While the online discussions about tails were heating up, a netizen with a biology background poured cold water on the excitement.
[Although I understand everyone’s unparalleled love for the snow leopard tails of Gredo and Da Xi after reading “The King of Tian Mountains”, calm down. If humans had kept their tails, they would most likely resemble the bare, hairless tails of mice.]
This comment instantly turned the lively debate into an awkward silence.
[…What!? (politely retreats awkwardly.jpg)]
[Sorry, we don’t deserve it. orz I’ll just go find some furry beastman friends nearby to cuddle instead.]
[That said, tails might not be absolutely essential. Of course, I have absolutely no prejudice against mice…equality among species forever! Even for cockroaches among the insect species…]
While the lively conversation continued, Yu Mian received a message from “Star Beast World” magazine and formally responded to the letter from the young reader.
He expressed that he never minded readers creating new stories or ideas inspired by his works and reiterated that the ending of Gredo and Da Xi was the perfect conclusion, which also reflected the story’s core themes.
Initially, when “The King of Tian Mountains” was released, some readers couldn’t bear the separation of the two snow leopards, lamenting the bittersweet ending.
However, as time passed, more readers began to appreciate the story.
After all, Gredo became the cherished white moonlight in everyone’s hearts and the admired King of Tian Mountains precisely because he remained in his domain, living freely on the snowy plains and cliffs.
If Gredo left the snowfields, would he still be the proud and heroic Gredo everyone adored?
His encounter with Da Xi allowed readers to glimpse into the life of the lone king of the Tian Mountains, presenting a poignant and awe-inspiring tale of nature.
Even long after, one could almost see the figure running freely in the snow, with a small cub trailing behind him.
[So, what will Fish Soup Noodles write next? TAT I really want to read the next furry story now. I never thought popular science stories could be this entertaining…]
[“Star Beast World,” you really picked the right person! I never imagined Fish Soup Noodle’s breakout would come from a popular science short story.]
[Even though young readers enjoy these stories, we adults love them too. I’d love to see more of Da Xi and Gredo. Will the next story feature them again?]
Yu Mian hesitated as he read the online feedback.
Perhaps this series could adopt a quick-transmigration approach, with each story exploring a different theme.
However, the overwhelming success of “Star Beast World” as a popular science magazine had already caused a stir in the interstellar publishing world.
The decline of print media had long been established. While it hadn’t vanished entirely due to its special functions, its popularity had waned significantly.
The massive success of “Star Beast World” through this one feature highlighted new opportunities for countless industry professionals.
“If “Star Beast World” can do it, why can’t we?! We’re a legitimate youth magazine, after all.]”
Among them, “Interstellar Youth” lamented the most for missing out on “The King of Tian Mountains-Snow Leopard.”
Although this was a popular science article that both adults and children could read with great interest, it was also extremely suitable as a reading material for the youth.
“If we could secure even one story like that, it might rekindle attention on our publication!”
“Exactly, and we have way more funding than “Star Beast World!””
Before these publishers could start a bidding war over future features, another unexpected piece of news surfaced about “The King of Tian Mountains-Snow Leopard.”
The artist named An, known for illustrating fan art for “Contract Marriage” and “Eternal Night Rose”, shared an art exhibit announcement on StarNet.
Initially, fans thought this famous Teacher Fish Soup Noodles fan had created new illustrations for Da Xi and Gredo.
But that wasn’t the case.
What emerged was even more surprising.
The prestigious Frekton Gallery on Central Star announced they would showcase a massive oil painting of Da Xi and Gredo from “The King of Tian Mountains,” created by none other than the renowned interstellar artist, Qiao Li.
What wind brought this legendary figure out of hiding?!
[An: Of course, because he’s my dad. He happened to be in the Snowfield system, and he created this exhibition. Of course, there are many other exhibits in the gallery, and everyone is welcome to visit.
And yes, the largest oil painting will be auctioned after a week of preview.
Most importantly, all proceeds will be donated to the Endangered Species Foundation in the name of all readers, funding snow leopard rescue stations in zoos to improve technology and help more leopards return to the wild.]
In response to the interstellar public’s astonishment, An’s reply on star network suddenly made everything fall into place.
