Velina: ?
She turned her head and looked at the several sailors who were enthusiastically discussing whether Rex Lapis was actually a beautiful girl, then silently placed a question mark in her heart.
Velina placing a question mark wasn’t because she had a problem.
It was because she felt these people had a problem.
Weren’t they afraid Zhongli would find out if they fabricated stories about him like this?
Of course, Velina didn’t particularly care about that.
What she cared about was: just who had spread this news in the first place?!
“The peerless beauty that only appears once every three thousand years in Liyue—I’ve heard about this recently too!”
Xiangling let out a small exclamation.
“It’s already spread through every street and alley.
Velina, you’ve been cooped up in your room the whole time, so you definitely don’t know, right?”
Hu Tao leaned in close beside Velina and revealed a mischievous smile.
You’re the person involved, so stop joining in on the fun, okay?
Velina felt utterly exhausted.
After coming to Liyue she had only just accepted her current life, and now something like this had to happen.
Were they determined to make things difficult for her?
“I know now.”
Xiangling seemed to have thought of something.
Her gaze fell on Velina, looking thoughtful.
“Velina… could they be talking about you?”
“No.
Definitely not.”
Velina shook her head and flatly refused.
This shameful title could go to someone else.
She didn’t want it at all.
“Ehh, if it’s not you, I really can’t think of anyone else who could be called that.” Xiangling furrowed her brows, looking quite troubled.
“What about me?
What about me?
Can’t this Director do it?” Hu Tao clamored.
“Hu Tao, you’re very cute too.”
“Xiangling, this grudge—this Director has recorded it!”
“Ehh?
Isn’t that something the Spindrift knight of Mondstadt always says?
How do you know that?”
“Hehe, this Director has her own methods…”
In a foul mood, Velina arrived at Liyue Publishing House.
She knocked on the door of the editorial department.
The sound drew the editors’ attention.
When they saw it was Velina, several female editors wanted to call out and tease her.
Yet that cool and distant appearance made them all close their mouths one after another.
“Eh, Velina, why are you here?”
Mu Yun, who had been reviewing manuscripts, raised her head.
Upon seeing Velina she stood up in pleasant surprise.
“I’ve written some of the new novel.
I wanted you to take a look first.”
Velina took out a stack of manuscript paper.
The previously expressionless face also revealed a soft curve.
In that instant it was as if the harsh winter had passed and brought with it the wind of early spring.
Not only did Mu Yun freeze for a moment—even the other editors stared in fascination.
They exchanged glances and all read the same message in each other’s eyes— Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
That’s right!
The peerless beauty that only appeared in Liyue after three thousand years is Miss Velina!
At the same time, they tacitly made a decision in their hearts.
This secret—they would definitely help Miss Velina protect it to the end!
“This fast?
I thought you would only start writing after some more time.”
Mu Yun took several deep breaths, feeling her violently pounding heart, and tried hard to keep herself calm.
She remembered clearly.
It had only been a few days since she last discussed the new book with Velina, and yet she had already written such a thick stack of manuscripts.
Velina must have spent all of these past few days writing the novel, right?
The authors under the senior editors all loved delaying for ten days or half a month and never submitted their manuscripts until the very last day.
“Oh right, this novel of mine is only about halfway done.
Should I finish writing it all at once, or release it in volumes?” Velina asked.
“Mm… it doesn’t sound like a particularly long novel, so finishing it all at once is fine.”
“Understood, Sister Yun.
Then I’ll be leaving first.
My friends are still waiting for me outside.”
Velina prepared to leave, but Mu Yun called her back.
“Eh, wait a moment, don’t leave in such a hurry.
There’s something I need to give you.”
“New manuscript fees?”
Velina’s eyes lit up.
Fifty thousand Mora—neither particularly much nor particularly little.
It was still far from enough if she wanted to buy a house in Liyue Harbor.
“What are you thinking?
Last time was a special exception.
The remaining manuscript fees will be the same as the other authors.
Next month they’ll be deposited directly into your Liyue Bank certificate.”
As she spoke, Mu Yun took out a box from under the desk.
“Here, take a look.”
Velina opened the box in confusion.
Inside were stacks of… letters?
Velina tore open the topmost one and unfolded the letter paper inside.
After seeing the contents written on it, she became a little dazed.
[Velina, you aren’t human!]
She blinked.
Her delicate little face revealed undisguised blankness.
Mu Yun held back her laughter.
“Well?”
Velina came back to herself, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
“Sister Yun, these…”
“That’s right.
They’re all letters from readers.
They don’t know who you are, so they all mailed them here.
This is the readers’ most sincere love for you.”
Then this love was far too straightforward—the kind that poured straight from the heart.
Although Velina knew that the novels she wrote easily invited razor blades in the mail, when it actually happened it still left her speechless.
She flipped further down.
Besides letter paper, there were also cards with messages written on them.
The contents were all similar to the first letter.
[Velina, you old thief!
Where do you live?
I’ll mail you some local specialties from my hometown]
[My Gin, my little Hotaru—Velina, how could you bear it]
[Velina, prepare to die—taste my sword]
“Are the readers of our Liyue all this refined and gentle?”
Velina closed the box.
After a moment of silence, she made this evaluation.
She felt that basically everything inside was denunciation aimed at her.
“Actually there are still some readers who like you.
They’re in the few letters at the bottom.”
“A few letters?”
“Two letters… or was it three?”
Isn’t that the same as none at all?!
“I’ve received everyone’s encouragement.
I’m very grateful.
I will continue to work hard.”
Velina hugged the box, her gaze firm, and once again revealed that gentle smile, as if those letters had not affected her in the slightest.
Mu Yun felt as if she were reciting some kind of oath.
For no reason at all, she thought of the ending of Hotarubi no Mori e again and felt that things looked rather ominous.
What did you readers provoke her for?
Mu Yun couldn’t help sighing in her heart for the readers’ future.
“Don’t leave just yet.
There’s also a package that was mailed to you.”
Mu Yun called out to Velina, who was preparing to leave.
“There’s more?”
Velina followed Mu Yun to a storage room.
With a clattering noise, Mu Yun laboriously dragged out a large wooden crate.
Velina looked at the crate filled with weapons and once again fell into silence.
No way… readers actually mailed blades?
Is it still not too late for me to change careers and open a weapons shop?
She suddenly began to worry that if her identity as the author were exposed, whether her personal safety would be at risk.
===✧✦✧===
“Wow, Velina, did you rob the publishing house?
I’ve only ever thought about doing something like that.”
Hu Tao looked at the weapons crate behind Velina and let out a sound of amazement.
“These are local specialties the readers mailed me.” Velina sighed.
“Are they really local specialties?” Xiangling furrowed her brows, a little doubtful.
“Then why do you look so unhappy?” Hu Tao asked.
“I’m thinking… if someone accidentally discovers that the novels were written by me in the future, what should I do if they come looking for me?”
“Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn’t vegetarian.
When the time comes I’ll use the Staff of Homa to knock them on the head.”
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