Chapter 107
“I don’t know how to describe what I just saw, Lin.”
Photographer Klein said with emotion.
This trip to Country C for the photoshoot seemed to have left a very peculiar impression on this foreign visitor.
“It was just an accident, Mr. Klein. If you don’t believe me, you can also come over and shake his hand.”
Lin Ran, holding Yuanbao’s mane, was embarrassed and tried to dispel the strange looks from the staff.
“Me? No, no, no…”
Klein gripped his camera tightly, frantically expressing that he had no such intention.
The next second, he finally met the golden lion’s eyes. The lion glanced down at Klein, clearly saying that he could try if he wanted to touch him.
As for the consequences, that was hard to say.
If touching him once required a finger as payment, Klein was certain that he would only try ten times at most.
Lin Ran sighed helplessly, turned, and looked up at Yuanbao. Shao Mian immediately leaned down and lay beside him, making Lin Ran involuntarily touch his mane.
Yuanbao’s mane seemed to have been basking in the sun all day today and had a warm, sunny scent.
And Shao Mian was also a little curious about Lin Ran, who was rarely wearing makeup, and subconsciously wanted to reach out and touch him, but he held back.
Moreover, knowing that Lin Ran was a bit of a clean freak, Shao Mian had also become more attentive to his fur, keeping it very clean.
When Klein pressed the shutter, he realized this biggest difference.
This lion seemed too calm and composed, as if it could even understand human language.
But as a photographer, Klein had to admit that this was simply the perfect wild beast model.
Powerful, indifferent, and with a touch of lazy nonchalance, he looked like he was patrolling his territory wherever he went.
Klein even suspected that their photoshoot team might have accidentally encountered the king of this grassland!
But when facing Lin, this young Easterner, the golden lion was surprisingly gentle, even letting Lin Ran play with his ears without any resistance.
This was truly incredible, countless images had already formed in his mind.
Klein, bursting with inspiration, even forgot all his doubts and devoted himself to the photoshoot.
So after the shoot, Klein looked at the photos on his camera as if waking up from a dream.
Was this really what he had captured!?
In fact, when this team’s work trip ended, both Klein, the photographer, and Lu Yun, the editor-in-chief, who had heard about the related rumors, had a mysterious and awed impression of Lin Ran, this young human.
“Perhaps this is the magical power of you Eastern humans? To truly communicate with all spirits! Lin, thank you very much for letting me witness such a wonderful thing, I swear the final product will amaze the world!”
Klein solemnly shook hands with Lin Ran, and Lin Ran was so speechless that he didn’t know how to respond.
Because even though he had tried to explain many times that this wasn’t so magical, no one believed him!
“Anyway, let’s collaborate again next time, Mr. Klein, and thank you for letting me learn so much.”
Lin Ran finally said goodbye with a helpless chuckle.
On the other hand, before leaving, Secretary Ser solemnly instructed again: “Please release the photos as soon as possible, I will express Morson’s gratitude on their behalf. If you have any financial difficulties, please feel free to contact us.”
“Oh, oh, okay, okay, definitely!”
Klein made an OK gesture, not expecting this aloof Morson executive to actually take the initiative to talk to him.
Although he had indeed been exceptionally responsible throughout the photoshoot, which was admirable.
“I have a feeling that this issue of the magazine might create a miracle.”
Editor Lu Yun’s tone was strange.
In fact, the moment the photoshoot was completed, “Demon World” had already started calculating the contribution points for the first stage of the “A-Ran’s Wish List” interactive quest.
But the demon who won first place was unexpected for all demons.
It was actually Ser Wells Kronen!
“[Eh, eh, eh, the name and family name sound familiar… but I can’t remember who this is?]”
“[Me too, I feel like I’ve heard of it before, but I can’t remember]”
“[Hiss, wait… I think I know! This clan actually exists!? I always thought it was just a legend]”
The Raven Kronen Clan, as the Demon King’s assistants, were used to hiding in the shadows and rarely appeared in public, so few demons knew them.
Therefore, the moment he reached the top, it instantly sparked heated discussions among the demons.
Of course, some demons also quietly commented: “[I don’t care what mysterious family he’s from, as long as it’s not that terrifying tester account at the top of the list, everything is fine…]”
This comment received thousands of likes in just half a minute.
Although it didn’t survive for five minutes before being deleted by the tester.
“[Good heavens… is the commenter still alive?]”
“[Lol, it feels a bit ominous.]”
