Chapter 60: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/3

But with a little thought, had Song Fuzhi ever been infatuated with a certain character?

In the many years before meeting Professor Shi, had Song Fuzhi’s heart ever pounded for a certain anime character, dreamed about him at night, or even had desires stirred by him?

Professor Shi immediately felt his heart tighten with a mix of sourness and heat. Damn it, the imposing and tall Professor Shi helplessly pinched his brow. He self-mocked, “Don’t be too outrageous, Shi Zhang, even jealous of a paper person. Recognize your position; how could a real person in the third dimension possibly compare to a paper person?”

Reason told him to recognize this, but Professor Shi couldn’t bring himself to do so.

The idea of cosplaying as a character Song Fuzhi liked gave him an inexplicable feeling of cosplaying as a romantic rival.

While Professor Shi was lost in his thoughts at his desk, he heard the vibration of Song Fuzhi’s phone from beside him.

Song Fuzhi stiffened, seemingly startled, and after a few seconds, he hung up the call.

“Why didn’t you answer?” Professor Shi asked.

“Uh, my friend…” Song Fuzhi quickly thought of an excuse in his mind. He didn’t know why Luolu Luli suddenly called, and why didn’t she inform him through WeChat beforehand?

“I’ll ask her what’s going on; she always talks a lot on the phone,” Professor Shi calmly said.

Then he turned his head back to continue reading.

Song Fuzhi typed a message to Luolu Luli: “Your Highness, what’s the matter? I’m on high alert here; Professor Shi is within three steps of me.”

Luolu Luli replied with a string of mischievous laughter.

Luolu Luli: “Urgent, I can’t explain over the phone. Go to the balcony.”

The next second, the phone rang again. Song Fuzhi had no choice but to stand up and say to Professor Shi, “I’ll take a call from a friend.”

Professor Shi casually said, “Go ahead.”

Song Fuzhi pressed the answer button and said, “Hello.” As he walked out of the study, he casually closed the door.

“Why the urgency?” Song Fuzhi lowered his voice and increased it when he reached the balcony. “What’s going on?”

“That fallen angel costume—I’ve been urging the store for a long time, but they haven’t replied. Suddenly today, they said they wouldn’t do it and refunded the deposit directly. It’s infuriating,” Luolu Luli complained.

“Ah.” Song Fuzhi also felt a slight tension. “The production time for this costume is quite long.”

The costume for this character was elaborate and complex, with wings that needed to be customized based on each person’s body shape.

Moreover, the character was somewhat old-fashioned, and not many people cosplay as him nowadays. It was hard to find ready-made costumes on the market, and ordering was necessary.

“So, what should we do now? Either find another store quickly or change to a different character.” Luolu Luli threw the problem to Song Fuzhi.

After pondering for a moment, Song Fuzhi said, “I don’t really want to change the character.”

This character was probably the one that made Mr. Octopus famous initially, around the time Professor Shi was in university.

He won the cosplay competition in a dark fallen angel costume, considered a masterpiece at the time. From the degree of restoration to the effort put into it, there was nothing to criticize.

When Song Fuzhi was checking Mr. Octopus Weibo, he saw him standing on the award podium, golden confetti fluttering behind him. He seemed to be shining with glory, and happiness was evident.

He should have been very happy back then.

Although it was a bit juvenile, this early character was an important milestone for Mr. Octopus to enter the public eye. Song Fuzhi didn’t want to give up on this character.

Luolu Luli sighed. “Then we’ll have to look for another store, but time is really tight now.”

Song Fuzhi contemplated for a moment and said, “Let me check again.”

“Hey, how about you just post a dynamic and ask? Maybe there’s a great costume maker among your fans, or someone can recommend a reliable store,” Luolu Luli suggested.

“Will this disturb everyone?” Song Fuzhi was a bit hesitant.

“Oh no, not at all. Maybe everyone wants to hear more casual chatter from you. By the way, Teacher Fu, you really don’t manage your account at all. Apart from cosplaying, you don’t post anything, don’t chat with fans, and don’t share your daily life. You’re too distant from the masses!” Luolu Luli scolded.

Song Fuzhi was never good at these things. His initial purpose for making videos was only for Professor Shi’s birthday, and gaining so many fans and attention was entirely beyond his plan.

But Luolu Luli knew much more than him, and Luolu Luli said that if he could post, then he should post.

While still on the call with Luolu Luli, Song Fuzhi posted a dynamic on the platform: “Does anyone know a reliable cosplay costume customization store? Please recommend it to me. Thank you, everyone.”

Shortly after posting, Song Fuzhi received some comments.

Wow, Fu Fu posted a dynamic!

What’s urgent for Teacher Fu? I’ve used a store on Taobao before. Quality is guaranteed, but the production time is a bit long.

You’re asking about clothes; you must be planning something new again, right? Is it?

Ahahaha, Teacher Fu’s tone is so serious. It feels like my dad is asking for traditional Chinese medicine recommendations on a senior forum.

Grass, shut up upstairs! Our teacher Fu is obviously still a young and vigorous man!

There were many comments, but only a few were helpful.

Luolu Luli was also checking the comments and said, “Ahahaha, although we didn’t find the costume, we gained some presence. Not bad.”

Song Fuzhi was in a bit of a dilemma. He had poor DIY abilities and no time. If all else failed, he planned to take the pictures to the old tailor shop near his parents’ place, hoping for a miracle.

