Is this cartoonist mentally ill?.

Chapter 393 Official meeting with parents

"Another year is almost over."

Ayumi Ito exhaled a breath of hot air and blew a circle on the glass, then she drew a smiley face on it with her finger.

It is the winter solstice again this year. In the mainland of the Republic, there has always been a saying that "the winter solstice is as important as the New Year". After all, it is an important solar term among the 24 solar terms that combines both natural and humanistic connotations. It is also a traditional festival shared by all regions and nationalities in the Republic.

The Winter Solstice is regarded as a major festival in winter. Since ancient times, there have been sayings that "The Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year" and "The Winter Solstice is more important than the New Year". Therefore, the Winter Solstice is also called "Little New Year". When the Winter Solstice arrives, the New Year is not far away, so the ancients believed that the importance of the Winter Solstice is no less than that of the New Year.

The Japanese and Peninsula regions are also affected, and this day will be specially celebrated.

The temperature in Shanghai is not too cold after entering winter. At least Ayumi Ito feels that the temperature in Shanghai is even slightly warmer than her hometown.

Although the two regions have similar geographical latitudes, Southern Kyushu is also the warmest region in Japan.

But Shanghai never seems that cold, and it rarely snows. Kyushu Island always has a little snow in the winter.

Before she knew it, she had been working here for nearly five years. Ayumi Ito looked a little dazed.

"Ding-dong-"

The sound of the elevator door opening in the apartment building interrupted Ayumi Ito's thoughts. She immediately came to her senses and walked into the elevator.

She took out her cell phone and began to scroll through her messages absentmindedly.

It’s great...During the winter solstice, all the miscellaneous work news disappeared completely.

I have to say that working in the local area has such advantages. The benefits and salary are very good. Not only do you have two days off a week, but you can also get off work on time.

Even if there is overtime, it will not be unpaid overtime, but real double overtime pay on weekdays and triple overtime pay on holidays.

Although some people say that the welfare benefits enjoyed by the local areas today are obtained by exploiting non-local areas outside the Republic.

This does sound reasonable.

But Ayumi Ito thinks otherwise.

After becoming a great power, the Republic focused on developing the economy in its native region and put forward the concept of "letting the rich lead the poor", which led to the prosperity and strength of the Republic today.

The Japanese region and the peninsula region were also driven by this, which led to such a good level of economic development.

Otherwise, she didn't think that their two major regions, after experiencing the devastation of war, could once again have the current level of food and clothing to gradually approach a well-off life.

The economic level is indeed much lower than that of the local area, but there are still many areas in the local area with similar economic development levels as theirs.

The most important thing is, in her opinion, the overtime, workplace, and senior-senior culture in her hometown that are criticized are all created by her hometown itself. How can she blame the local people?

After she came to Shanghai to work, she realized that the culture of her hometown was purely the result of people exploiting each other.

This kind of thing is not popular here in our country. Although there are times when we have to work overtime, workplace bullying and senior-senior culture are almost unheard of.

Even if some seniors are pretentious, it is not so deeply rooted in people's hearts. The bullied juniors dare not speak out and can only do what they are told.

Even the seniors…really take care of the juniors.

Ayumi Ito felt the happiness of being taken care of by her seniors. No, it should be said that not only her seniors, but also her juniors and colleagues were very considerate of each other.

Of course, as long as there is nothing wrong with something too important.

If you make a mistake in an important matter, it means you have failed in your duty at work, and no matter how good your temper is, no one will be able to understand you.

However, Ayumi Ito never makes any mistakes in her work. She is a very meticulous person and she was able to enter the comics company based on her work ability and resume.

This is probably due to my work experience in my hometown.

After all, she would still check work information during the weekend. She was probably the only editor in the entire comics company who would do this.

Ayumi Ito looked at the work information sent before the holidays, and after confirming what else needed to be completed after the holidays, she looked at the information on her personal life account.

In the group chat she pinned called "Comic Migrant Workers' Home".

A Qiang: "The teacher made fried chicken steak! Come on! It's delicious!"

