.
——
After a brief stroll on the first floor, lunch time arrived quickly.
Most stalls only had the stall keepers left, with everyone else off to eat.
As the crowd thinned out, Sang Zhe took Hua Jianglian to the stairs leading to the second floor.
After showing their membership cards, they entered, immediately greeted by a decor that was a world apart from the first floor.
The second floor was luxuriously decorated, filled with music and dancing, bright lights, and fine wine. A sumptuous banquet lay on long tables for guests to help themselves. The waitstaff were beautiful young women, and the delicious delicacies beckoned.
The authors wore formal and elegant outfits, looking like they were at a gathering of nobles.
However, the different groups of authors were quite clearly defined, each chatting in their own circles.
Not much of a clue about Fusa Pavilion, Sang Zhe didn’t spot any familiar faces and awkwardly led Hua Jianglian through the crowd.
As they walked, Hua Jianglian excitedly whispered in his ear:
“Look! Over there are the main authors of the Fusa Pavilion’s ‘Endpoint’ group!”
Sang Zhe glanced over at a gaggle of middle-aged men dressed like the local old rascals, passionately discussing national affairs.
On another side, a bunch of hair-thin, lofty authors were weakly discussing something.
They had a sign reading “Running Lu” group.
“And what about over there?” Sang Zhe pointed to a cluster of young kids enjoying the communication device.
“That’s the ‘Tomato’ group’s authors.”
“And this one?”
“The ‘Hedgehog Dog’ group’s authors.”
Sang Zhe looked a bit weirdly at those high-pitched, flamboyant men, falling silent.
… why does it seem like Fusa Pavilion has no normal authors?
Just then, he turned and noticed a table nearby filled with beautiful, youthful women and adorable little girls.
Dressed stylishly and in revealing but trendy clothes, they were stunning, making Sang Zhe slightly envious.
“Is this what your female author friends look like?”
“Not at all.”
Hua Jianglian whispered again, “Those are the ‘Watermelon Bag’ group authors.”
“… but they’re all boys.”
Sang Zhe: “…?”
At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly called to them softly.
“Hey~ over here.”
It was Gongzi Shuiming.
She playfully winked at Sang Zhe and Hua Jianglian, gesturing for them to come over.
Sang Zhe figured, since he couldn’t find Bai Ming, he might as well mix in and snag some food first.
So he shamelessly led Hua Jianglian over.
However, as they approached Gongzi Shuiming’s table, he abruptly felt the atmosphere shift.
A heavy ambiance hung around like a thick fog, enveloping them.
At this table, all of the authors were glamorous, their outfits flashy, adorned like royal concubines.
“… now this is Fusa Pavilion’s female authors, the ‘Jinhe group.’”
They clustered together, chatting and laughing, but every so often their sharp gazes flicked around like they were plotting something sinister.
Sang Zhe suddenly regretted it.
… Maybe he should just head to the Watermelon Bag table.
Even if they were boys, at least they were easy on the eyes.
“It’s fine.”
Gongzi Shuiming seemed to see through Sang Zhe’s thoughts, chuckling softly, “I’m not particularly close with the other platform authors either, so it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m just here for the banquet, to grab a bite. Can’t eat without socializing, can I?”
Sang Zhe nodded, dazed, as Hua Jianglian was practically in tears, “Madam Shuiming, you’re so gentle!”
“Well, of course I show my favorites a little more love.”
As she laughed softly, her eyes slid over Sang Zhe’s face.
Seeing that he seemed relaxed, she whispered, “Just eat whatever you want. Didn’t you say you wanted to chat about my works?”
“Perfect, we can chat while eating, no need to worry about others.”
“Yay~”
Hua Jianglian’s excitement made her almost bounce up. If Sang Zhe hadn’t been holding her down, she might have pounced on Shuiming to chat all day.
Soon, the two girls were lost in conversation.
Sang Zhe found himself unable to engage. He hadn’t read much of Gongzi Shuiming’s works and had forgotten all the plots from the ones he did see with Hua Jianglian.
He couldn’t chime in and had no clue what they were on about, so he buried his head in food, aimlessly searching for Bai Ming’s figure.
… Speaking of that guy.
He was really slow.
Didn’t he say he would come after we ate to take us to discuss the collaboration on the third floor?
Why hadn’t he shown up yet?
Unlike Hua Jianglian, he wasn’t here just to have fun. He was here with serious negotiation duties.
So he couldn’t be fooled by Bai Ming’s candy-coated distraction; he had to stay alert.
As he idly ate, he thought about how to approach Bai Ming when they finally met, but suddenly heard a soft voice next to him:
“Young Master Sang… am I right?”
Gongzi Shuiming was tilted slightly towards him, winking playfully, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Your sister is so cute.”
“Uh, yeah…”
Sang Zhe was sweating bullets as he glanced at Hua Jianglian, forcing a laugh, “I also think my sister’s pretty cute.”
… cough, cough.
Sect Leader, I’m not intentionally trying to take advantage here.
Please don’t take it too seriously.
Hua Jianglian, who had just been bright and cheerful, gradually fell silent.
Her little eyes seemed to sneak a glance at Sang Zhe.
Oh no, Sang Zhe thought, the Sect Leader probably got mad about him taking advantage!
She wouldn’t cut his salary and year-end bonus, right?
But Hua Jianglian silently sat beside him, munching her food quietly.
“It seems your sister likes my works a lot. She’s seen everything I’ve written!” Gongzi Shuiming said softly. “That’s wonderful. Having readers like that is the joy of an author.”
“But Young Master Sang probably doesn’t read my works, right?” She smiled slyly.
Sang Zhe felt a bit embarrassed, unsure how to respond.
“It’s fine. I know Young Master Sang came for a reason.”
Gongzi Shuiming smiled mysteriously. “But there’s no rush. The president has already instructed me.”
“You’ll get to see her on the third floor after you join me shortly.”
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