“Hey, someone replied,” Luolu Luli said with a smile. “Oh, it’s Feifei. Does he already know you?”

“Yes, he added me as a friend when I posted the last video,” Song Fuzhi said.

Song Fuzhi refreshed the comment section and found Feifei’s comment had been liked and replied to the top.

Coser Feifei: Teacher Fu, why didn’t you find me? I have a friend who is a costume designer with rich experience in making COS costumes. Let me ask for it from you, and I guarantee we can get it.

People below were teasing him, saying he truly was our social butterfly, Feifei, popping up everywhere. Besides being serious about cosplaying, he could do anything!

Song Fuzhi replied under the comment, “Thank you,” and then opened QQ.

Feifei had already sent him a message, asking what character Song Fuzhi wanted to cosplay and when he needed the costume.

Song Fuzhi thanked him again and provided all the necessary information. Feifei’s efficiency was astonishing; he quickly responded, saying it was doable. His friend was currently free, and they had experience with similar costumes before, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

The problem was resolved too quickly, surprising Song Fuzhi.

As Professor Shi was meticulous in his procedures, he asked Feifei to provide the contact information for the costume maker, and they needed to go through the proper steps, such as signing contracts and paying deposits and final payments.

Feifei didn’t procrastinate and directly gave Song Fuzhi a business card, leaving them to communicate on their own.

Song Fuzhi looked at the person’s previous works, and they were indeed impressive. They specialized in European-style elaborate designs, and there was a particularly beautiful dress with heavy embroidery.

It was a perfect match, and Song Fuzhi quickly agreed on the price and delivery time.

The person asked, “Since we’re not in the same city, I’ll send it to you by express delivery when it’s done.”

Song Fuzhi said, Thank you.

With the urgent matter resolved, Song Fuzhi thanked Feifei again, who casually said, “Looking forward to Teacher Fu’s finished work!”

“OK, this is settled,” Luolu Luli said, looking at the schedule. “So, let’s shoot the mobster in a suit tomorrow. It should be straightforward. Your arrangements for tomorrow haven’t changed, right?”

“Sure, nothing has changed,” Song Fuzhi said. He had no classes in the afternoon, so he could slip out for the shoot.

Luolu Luli added, “There’s nothing to prepare; you can exercise today, and tomorrow, you’ll need to show some muscles.”

Song Fuzhi had been standing on the balcony for too long. While responding, he walked back into the room, and his voice gradually became softer.

“I have to wrap it up; I’ve been talking for too long,” Song Fuzhi whispered.

Luolu Luli laughed heartily. “Why are you so afraid of your husband, so obedient?”

“It’s not about that; it’s just not to raise suspicions,” Song Fuzhi said. “I can’t say I’ve been on the phone for so long to prepare a gift for him.”

Luolu Luli suggested, understandingly, “Just say your friend had a breakup, and they need your comfort, and you also want to join in cursing the scumbag.”

Song Fuzhi laughed as he hung up the phone and pushed open the study door. Professor Shi was still sitting at the desk, reading a book with the demeanor of an old monk in meditation.

“We’re done talking,” Song Fuzhi reported after the completion of the mission.

Professor Shi naturally responded with a casual “Hmm” and didn’t inquire further. Song Fuzhi was relieved not to have to explain.

Little did Song Fuzhi know that during the time he was on the call, Professor Shi had been contemplating the origins of the universe alone in the study.

Not paying much attention before, after being left alone in the room for so long tonight, Professor Shi quickly connected the dots of his memories.

Not long ago, on the way back to town, Song Fuzhi was chatting happily with friends, even tracing back to the initial blind date dinner. Song Fuzhi was still replying to the other party with a smile on his phone.

So much time had passed, and Professor Shi still didn’t know who the other person was, not even their gender.

The other person must be very close to Song Fuzhi, talking about many things. Professor Shi wondered if the other person knew Song Fuzhi better than he did.

Feeling a bit uneasy, Professor Shi suddenly realized that perhaps he could get some information about Song Fuzhi’s favorite character from his friend.

But how could he contact that friend? That was the problem.

–

The third cosplayer was a sharpshooter in a suit, casually blowing off enemies with a headshot. He was a typical refined villain, sarcastic, and ruthless.

This character didn’t require many complicated props or scenes, so many people had tried it, and there were quite a few cosplayers at conventions.

A few years ago, Octopus Teacher cosplayed this character. Although the response was good, with many people praising him in the comments, objectively speaking, Octopus Teacher’s cosplay of this character wasn’t the most outstanding compared to other cosplayers worldwide.

With so many people online and many having attractive physiques, Octopus Teacher was just one of many.

Song Fuzhi chose this artwork purely out of personal preference.

Because, frankly, it just hit Song Fuzhi’s preferences perfectly.

This cosplay ranked in the top three in Song Fuzhi’s heart.

The man sat in a chair with a neatly tied tie and cuffs, but the buttons on the suit were stretched open by a well-developed chest. He held a pistol with one hand, facing the camera.

His eyes were full of cold and mocking indifference, looking down at you with a crazed smile on his lips.

It was very cliché and a bit juvenile, but that was exactly Song Fuzhi’s taste. He loved these kinds of handsome and fierce macho men.

Song Fuzhi still remembers that a few years ago, right after finishing a group of high school seniors after the college entrance exams, he finally relaxed his nerves after a whole year of tension.