Over a month of writing furiously, through many ups and downs.
One sunny afternoon, Lovia wrote the words "The End," finally completing the full manuscript of guoba the god of cookery.
"Finally... finished..." Lovia let out a long sigh, looking at the thick stack of manuscripts on the table, a sense of achievement welling up.
Now, the most important thing was to send the manuscript to Sanyu Bookstore. But given the previous "fanatic book fan encounter," Lovia didn't dare show her face in person.
She had social anxiety and couldn't handle such an enthusiastic shopkeeper at all.
As for why she didn't change bookstores to publish her work? Because she had already collaborated with this shopkeeper and didn't want to suddenly switch to someone unfamiliar.
Another reason was... other Bookshop owners might not collaborate with her. After all, she had some self-awareness about what she wrote; only Shopkeeper Sun of Sanyu Bookstore was bold enough to even sell books that arranged stories about Rex Lapis.
If it were someone else, they'd probably report her directly to the Seven Stars of Liyue and call the Millelith to arrest her.
So, her strategy remained: find a child to deliver it on her behalf, safe and hidden.
However, even to find a proxy, she still had to go to the market herself to scout for candidates.
Sooner or later, she'd have to hire a kid specifically to run errands for her!
Lovia pouted and thought.
Then, the thick stack of paper was carefully organized and tied up. Lovia let out a long breath, put on that signature oversized hooded cloak again, covered herself up slightly, and quietly slipped out of the small house with the manuscript.
Thinking about others' reactions to this text, the corners of her mouth under the hood couldn't help but curl up.
The streets of Liyue Harbor in the afternoon were even busier than at night, bustling with people and the constant shouting of vendors. Lovia pulled her hood lower, moving quickly through the shadows along the street, mentally reciting her plan: cross the snack street ahead, turn into the relatively quiet alley leading to Sanyu Bookstore, and then find a clever-looking child who wouldn't ask questions at the alley entrance... Everything seemed to be going smoothly; she could already see the familiar storefront at the end.
Just as Lovia was secretly delighted and about to turn into the alley, a figure so lively it was almost bouncy suddenly burst into her peripheral vision without warning.
That signature brown hat, plus the twin Horsetails swaying behind—who else could it be but Hu Tao, the quirky Director of WangSheng Funeral Parlor?
Hu Tao was as light as a butterfly, bouncing in front of Lovia in just a few steps. Then, a voice so lively it was almost bouncy rang out: "Yo! Little friend—"
Lovia's whole body stiffened, her footsteps instantly frozen in place.
She didn't dare move, screaming inwardly: No way?! Again?!
How was she noticed this time?
Has this outfit of mine already become a sign of a suspicious person in Liyue Harbor?
Should I not wear the hooded cloak next time?
"Such a bright sun, yet you're dressed so tightly and holding a big package. Are you feeling unwell? Pale face? Dizzy? Don't tell me it's heatstroke!"
Hu Tao had her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly, her plum blossom pupils curiously sizing up this "mysterious person" wrapped up airtight (much better than before).
Lovia's heart skipped a beat, thinking things were bad. The last thing she wanted was to attract the attention of any acquaintances, especially someone as sharp and enthusiastic, or rather, helpful as Hu Tao.
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