While the demons couldn’t help but sympathize with the commenter, they also wanted to laugh. This was simply criticizing the person involved right in front of him.
However, the change of first place did surprise most demons.
But at this time, Shao Mian was tapping his fingers on the desk, wagging his tail, and looking at Ser with an extremely subtle expression.
Although Secretary Ser was also stunned when he received the notification from “Demon World.”
It was actually him?
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed to make sense.
After all, Secretary Ser had been following Lin Ran throughout the photoshoot and had even participated in the shooting. His overall score was indeed worthy of being the top contributor.
However, looking at the stage reward “Exclusive Personal Image Pendant” that had been issued in advance on his page, Ser was a little dazed.
The chibi A-Ran was wearing the retro and gorgeous outfit from the photoshoot, but there was a black raven demon beside him.
If he clicked on it, there was even an interactive animation!
A-Ran curiously reached out and touched the black raven, and the next second, he was enveloped by black feathers, sprouting a pair of black wings and flying up.
The chibi seemed a little surprised, and just as he opened his mouth in an “O” shape, he returned to normal and landed on the ground, only picking up a black feather.
Finally, A-Ran carefully placed it in a book as a bookmark.
…So cute.
This reward was so cute!
Secretary Ser’s face remained expressionless, but his heart was bubbling.
What kind of demon could resist raising an A-Ran?
At this moment, Secretary Ser felt that the answer should be none.
However, just as Shao Mian, pretending to be indifferent, wanted to look down and check, Secretary Ser subconsciously turned off the screen and hid it.
Shao Mian: ? ▼-▼ (Fierce)
Ser also realized that his action was a bit obvious and his face flushed slightly.
“Cough, it’s nothing… just an ordinary data reward, are you curious about the content?”
Ser instinctively felt that the consequences wouldn’t be good if he was found out.
Although it was indeed Shao Mian who had arranged for him to accompany Lin Ran, worried about safety issues.
“…”
Being calmly asked by Ser if he wanted to see it, Shao Mian forcibly suppressed his curiosity.
Heh, as if he really wanted to see it.
Okay, actually, Shao Mian did want to see it. But seeing Ser being so secretive, Shao Mian decided to let it go…
If he couldn’t see it, he would pretend he didn’t know. Anyway, there were still two spots left!
And at this time, Lin Ran had already returned to the Demon World. He hadn’t been able to log in during the past few days of shooting, and the flowerbeds were a little messy, although it seemed like there were even more flowers blooming.
“Cheep cheep!”
Sootball and the other fluffy creatures were like they had returned from a trip, following behind A-Ran and starting a big cleaning.
Ossi would spray water, Sootball and Little Feather would take rags, and if there was any garbage, they would give it to Snowball to freeze and then dispose of it harmlessly.
Their cooperation was so smooth that Lin Ran wondered if he had raised a group of cleaning robots.
“But it really does look a bit like a kindergarten now.”
Finally, Lin Ran looked at the clean and tidy little courtyard and felt a bit expectant.
[The game system will strictly screen the age of participating demons next time to ensure that all entrants are real cubs!]
The “Demon World” system message instantly appeared, as if admitting its mistake last time.
“Eh, you’re back too? You didn’t even have a holiday? I heard that Tao Shu has been fixing bugs with you, isn’t that too tiring?”
Seeing this system prompt, Lin Ran asked softly.
“Demon World”: !
The main consciousness of “Demon World” was startled, not expecting A-Ran to be talking to him, had he been exposed?
Seeing that “Demon World” didn’t dare to speak and suddenly fell silent, Lin Ran laughed.
“Even if you don’t let Tao Shu tell me, it’s hard not to guess after interacting for so long.”
The main consciousness of “Demon World” seemed to have some independent thinking, while Tao Shu and the others’ work was more inclined towards maintenance and operation.
[There will be fewer bugs in the future.]
After a long time, “Demon World” finally typed out a line, trying to make A-Ran not think that he was full of bugs.
Lin Ran’s eyes smiled, seeing this line.
He felt that this little guy was also quite cute.
“Then I’ll look forward to the first batch of kindergarten fluffy creatures? Thank you for your hard work.”
Lin Ran seriously responded.
“Demon World”: O///O!
At this moment, “Demon World” suddenly wanted to gather all the cute fluffy cubs in the Demon World and give them to A-Ran.
It would be best if A-Ran didn’t have time to deal with that cunning big lion!
[Ding——You have received a daily game reward: Strange Plushie X1]
Before “Demon World” left, Lin Ran unexpectedly received a strange plushie.
