The story behind it
The readers were partying all night long.
The source of the frenzy was a person named "Qiqi" who suddenly said, "Youyou and I were just skeptical at first, so we went into the flower shop with a chance of success. Unexpectedly, it was really Teacher Ranyuan who greeted us. We also accidentally discovered Jingliu's prototype." There was a series of emoticons at the end, which was very proud.
The comments immediately went viral, with people pleading for pictures. Qiqi then asked everyone to privately message her for proof of subscription to the full text of "The Water and Fire" and the first volume of "What is the Sin of the King?" before she would post the pictures. This simple screening technique minimized the potential for malicious intent.
It was already late at night when Yu Ran finished climbing the stairs. He thought it would be a bad idea to disturb Qiqi now, but his curiosity had suddenly become a serious disease, and the complications of dizziness, tinnitus, and tension were too tiring. After careful consideration, he said tactfully, "Sister, I'm sorry to bother you so late. Can you show me a photo of Jingliu~" Then he sent her two screenshots of his subscription.
If he directly posted the author's perspective, he would be exposed, so Yu Ran used the new reader account to subscribe to the two books.
Qiqi replied immediately, sending a flash photo. She must have been too excited to sleep and was still online. She added, "Sister, I sent the flash photo for safety reasons. Thank you for your understanding. If you open it, the leftmost one is Song Yiran's prototype, and the rightmost one is Jing Liu's prototype. ^^"
Yu Ran carefully placed his finger on a corner of the photo, specifically to avoid obstructing the right side. The mosaic popped up, and for a second, he was wearing black hair and a new Chinese-style outfit, slender and elegant like a bamboo, his demeanor like an orchid. For two seconds, his eyes flashed with laughter. For three, he habitually tilted his face slightly to the left, raised his chin, and his cold jawline cut across the photo. For four seconds, he looked into his eyes outside the photo, still feeling a certain excitement.
In the fifth second, he knew that the two people in the middle whose faces were blocked by emoticons were Qi Zhen and Wang Mingxia.
This photo was originally taken by a passerby using Qi Zhen's phone. Jiang Liu didn't send this one photo to Yu Ran afterwards. Does that mean Qi Zhen didn't send it to Jiang Liu either?
In short, the photos could only have leaked from Qi Zhen's hands.
Could this "Qiqi" be Qi Zhen? Yu Ran could easily figure it out.
"Jingliu is so beautiful! But are you sure the one on the far left is Song Yiran's prototype, Mr. Ranyuan? Why does he look a little fierce in the photo and different from the autographing video in the group a few days ago~"
"It's definitely the same person~ Maybe it's because of her blonde hair that looked so bright and shiny during the book signing. The owner of the photo said that Mr. Rangan is very kind and has been very helpful!"
It wasn't Qi Zhen. At this point, Yu Ran was certain that "Qi Qi" and "You You" were the two girls who had come to buy flowers that day. They searched for answers with questions and conjectures, finding the original location of the studio in "What is the Crime of the King?" and encountering the prototype of Song Yiran. Finally, they likely saw the photo at Qi Zhen's place, and only then did they deduced Jing Liu's prototype.
No wonder I saw them going crazy in the hot sun. It turns out that I was exposed at that time and didn't even know it!
Then there was another clue in the group chat, "Really, the weather was a little overcast this afternoon, so my friend and I went to the studio that @绮绮 mentioned. We were lucky enough to meet the real person who was the prototype of Jingliu. He was young, exquisite, and had an extraordinary temperament. His abilities were even more formidable than described in the book!"
Yu Ran now knew that the two groups of customers during the day were fans who came to expose his real identity.
The group was buzzing with activity, as if it were New Year's Eve. The atmosphere was like the blast of firecrackers, stretching all night long. No one had any ill intentions, but with so many people involved, it was hard to guarantee that some people wouldn't overdo things, with good intentions but bad intentions. So, after understanding the situation, the group owner established the following group rules:
"Hello everyone, I see that everyone in the group is very interested in the prototypes of Song Yiran and Jing Liu. I understand how you feel about having found a real CP, but please remember to keep it to yourself and don't overly affect the lives of the prototypes! I found out that the studio doesn't actually serve customers. Its business model is different from that of ordinary flower shops. Flowers are generally not sold individually, so it's best not to wander around and check in casually! The best relationship we have with them is that of author and reader, businessman and customer! If you really want to ask Master Jing Liu to arrange flowers for you, just come in and spend money openly!
Also, please be careful not to spread photos or personal information of amateurs! 」
The words “Received”, “Thumbs up” and “Start with me” below formed a long queue.
Yu Ran's eyes were filled with jealousy. He must have saved the world to have met such a group of respectable and lovely readers!
So, Yu Ran quickly opened the second volume of "What is the Crime of Qi Jun" and wrote a thank you speech and distributed red envelopes.
During the day, Yu Ran and Jiang Liu resumed their natural and intimate way of getting along.
"What style do you want?" Yu Ran helped him divide the food. The two of them sat facing each other under the single lamp on the first floor, feeling a sense of preciousness and eternity that would last forever.
Jiang Liu had already devised several designs based on the "simple and elegant" requirement, including a pine and crane for longevity or a crane and deer for spring. The customer had chosen a wide selection of flowers, so a garland of eight immortals celebrating a birthday would be perfect. However, these designs were a gift from a merchant to a customer, not a gift from a florist to a dedicated individual. Of course, if the former were truly feasible, he would also demonstrate his exceptional skills.
