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.
“Yes. After the film festival is over, we can travel there for a few days before heading back. You’ll surely have a lot of fun…” As soon as Zhang Zian spoke these words, he suddenly realized that Pi would be staying home and waiting for their return. He didn’t know what to do.
“Eek.” Pi waved its hands, meaning that he didn’t need to worry about it. It waved again to say that they could fully enjoy themselves before coming back.
“Meow. Isn’t Pi going?” Galaxy blinked its big eyes and stared at Pi. The silver-gray light twinkled in its eyes.
“Eek.” Pi shook its head.
Zhang Zian didn’t think too much and explained the situation to Galaxy on its behalf.
“Meow. Galaxy is following then, to play hide-and-seek in Germany!” Galaxy exclaimed with excitement.
“Okay. The meeting is adjourned. You guys are dismissed. I’ll do some packing. I have to pack early, just in case I forget anything.” Zhang Zian looked at the time, then gave the order of dismissal.
He went upstairs and took out a luggage bag from the storage room, which he used earlier on the USA trip. He stuffed some clothing inside, along with other things that he might need.
The so-called dismissal meant continuing to sleep, play, and horse around with the elfins. Pi might be the only one with serious business.
It jumped onto the swivel chair, sat straight in front of the desk, then put on its pince-nez and browsed the content in a Word document that it was writing earlier before going downstairs. It was trying to pick up where it had left earlier.
The QQ icon at the bottom right screen was blinking—somebody was looking for it, but it didn’t click on it to check the message. Zhang Zian would help deal with those later.
Regarding the Germany trip of Zhang Zian and others, despite that Pi acted as if it didn’t care, there was some pity and reluctance in its heart. It wanted to follow everybody, just like the last time they went for fireworks together, but it could not. Now was the first month that its novel went Premium. This was a crucial period, and a long-term interruption of updates would undo all the hard work in the past. It didn’t want to disappoint the readers who had been supporting it all along.
It was fine. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
In fact, it was also an Otaku at heart.
Pi quieted its mind and picked up the interrupted train of thought; it had already planned what to write next. It then placed two index fingers on F and J, naturally resuming the correct typing position that Zhang Zian had taught it. It no longer needed to work on resuming the position anymore, for this had become its instinct.
“Meow.” Pi was about to press the key when it heard Galaxy meowing behind it.
It looked back. For however long, Galaxy was sitting around 1.5 meters behind Pi, gazing at it while blinking its silver-gray eyes. The light in its eyes was as dazzling as the galaxy.
“Eek?” Pi made a questioning gesture, then pointed at the computer screen to indicate that it needed to work and had no time for play-and-seek.
Galaxy didn’t look like it was inviting it to play hide-and-seek, though. It spoke seriously, “Meow. Pi, when you are home alone, do not go downstairs!”
Pi paused, then nodded and pointed at the storage room, meaning that Zhang Zian had already reminded it earlier.
“Meow. Do not go downstairs at any time, either during the day or at night!” After saying this, Galaxy swung its tail and left, leaving Pi confused.