It was a light blue fluffy ball.
Holding this plushie in his hand, Lin Ran carefully observed it for a while, patted its small head, and placed it on the cabinet in the room.
The cabinet was full of things given to him by the little guys, including extremely expensive and rare Law Crystals, as well as some strange and beautiful branches, dried flowers, and seashells.
Lin Ran had always kept them carefully, and every time he picked up one of them, he could recall the scene at that time.
Suddenly hearing a noise, he turned around and found that Yuanbao had come over at some point.
This big golden lion also walked over and squatted beside the cabinet, carefully examining the pile of strange little toys before finally looking at Lin Ran.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Ran asked, not knowing what Yuanbao was thinking again.
But Shao Mian didn’t say anything this time, simply squeezing beside Lin Ran and quietly wagging his tail, watching as he continued to organize the gifts.
Although as he watched, his gaze became fixed on Lin Ran, and his lion tail also slowly wrapped around his ankle.
“Cheep?”
The little guys, who had just finished taking out the trash, came back and saw this scene, instantly rushing over.
They all squeezed beside A-Ran.
“Eh… do you guys have to squeeze over together every time?”
Lin Ran was amused and exasperated, but he still reached out and hugged and petted them one by one.
His babies were so cute!
Except for Little Feather, who anxiously stepped on the big lion’s fur, also wanting to be hugged by A-Ran. He subconsciously glanced back at Shao Mian, whose expression was very dark, and instantly flew away in fright.
“…”
Shao Mian felt that it was necessary to find something for them to do in the real world and send them all to kindergarten next semester.
And the “Global Garden” magazine blockbuster finally officially went on sale worldwide a month later.
In fact, not only did it instantly cause a strong reaction domestically, but even in foreign bookstores, the magazine shelves would make people subconsciously stop and stare at the cover in amazement.
Which photo to choose for the cover of this “Walking with Beasts” issue was definitely the most debated decision at the magazine office.
The reason was simple: there were too many stunning moments, and they felt that every single one was indispensable.
Many editors especially liked the photo with Secretary Ser, feeling that the flying ravens, the vast twilight wilderness, and the mysterious Eastern youth, the atmosphere created by these elements was simply divine.
Some editors also liked the photos with the deer in the forest, feeling that the light green tree shadows and the shimmering water made it look like an elf boy who had stepped out of a movie.
Leading a herd of deer on a wonderful spring migration.
Besides that, there was the mysterious knight with the cold black panther, the captivating fox demon, the cold and aloof snow leopard running with Lin Ran under the moonlight on the prairie, and the adorable chubby bird hiding in A-Ran’s hair, there wasn’t a single bad photo!
Each one had a different temperament, and the quality was so high that it was dazzling.
“But if we print them all, the layout will be seriously exceeded, which will cause the cost of this issue to skyrocket, we can’t increase the price, can we?”
Everyone, who had been arguing until their faces were red, finally realized this serious problem.
Although Klein, the photographer, inexplicably thought of Secretary Ser’s words before leaving: If you have any financial difficulties, please contact Morson…
But wouldn’t this be too much?
It was like taking advantage of them, forget it.
Finally, Klein, the photographer, made the painful decision and recommended the photo that left the deepest impression on him.
It was the moment when the golden lion suddenly leaped towards the camera, and everyone was so scared that their legs went numb and they screamed for help. Lin Ran, turning around and seeing this, immediately ran over.
The young man hugging the giant lion in the photo had a mysterious and attractive Eastern face, his dark eyes like a deep pool of water, yet always with a hint of a smile.
It made the originally cold and deep pool instantly become lively and gentle.
Lin Ran slightly raised his head, his eyes looking directly at the giant beast in front of him, as if whispering something, making the viewer intensely curious yet unable to hear it.
And the giant beast looked down at the human in front of him, the distance between them so close that if it bared its fangs in the next second, it would be a bloody and terrifying scene.
But it didn’t, and even let the young human reach out and naturally and affectionately stroke its mane.
This subtle and contradictory balance instantly made the originally dangerous atmosphere of the photo become complex.
Klein’s biggest reason for choosing this photo was:
“No one who sees this cover won’t be curious about what happened next!”
They would definitely want to buy this magazine and see the follow-up inside.
Did this daring young man die under the beast’s claws!?
After all, although Klein was certain that the quality of this issue was incredibly high, for Lin Ran, as a newcomer, to carry the sales, he needed a little suspense.
