700 Home Alone (1/2)
Chapter 700: Home Alone
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Old Time Tea heard that Pi was not going to Germany with everyone, but would stay in the shop to update its novel.
”Pi, are you staying in the shop? Our trip to Germany is long, and you'll be alone in the shop…” Old Time Tea asked in surprise.
Zhang Zian also wanted to say that the Germany trip would last at least one week—or even two—including the time on the road. During this time, Pi would be fine during the day, as Wang Qian, Li Kun, and Lu Yiyun were there downstairs to run the business and do the daily cleaning. At night, however, after they had finished their shifts and returned home, the only intelligent creature in the shop was Pi itself. The regular cats and dogs were its only companions in the empty shop.
Pi had reasons to insist on staying. Zhang Zian had not read many online novels, but he knew that one of the characteristics of online writing was the need to update on a daily basis. It was fine to take breaks occasionally, but one or two weeks off was not an option, especially for a new author. The reader might think that the author had given up writing and would give up out of disappointment on reading the book. It would be a total disaster to the popularity of the book.
It was unrealistic to carry a laptop on the trip. People could open up their laptops and type anytime, regardless of waiting for the bus, on the flight, on the dinner table, or while drinking tea, but Pi had to pay attention to other people and could not do the same thing. It could make itself invisible, but not the laptop, nor its book.
Pi didn't need food, which was an advantage. Zhang Zian didn't need to worry that it might get hungry, except that leaving it alone was not completely reassuring. Plus, it might feel lonely if it was left alone in the shop.
”Eek.” Pi nodded calmly, then shook its hands and grinned, telling everyone not to worry. It then circled its index fingers and thumbs of both hands to make a QQ shape, meaning that it would not feel lonely with the readers from the Book Friend Group with it.
After seeing that it was determined, Zhang Zian stopped insisting that it follow him.
In fact, after careful thinking, it was fine to leave Pi in the shop. Its life was extremely simple. It started typing after it woke up every day and took breaks when it was tired from typing, then resumed its typing again. In its free time, it read the online novels written by other authors as entertainment. At night, after it had finished writing, it jumped into the basket hammock to sleep. It didn't even need to go downstairs, so there was no danger.
Communication channels were so well developed that Zhang Zian could check on Pi any time through the internet, urge it to not sit there for too long, and to take breaks at the appropriate intervals. There should not be any problems.
”Fine. Pi, stay here then,” he agreed. ”A few days will pass by quickly, and we'll be back very soon. Don't go downstairs in the daytime, and do not let other people see you.”
He didn't need to remind it of anything else. Pi had always been a good, obedient kid, unlike Richard, who was a trouble-maker all the time.
”Eek!” Pi nodded continuously to tell him that there would be no problems. It didn't go downstairs during the day, anyway.
After dealing with Pi's issue, Zhang Zian turned to Galaxy. ”Galaxy, are you going to Germany with everyone?”
Galaxy was playing hide-and-seek with Wendy and was busy running and jumping around.
”Meow.” It stopped, stared at Zhang Zian with its blinking, big gray eyes, then looked at Pi and asked, ”Germany… is it a populous place?”
Zhang Zian laughed. ”Compared to China, nowhere else is populous… except India, maybe. In the foreseeable future, though, I don't have plans to bring you to India.”
”Quack! Even I cannot understand the curry flavored English!” Richard was unwilling to be left alone and interrupted the conversation.
Zhang Zian said, ”Be careful. Maybe the Indians will pluck all your feathers, then turn you into chicken curry stew while singing and dancing.”
”Meow. Can we play hide-and-seek over there?” Galaxy asked expectantly.