Chapter 173: Shion-sensei is a High School Student!
After the hundred-day pledge, Yu Linna returned to her studies, even attending evening self-study sessions, a practice she had always avoided, accompanied by Fang Jiangning.
Besides studying, she also worked on the illustrations for her second novel, Zixuan and the Paper Airplane, scheduled for release in June. After the success of Ballad of the Enchantress, the editorial department trusted her abilities, allowing her to handle her own illustrations. A writer, an artist, a girl… such a multi-talented individual was a rare find.
Within two weeks, she finished the black and white illustrations and the cover for Zixuan and the Paper Airplane, submitting them to Chen Xi, who, pleased with the results, smiled. Of all the authors she managed, only Yu Linna possessed both writing and artistic talent. Though her art style wasn’t as commercially appealing as Zhiqiu’s, it was still of high quality, especially for a newcomer.
“Regarding your next project, we’ll announce on Weibo that you’re taking a break to focus on the gaokao. You should concentrate on your studies for now.”
Though Yu Linna was now a millionaire, financially secure, the gaokao remained a crucial milestone, a societal expectation deeply ingrained in Chinese culture.
Meanwhile, Weibo was in an uproar, fans flooding Shion’s account with comments and messages, demanding a response, their pleas unanswered, forcing them to target Wenqing’s official account.
“This author is the most capricious I’ve ever seen! So many fans, and yet they don’t even bother to respond!”
“Shion-sensei, please answer us! We’ve created a ‘Demand Updates or Send Razor Blades’ group! Please join! We’ll make you an admin!”
“I’m dying after reading Ballad of the Enchantress! Where’s the second volume?!”
“Author, you’re in trouble now! I’m your biggest fan! You’re responsible for my emotional well-being!”
The fans, desperate for updates, created a group chat, initially named “Shion Fan Club,” but after someone jokingly suggested sending razor blades to the author, it became the “Demand Updates or Send Razor Blades” group.
The group admin, Seawater, having fallen head over heels for Shion’s novel, eagerly awaited their next work.
As the fans’ frustration grew, Wenqing’s official Weibo account released an announcement.
“Good news! [Confetti] Shion-sensei’s new novel, Zixuan and the Paper Airplane, will be released on June 1st! It’s another heartwarming story, and the illustrations are also done by Shion-sensei! This time, it’s not a tearjerker, so please support it! [Applause]”
The announcement was brief, accompanied by an image of a man and a young boy. The man, unshaven, with tired eyes, looked disheveled and defeated, while the boy, his face clean and bright, his eyes large and expressive, his features delicate, held a soccer ball. The title, Zixuan and the Paper Airplane, was displayed beside the image.
As advertised, it was a heartwarming story about family, devoid of action or harem elements.
And both protagonists were male.
Light novels usually featured more female characters than male, often involved with the male protagonist. This novel, however, had two male leads and no female lead, leading some to believe it was a BL story.
“What the hell?! Where’s Volume Two?!”
“???”
“What the fuck?! Why not write the sequel?! And it’s about two guys?! I don’t watch BL!”
“Actually, the art style is quite nice. It looks like a shoujo manga.”
“I’m a girl. Is this Shion-sensei’s new work? Ahhh, I’m so excited!!”
“Warning: Fujoshi spotted.”
The fans’ reactions were mixed, neither overly enthusiastic nor entirely negative. They were more interested in the sequel to Ballad of the Enchantress, its cliffhanger ending leaving them wanting more.
They hadn’t expected a completely new novel, especially one about a man and a young boy. A man and a little girl, they could understand, but a boy? Did Shion think Wenqing’s readership was primarily female?
The fans continued to bombard Wenqing’s official Weibo, demanding an explanation from Shion, who had actively promoted their previous novel, posting excerpts and spoilers, only to disappear now, their silence frustrating.
Back then, their followers had been few, mostly dedicated fans.
