264 Shanghai Fest Arc (18) : From educational to love talk
The second day of the Shanghai Fest was the main event for Ai which consisted of her seminar and book signing event. The seminar had many new and blooming authors who wanted to make a name of their own in the writing world. Meeting Ai who was still relatively new in the field as well but who already won the Summit was like a dream come true for them.
The one and a half hour seminar passed by without their realization. Ai stood poised and calm, and her voice was pleasing to the ears. Her tips and process of writing proved to be useful for many budding authors. Talking to her made them see her in a new light.
Xing Bi was also beside her, giving insights to proofreading and editing. Ai focused on storytelling while Xing Bi concentrated on polishing their writing.
Jun and Nian’s chest were puffed up with pride as they watched them from the back.
My girlfriend is amazing, Jun grinned.
My future girlfriend is amazing, Nian grinned.
Yunru clapped for both of his sister-in-laws. He glanced at Huan who sat on the chair next to him. She was softly smiling as she listened to Ai on the podium.
He asked, “Do you also have a seminar?”
She faced him and shook her head. “I don’t. I mean,” she tilted her head, “My mother had arranged it for me. She insisted on me coming here.”
He blinked. “But I didn’t see your name in the schedule.”
“The organizers canceled it. I came to know when I arrived here.”
His eyes widened. “Why?”
“They already had a jam packed schedule. They could only accommodate Zhou Ai and at most squeeze in one more writer. Mom…well, she had pulled some strings to get me a place here, especially when I couldn’t participate in the Summit because I fell ill. But when I came here, I saw that CherryBlossom took the second spot.”
His nostrils flared.
The one with her half-sister!?
“How could they do this? Doesn’t Mrs. Shi know about it? Didn’t she do anything about it?”
“I came to know after I arrived here. I didn’t tell her. I decided I would lie that I gave the seminar to save the trouble, otherwise she would get really mad.”
Yunru felt extremely aggrieved and unjust upon hearing this. “Don’t you feel bad?”
Huan looked back at Ai. “No. It’s fine. I am not really doing it for fame. I just write because I want to. It’s for fun. Mom just gets too serious about it that I have to succeed and become the best. I just don’t share that motivation, so I don’t feel bad.”
Then she quickly clarified. “Wait. I didn’t mean it like other authors are doing it for popularity.”
“I know,” he smiled.
She nodded. “Thank you. Since I was here anyway, I decided to enjoy the fest.”
“I see…”
“Miss. Zhou!” A young girl raised her hand, albeit with embarrassment. That was the last question after which the seminar would end. “I-I have a question.”
“Yes?” Ai kindly smiled.
She coughed. “D-Do you know how to…how to write…mature scenes? Like kissing or m-more than that…” she felt embarrassed again. “That’s also an important part of writing a romance story s-so…I don’t have experience either so I don’t know how to write…”
Jun cocked his brow in amusement and watched Ai blush with the girl too.
Why are you blushing? You are quite wild at times too, you know.
Ai felt a super strong gaze from Jun as if he really wanted to hear what he had to say. She could also feel that he was enjoying this.
,ᴄᴏm “*Ahem*” Xing Bi coughed. “Yes, Ai is perfect to answer that question,” she dragged Ai into the fire because she wanted to save herself from embarrassment.
Nian pouted. “Xing Bi doesn’t seem to know anything which is good or I would have killed all those men she was intimate with.”
Jun – “…”
Then he thought that he had no right to judge him when the thought of Yating and Ai’s relationship had made him jealous too.
“But worry not! I will teach my Xing Bi everything there is about intimacy. Then she can confidently answer these questions too in the future~”
Jun grimaced. “You think she is keeping quiet because she doesn’t know anything? She is older than you. Of course she knows how kiss and sex works. She is just embarrassed.”
Nian glared at him. “You have to ruin my beautiful imagination, don’t you?”
The other authors giggled as well. Ai quickly came over her embarrassment. “You don’t have to be experienced in kissing or lovemaking like you don’t necessarily have to be in a relationship to write a romance story. I had no romantic partner when I started writing. The important thing is how you get those emotions across in your story.
You have to know your character well for that. Kissing or sex isn’t just about physical pleasure. There are a lot of emotions someone feels other than just ecstasy. You have to grasp and express those as well apart from the actual process. Focus on what the characters are going through, and the words will automatically form in your mind.”
The young girl thought about it and beamed. “You are right!”
One of the authors jokingly asked, “Miss, Zhou, you have such a hot boyfriend. Hehe, you definitely must have experience kissing and a lot more things, right?”
Xing Bi loudly cleared her throat.
Yup time to end the seminar.
Ai’s cheeks lightly turned pinkish, and she agreed. “I do…”
The author and Xing Bi stumbled in her chair. She had just jokingly asked and didn’t think that Ai would answer that.
Nian sneered at Jun. “What little brother? You are a beast!”
“Shut up!”
“Heh, wasn’t Ai limping yesterday? That just proves you are a beast!”
Jun coldly said, “Should I wring your neck, Bro?”
The women squealed in excitement. Suddenly, the seminar turned from educational to having love talk.
“Miss. Zhou, tell us more about Mr. Liu, please?”
“How is he as a boyfriend? He looks so cold and detached.”
Ai quickly shook her head and corrected them. “Jun is not cold at all. He is warm, caring and very cute,” her small face radiated happiness.