Chapter 353: Yamada-sensei
Although she had come to Japan, she wasn’t familiar with the place. Even if she wanted to watch a movie, she couldn’t understand Japanese. Helplessly, she could only choose an American film. Although she couldn’t understand the Japanese subtitles, at least she could understand the English. And so, on her first day in Japan, Yu Linna watched her first movie. For her, the days abroad were really novel.
Sakurai Reina didn’t seem very interested, probably because she didn’t like this type of movie, but she still insisted on watching it with her. To be fair, this kind of commercial blockbuster really didn’t have much to see. It had no substance. Only the special effects and action scenes could be worth the ticket price. The rest of the story content was completely abandoned.
After watching the movie, Sakurai Reina took her to lunch again. The food here in Japan was very unfamiliar to Yu Linna. When the Japanese ate, they liked to use small plates, and the portions were always very small. Although the taste was passable, there were also things that Yu Linna didn’t like. For example, sashimi was something she absolutely could not accept. Even if she liked to eat seafood, she couldn’t accept it.
“Haha, look at your conflicted face. I’ll just eat this sashimi. I guessed you wouldn’t be used to it.”
“Sorry, I’m just not used to it…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. There are still many other foods to choose from. Take your time.”
Sakurai Reina had originally thought about exchanging emails and phone numbers with her, but the mobile service areas of the two of them were not in the same place at all, so it was impossible. When the Japanese exchanged emails, they needed to use their phones’ infrared scan to exchange, which was completely different from the way Yu Linna knew, which was to enter a WeChat number to add a friend, so it was naturally impossible to exchange emails.
But Sakurai Reina had left her own address, saying that if she had anything, she could come and find her at any time. To take care of her, she had even specially written it in Chinese.
Sakurai Reina could actually speak a little Chinese. It was just that her spoken Chinese was not fluent, but writing a few sentences in Chinese was not a problem.
Since she had been so kind to help her, Yu Linna was naturally a little moved.
“Ahem, arigato.” (Japanese)
This was one of the few Japanese phrases that Yu Linna knew. Because she had also watched Japanese anime, she could still speak a few simple Japanese phrases, but that was all.
Sakurai Reina was stunned for a moment, then smiled. She waved and said goodbye to her.
…
After returning to the hotel, Yu Linna continued to type her manuscript, putting this matter to the back of her mind. Originally, they were just strangers who had met by chance, and she had never thought they would have any interaction. Plus, being in a foreign country, the language barrier was also a problem. Neither of them had thought they would have any special interaction with the other.
…
The next day, under Mr. Sato’s guidance, Yu Linna arrived at the venue of this exchange meeting. The lecture was held in an ordinary university in Tokyo.
Japan held an exchange meeting every year, allowing authors from various countries to come and participate, and letting them communicate face-to-face and learn from each other. One of the most important segments was a lecture by a famous author, who would give a lecture and share their experience and skills, attracting everyone to participate.
Wenqing had one spot for the exchange meeting every year, and this year they had given this spot to Shion-sensei. But to be able to increase one’s experience and writing skills at this so-called exchange meeting, and to be able to write high-quality works after returning to the country, was almost zero. To put it bluntly, such an exchange meeting was just to broaden one’s horizons and get to know the outside world.
After all, Japanese commercial novels were still very famous.
When Yu Linna arrived at the lecture venue, there were already many people here. Most of the authors who came to participate in the lecture were Asians, from different countries. More of them were Japanese authors. And she, a blonde, was completely a crane among a flock of chickens, attracting the attention of many people.
The famous teacher for this lecture was Akamizu-sensei, who had once written the Japanese bestseller novel S-Class Armed Detective. The work had also been animated and adapted into a manga and a game, and had sold a lot of money. It was very appropriate for him to give a lecture.
After sitting down, Yu Linna obediently opened her notebook, preparing to take notes, and listened attentively, as if she had returned to her high school days.
Just as the lecturer was about to start his lecture, a female voice broke the silence. The chaotic footsteps made the Japanese authors in the classroom show displeasure.
“I’m sorry, sensei. I’m late.”
A girl opened the classroom door and said with a slight apology.
The lecturer wanted to say something, but seeing that it was her, his tone couldn’t help but soften.
“Go and sit down, Yamada-sensei.”
“Okay.”
The girl entered the room, preparing to find a seat. Suddenly, she found a blonde in the classroom. Among so many black-haired people, she had spotted that conspicuous blonde hair at a glance. Seeing her face, she showed an even more surprised expression. But she still sat down next to that blonde.
“Hi, hello. We meet again.”
Sakurai Reina said with a smile, greeting her in English.
“…”
What else could she say?
This world was too small.
A girl she had randomly met on the street, to meet her again at a lecture the next day. The probability of this was enough to buy a lottery ticket, yet it had happened to her.
“Hello.”
Yu Linna couldn’t say much and could only nod.
