Chapter 34

"Earlier, I didn't get a chance to talk to you, but I promise I was keeping an eye on you the whole time."

After getting in the car, Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu sat together and joked.

Mi Hu didn't mind and said, "It's a tradition, when an author visits the company for the first time, they naturally have to greet all the editors first. How come I didn't see you keeping an eye on me?"

"Stealthily, of course. By the way, is this the legendary limousine?"

Mi Hu smiled and said, "I'm also riding in such a car for the first time."

"Much more luxurious than a tractor," Liu Jingtong said with a whistle. "I just realized I'm full of俗blood. Do you know what I'm thinking?"

"You want to buy one?"

"Yes, I want to buy one. I'm thinking that when I make money in the future, I'll buy a car like this, and on days when there's nothing to do, I'll invite a few good friends to go for a drive, bask in the sun, drink, and chat."

"You should have no problem with that." Mi Hu didn't mock him.

Their laughter paused just as a very clear voice said, "Gu Yongsheng, can we chat?"

"An Da."

Although Mi Hu had expressed her admiration for her idol Yi Shui'an at the beginning, she was still happy to see her come over. However, she was named to chat with the little kid, so she would just be the listener.

Yi Shui'an called back, "Mi Hu."

Liu Jingtong quickly moved closer to Mi Hu and said, "Please sit."

Yi Shui'an, who was lightly made up and dressed simply, smiled slightly and sat down next to Gu Yongsheng. She turned her head to look at Gu Yongsheng and asked, "How old are you this year?"

When the distance is shortened, there are often unexpected discoveries. For example, when Liu Jingtong looked at Yi Shui'an so closely, he felt for the first time that there really are people who can express a serious demeanor so vividly.

Yi Shui'an was much older than him in this world, and even the soul that had traveled through time in his body was a year or two younger than the woman in front of him. Therefore, despite the faint fragrance of a woman constantly invading his sense of smell, and despite her breath constantly brushing against his face, Liu Jingtong could not have any romantic thoughts.

Or perhaps, the calm and pure aura that Yi Shui'an exuded from within did not allow him to have such thoughts.

"Fourteen, and in half a month, I'll be fifteen," Liu Jingtong answered.

"Fifteen? It's really unbelievable."

"I felt the same way when I first met him," Mi Hu added cautiously.

Yi Shui'an nodded and said, "In half a month, you'll be fifteen, so you're a Cancer, right?"

Gu Yongsheng nodded with a smile. He wasn't particularly knowledgeable about astrology, but when he was in college, he had browsed some related analyses online to find common topics with girls.

"What do you mean by 'also'?"

"My birthday is in nine days," Yi Shui'an smiled. "I'm also a Cancer. Do you guys not believe in this?"

"Astrology," Liu Jingtong instinctively put on a show, "I think it should be a branch or variant of statistics and psychology."

Yi Shui'an agreed, "I also think so. When we read astrological analyses, we instinctively avoid information we don't want to accept and amplify what we want to accept. This is the psychological part."

"The statistics about human commonalities are the statistical part. For example, I often see people write that a certain sign has a dual personality. When you think about it, who can maintain a single personality? Also, I've seen people say that Cancer people are more family-oriented, but who isn't family-oriented?"

Yi Shui'an smiled and nodded, "We actively seek examples for the personality analyses we expect. For example, if I see the dual personality example you mentioned, I immediately think about my personality when I'm angry and my personality when I'm happy. These two different emotions are indeed a dual personality."

Liu Jingtong nodded and then turned to Mi Hu, "You're a Scorpio, right?"

"Yes."

"According to what I've heard, Scorpios and Cancers can easily become good friends. So, there's some truth to it."

Yi Shui'an smiled lightly, and Mi Hu neither confirmed nor denied, just giving Liu Jingtong a glare.

Actually, all three of them knew that astrology books say that Cancers and Scorpios are a perfect match.

"Whenever I see an analysis saying that my sign is compatible with a pretty girl's sign, I especially believe in astrology." Liu Jingtong couldn't resist making a joke, his nature hard to change.

Yi Shui'an rarely laughed out loud, and Mi Hu secretly pinched Liu Jingtong.

"I was a bit curious how someone your age could write such a seasoned story. Now I seem to have some answers. We're almost at the airport, we can chat more later." Yi Shui'an got up to say goodbye to the two of them.

After Yi Shui'an left, Mi Hu said with a smile, "Don't think too much, she has a boyfriend."

"Jealous?"

"Get lost!"

Liu Jingtong immediately said seriously, "Are you watching too many novels and dramas? Just because a man and a woman have a pleasant conversation, you immediately imagine a fresh and hot love story. Please consider the age difference." Liu Jingtong seemed to realize something and added subtly, "The age difference between the male and female lead should not exceed three years!"

Mi Hu was unimpressed, "For someone who writes stories, you're still spouting such old clichés."

"The airport has arrived!" someone called out loudly.

"Continue the argument on the plane."

...

Even an adult would feel curious or exclaim at the grandeur of an airport when entering it for the first time. A child, who is naturally curious, would certainly be looking around and asking questions non-stop.