Aqiang: "[Picture] [Picture]"

This group was naturally formed by Lin Qingshan, and the members of the group chat were naturally Lin Qingshan himself, his three assistants, Gu Qianli, Ito Ayumi, and Gu Qianli’s two best friends - Yang Zhihan and Li Zhiqiu, and...

The small account that Lin Qingshan created for Pochita was named Pochita.

Although this number is for Pochita, Pochita does not know how to use a mobile phone, so naturally Lin Qingshan uses it.

It’s just that he often uses this account to send a bunch of confusing “woof woof woof” words in the group. The key point is that Gu Qianli and the others are embarrassed to ignore him.

Every time this happens, the group becomes a little awkward.

The "A Qiang" who was speaking in the group at this time was naturally Chen Chunqiang. However, when he first joined the group with his personal account, his account name was actually "The Stronger, the More Merciless"...

It has a feeling of being a middle school student and self-proclaimed evil.

But in fact, everyone knows that Chen Chunqiang's personality is relatively immature. He keeps repeating to himself all day long, "I am the one who kills all false people", "It's not me who is wrong, it's this world", "Only I know how lonely it is to be invincible" and other very silly things like these.

Every time I was discovered, I would suddenly grab my hair in embarrassment, and it seemed like I could dig out a three-bedroom apartment on the ground with my toes...

So his online name was also very childish at the beginning.

After Chen Chunqiang found out, he immediately changed back to the simple nickname "Aqiang"...

The picture he posted was naturally the chicken wings fried by Lin Qingshan. To use a familiar phrase, it was - both adults and children cried with greed after seeing it.

Soon, chats with other people appeared in the group.

Akutami Gege: "Right now! Haruaki, don't finish eating!"

Little Alligator: "Hahaha! Yuta, you're late. Chunqiang and I have already eaten several of the first batch of chicken wings that the teacher fried!"

Han Shen was full of energy today: "Ah ...

Qiuqiu didn’t want to go to work today: “I was wondering why I smelled a very nice scent!”

Pochita: "Woof woof woof woof woof [Picture]"

……

Ayumi Ito saw that the account "Pochita" posted a photo that seemed to be a first-person perspective of eating chicken wings, followed by an incomprehensible "Woof woof woof" statement.

Everyone actually noticed that Lin Qingshan posted this photo, and what he wanted to say was actually pretending to be Pochita and saying "I'm eating chicken wings too!"

However, the group chat was still awkward for a moment.

She chuckled and said, "Teacher Aoyama... he is always so funny!"
She immediately typed and said in a funny way, "Pochita, come and help me open the door! Leave some chicken wings for me!"

The account of Pochita appeared again in the group chat and immediately responded: "Woof woof woof!"

Then as the elevator arrived, Ayumi Ito came to Lin Qingshan's apartment, and then saw the door was opened, it was true... Pochita bit the chicken wing, but used its front paws to push the door open flexibly.

In fact, the most important thing is that the apartment door is opened by rotating the door handle, so a smart dog can still open it.

"Ayumi! You're here!"

Lin Qingshan popped his head out of the kitchen with a smile on his face and said.

"Teacher Qingshan, everyone, happy winter solstice."

Ayumi Ito changed her shoes skillfully and said with a smile.

"Ayumi."

Gu Qianli, who was also helping out, greeted Ito Ayumi with a smile.

"Qianli, do you want my help?"

Immediately, Ayumi Ito took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves and walked into the kitchen.

……

Not long after, Akutami Yuta, who was the last to arrive, also arrived.

A group of people immediately got busy helping Lin Qingshan prepare dinner.

This is something that everyone knows tacitly. Although Lin Qingshan has always been the head chef, everyone works together to wash vegetables, prepare dishes, clean up garbage, and deal with the aftermath.

But Lin Qingshan will not be allowed to finish all the work by himself, or be responsible for most of the work.

Another table full of sumptuous food appeared in Lin Qingshan's apartment.

"cheers!"

Lin Qingshan, Gu Qianli and the others raised their glasses and clinked them together, cheering and saying.

"Wow! The teacher's cooking skills are as good as always!"

