However, this cat with a rather unique appearance didn’t seem particularly interested in staying indoors.
After finishing the few pieces of broccoli that Yu Mian fed it, it shook its fur, tilted its head, and meowed at Yu Mian several times.
Just as Yu Mian reached out, ready to give it a good rub, the cat darted away along the windowsill. Before leaving, it even meowed at Yu Mian a few more times.
“What? It’s leaving so soon?”
Yu Mian leaned on the windowsill and felt a bit like this cat might be a bit of a scumbag.
Surprisingly, the cat came back again the next evening.
Each time, it would tap at the window with its paw, scratching lightly. Yu Mian would share some of the “fruits” or snacks that Huo Ting had sent over.
“Meow~”
But the cat’s favorite was clearly still broccoli.
“It doesn’t seem like a stray cat.”
Over time, Yu Mian’s observations of the cat became more detailed.
It seemed to have habits that indicated it might have had an owner before.
[It doesn’t look cheap either. Maybe it’s a high-end breed?]
The little system was also skeptical.
Furry creatures truly were healing.
“Maybe this is why everyone loved the scene where Dreven turned into a fluffy little ball in the book?”
Yu Mian lay on the desk and watched the furry creature nibbling on broccoli. Suddenly, he felt he understood why interstellar readers were so obsessed with Dreven’s transformation plotline in “Eternal Night Rose”.
Since the main text of “Eternal Night Rose” concluded, the finale’s aftermath had surprisingly gained incredible momentum.
After all, the ending where Su Yan and Dreven traveled back to the modern era and reunited with a heartfelt embrace in Exhibition Hall 0000 was amazing to the interstellar readers unfamiliar with such a looping story.
[When I saw Su Yan stabbing the dagger into Dreven’s heart, I was bawling my eyes out! I almost swore revenge on Fish Soup Noodles… Who knew they’d reunite like this?]
[There’s this indescribable feeling when Su Yan woke up in his university dorm room. It’s like everything in the Blood Moon Era was just a dream! The sense of time’s flow is amazing.]
[And Dreven turned human this time…ahhh, why? Was it because he sacrificed the rest of his source blood? But growing old together, it suddenly feels so romantic! TAT]
The finale’s line, “This time, we can grow old together,” became a sensational love phrase immediately after the chapter was released.
Before this, natural aging was often viewed with disdain in the interstellar era.
Much of the technological advancements were driven by the pursuit of longevity, eternal youth, or even immortality.
So this anxiety about aging and growing older was a common sentiment among many interstellar readers.
Dreven’s initial popularity was partly due to this, he was powerful, very devoted, handsome, and had eternal youth.
If someone like him didn’t top the popularity charts, it would’ve been shocking.
As a result, in Fish Soup Noodles’ finale, this line spoken by Dreven, who had turned into a human, made everyone, who should have been regretful, inexplicably filled with an indescribable sweetness.
Though the passage of time and aging were never joyful concepts, if it meant staying by someone’s side and walking together toward the end of time, even the most feared thing could become poetic and beautiful.
[Ah, it’s just so romantic! Fish Soup Noodles, you’re incredible! TAT I’ve read the finale chapter dozens of times, and every time, Dreven’s last words hit me hard…]
[I’m starting to think Fish Soup Noodles is some kind of master of romance. From Caesar in “Contract Marriage” to Dreven in “Eternal Night Rose”, so many lines just leave you in awe. How do they come up with this stuff?]
[Honestly, it’s touching. When I look at my grandparents, I think this line would be perfect for their golden anniversary.]
[It’s not just for grandparents. Lately, so many people use Dreven’s line to confess. Spending the rest of your life growing old with someone…how sweet is that?]
“Uh, even a single author that has never dated can write romance novels…”
Faced with this, Yu Mian could only quickly close the pages with embarrassment.
After all, such romantic lines about “growing old with you” were no longer a novelty on Earth.
However, for interstellar readers who rarely read romance novels, encountering such lines would naturally be a huge surprise, leaving them increasingly captivated the more they thought about it.
Even Lilith, who had finished the finale, earnestly posted her thoughts online:
[Lilith: Growing old together is truly beautiful. I never thought about it before.]
Naturally, Lilith’s StarBlog post attracted countless curious netizens and comments.
Since the later chapters of “Eternal Night Rose”, the reputation of the Bart clan in the Federation Star has undergone a dramatic shift, transforming from a source of universal fear to a subject of widespread fascination.
Among them, Lilith, an influential Bart clan figure and a frequent star network user, became a popular check in spot for the book fans.
[Is Goddess Lilith planning to find someone to grow old with too? But isn’t it really difficult for the Bart clan to age?]
[What I want to know is, does the Bart clan enjoy “Eternal Night Rose” as much as we do? Or is Lilith the only fan?]
[Exactly! I cried so much reading the finale yesterday. Thankfully, they reunited in the end! Did Bart clan members cry over it too?]
Lilith occasionally replied to such comments, and when she noticed these questions that underestimated Bart clan readers, she quickly responded:
[Reply//Lilith V: Of course, many love it. Some even write “fanfiction.” [smile]]
She even used the term “fanfiction” that she found on Federation Star Network, causing a stir among the reader community.
[What?! Fanfiction written by Bart clan readers, what is it? Let me taste it! I need to taste it right now! [Screaming]]
[Goddess Lilith, you’re my one and only! Can you share some fanfiction for us to eat? I’m starving! QAQ I can’t even imagine how delicious fanfiction written by the Bart Clan would be!]
[Wait, does this mean Lilith and the others have also discovered our “Fish Fans Forum”? How else would they know about fanfiction?! [Shocked]]
After “Eternal Night Rose” concluded, Lilith spent noticeably more time online, mainly because many Federation readers had spontaneously started creating fanfiction.