“This does make sense.”
This reason finally convinced everyone present.
Although it wasn’t until the official release that they realized this idea was wrong.
It was wrong because even without this suspense, this issue of the magazine sold like hotcakes.
With this suspense, ordinary people who wanted to buy it couldn’t even get a copy!
“God, is this really not digitally composed!?”
For example, in a bookstore overseas, just as the new issue of the magazine was displayed, the first customer who passed by couldn’t help but exclaim.
He immediately tried to take the magazine from the shelf and go to the counter to pay, very curious about what was printed inside.
This young student, Norton, was so focused that he didn’t even notice the strange crowd that suddenly poured into the bookstore a few seconds later, and their burning gazes fixed on the magazine in his hand.
Norton flipped through the pages one by one, his eyes completely glued to the magazine.
Almost every page had a new photo, even making him feel like the magazine’s budget was burning. Where did they find so many fluffy creatures!
And every single one of them was exceptionally beautiful, their physique and temperament perfect, many times more perfect than the large beasts Norton had seen in the zoo before.
Not only did big cat lovers discover the value of this issue, but many fluffy creature lovers also found that there was even a special section for cubs.
It was full of all kinds of fluffy cubs, clinging to the young model and acting cute, asking for hugs.
It made people’s hearts melt.
And they were a bit curious and envious, how did they manage to do this——!
“No, my sister loves this kind of cub the most, I’ll buy a copy for her too.”
After flipping to the last page, Norton made up his mind to go back and buy another copy.
“It’s gone! It’s gone! Sold out, this is the last sample copy, not for sale!!”
But just as Norton reached out, he was stopped by the frantic shopkeeper.
“Sold out??”
He had just arrived when they put it on display!
Norton wondered if the shopkeeper was trying to trick him.
“If it’s really not possible, the sample copy is also fine…” It was just a little damaged.
“No, no, the sample copy has blank pages inside, only the cover has pictures, and it’s already been reserved.”
The shopkeeper seemed to have anticipated Norton’s words and added listlessly.
Only after he frantically stopped them did those customers say they could wait for the next batch to arrive and then sell them the sample copy.
“Shopkeeper, you’re too unprofessional, why didn’t you…”
“Holy crap, who took my poster at the door!?”
Just as Norton was about to complain, he found that the shopkeeper was staring at the empty entrance in shock, realizing that the poster announcing the new book’s arrival had been taken along with the display stand.
The floor was littered with various colored fur, he didn’t know where it came from.
“No, I have to call the police!”
“But boss, it seems like they paid.”
Just as the shopkeeper was about to take out his phone, the cashier noticed a thick stack of cash left on the counter after being “forced to sell.”
“…”
This instantly silenced the shopkeeper.
Although their actions were very much like robbery, they seemed very rich.
The large sum of money instantly shut him up.
“So do you know him? Is he some kind of superstar?”
The shopkeeper finally looked at Norton, the only one still present.
“I, I don’t know either, I just thought it looked good.”
Norton scratched his head and hugged the book tightly, feeling like there were a few gazes secretly staring at him.
And the same question was asked in countless bookstores on the same day.
But “Global Garden,” which was overjoyed, was about to report this good news to Lin Ran when they received an inquiry.
It was from Morson.
Although the wording of the inquiry was very polite and calm, the main point was only one: They had taken so many photos, how could they only print so few!?
This was simply outrageous!
“So few? Did they buy a pirated copy?”
Everyone at the magazine office looked at each other.
“Global Garden” naturally valued Morson, the biggest sponsor of this photoshoot.
Offending them would have serious consequences.
But this issue was the result of the magazine office finally deciding to increase the subsidy and double the thickness.
They couldn’t say that there were few photos.
And hadn’t they specifically sent several boxes of sample copies? Even if they bought a pirated version, the sample copies shouldn’t be wrong, right?
But not long after, the magazine office started to receive feedback from all over the world.
These mysterious readers who could directly contact the magazine office basically all had special backgrounds.
But their demands were very consistent.
“They demand that each animal must have a separate magazine issue published and sold, and then compare the sales? To finally choose which fluffy creature is the best match for A-Ran?”
After an editor read out this request, everyone looked at each other.
“And someone strongly requested that the next issue be ocean-themed, believing that the lack of marine life in this issue is a serious flaw… and they can cover all the shooting expenses?”
The request read out by another editor was even stranger.
These requests were all incredibly strange and demanding, it was a complete mess!
