My Years as a Copyist in Taiwan

As is customary, the Kodansha and bookstore limited the number of autograph tickets to 700. Only those with a number could get an autograph. The one or two thousand fans outside the venue without a number could only watch, wave, and hold up support signs, but could not queue up to get an autograph.

The numbers were all distributed before 9 a.m., and most book fans didn't get a number. But everyone had expected it; who told them they hadn't hardened their hearts and stayed up all night to wait?

However, even those book fans who didn't get a number still felt incredibly involved – getting up close and personal with Mr. Snail.

The venue was divided into three sections.

Everyone in the signature area has a name tag.

The viewing area for close-up viewing doesn't have numbers, but those who arrive early can stand two meters outside the fence to see Zhao Wen up close. They can also help with chores, pass letters, shout messages, and so on. Those who have the means can take unlimited photos, as long as they bring enough film.

The outer viewing area, standing on the street or by the second-floor window of a bookstore, allows people to look out from afar and cheer along, emphasizing a sense of participation.

Furthermore, Kodansha has promised that if Mr. Snail holds another book signing event, customers can make a second appointment for a signature by presenting their receipt from today's purchase.

A single number plate can be offered 10,000, 20,000, or even 50,000 yen by someone, but it's simply impossible to buy one.

Konoe Kazuma and his bodyguards all had number plates, but he didn't go to the main autograph area. Instead, he stayed in the viewing area closest to Zhao Wen. He had his bodyguards disperse to help maintain order, leaving only one person to take his picture. The backdrop was a snail signing autographs.

At that moment, his childhood friend, Saionji Muneaki, squeezed in, drenched in sweat.

Even with bodyguards clearing the way, if you want to squeeze in for the autograph session, you have to get past the outer police officers first, then there's a mountain of people, and volunteers and security personnel hired by Kodansha in several areas won't let you in. So, the fact that he was able to get in is truly remarkable.

"Why are you only arriving now? Did Fujiwara-kun yell at you?"

"Sigh... He told me last night to protect you, but I really fell asleep..."

Saionji Muneaki nodded miserably. Although he also loved Mr. Snail's songs and the book "Those Years," he wouldn't force himself to endure hardship. Asking him to stand guard before dawn was like asking him to die! So he slept until noon, only to be scolded mercilessly by his older brother.

At this moment, more than 200 kilometers away, at Nagoya Stadium, the home stadium of the Sun Dragons baseball team, all 35,000 seats were filled, and fans were singing the Sun Dragons' anthem, "Burn, Dragons!", over and over again.

Today they will face the Yomiuri Giants from Tokyo, a super powerhouse team. Today's match is a battle for the top spot!

Born into a long-established aristocratic family, Kiyohiko Fujiwara was raised with a strong sense of professionalism. After joining the Yomiuri Giants in professional baseball, he placed even greater emphasis on professional ethics.

However, at this moment, he once again had deep doubts about his professional ethics, because his mind was no longer on this life-or-death battle at Tianwang Mountain.

He wants to attend Mr. Snail's book signing event!

Especially when I saw my good friend suddenly suffer from an asthma attack on TV last night, I felt like my heart was being scratched by a cat, so I just gave another good friend a good scolding.

Moreover, Mr. Snail was able to come to Japan so quickly for a book signing event, and he deserves all the credit. He instigated those ordinary fans to cause trouble and bribed printing factory workers to steal sample copies. It was all his doing. And while he was enjoying the fruits of his victory, I was forced to run bases here...

Okay, as Mr. Snail said, even if you're lonely, you must bravely face reality...

After the police and staff dispersed the crowd in sections and reorganized the queues, the order was completely stabilized, and the signing event officially started on time in the afternoon.

The reporters have already written headlines in their sketchbooks—

This may be the grandest and most tender literary carnival in Japan!

Because, despite the gathering of thousands of people, not a single violent incident has occurred since yesterday!

The fans went on stage in an orderly fashion, one group at a time, and after receiving Mr. Snail's autograph, even the most audacious girl only managed to secretly touch her idol's hand...