Akutami Yuta said with some envy, "I feel like I haven't eaten the food cooked by the teacher for a long time. I regret it a little."

He was the first one to "graduate" and is currently preparing his debut comic book. He stopped working as Lin Qingshan's assistant a long time ago, so naturally he has not tasted Lin Qingshan's cooking for a long time.

After all, Lin Qingshan would only hold special dinner parties on holidays.

However, there are only one or two public holidays in the second half of the year, and the last time we had a gathering was two months ago.

"You kid, you know how good it is to be a teacher's assistant!"

Chen Chunqiang chuckled and said.

“Being a teacher’s aide would be a really good job if I wasn’t trying to pursue my dream.”

Akutami Yuta nodded and said, "I also want to be the teacher's assistant forever."

"Oh, Yuta... not only Yuta, but also Seharu and Haruki, you will all be great manga artists in the future."

Lin Qingshan gave a thumbs up and said, "You don't have to be my assistant forever."

"By the way, Yuta, how's your comic coming along?"

Wu Shiqing also remembered it at this time and asked curiously.

"I plan to participate in the comics industry's newcomer award soon." Akutami Yuta said with a smile, "The most important thing is that the teacher gave me very good advice, which helped me complete my comics smoothly."

"Are you going to participate in the comic industry's grand prize next year?"

Ito Ayumi asked with some curiosity.

"Yes, Ito-san."

Akutami Yuta immediately said, "I plan to debut and become famous at the comics' newcomer award, just like my teacher. And I heard that the requirements for the comics' newcomer award have been changed."

"changed?"

Gu Qianli on the side also interrupted and asked curiously.

"Yes, it has been changed. Previously, the Newcomer Award accepted novella comics."

Ayumi Ito said, "But last year, the system was changed to no longer limit the length of comics. That means that now both short and long comics can participate, and the number of entries will increase. However, the comics that participate can only be serialized online at the beginning, and new works will no longer be serialized in paper magazines."

This is also influenced by the era of intelligence. After all, comics can now be serialized online and are no longer restricted to serialization in paper media.

Of course, there is no need to limit the length of the submitted comics, or even to eliminate the majority of the submitted comics, and only serialize a few or so comics by newcomers in the magazine.

In fact, this was also influenced by Lin Qingshan.

Because Lin Qingshan's debut work "Edge Walker" was just a medium-length comic, but it is now a huge success. Not only has the comic's reputation exploded, the sales of the single volume and the number of animation broadcasts have also exploded, it has also been remade into a movie, breaking box office records.

At this moment, the top executives in the comics industry all feel that it is a huge loss.

If "EdgeWalker" had not been restricted by the requirements of the Newcomer Grand Prix, but had been directly turned into a long-form comic.

The top executives in the comics industry dare not imagine how much profit can be made from the sales of single volumes and copyrights.

So it’s really a shame that “Edgewalker” should not have been restricted by length and continued to be serialized.

As a result, they no longer limit the length of entries for the Newcomer Grand Prix. This way... if a super newcomer comes out and draws another super popular comic, which becomes a long-running serial, they will make a lot of money later on.

Moreover, the works of the Newcomer Grand Prix no longer need to be restricted to serialization in comic magazines.

But it’s true... the idea of ​​reform by the top executives in the comics industry actually made them wait for a comic work that will definitely be a super popular one - "Jujutsu Kaisen"!
"It just so happens that Yuta's work will be a full-length comic, which is perfect."

Lin Qingshan said with a smile.

"No... Although the system has been changed, there are still serialization restrictions for long-form comics. That is, until the voting results of the contest are announced, if the votes do not reach more than 200, it will be cut short."

Akutami Yuta said a little nervously.

After all, this is his debut work, so it is possible that it might be cut short.

"Do not worry!"

However, Lin Qingshan felt relieved. He gave Akutami Yuta a thumbs up again and said, "Yuta, you can definitely do it."

He knew very well that "Jujutsu Kaisen" was extremely popular. In his previous life, it had won the 6th place in the "Next Popular Manga Contest", a new manga competition.

After the animation adaptation, it became a phenomenal work.

