Chapter 1618: then translation of chapter title

No. 232: Right, right?

Meipubofang stood on the Saichang, reaching out a hand, feeling the fine and scattered water droplets fall onto the palm.

Although the gazes cast from behind were quite distinctive, but closeness varies; compared with Senlinbaoxue, she was not as familiar and affectionate as Ailisuzhi, and her attention remained on this rainy Saichang.

Since the Skyfall incident, the Jidong area, which had revived through salvage and land creation, although it had endured an era of being questioned—'Japan is dead; today's Japan is merely something else bearing that name'—due to more than a decade of national extinction rift, that era too likewise fell into dregs, no longer worth looking back on.

On this land now called Jidong, the elderly's concerns have dwindled to just climatic shifts—on the tectonic plate level it already borders the East Blaze area, and is almost entirely encompassed by the demarcation line of the Boundary Gate area, Jidong clearly aims to keep pace with the climate of southern East Blaze cities.

The good thing is that earthquakes are far less frequent than before; the bad……

Actually there isn't much obvious downside; the climate of the East Blaze region isn't some flood or ferocious beast, merely for some older Jidong residents they still need to re‑adjust to the shifts of fixed periods like the cherry‑blossom season and the plum‑rain season.

By contrast, young people like Meipubofang are the complete opposite—indifferent. This climate change that borders the East Blaze solar terms is the scenery that has accompanied them since childhood, and it ought to have become second nature to them, leaving no trace of unfamiliarity.

But today something feels strange... Meipubofang, staring at her palm, thought.

It felt as if there was nothing at all; the rain had no weight, and nothing could be grasped.

Yet the sensation landing in her palm was real, and it seemed even more to fill all the surrounding space, causing the faces of the nearby athletes to cloud with a hint of vexation and gloom.

It happens many times each year, but each occurrence concentrates during the plum‑rain season on tracks, fields, and other outdoor activities.

It always comes after June, not this past mid‑May.

Bofang thought, perhaps she should console herself with "good thing I came early"—after all, this cool, damp feeling is merely like being inside a swimming hall, not the humid heat that envelops June and July.

By then it ought to be like a sauna—suffocating air that would even disrupt the breathing rhythm of runners, and even she, who rarely minds harsh environments, would feel uncomfortable.

Although even now it's not much better……

"What the heck is this stone‑hook weather? It's just adding trouble for us old guys!"

"……" xN

Although more or less everyone had entertained such thoughts, when a player actually voiced them in the crudest tone, everyone still found it hard not to glance over with varied looks.

"What for? Could it be that someone here actually likes it?"

Then came the response just described.

Some would shake their heads honestly, some would look admiring, some would silently avert their gaze—all in all, no one spoke up.

Trainers' instruction to the horse girls is usually multifaceted, not limited to mere running—at least……

When facing cameras and tens of thousands of spectators, one must still present the proper image—after all, even Sirius never used the term 'old man' before fans, and even if you pursue a wild, overbearing, hardcore idol niche, you likewise must avoid overly coarse language.

After all, choosing a niche path simultaneously excludes the potential mass audience, and adding profanity to that aforementioned niche only makes the niche even narrower.

Industry competition is already fierce, fan‑snatching is tough enough, and you still pull this……

——

Even with a close‑up on a big screen, although the host and commentator politely ignored that scene without intending to mention it, they couldn't stop the oddballs in the audience from reading lips and chuckling lightly.

In an instant, sections of the audience burst into a light, carefree chuckle.

Yes, carefree.

For now it's still carefree.

Those able to sit in the venue have already undergone a sort of screening; amid the host's hype and the commentator's round‑of introductions, the heated atmosphere suddenly presented this curse, which seemed rather funny—like adults hearing a kid swear about homework while riding an elevator.

Those adults who laugh like that certainly do so only because they are sufficiently tolerant; meanwhile, adults feeling gloomy, irritable, or even angry often respond with glares, rebukes, or even attacks—and you cannot expect the massive crowd in the stands, together with those watching the broadcast, to all view the match with a light‑hearted, tolerant attitude.