When Zhao Wen's wrists started to ache, he had signed nearly 700 books. The Sanseido book signing event was slowly coming to an end, with most readers leaving one after another, leaving only the media, core fans, and Konoe Kazuma and his group standing by.

Shuji Fujino solicitously handed Zhao Wen another bottle of Fuji mineral water, and then he saw Haruki Murakami, a rising star writer under their Kodansha publishing company.

This future Kafka winner, a two-decade Nobel Prize runner-up, wearing sunglasses and with one hand in his pocket, quietly stood at the back of the line.

At this time, in the eyes of most people, Haruki Murakami was just an ordinary, silent passerby; only a very few seasoned literary youths, publishing circles, and jazz enthusiasts could recognize him at a glance.

Why would jazz fans know him? Because he opened a jazz bar called PeterCat.

"Mr. Snail, let me introduce you. This is Haruki Murakami, a very promising new writer from our Kodansha."

Haruki Murakami very rarely extends his hands; this gesture is unprecedented in his 33 years of life.

"Mr. Snail, it's an honor to meet you. I am Haruki Murakami."

Seeing Murakami remove his sunglasses and reveal eyes that resembled those of fanatics, Zhao Wen didn't hesitate for a second and shook hands with him tightly as well.

"Mr. Murakami, you don't need to be so polite!"

"Mr. Snail, this isn't just politeness, it's faith..."

To be honest, Zhao Wen felt very guilty towards Haruki Murakami. He was even certain that this literary master would be one of the top ten victims in his career as a plagiarist!

Even if Harry Potter has already copied the first book, and its IP value is worth hundreds of billions of dollars in the future, in terms of literary significance, it still can't compare to "Norwegian Wood".

"I've read your 'Hear the Wind Sing,' Murakami-san, you're sure to become a great novelist!"

You should at least feel some remorse for plagiarizing someone else's best work, so Zhao Wen's attitude towards Haruki Murakami was surprisingly gentle and respectful, and he made the painful decision: "I won't plagiarize your 'The End of the World' and 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle'!"

As soon as this decision was made, Mr. Snail's heart immediately calmed down, isn't that strange?

Haruki Murakami was somewhat flattered. He couldn't understand why this genius boy, whom he regarded as supreme, would be so humble. Was this a quality that one must possess to become a god?

Shuji Fujino's assistant approached with the flight details: "Sir, Mr. Snail's flight is at 8 PM. He must leave for the airport immediately, or he will miss it."

Shuji Fujino glanced subconsciously at the two figures not far away and keenly realized that this up-and-coming writer seemed to have a lot of potential!

He had never seen Mr. Snail so polite before. Mr. Snail was indeed gentle, but he always maintained a sense of distance, especially towards himself.

But now, facing Haruki Murakami, his eyes were full of genuine appreciation, and his words were full of enthusiasm. Just now, he clearly heard Mr. Snail admit that he had read Haruki Murakami's "Hear the Wind Sing" carefully and highly praised the unique relaxed writing style of the book.

Shuji Fujino thought to himself: If Mr. Snail values ​​me so much, and my first book alone can capture his heart, then Haruki Murakami's future works must be excellent. I, Kodansha, will have to keep a close eye on him!

While thinking about crickets, he didn't hesitate for a moment and walked over to the rattan chair in a few steps: "I'm so sorry to have interrupted you two... Mr. Snail, your flight is departing at eight o'clock tonight, and you have to leave now. There's really no way you can stay any longer."

After exchanging contact information with Haruki Murakami, Zhao Wen and Wu Deng boarded the Grand Duke's carriage, a group of six vehicles, and slowly passed through the passage formed by the book fans who had not yet completely left.

Haruki Murakami was stunned. Before today, after reading "Norwegian Wood," he had been troubled by a sense of disillusionment that was hard to erase.

In terms of literary thought and written expression, Mr. Snail's achievements are something to be admired.

Countless nights, he sat at the bar desk, pen in hand, struggling to express the hazy, heavy emotions in his heart. He could never quite capture them accurately. But Mr. Snail, in his book, effortlessly depicted many of his feelings.

Every line he uttered seemed to strike right at the heart of his soul! It was as if Mr. Snail and I were born on the same spiritual wavelength!