However, Qiao Keli was not like that. She let her parents hold her hand and silently walked into the airport, silently went through security, and silently followed her parents onto the plane...

Just as she sat down, Qiao Keli turned and held her mother's clothes, her big eyes wide and innocent, and said, "Mom, do you want to read a book?"

Qiao's mother smiled and nodded, reaching into her bag. She didn't find a book and suddenly remembered that the latest issue of "Children's Literature" was in the large luggage that had been checked in. She looked at her husband with a mix of frustration and worry.

Qiao's father whispered, "Give her the drawing pens first." He pressed a button on the overhead panel, and a beautiful flight attendant came over, bending down to ask, "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I want to ask if you have the latest issue of 'Children's Literature.'"

The flight attendant apologized, "I'm sorry, sir, we only have some aviation magazines and newspapers on the plane." She glanced at the little girl and said, "I'll report to the chief flight attendant and make an announcement to ask for your help."

"Thank you."

...

"There's actually a question I've been wanting to ask you, but I'm a bit worried," Mi Hu fastened her seatbelt and tilted her head to ask Liu Jingtong, "You said you've read my novels before. I want to know what your true thoughts are."

Liu Jingtong smiled slyly and shook his head, "Can't say."

Mi Hu's face tensed, "Isn't this even more embarrassing?"

Liu Jingtong's smile faded, and he looked at Mi Hu quietly for a moment before saying, "I don't know if you've heard this metaphor: writing a novel is like building a castle to ward off evil. When the castle is completed, from the palace to the walls, everything is perfectly built according to the blueprint. Does this mean the castle is flawless and qualified?"

Mi Hu thought for a moment and said, "The key is whether it can ward off evil."

"Exactly, you're listening carefully," Liu Jingtong smiled again, "Even if the castle is fully built, it still can't be considered a qualified castle to ward off evil because it can't ward off evil at all. It's as meaningless as if it didn't exist."

"You mean it's missing something?"

"Smart! It is indeed missing something. Can you guess what?"

"It's not a Taoist talisman, right?"

Liu Jingtong shook his head and smiled, "No, do you want to guess again?"

"I don't like your mysterious attitude. Just tell me what's missing."

"A basin of dog blood!"

"Huh?"

"After the castle is built, a basin of dog blood must be splashed on the main gate to complete it."

"This, this has nothing to do with my book, right?" Mi Hu asked, confused.

"The palace is the structure and process of the story. It doesn't exist naturally but is constructed according to certain rules and principles. If it can't be infused with passion, the story will be cold and no one will care."

"You mean my story isn't dramatic enough?"

"No, no, the dog blood here refers to passion, a metaphor. Your story has drama, but the structure is a bit fragile."

"I understand what you mean." Mi Hu pondered for a moment and said, "Lack of skill."

Liu Jingtong smiled smugly, "So I have the potential to be a good teacher."

"Our ancestors taught us that the problem with people is that they like to be teachers!"

"I think it should be 'the problem with writers.'"

At this moment, a gentle and soothing voice came from the intercom: "Dear ladies and gentlemen, the plane is about to take off. Please wait patiently. Now, we have a book request. Mr. Qiao, who is traveling with his daughter, urgently needs the July issue of 'Children's Literature.' Passengers carrying this book, please contact the flight attendant. Thank you!"

...

When the plane took off, Mr. Qiao still hadn't found the book, and his daughter's mood was becoming increasingly restless. Based on past experience, any attempt to calm her at this point would be ineffective. They could only hope the plane would land soon. Unfortunately, it seemed the plane was deliberately against them. An hour later, the plane encountered a turbulent air current.

The plane began to shake, and some passengers started to panic and scream. The chief flight attendant's calm voice immediately came over the intercom: "Ladies and gentlemen, the plane is encountering a turbulent air current. Please fasten your seatbelts and do not panic. We will soon pass through it."

"Eagles! Eagles!" Qiao Keli's face turned pale, and she screamed. Qiao's mother hugged her daughter tightly and kept comforting her, "Don't be afraid, baby. Dad will scare the eagles away."

"Beta, scare the eagles! Beta, scare the eagles!" Qiao Keli continued to scream. A middle school boy sitting nearby heard this and turned his head curiously. Seeing the extremely frightened girl, he immediately joined in, "The eagles are scared away by the tank!"

Qiao Keli turned to look at the boy who was shouting with her and called out, "Beta scares the eagles!"

The boy responded, "The eagles are scared away by the tank!"

It seemed like a magic spell. When Qiao Keli heard the boy's words, her fear subsided somewhat. Her father, who was at a loss, looked at the boy gratefully and then returned his deep, mountain-like gaze to his daughter, saying softly, "The eagles are scared away by the tank!"

At this moment, the plane passed through the turbulent air current, and the body of the plane gradually stabilized.

Qiao Keli stared at the boy, her face still pale and terrifying. The boy smiled at her and asked, "Do you want to hear the story of 'Shuke and Beta'?"

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