Because it was a lecture, everyone didn’t dare to be slack and were all very serious. Yu Linna also took notes. Although the lecturer was evaluated as living off his past glory in his home country, he was, after all, a great author who had written a bestseller, and was also a great senior. No one would disrespect him.
Considering that there were authors from other countries present, a translator was also arranged on site. As the lecturer spoke, he also translated.
“To write a satisfactory work, the first thing you have to consider is not the popular elements, but the most basic point: the story. If you don’t grasp this most important point, then no matter how many benefits you stuff into the book, no matter how many popular elements, it’s just a hodgepodge, a stew. The final thing you produce will be a four-way mess…”
Yu Linna listened very attentively and even took notes. She remembered everything he said. Although she had learned these things a long time ago, she still patiently listened. After all, it was Sister Chen who had introduced her here. She had to learn something. Besides, coming to this exchange meeting cost money, and every bit was expensive. She didn’t want to waste her money.
The lecture was only about two hours long. After the lecturer finished, he let everyone exchange their thoughts with the authors present and talk about their own creative experiences. Usually at this time, the communication between authors was quite necessary.
“Shall we exchange our feelings, my dear Miss Yu~”
Sakurai Reina said with a smile, pulling Yu Linna.
“First of all, I didn’t know you were an author like me, and you gave me too big a shock.”
“What can I do about it? I didn’t know you were my colleague either. But it’s really a surprise. I thought with your appearance, you should be a star. I never thought you’d be a novelist. Look at your looks, you’re even prettier than me. I’m so jealous.”
Sakurai Reina pulled her cheeks, pouting, deliberately acting cute.
Yu Linna didn’t fall for this trick.
“One thing at a time. First, tell me, what else haven’t you told me?”
“Alright, alright. Let me introduce myself again. My pen name is Yamada Yui. The works I’m currently serializing are Black Snow Princess and Sword Game.”
These two works, Yu Linna had heard of them. Because both of them had animations, were very popular in her home country, and the original novels could also sell very high. When Yu Linna was in high school, she had often seen these books with the boys, and sometimes she would go to the second-hand market to see if there were any of these books.
Her popularity was not at all lower than that of Akamizu-sensei on the stage, even higher. It was just that in Japan, a country that respected the seniority system, Yamada-sensei also couldn’t say anything disrespectful to her seniors in front of them. If she did, she would be hung up and scolded by all the Japanese.
“I’ve seen both of these works. I used to buy pirated copies… second-hand copies from the second-hand market.”
She had originally wanted to say she had bought pirated books from a pirate, but thinking that in Japan, a country that strictly abided by copyright law, saying “pirated” was obviously not appropriate, she thought for a moment and gave up.
“Oh, so you’re my little fan? Thank you for your support~”
“No, that… your novel has been serialized for many years, right? I was already in middle school when I read it… don’t tell me you’re already, thirty…”
“You bad child! I’m only at the tender age of 24! Not that old!”
Sakurai Reina knocked her on the head and said resentfully. The one thing you absolutely couldn’t say to a woman was her age. This was a big taboo!
As Sakurai Reina, who had become famous at a young age, although she was still young, she didn’t want to be called too old.
“I just haven’t seen your photos or encyclopedia… it’s not like you have to hit me like that…”
“I’ve introduced myself. Now it’s your turn.”
“Oh, okay. My pen name is Shion. My work is Ballad of the Enchantress.”
“…”
Sakurai Reina tried very hard to find the memory in her mind, really hard, but no matter how she thought, she didn’t seem to have any memory of this person. In fact, she didn’t have much impression of Chinese authors, nor were there many names she could remember. Even a Qidian author, it was impossible for her to recognize.
After all, that was an author from across the sea. How could she have deliberately remembered?
“You don’t have to force yourself. I know I’m not very popular.”
“Mmm… although it doesn’t sound very good, this is indeed a fact.”
Yes, at least here in Japan, the name people remembered more was Yamada Yui, not Shion.
In any case, the name Yamada Yui was also very famous in the novel world, perennially occupying the top spot on the bestseller list. The animation’s ratings were also high, and the derivative merchandise sold very well. And this author’s own autograph was also very valuable, with many die-hard fans. Some otaku even worshipped her as the goddess of otaku.
Because her looks were also a very important plus point.
“It’s fine. We’re all here to exchange. Come on, I’ll teach you the experience of writing a book. I guarantee you’ll learn something.”
Sakurai Reina coughed twice, trying to change the atmosphere, and took the initiative to teach her the experience of writing a book. In any case, she was a great god in the Japanese novel circle. It was no problem to guide her a little. Yu Linna thought about it and didn’t feel it was a loss, so she handed her notebook over to her.
“What is this?”
“My notes. Take a look.”
“…”
Miss Sakurai looked at the notes, then threw them to the side. Yu Linna was startled. Were her notes not good?