Thus such a carefree reaction usually lasts only a moment.

After that moment, it becomes a resonance of negative energy from all directions.

Criticism and vilification will follow closely behind the ultra‑high‑speed modern information‑spreading Internet.

By then, if your everyday speech remains unrestrained and you have enjoyed the freedom to speak recklessly in others' eyes, the problems will keep coming, adding twelve points of resistance to your fan base.

Of course, it could also be an opportunity.

Provoking conflict, stirring things up—dark material is still material, dark fans are still fans; if handled skillfully, why couldn't one continue down that ultra‑niche yet surprisingly hot path as a foul‑mouthed emperor?

But that too must be done skillfully.

"Do you want me to recommend a book? Something about public‑opinion control."

"Ah? Uh……"

Having just covered his face and then bitten his nails, a certain trainer who seemed to have already foreseen how difficult things would later become was greeted by a friendly coworker nearby.

Compared with the simple reactions of thanks, indifference, or anger, his response was comparatively special.

He first stared in disbelief, then was shocked, and immediately trembled as he asked back.

"Can, can it be?"

"Of course you can—just consider it cheering on the girls' friendship, isn't that necessary?"

Indeed, having seen this reaction many times before, Aomo had grown weary of lamenting the thick barrier between himself and his fellow‑era trainers.

As for the other party, whose character clearly remained unable to relax naturally despite being dragged by Senlinbaoxue to the activity room several times, he no longer bothered to inquire.

What needed soothing had already been soothed, what needed explaining had already been explained, what needed investigating had already been investigated; for the 14 trainers of the 18 competitors in this match, Aomo Lindun was familiar with each of them, perhaps knowing them better than they knew themselves.

Originally it was merely to grasp the training situation, infer running‑style choices, and act as an information‑savvy aide for my four female trainees while also satisfying my own peace of mind; now it has turned into another kind of work requirement.

"After the race I'll send the book to your activity room, but Tokailin trainer, do you feel this rain is a bit strange?"

"Uh……"

Seeing the other party's tendency to flinch repeatedly, Aomo couldn't help wondering what it felt like for Sai Luo back when facing Iga Chu.

After all, compared with the similar‑type Miss Muyu, this timid, cowardly male office worker nearing thirty is quite a different impression.

But at least, as a horse girl acknowledged by someone like Senlinbaoxue, such a person generally ought to possess the courage—and even ferocity—that classmates like Miss Muyu and Mr. Iga Chu may not often show but definitely have.

"Even, even a deity like you would find this strange?"

"First I must correct one of your misunderstandings: the climate of the Boundary Gate area is not within my jurisdiction, although I have the authority to inspect and issue orders."

"Well, then that isn't…" he trailed off, his voice dropping considerably, "…isn't that just being able to manage it?"

"Responsibility and ability are two different things—that's common sense in the adult world, isn't it?"

Ah, yes… you're right…

It seems he isn't really accepting it, but also indeed… Aomo thought.

Looking at the other person's life history, it indeed seems like the type who believes greater ability brings greater responsibility, and one must be that type to match up with that Senlinbaoxue who has been the kids' king and big sister since childhood.

Regardless of what this person thinks, whether they accept my reasoning or not isn't important; the demon who thinks this way didn't dwell on the other's performance, he just lightly said:

So about this rain, I'd like to ask your opinion.

My opinion?

Some strange rumors, some weird phenomena—whatever happens must leave traces. The demon said, hands behind his back, slightly bending over, with a scrutinizing gaze honed since childhood, yet in the other's eyes it was full of oppression.

Even if he said it with a smile: 'And I look forward to you discovering those traces.'

Uh…

For a moment, this trainer broke out in a sweat.

But if you can't think of it, it's fine; no need to force yourself to recall. Suddenly the youth relaxed his tone, and once again gazed into the distance at the entrants taking their places at the Saichang field.

After all, with the match underway, verifying the results of everything is also important, right?