Chapter 359: The Banquet
The Sakurai family was a prestigious one, but for Sakurai Reina, people’s knowledge of her was limited to the pen name Yamada Yui. Very few people would probably care about her real name, but even if they did, they wouldn’t associate it with the Sakurai family. This family was very famous.
Reina’s father, Sakurai Yota, was a diplomat, a figure in the political circle. Coupled with the family’s deep history, it could be said that Sakurai Reina had been born into a wealthy family since she was a child. It was just that she had chosen to be a novelist, a profession that was not well-regarded in her family’s eyes, and she even wrote commercial novels. If she had been a literary author, that would have been fine, and it might have even added to her glory. But commercial novels, in the eyes of a large family, were still somewhat disdained. Although the current Japan had already entered a new era, and not many people would discriminate against commercial novels or commercial animation.
But in the last century in Japan, animation and manga novels were once classified as a kind of drug. And because of the otaku incident, many people had a deep prejudice against otaku, thinking that otaku were just hikikomori, social failures, and potential violent offenders. This prejudice lasted for a long time, until Japanese animation gradually became mainstream and won a place for Japan in the international film world. Only then did people’s prejudice against otaku gradually decrease.
Although that’s what they said, there were still many people who held some prejudice.
Although the Sakurai family was not so serious, her family was still not very fond of commercial novels, especially the moe-pandering novels that Sakurai Reina wrote, which were extremely pure two-dimensional works, and also had a lot of fan service scenes. This kind of content, for some elders, was really unsightly. This was also their disapproval of Sakurai Reina’s profession.
That’s what they said, but because Sakurai Reina had already made achievements in Japan, and had a very high status, and was even hailed as the next generation representative of commercial novels, the family’s attitude towards her had become ambiguous.
At the banquet, Sakurai Reina changed into a brand new formal dress, had her hair done in a princess style, and put on makeup, completely transformed. When she attended the banquet, she was also dazzling. Everyone said that the Sakurai family’s young miss was really beautiful, very good-looking, but they just didn’t know why she wasn’t married. Of course, everyone also knew her current identity. After all, Yamada Yui-sensei was still very famous in the country.
Sakurai Reina was very helpless to deal with people, toasting others, with a fake smile on her face. She felt very tired. With this time, she would rather go back to her small place to write her manuscript. Ever since she had left home, her life had been very free. She could do whatever she wanted, and she could also make a lot of money. Even if her elders had a prejudice against otaku-oriented commercial novels, she could still use her own hobbies and interests to make a lot of money and become the number one in the country.
Suddenly, a wisp of golden hair floated in her eyes. This blonde girl was wearing a black and white maid’s outfit, with a headpiece, and quietly slipped by.
Miss Sakurai was not calm.
“Wait, Linna, why are you here? Come here quickly!”
Miss Sakurai immediately grabbed this small girl and took her to the garden. She had to give this little girl a good scolding.
“Actually, it was Sister Yuki who asked me to do this. She said you would definitely be unhappy at the banquet and asked me to come and find you dressed like this, although I really don’t like this outfit.”
Yu Linna pulled the hem of her maid’s dress, very disliked this kind of dress. This outfit actually fit her perfectly. Had that bastard Hase Yuki already prepared for her to be able to change into it one day?
Actually, she didn’t know much about Miss Sakurai either, just that her family seemed to be quite rich. But that person, Hase Yuki, actually knew so much, and had secretly sent her a maid’s outfit, letting her sneak in. One had to know that this was a banquet. It wasn’t that easy to get in without an invitation. This person, Hase Yuki, could actually let her sneak in. For a moment, she even suspected that Hase Yuki’s family was also an incredible family.
Actually, it wasn’t. It was hard to believe, but Hase Yuki’s family sold fruit.
“That person Ah Xue…”
Thinking about it carefully, it really was possible. Miss Sakurai sat down by the fountain in defeat, without the image of a young miss at all.
She and Hase Yuki had known each other for several years. It was impossible for the other party not to know these things. If it were her, it really was possible. But what on earth was this person doing? Meddling? She could have gone back very soon. There was no need to do this.
“Is she afraid I’m not happy? I really don’t think it’s necessary. I’m already used to it. This kind of thing isn’t enough to make me unhappy.”
Sakurai Reina said with a wry smile.
Of course, she was lying.
She was not happy at all.
Attending the banquet was just out of her father’s request. She didn’t want to come at all. But she couldn’t object, nor did she want to. She didn’t want to be as stubborn as her parents. She was the kind of girl who would bow her head when she should, but would never compromise on matters of principle.
“Miss Sakurai, you’re clearly not happy. Then let’s go, let’s go back early. Since you’re not happy, why force yourself? This is what Sister Yuki asked me to say.”
“You, to come and tell me these things is too boring. By the way, you don’t know me at all, right?”