You can say that the one-eyed cat teacher fell behind, but in the beginning... his popularity was terrifyingly high.

"Thank you teacher!"

At this time, Akutami Yuta regained his confidence and said.

"Okay, let's get straight to our last dinner! Let's eat first!"

Lin Qingshan immediately laughed and then greeted everyone.

"Eh?!"

"what?!"

"Wait! Teacher, what did you just say?"

……

Hearing Lin Qingshan's obviously ambiguous words, everyone present was stunned.

"Qingshan, what are you talking about..."

Gu Qianli was speechless and looked at Lin Qingshan helplessly.

"It's the Last Supper..."

Lin Qingshan scratched his head and said, "After the winter solstice is the Little New Year's Eve... Well, everyone will probably go home for the holiday by then."

The Spring Festival holiday in this parallel world is exceptionally long, both locally and regionally... at least that's the official announcement.

The key is that you don’t need to take a break.

So a few days after the winter solstice and two days before the New Year’s Eve, everyone goes back to their hometowns for the holiday.

And among this group of people...there are really not many locals.

There is no need to say much about Yuta Akutami and Ayumi Ito in Japan, they will definitely go back to celebrate the New Year.

Wu Shiqing and Chen Chunqiang are not native to Shanghai either. Among those present... only Lin Qingshan can be considered half-local, and he will probably spend the New Year with his uncle Lin Pinzhang and others.

We have become more familiar with each other during this period of time, and with the experience of celebrating the New Year together last year, his resistance has certainly been reduced a little.

"Qingshan, what you said is really scary..."

Yang Zhihan said somewhat helplessly.

"Ah... my question..."

Lin Qingshan scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "Okay, let's eat!"

"Then... we won't be polite!"

Everyone started eating at once, but they were still talking and laughing as they ate.

At this time, Gu Qianli's face looked a little strange.

She looked at Lin Qingshan beside her and recalled the conversation she had with her parents the day before yesterday.

"Hello, Dad and Mom."

"Qianli, are you doing okay over there lately?"

"Fortunately, although I still have a lot of work to do and I have to prepare for the postgraduate entrance examination, I have been able to have some free time recently..."

"Then why don't you and Qingshan come to my house for dinner in a couple of days?"

"what?"

"What? You and Qingshan have been together for so long, why don't you bring him back for dinner?"

"But we had a date with friends that day."

"In that case, it's really hard to just cancel your young people's gathering. So how about this, bring Qingshan home for a reunion dinner this New Year!"

"what?!"

"Ah what! That's it, you come back with Qingshan then!"

"Hey! Mom! Dad!"

"Dudududu——"

……

Gu Qianli suddenly felt a little embarrassed, because she always felt that... this was like meeting her family.

But...is it reasonable for them to meet their parents so early?

Although they had met last time, it was different that time... She and Lin Qingshan had not confirmed their relationship that time.

But... let's give it a try.

then……

"Green Mountain."

"Ok?"

Lin Qingshan blinked, looked at Gu Qianli and asked.

"Is such that……"

Gu Qianli stretched out his index finger and scratched his face as Lin Qingshan usually did, and said in a low voice a little embarrassedly, "My father and mother...they asked me some time ago if you want to...come to my house during the Chinese New Year...have a reunion dinner together."

Lin Qingshan was stunned for a moment. Just when Gu Qianli thought that Lin Qingshan would be a little embarrassed...

"Okay."

Lin Qingshan smiled and said, "When the time comes... I'll show my skills to uncle and aunt!"

Gu Qianli was stunned for a moment, and his expression became strange again. Could it be that... Qingshan thought that she wanted him to be the chef?

But how is that possible? It is impossible for their family to prepare the reunion dinner by themselves. They usually hire a professional chef to cook at home for their meals.

The New Year’s Eve dinner will naturally be like this.

But... no matter what, Qingshan agreed.

And sometimes she did feel that Lin Qingshan's cooking skills were better than the chef at home.

At this time, Lin Qingshan continued to look at her with a smile in his eyes.

They have confirmed their relationship, and since they have made up their minds...then he naturally won't back down.

(End of this chapter)