My Mister Ostrich

Chapter 24

They finished taking their photos, and then Xie Yi took off the wing on his back and led Pang Qian and Gu Mingxi to Starlight Comics Group’s booth. Pang Qian saw a few boys and girls who were all a few years older than them. The oldest was probably about 20 years old. Some of them also had on costumes with heavy makeup, and they were helping each other touch up their outfits. Xie Yi made some introductions, and then he sat down. He turned and smiled at Pang Qian, “This wing is really tiring, it was extremely heavy.”

Pang Qian responded eagerly, “Can I try it on?”

“Sure.” Xie Yi got up and helped Pang Qian with the belt for the wing. Pang Qian turned her head back to look at the wing, and then she looked at Gu Mingxi with a smile, “Does it look good?”

Gu Mingxi nodded. He had been standing silently at the corner of the booth.

There were a few folding stools at the booth. Pang Qian sat on one as she chatted with Xie Yi. She lifted her head and looked around at the artwork on display at the booth. There were various sizes in black and white and in color. After examining them carefully, she said with surprise, “These are amazing!”

She tugged at Gu Mingxi to take a look. Then she felt a bit regretful, as she whispered into his ear, “If I knew about it sooner, I’d have brought some pieces that you drew. We could have put them on display a bit. Your drawings are as good as these.”

Gu Mingxi didn’t seem very interested, not even giving a casual reply. Pang Qian looked at him and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Gu Mingxi looked down, and in a low voice, replied, “We arrived awhile ago, and you’ve kept staying here. Don’t you plan to take a look around? Didn’t you want one of the comic author’s autographs?”

“Don’t we still have all afternoon? Why are you in such a rush?”

“I’m not in a rush. Xie Yi and everyone else here have a booth set up. You’re not involved with it, and you’re not part of their club. Why are you staying here?”

“I’m just looking a bit. Why, I can’t?” Pang Qian said in a muffled voice. “I’m going to stay here a little longer.”

Gu Mingxi pursed his lips as he looked at her. His eyes were dark and deep as he said, “Then you stay here. I’m going to go look around.”

He had thought that Pang Qian would follow along after a moment, but he hadn’t expected her to say, “Okay. Go take a walk around. Don’t forget to come back to find me later.”

Gu Mingxi’s teeth were nearly gnashed to bits, but he couldn’t take back the words he’d already spoken. With a straight face, his backpack on his shoulders, he walked out from that convention hall. Xie Yi was handing out pamphlets at the side of their booth. When he saw Gu Mingxi leave, he asked Pang Qian curiously, “Where did Gu Mingxi go?”

Pang Qian pouted, then said, “I don’t know. He went off to play on his own.”

Xie Yi walked over to her and asked, “What about you? Why didn’t you go with him?”

Pang Qian opened her mouth, but she couldn’t answer. Xie Yi suddenly smiled and said, “Oh yeah, didn’t you say that you liked Tang Weiqing?”

“Mm,” Pang Qian nodded. “She’s my favorite.”

“Do you want to take a photo with her? An autograph?” Xie Yi smiled, showing a very pleased expression. “When I’m done here, I’ll take you to see her. I know her.”

“Really?”!” Pang Qian was extremely pleasantly surprised. She said, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Look, Gu Mingxi already ran off!”

Still smiling, Xie Yi said, “We’ll wait for him.”