Xiaoxi glanced over. The merchandise at this booth was almost entirely Eternal Star-themed.
Judging by the brand, it seemed to be run by a contractor specializing in Magical Girl merchandise.
Xiaoxi knew that the Association outsourced many Magical Girl copyrights, working with contractors to produce merchandise.
Eternal Star’s goods always sold well.
Eternal Star was destined to have high commercial value as a Magical Girl.
After all, Eternal Star could switch forms, and each form could be turned into standalone merchandise.
Each form’s merchandise was further divided into AB Versions. Didn’t that easily create a whole blind box series?
Xiaoxi shook her head. When it came to making money, the Association was really skilled.
She never imagined her own image could be designed into so many different types of merchandise for sale.
“By the way, you two ladies can also participate in the check-in event. There are freebies to claim. Since the venue hasn’t officially opened yet, if you hurry, you might be able to get a freebie from every spot inside.”
The Eternal Star cosplayer winked slyly. Then two more girls dressed as other Eternal Star forms walked over.
It looked like this booth had hired the full Eternal Star cosplayer lineup.
Xiaoxi sneered. Luckily, some of her forms had never been shown in public; otherwise, the amount of merchandise bearing her image would probably have doubled again.
Meanwhile, Ye Xinglan had already grabbed a set of all the merchandise she wanted at lightning speed, checked in to claim freebies, and taken group photos with the cosplayers—all in one smooth motion.
This top Eternal Star hater was oddly enthusiastic when it came to supporting Eternal Star.
Xiaoxi herself had no desire to buy any merchandise.
She had no habit of collecting her own merchandise, nor that of her teammates.
Thankfully, since today’s event was Magical Girl-themed, she managed to save her wallet.
As they left the booth, Ye Xinglan flipped through the photos they’d just taken and sighed.
“Xiaoxi, it would be great if you could cosplay as Eternal Star and take photos with me.”
“Wh-why say that all of a sudden?”
“Because taking photos with others feels a bit restrained,” Ye Xinglan showed her the photo, “If you cosplayed as Eternal Star, I could ask you to pose differently with me, like stepping on me with your foot or something…”
“…I don’t have that kind of masochistic kink.”
The two then wandered around most of the venue.
The convention had just opened, and the place quickly became lively.
When they returned to the booth where they’d bought things, a long queue had formed.
The cosplayer who had greeted them earlier stood at the end, holding up a “Pause Queue” sign.
By now, Ye Xinglan had more or less bought everything she wanted.
Xiaoxi suddenly realized that aside from waiting in line, buying merchandise and collecting freebies at a convention didn’t actually take much time.
After a bit more browsing, Xiaoxi checked the time. “Let’s go. The signing time starts in half an hour. We should head back early to prepare.”
“Good… I’m actually getting tired of carrying all this…”
Ye Xinglan really had bought a lot. Although Xiaoxi had helped carry some, Ye Xinglan still had large bags and looked exhausted.
If she didn’t have to worry about exposing herself, Ye Xinglan wished she could sprout a few more tentacles to help carry everything.
Back at the Pineapple Bun Booth, Xiaoxi noticed it was much quieter compared to other booths.
Only a few people wandered around, and Pineapple Bun hadn’t hired any cosplayers—just two standees of the girls’ characters outside.
“Hello, Xiaoxi, right?”
Behind the cashier counter, a quiet girl wearing glasses greeted Xiaoxi proactively.
Seeing Xiaoxi’s confused look, she pointed at herself.
“I’m an editor. Got dragged here to work today. Didn’t expect you to still be this cute in person. And who’s this with you?”
“Oh, Editor, hello. This is my girlfriend…”
Xiaoxi hadn’t expected the editor to be such a petite girl.
Thinking back to how this calm, bookish girl had once guided her in writing borderline Magical Girl fanfiction made Xiaoxi feel oddly disconnected.
“No need to be so formal offline. Just call me Xiao Zhu,” the editor waved her hand. “Your girlfriend bought quite a lot of stuff. You can put them behind the counter for now. Oh, your signing spot is over there.”
The editor spoke succinctly. Xiaoxi followed her finger to see the Pineapple Bun booth had set up a stage for the signing event.
The previous author was just finishing up; in half an hour, it would be Xiaoxi’s turn.
“You can sit over there first. I’m on cashier duty today, so I can’t chat much. By the way, have you finished your typing today?”
“N-not yet…”
“You can sit there and type a bit first. You can’t stop updating even when you come to have fun, right?”
Xiaoxi shrank her neck. Being caught offline by an editor urging her to update gave her a strange feeling, like unexpectedly running into a teacher during summer break and being asked with a smile if her homework was done—kind of terrifying.
“Girlfriend?” After sitting down, Ye Xinglan teased softly, “A-Lan already said today you don’t have to pretend to be a couple with me outside anymore.”
“…I just said it casually. Won’t say that again next time.”
Xiaoxi gave a perfunctory reply just as another staff member walked over.
“Ladies, this is the author signing area. You can’t rest here.”
“I’m the author who’s signing soon.”