For those who hadn’t gotten enough of the main text or couldn’t wait for extra chapters, diving into the treasure trove of fan-created content became an irresistible temptation.
Previously, the “Fish Fans” fanfiction forum, originally established by heartbroken CP fans of “Contract Marriage” after the Huanyu Q&A session with Fish Soup Noodles, unexpectedly grew in size and influence.
Initially, most fanfiction revolved around “Contract Marriage”, with all kinds of XP and CPs running rampant on the forum.
With the completion of “Eternal Night Rose”, fanfiction for the series also exploded.
However, the forum’s strict invite-only system and cautious community ensured it remained a close-knit group.
No one expected Bart clan readers like Lilith to find their way in!
Not only did they read “Eternal Night Rose” and discuss the plot together, but they also wrote fanfiction?
This realization gave interstellar readers an odd yet fascinating feeling.
In fact, ever since “Eternal Night Rose” reached the Eternal Night star system, Lilith’s Moonlight Tea Parties had become a dedicated book club for Bart readers.
Previously, a Bart clan member who knew nothing about tea or wine tasting could hardly fit into this social circle of young ladies.
Now, being unable to share unique insights into the plot of “Eternal Night Rose” would make one an outcast at the Moonlight Tea Parties
The most notable development was the emergence of a fanfiction master at these gatherings!
“My goodness, Christina, your story’s ending made me cry all my tears out. Still, I have to congratulate you…after all these sleepless nights, you’ve finally found the perfect thing to do!”
In the moonlit courtyard, Bart clan members sat together, holding pages of Christina’s fanfiction, their eyes red yet filled with an indescribable excitement.
“I was just inspired by those Federation Star readers… Of course, this is only my first piece. I still have plenty of interesting ideas in my head!”
Slightly embarrassed, Christina elegantly sipped from her teacup.
If anyone remembered the fan letters Bart clan readers had sent Yu Mian, they would know that the rare insomniac Bart reader mentioned in those letters was none other than this Miss Christina.
For centuries, Christina had spent sleepless nights gazing at the moon alone while her friends and family slumbered in their ancestral castles.
She had always been an outlier among her people.
But after encountering “Contract Marriage” and “Eternal Night Rose” brought back by Lilith, Christina, who had never read these kinds of romance novels before, felt as if a new world had opened up for her!
Whether it was Gu Bai and Caesar’s sweet yet bittersweet love in “Contract Marriage” or Su Yan and Dreven’s love that transcended time and space, Christina found herself captivated during her sleepless nights.
With the company of Fish Soup Noodles’ characters, even the moonlight on her insomniac nights seemed a little brighter.
Her only complaint was how slow the updates were…it was never enough.
Thus, Christina learned how to use the Star Network and eventually stumbled upon the Federation readers’ “Fish Fans” forum…a secret haven and a treasure trove of content!
One night, overcome with excitement, Christina stared at the feather quill in her hand and suddenly wondered…why couldn’t she write her own story?
Especially after the finale of “Eternal Night Rose”, her emotions were running so high that she couldn’t sleep at all. She ended up writing dozens of pages of fan fiction through the night.
The only problem was that Christina was a rare BE lover.
As a result, during the Moonlit Tea Party, her story left everyone captivated but also reduced them to tears.
“Federation readers… want to see. Should we share?”
Lilith glanced at the comments under her Starblog post. Federation readers were practically screaming and begging, their cries echoing through the screen. Unable to resist, she suggested to Christina that maybe they could share the story not only within the gatherings of the Bart readers but also with the Federation audience.
“Uh… but would Federation readers even like it? I mean, I’ve never written anything before. These are just some casual thoughts I jotted down.”
Hearing Lilith’s suggestion, Christina, who was trying her hand at writing for the first time, suddenly felt nervous.
“Christina, you have to believe in yourself. I think it’s absolutely amazing!”
“I agree! It made me cry so much, but luckily the original story didn’t end that way… although it still has a unique kind of beauty.”
Encouraged by the others at the Moonlit Tea Party, Christina’s initial lack of confidence began to waver.
Maybe… maybe she really could post her fanfiction online and let more people read it?
At this moment, the Federation citizens had no idea what was about to happen.
They were currently immersed in the series of celebratory events marking the conclusion of the main text of “Eternal Night Rose”!
Taking advantage of the momentum, the increasingly savvy Huanyu Reading Platform had not only launched pre-orders for the “Eternal Night Rose” physical books but also introduced a range of merchandise modeled after their success with “Contract Marriage”.
Since the phenomenal success of the “Contract Marriage” finale events, bundling merchandise with physical books, commissioning illustrations, and organizing reader events with draws had become standard marketing strategies in the interstellar publishing industry.
However, no one had anticipated that the bestselling merchandise from “Eternal Night Rose” would be a round and plush bat shaped toy that was a representation of Dreven in his bart form.
From small light brain charms to large cuddle pillows, this iconic black plushie swept through the central star system’s malls and stores after the book’s finale.
Walking through the streets, one could see many young people with the black plushie hanging from their backpacks.
For this reason, interstellar media have conducted street interviews and reports on this trend phenomenon among young people on the Central Star, trying to uncover why this mysterious furry ball was so popular!
“I just really love Dreven! Fish Soup Noodles’ book “Eternal Night Rose” helped me understand so much more about the Bart Clan. This plushie is adorable and meaningful, so I bought several to collect!”
A young student eagerly showed off the charm on their backpack during an interview.
“And the plushie feels so nice to hold! There’s even a heated version that keeps you warm. Hugging it feels like being silently protected by a small Bart. Whenever I feel down, I can draw strength from it,” an office worker explained as they happily shared their belief that owning the plushie brought the Bart Clan’s blessings.
