Pristine Darkness

Chapter 27

I wonder if Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan have ever been on a date like this. It is truly 'a whole new world' for them, and they have An Yan to thank for it! And, uh oh. Anyone else get the sense that this mysterious lady of Fu Ziyu's might portend more heartache for him? Sigh . . .

If you're interested in trying your hand at translating, checking the translation of, or editing this novel, do email tranzgeekz@gmail.com. We welcome anyone who would like to give it a try, and those of us with a little more experience are happy to help out 8-)

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Translator: shl

Editors/ Proofreaders: Artemis, Anks

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This animation park, located to the west of Beijing, spanned a wide area. The high curved roof of the main stadium was like a white dove with its wings outstretched, giving the building a spacious and lofty feeling. A jumble of buildings of various heights surrounded it in a disorderly fashion. Further afield were the farmlands and woods of suburban Beijing, an expanse of tranquil green.

There were quite a few cars parked outside the stadium, but today's visitor numbers were middling. According to An Yan, the animation convention would be held over several days.

Jian Yao had never been to such an event before. She held Bo Jinyan's arm as they made their way down the small white path to the main stadium. On the way, they met many students and cosplayers who were dressed as giant hammer-wielding armoured warriors, pink-eared rabbit maidens, court ladies in fluttering white period costumes . . .

"When you were in university, did you ever dress up like that?" Bo Jinyan asked with great interest.

"Of course not," Jian Yao replied. "How would I have the nerve to do so?"

A hint of laughter rose in Bo Jinyan's eyes. "You're too smart and adorable."

Jian Yao looked up at him. "Are you praising me or expressing regret?"

"This is the person I dote on."

Jian Yao was speechless.

An eye-opening experience awaited them inside the stadium. Space fighter models, intricately detailed VR games with monstrously huge landscapes, song and dance performances full of antique flavour . . . Jian Yao held Bo Jinyan's hand as they wandered around, trying this, looking at that. Bo Jinyan had arrived with little interest, but, his interest was gradually aroused, and he started trying out the various attractions with her. Even though they were shamefully slaughtered in a game by an opponent who looked as if he was in middle school, they walked away from it having enjoyed a fresh, new experience.

Bo Jinyan's austere demeanour, coupled with his tall and slender appearance, caused him to stand out from the crowd. Sure enough, girls also noticed him. Jian Yao heard a girl whisper as she passed them, "So handsome." "He looks like the Black Butler* . . ."

*T/N 黑执事 (hei zhi shi) - Black Butler, a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. See

Jian Yao stole a glance at him.

His gaze was firmly fixed at what was in front of him, so he had heard nothing.

However, the more time they spent in the stadium, the more Jian Yao gradually discovered . . . ahem, there were a considerable number of female cosplayers in revealing clothing. Many of them were wearing game costumes which half-exposed their bosoms, showed off their seductively long legs, and were accented by their delicately made-up, big eyes. They would encounter a number of these every few paces they took, followed joyfully by otaku who were possibly pleading with them to take a group photo.