32 The book signing event (1)
Dream High’s book signing event was organized in a shopping complex. It had all sorts of restaurants and cafes and fashion stores which was an ideal place for promoting CherryBlossom’s romance novels since it was so close to many highschools, colleges and offices in the area.
The shopping complex was always bustling with young students and couples, and it was the perfect place for hanging out with one’s friends and office colleagues. It was a place that inspired many budding and experienced authors to imagine a beautiful fated meeting.
Specifically, the event was hosted on the seventh floor in the large open space near one of the most famous cafe chains, and right now, there was a mad rush of CherryBlossom’s fans eager to get a glimpse of their favorite author.
CherryBlossom was finally going to reveal herself.
“Hey, don’t push me!”
“You are the one cutting the line!”
“I am not. I came here first!”
The guards were busy managing the excited crowd.
Inside the private lounge in the cafe, Zhan Yahui was very pleased as she grinned. “See the crowd for you, Guiying? Aren’t you thrilled? The fans are waiting for you.”
Guiying wiped her forehead. “Ah, I am so nervous. I hope I don’t slip up.”
She rolled her eyes. “I will be there by your side. Just act normal. You are the writer who won the Best Fiction Award. Be confident.”
She pursed her lips. “…Fine.”
Zhan Yahui smacked her head. “It’s such an important day. What’s with the sigh? Take this chance and connect with the readers. Thank the committee for this. This is gonna be a major boost for your career. You got this event means that Dream High is investing in you. Otherwise, how many authors can get this chance?”
“I know, I know. I am very thankful.”
“You better not feel guilty for Zhou Ai, okay?” She narrowed her eyes.
She slightly stiffened.
“I already told you this. I don’t mind you two being friends, but don’t let it interfere in your career. No matter what field it is, it’s always a competition and only one person can soar high. I want you to take all the chances you get to build your repertoire as a writer.”
Zhan Yahui squinted her gaze. “I only hope Zhou Ai doesn’t come today.”
“Hey!”
“No hey, okay? I don’t want anything bad to happen. This event should get over as smoothly as it could.”
Guiying was exasperated. “You overthink. Ai is my friend. What wrong would go even if she is here?”
—
Ai stood at the entrance of the shopping complex, a small purse slinging down her arm till her knee. She wore shades on her eyes, and her nose and mouth was covered with a mask.
From the ground floor itself, she could see the massive crowd on the seventh floor that had gathered for the book signing event. A big banner hung from the railing announcing CherryBlossom’s event.
Ai clasped the handle of her purse and stepped into the elevator. The small space within the elevator was quite crowded as everyone wanted to go up to the seventh floor for the most advertised event.
She squeezed in and stood in the left corner of the lift. The doors were about to close when a hand slid in between. The doors retracted, and Jun’s tall figure stepped in.
Ai choked.
Jun…
She knew Jun would come to the event too but thought that with such a large crowd, they might not even cross paths.
But they already did.
Carrying a bag on his left shoulder, he coldly swept his eyes across the crowd.
“Move,” It was an order, not a request.
The girls stared at him, starstruck.
So..so hot!!!
They squealed and screamed and rolled inside their heads.
Oh God! My eyes have been blessed!
Who is this cold, ethereal beauty?
I want him to hug me!
The girls immediately made space for him, giggling and shying.
Stand beside me! Please stand beside me! Everybody was praying hard.
Jun didn’t spare them a single glance. He made his way to the leftmost corner and stood beside Ai or rather his body was almost covering hers like a roof over someone’s head.
The women envied Ai.
Damn she is so lucky!
But Ai at this moment – “…”
Out of all the four corners, did he just get this space only?
The elevator closed with a ding.
Normally, Ai would get afraid as the elevator went up because that would trigger her fear of heights. But by Jun hovering over her, that fear had no space to cross her mind.
Ai peeked at his expression. It wasn’t any different from what he always wore on his face. Nobody could guess that the man upon whom every girl was squealing like crazy right now had killed a robber last night by stabbing him in the neck.
Witnessing such a gruesome scene, Ai hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep last night.
Technically, I should call the cops and testify against Jun.
A murder was a murder even if his intentions were good, and she was a witness. A civilian had no right to kill somebody.
So, now she had a moral obligation which…she couldn’t fulfill no matter how hard she thought about it.
How is Jun just a simple assistant librarian? His background…what is it exactly?
Jun was like someone who was shrouded in mystery. Dark, cold and unknown…
Ai was in a dilemma. How to face him after what she just saw?
Should I confess that I saw him killing the robber?
She looked up and found Jun staring back at her in deep thought. She coughed and slightly shifted.
Will he shut my mouth too? Ai seriously questioned.
Thinking about shutting mouth, her mind wandered off to their accidental kiss.
“…”
By shutting mouth, I didn’t mean by a kiss, she scolded herself. Murder. Murder! Will he kill me to shut my mouth to hide his crime? This is what I meant, she nodded.
On the other side, Jun was thinking critically about Ai for some reason as he gazed at the woman in front of him.
This woman…her figure is so like Zhou Ai. From her hair, neck to her arms and legs, she resembles her so much.
Then realization struck him, and his face blackened.
Why am I even thinking about her!?