Yu Ran listened and understood Jiang Liu's troubles.
"How about we go to the address and lie down?"
"It's just what I want!" Jiang Liu's words were ambiguous, meaning that the dishes were to his liking and that they had the same ideas!
In fact, Yu Ran and Jiang Liu both thought of one thing. The customer gave a request, not the story behind the request. The request is blunt, the story is emotional. Imagine if Qi Zhen didn't know Jiang Liu, and the conversation between the two was just a businessman and a customer -
"Hello, can the flowers be arranged into the shape of a woman? It should feel more grand and elegant." This is just a sketch.
Jiang Liu truly understands Wang Mingxia's story, understanding that this period is unspeakable, that word is as solid as a rock, and the underlying tone of a certain page is heartbreaking... Only by knowing her by heart can he create a work that is rich in flesh and blood and transcends the soul. He portrays the real Wang Mingxia.
However, the two could not ask the unfamiliar customers to tell their stories like Qi Zhen did, but they could investigate it themselves.
"No. 16, Xunfeng Garden, Nancheng Road, Xiangze City."
The two of them left immediately. Arriving at their destination, they discovered a "garden" that was actually a 20- to 30-year-old residential complex. The decaying iron gates held the only deterrent against thieves: "Don't try to climb over. I can't stop you, but I can crush you to death!"
The old buildings, huddled together for warmth, are like fragments of ancient books unearthed, not as well treated as the creepers above them. But without the creepers' false appearance of age, they cannot deceive the sun's discerning eyes.
People in the community came and went so slowly that it felt as if the time that carried them was also getting old.
"Building A, Room 302." Jiang Liu said to Yu Ran.
The guard originally turned a blind eye to the teacups, but the two young men really looked like time travelers.
"What do you do?"
"Uncle, we are looking for the teacher in Room 302, Building A." Jiang Liu also called out.
"Hiss, oh!" With just one sentence, the security guard was able to achieve logical consistency. "Wow, you are really the most promising of his children!"
Yu Ran said at the right moment, "No, I'm here with my friend. This place is hard to find. Why do you call him Master? And what's going on here, kid?"
The tacit understanding between Jiang Liu and Yu Ran is engraved in their bones!
The doorman invited them in to sit. It was a small space, but the cool, shaded atmosphere was quite cozy, perfect for a good story. He heated up his cups and poured two glasses of clear soup.
Jiang Liu reached out and knocked twice on the table in thanks. He couldn't bear to see the burnt-yellow tea stains around the cup. But at this moment, a cup of tea had the same effect as wine, allowing people to open up and speak their minds. Besides, he was now a child of the teacher, and he must have often played in the neighborhood as a child. It would be a bit "ungrateful" not to drink now.
He held the cup by its belly, his lips not even touching the rim, and sipped the tea directly.
Yu Ran imitated Jiang Liu's method, and the two of them smiled knowingly again.
Before he could speak, the security guard couldn't help himself and said, "The old man's son is a cram school teacher. Several years ago, he often asked children to come to his home for cram school. Then the old man would invite those children to have lunch and dinner...The old man is a very nice person. If you don't believe me, ask your friends." He said to Yu Ran and glanced at Jiang Liu with his chin raised.
Finished?
He raised his hand to pour tea. Yu Ran felt that the story ended here from his voice. Qian Qian bowed and pulled Jiang Liu to say goodbye.
"It seems that we can only confirm that the customer is the old man's student, which is the same as our initial guess. There is no gain." Yu Ran stood to block the sun for Jiang Liu.
"Actually, I'm a little curious. Is this paid for? Of course, tutoring is definitely available, but what about meals?"
"Let's go up and take a look."
The corridor was even darker, its scent of damp, mold, and sunlight striking a delicate balance, a scent that felt ancient. No one lived on the second floor, so I ascended to the third floor, where a large, rusty iron door stood. There were remnants of Spring Festival couplet glue adorning the center and lintel. A variety of stickers were affixed crookedly, a few centimeters above and below the door handle's horizontal line. There were little red flowers, Doraemon, Ultraman, and various military commanders—all popular items among children, presented to the door gods like treasures.
"Knock on the door?" Yu Ran asked.
"What did he say after he knocked on my door? And he lied to me and said I was his student?" Jiang Liu said.
"I forgot to ask the guard just now if the elderly are still receiving tutoring and meals."
"Let's wait here. The nearby elementary school is almost done for lunch, right?"
Looking up the stairs, they saw signs of people living on the fourth and fifth floors, so they could only go down to the second floor and wait. The second floor was too low, and the musty smell was even worse. Jiang Liu coughed twice, and Yu Ran, infected by him, couldn't stand it anymore and felt his nose itchy.
Jiang Liu looked at him and said, "I have a good idea." He sounded mysterious, but there was no need to lower his voice. This subconscious action was very cute in Yu Ran's eyes.
"Actually, I have a solution too!" Yu Ran was on the same wavelength as him.
Then, both of them counted to three seconds in their hearts. One of them lifted a bunch of long hair behind her ear, and the other separated a strand of hair from her ponytail. They simultaneously placed their hair on their philtrum and then pouting their lips to fix it.
The two bearded men laughed. Although Yu Ran had a golden beard, he didn't look like a foreigner. As he aged, his beard changed color from black to yellow and then to white. So, the young man looked more like someone who was gradually aging while waiting.
If there really was a waiting, then Yu Ran was waiting for this moment. The synchronized movements revealed the scars in the blind spots of Yu Ran's memory...
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