“I really don’t know you very well, because I don’t have a family like yours, nor a great background. I started from scratch, but I’ve always been doing what I like. Miss Sakurai, do you like to write novels?”
Sakurai Reina was stunned for a moment.
Do I like to write novels?
Do I even need to ask that? Of course I do.
“I think it’s very remarkable for a person to have a dream, to be able to turn their dream into reality, to turn what they like into a profession. It’s really worthy of respect. Since you can do what you like, why force yourself?”
Miss Sakurai was speechless.
The reason she was forcing herself, what was it for…
Of course, it was to hope for her parents’ approval, even if it was just a little.
At this time, a man in a formal dress walked over. Miss Sakurai quickly protected Yu Linna behind her, wanting to pretend that nothing had happened and faint, but the man was clearly not so easy to fool. He saw what was going on at a glance.
“What, you have to dress up when you bring someone you know? Wouldn’t it have been fine to just say so if you wanted to bring her in?”
The man said faintly. He didn’t seem angry, but who knew? He was a diplomat. He would definitely put on a show.
“Dad, this is a friend I know. Her name is Yu Linna, a writer from China.”
Helpless, Miss Sakurai pushed Yu Linna out and had her greet her father.
“Also a writer of commercial novels?”
“…Yes.”
In that instant, Sakurai Yota’s face was a little unhappy, but he quickly hid it. Yu Linna saw this very clearly. She had often lived in foster homes before and was very sensitive to people’s changes in expression.
“China, I thought you were an American. Since you’re already here, just go in. Hello, I am Reina’s father. My name is Yota. Your name is Yu Linna, right?”
The second half was asked in Chinese.
Yu Linna nodded and bowed respectfully.
“Hello, uncle. My name is Yu Linna. I am very sorry for sneaking in without permission. I didn’t do it on purpose. I’m very sorry. I just wanted to see Miss Reina.”
Since she had already been seen, there was no need to hide anything. It would be better to confess frankly.
This damn Hase Yuki, what a terrible idea she gave her, actually letting her sneak in. It would be very troublesome if she were discovered.
Sakurai Yota nodded, without any words of blame, and of course, without any words of forgiveness. Anyway, his first impression of her would not be very good.
“You can leave after the banquet tonight is over. But before that, be a good girl and stay.”
After the man finished speaking, he went in, not saying anything more, not even asking about his daughter’s affairs.
Miss Sakurai breathed a sigh of relief. She had almost been scared to death and collapsed on the ground. This bastard Yu Linna really made her worry.
“You little bastard, what did you run here for? Do you want to be kicked out? If it weren’t for my dad looking at me, he would have been impolite long ago. I’m so angry. Don’t you know that doing this is very reckless!”
“Miss Sakurai, I was also pushed in by Sister Yuki. She said you would be happy if I did this…”
“I am very happy that you came, but more than that, I am angry. You, can you not do this kind of thing? This is my family’s business. Don’t listen to that person Ah Xue. She is not serious at all.”
Sakurai Reina decided to give Hase Yuki a good scolding when she got back. This person actually taught a child bad things. Not only was she a pervert, but she also instigated others. Now her crimes had increased.
…
Sakurai Yota returned to the venue and continued to socialize, naturally not taking what had just happened to heart. He was not interested in his daughter’s profession, nor did he want to bother with it. Anyway, it was her own choice. At most, he just felt that he hadn’t planned her life well. Originally, his daughter was supposed to follow his plan, to study abroad properly, and to make the right choices.
Just as Sakurai Yota was thinking this, a man walked over, toasted him, and also brought up his own affairs.
“What is it? Hayato.”
This man was Suzuki Hayato, a high school friend of his. They had known each other for many years. It was just that after they grew up, he had become a diplomat, while Suzuki Hayato had become a businessman.
“Yota, I have a project in my company recently. We plan to make an original TV series. I’ll be the director, but we’re short a screenwriter, someone who can write a good story.”
“What are you telling me this for? I don’t invest in your business.”
“Isn’t your daughter a novelist? Can you introduce a few screenwriters or scriptwriters with good original ability?”
“Writing novels and writing scripts are completely different things. I advise you not to confuse them. She just writes novels, not scripts.”
“You say you don’t like your daughter’s work, but aren’t you actually very concerned?”
“If you talk too much, I’ll have you go out to the garden to drink cold water.”
“Tsk tsk, so scary.”
…
The music of the banquet was still echoing, and there was plenty of wine at the venue. More and more people were dancing.
Yu Linna quickly went back with Miss Sakurai. Taking advantage of the end of the banquet, Miss Sakurai changed back into her own clothes, preparing to go back. She had nothing to stay at home for. She had greeted people, and had also attended the banquet. When it was time to go back, she would go back. There was no need to linger.
“You haven’t taught me Japanese yet today. Don’t go back on your word.”
“How could I go back on my word? Right? After we go back, I’ll teach you. It’s also very late today. If you don’t mind, you can stay the night at my place.”