[Okay, okay, I knew that you Boss An, are no ordinary person! It turns out the famous Professor Qiao Li is your father!? [crying sunglasses emoji]]
[The quality of Fish Soup Noodle’s fan art just took a massive leap. I could afford the merchandise before, but now I can only admire it from afar. TwT]
[This is so exciting! I’ll be on Central Star for business this week. Can I book exhibition tickets in advance?]
What An didn’t mention was that he had been deeply moved after reading the story and fervently recommended it to his father, which ultimately led to the creation of the painting and the exhibition.
Half a month later, the Frekton Gallery officially opened the exhibit, drawing an overwhelming crowd.
At the center of the gallery’s exhibition hall stood the giant oil painting, “Gredo and Da Xi,” which captivated countless visitors who gazed at it in awe.
Whether they had read “The King of Tian Mountains” or not, everyone could feel the breathtaking wildness and freedom emanating from the masterful artwork.
The first rays of dawn illuminated the vast snowfields of Tian Mountains, where two snow leopards stood atop a steep cliff.
The larger leopard gazed downward, as if coldly observing the movements of its prey. Its sleek, luxuriant fur rippled in the wind, gilded by the sacred golden light of the morning sun.
From behind, the smaller cub peeked out, its watery eyes wide with curiosity as it observed the world. Its long, fluffy tail that was almost the length of its body swayed playfully, scattering snowflakes into the air.
The two snow leopards, one large and one small, perfectly captured the essence of Gredo and Da Xi in the hearts of the audience.
It was as though they had been transported to the snowfields where Gredo and Da Xi had once roamed, feeling the chill of the wind on their faces and breathing in the crisp, icy air of the wilderness.
Following the guidance of the staff, visitors quietly left the hall one by one, but they couldn’t help discussing what they had just seen.
“The ticket price was totally worth it… I’d love to come back again someday.”
“I wonder who will win the auction for this painting. I wish I could own it!”
“It’s so moving. Maybe the day Da Xi and Gredo parted ways was during such a dawn, saying goodbye under this very light.”
Visitors who had read the story of Da Xi and Gredo could feel the vitality and freedom of these two souls through the painting.
It was clear that the final auction price for this work would be extraordinarily high.
“The central hall painting is incredible. Are all snow leopards in the wild always this majestic and fierce? And that little cub is so cute!”
Even visitors who hadn’t read the story in “Star Beast World” were deeply moved by the painting. It inspired a longing for the snowy cliffs and led many to purchase that issue of the magazine out of curiosity.
Subtly, attitudes and actions toward the protection and rescue of wild star beasts began to shift and evolve.
The online reviews of the exhibit were overwhelmingly positive.
[Absolutely a five-star recommendation. Seeing the giant oil painting in the central hall made me realize just how much these free creatures of the wilderness deserve our respect and care.]
[And the other regular exhibits in the gallery are also amazing. I never knew the Frekton Gallery was so extraordinary. After walking through it, I feel like my appreciation for art has grown immensely.]
“Whew, time to clock out! It was another fully booked day.”
“True, but there’s something really special about this exhibit.”
That evening, as the Frekton Gallery neared closing time, a few staff members lingered in front of the oil painting, admiring it after ushering out the last visitors.
“Have you read this writer’s books?”
“Of course! I got hooked on “Eternal Night Rose” ages ago. I’m a die-hard fan of Fish Soup Noodles!”
In response to the colleague’s question, a young staff member eagerly replied.
“Was that the book you were reading during lunch? Can you lend it to me tomorrow?”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I have a complete set in my office…”
As the gallery doors locked and the staff departed, their conversation faded into the distant corridor.
But, in the dead of night, something inexplicable occurred in the depths of the gallery.
The painting “Girl Watching the Morning Star,” which had been drawing significant attention, began to stir.
The girl in the painting, dressed in a flowing skirt, clumsily climbed out of the frame.
Carefully navigating the blind spots of the security cameras, she lifted her skirt and tiptoed into the administrator’s office. There, she skillfully opened the drawer, pulled out the novels stored inside and eagerly immersed herself in their pages.
Huh???