Now, famous, they ignored their fans’ pleas, no longer engaging in promotional activities, their silence deafening. Shion’s identity remained a mystery, known only as the Gold Award winner, the author who had single-handedly defeated Qidian’s newcomer, bringing honor to Wenqing.
“Wenqing! Wenqing! Make Shion-sensei show their face!”
“At least tell us what they look like, how old they are, if they’re male or female!”
“Don’t bother. Shion is definitely a man.”
“Could be a woman, though. [Smirk]”
That last commenter was technically correct, though their comment was largely ignored.
And then, Shion trended again.
Weibo was exasperated. Shion’s popularity had just started to die down, and now they were trending again. Why?
The topic “Wenqing author Shion criticized for writing a new book instead of the sequel” trended, much to the amusement of celebrities, who couldn’t believe a novelist was stealing their spotlight. They worked so hard to promote themselves, yet they were being overshadowed by a writer.
Weibo exploded again, Wenqing’s official account bombarded with messages, fans even sending letters to the editorial department, demanding Shion’s appearance, or at least a response.
“Shion, you ungrateful wretch! Ignoring your fans after becoming famous!”
“Shion, you’re acting like a diva!”
“Shion, you were so enthusiastic when promoting your last book, and now you’re nowhere to be seen!”
“Shion, you’re not a real man!”
Well, they weren’t a man to begin with.
“Shion, forgetting your readers after becoming famous! I’m definitely not buying your new book!”
“Shion, release Volume Two now!”
Weibo was on fire, while Yu Linna, ignoring the online drama, focused on her studies, her social media accounts dormant. Fang Jiangning alerted her to the situation, and she simply shrugged it off, returning to her textbooks.
The poor fans, their pleas unanswered, their frustration growing, their idol nowhere to be seen.
The Wenqing editorial department, though wanting to ignore the situation, realized Shion’s silence was damaging their reputation, especially for a newcomer facing so much negativity. If the fans turned against them, refusing to buy their books, it would be a significant loss for Wenqing.
After a meeting, they decided to release an official statement, addressing the rumors of Shion’s arrogance and disregard for their fans.
“Official announcement: Regarding the recent accusations of Shion-sensei being arrogant and ignoring their fans, we would like to clarify that these rumors are false! Shion-sensei is an excellent author; please do not slander them. The reason for their silence is that they are an eighteen-year-old high school student, currently preparing for the gaokao in June. Therefore, they will not be writing any new books for the time being. We ask for your understanding.”
Initially, the fans scoffed at the generic apology, expecting a more substantial response.
However, the revelation that Shion was an eighteen-year-old high school student stunned them into silence.
Then, the internet exploded.
Seawater, the admin of the “Demand Updates or Send Razor Blades” group, spat out their water, short-circuiting their keyboard.
“What?! Shion-sensei is eighteen?! I’m not seeing things, am I?!”
“???”
“But… I thought they were in their forties…”
“Holy shit, eighteen and already a Gold Award winner?! That’s even more impressive than Air…”
“A high school student? Younger than me? What was I doing in my senior year? Studying, taking practice exams… and they’re writing novels? I…”
“This can’t be true! My uncle has become a shota!”
“That last commenter is definitely a female, and an older one at that.”
“Shut up!”
“This explains everything. High school is demanding; it’s normal for them to be busy studying, not writing or posting on Weibo. Their earlier promotional efforts were already impressive. With only three months until the gaokao, how could they possibly have time for social media?”
“I guess that makes sense…”
The fans calmed down, their earlier outrage replaced by understanding, even the “Demand Updates or Send Razor Blades” group chat becoming less active.
Who would have thought Shion-sensei was an eighteen-year-old high school student, practically their peer? What had they been doing in their senior year? Certainly not writing novels.
The fans, appeased, stopped their online protests, even posting apologies and well wishes on Shion’s Weibo account.
“Shion-sensei, good luck on the gaokao!”
The online drama finally subsided.
Yu Linna, however, remained oblivious, immersed in her studies.