“Oh, Teacher Xiaoxi, right? And this person next to you…”
“…is my girlfriend, here to keep me company. Is that okay?”
After the staff left, Ye Xinglan smiled silently, propping her head up with her arm as she stared at Xiaoxi. Xiaoxi’s face quickly flushed with irritation.
“Don’t distract me! I’m plotting the plot!”
“What? I haven’t even said anything! Getting worked up already?”
Xiaoxi didn’t argue with Ye Xinglan but looked around.
From here, she could see the crowd flowing through the aisle outside the booth, and a large stage not far ahead to her right front.
“So calm? I thought you’d be more nervous.”
Xiaoxi smiled. She’d seen plenty of signing events. Before retiring, she’d attended even grander events as Eternal Star.
Mu Xingge had even taught her how to sign neatly. Xiaoxi was long desensitized to such things.
Besides, she didn’t expect many people to come for the signature of an unknown little fanfic net document writer like herself.
So as long as she sat here for her slot, she’d have completed the task. Nothing should go wrong…
Just as she was thinking this, Xiaoxi caught sight of a familiar figure scanning the crowd, seemingly looking for something.
“…Xinglan, didn’t you buy a headpiece among your merch? Lend it to me for a bit!”
“What do you want that for?”
“Don’t ask, just give it to me or I won’t make it in time!”
Xiaoxi was referring to the cardboard Eternal Star mask that came as a full-set bonus with Ye Xinglan’s merchandise.
All she could think of was using it to cover her face. The editor hadn’t said anything about having to show her face during the signing, right?
As Xiaoxi put on the mask, a phrase came to mind: sometimes putting on a mask is actually taking one off…
No sooner had Xiaoxi worn the headpiece than Sweet Xin’s eyes lit up as she came running over.
“This is it! Teacher Xiaoxiao, I’m your fan! I timed my arrival just right… Eh? Xinglan, why are you here too?”
“Xiaoxiao” was the pen name Xiaoxi used for this book.
She hadn’t expected someone to actually time their visit just to get her signature, and that person was a familiar face.
For a moment, Xiaoxi didn’t know whether to feel touched or embarrassed.
“Oh, I’m here for Teacher Xiaoxiao’s autograph too. You know, I’m a fan of her book as well.”
Ye Xinglan was struggling not to laugh. Though hidden behind the mask, Ye Xinglan could tell Xiaoxi was nervously staring at her.
“I didn’t mean that! A few days ago, when I invited you to come to the convention, you refused. Why did you come on your own?”
“I’m here with Xiaoxi… Do you have to follow us even on dates?”
Sweet Xin made a “got it” expression. “So where’s Xiaoxi? I don’t see her.”
“Xiaoxi went to look around elsewhere,” Ye Xinglan glanced at Xiaoxi sitting rigidly nearby, “She doesn’t read this book, so she’s not interested in signing.”
“Such a pity,” Sweet Xin shook her head, “It’s a shame Xiaoxi doesn’t like the book and is missing such a good opportunity.”
“You know, when I saw the guest at the booth was Teacher Xiaoxiao, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Didn’t expect the author of my favorite novel to be at the Summersea City convention as a guest!”
Xiaoxi stayed silent, feeling an unexpected pressure.
Sweet Xin then showed off a screenshot of her full subscription to the novel. After getting her autograph, she gave Xiaoxi a small gift and eagerly chatted about the story. It was clear Sweet Xin really liked the novel.
But to avoid revealing herself, Xiaoxi had to lower her voice and say little. Fortunately, the mask hid any oddities, and Sweet Xin just thought the author was a bit aloof and sparing with words.
Luckily, Sweet Xin’s attention was soon drawn to the large pile of merchandise by Ye Xinglan’s feet.
Earlier, Ye Xinglan had carried all the merch over while helping Xiaoxi find the headpiece.
“Xinglan, you bought so much stuff… Wait! You even bought all the convention-exclusive merch? How did you manage that?!”
Sweet Xin’s eyes went wide. She also carried a bag of merch, but far less variety and quantity than Ye Xinglan.
“I queued up at seven in the morning, but there were too many people. I still missed a lot of stuff I wanted! And several freebies for check-in were all gone by the time I got there!”
“I got in earlier,” Ye Xinglan replied vaguely, “Which ones didn’t you get? I bought extra sets. I can give them to you.”
Ye Xinglan had a habit of buying multiples of merchandise. For her, Eternal Star’s merch wasn’t collectibles—it was consumables.
Sweet Xin’s eyes sparkled. “You really are a godmother!”
Xiaoxi tugged on Ye Xinglan’s sleeve subtly. Ye Xinglan got the hint.
“And those check-in freebies—you can take one too.”
Xiaoxi had helped Ye Xinglan claim freebies twice during check-in, so she had duplicates.
She wasn’t keen on taking home her own or her teammates’ merchandise—it felt weird—but Sweet Xin wanted them, so Xiaoxi was happy to give them away.
“Really? Really?” Sweet Xin clutched her chest. “Such sudden happiness! Xinglan, I like you!”
For some reason, as soon as she said that, Sweet Xin felt a hostile gaze piercing her.