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Chapter 1386 - 1152: The Finale is a Feel-Good Rhythm

Chapter 1386: Chapter 1152: The Finale is a Feel-Good Rhythm

Maybe it’s because Chu Kuang the old rascal has too much dirt in his history, leading readers to be excessively worried about the grand finale—

It’s not that they’re afraid he won’t write it well.

They’re purely afraid he’ll go too hard with the knife.

With this fear in mind, countless readers actually banded together the day after the news came out and stormed Silver Blue Books’ official account:

"The finale can’t let Chu Kuang the old rascal mess around!"

"You Silver Blue Books need to take responsibility!"

"From Cedric to Sirius and then Dumbledore, this time it’s definitely the turn of the three main characters. Silver Blue Books must stop him!"

"If you don’t stop the old rascal, we’ll boycott your company!"

"Agreed."

"Can’t deal with the old rascal? We can still deal with you guys!"

"Every time the old rascal causes chaos, you do nothing and ignore it. You need to take some responsibility now!"

"We need a firm promise!"

"Not a single one of the main trio can be missing!"

It’s come to this.

The readers have completely lost hope in Chu Kuang the old rascal.

Even their previous meek pleas couldn’t change Dumbledore’s death.

This proves that the old rascal doesn’t listen to opinions at all.

Instead, Silver Blue Books has become everyone’s breakthrough point.

Just like netizens say:

If you can’t deal with the old rascal, you can still deal with Silver Blue Books.

So.

The problem was kicked over to Silver Blue Books’ side.

Soon after.

Jin Mu urgently contacted Lin Yuan: "Silver Blue Books is being forced by readers to take a stand. You can’t mess around in your ’Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ finale!"

Lin Yuan: "What do you mean by ’mess around’?"

Jin Mu said seriously, "Like killing off the main trio—Ron or Hermione, especially Harry!"

If even one of the three dies, the impact would be far too negative.

Not just because Silver Blue Books reached out, pleading with him to hold back the old rascal’s pen;

But also because Jin Mu doesn’t want to see yet another reader riot.

He still vividly recalls the chaos caused by Sherlock Holmes’ death.

Lin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

He wasn’t laughing at the readers’ wild imagination.

This absolutely isn’t some baseless, eccentric speculation.

Rowling once admitted in an interview: "Using emotions as a way to fulfill certain wishes—that was my thought process. In the initial drafts, I considered killing off Ron."

Ron.

This character was created based on one of Rowling’s close childhood friends.

Ron’s mindset is also deeply rooted in Rowling’s own thoughts.

Because once upon a time, Rowling thought:

Let the wildly popular Hermione end up with the protagonist Harry.

Which would require Ron to sacrifice himself in a certain battle.

But evidently.

Rowling eventually abandoned this idea.

In a certain sense, Ron is the true "Boy Who Lived."

And unlike Chu Kuang the old rascal:

Whenever Rowling kills off important characters, she releases an apology to fans.

In fact.

Apologizing for the death of fictional characters has even become a tradition for Rowling.

Whenever she writes off a beloved character, Rowling tweets an apology.

Evidently, Rowling has mastered this routine.

As netizens put it: "It’s like she’s apologizing for the sake of apologizing."

Lin Yuan could only reassure Jin Mu:

"Neither Harry, nor Ron, nor Hermione will die."

Jin Mu let out a heavy sigh of relief and followed up with:

"What about the other characters?"

Lin Yuan pondered: "Other characters..."

Jin Mu sighed: "Forget it, forget it. You’ve already killed Sirius and Dumbledore; it would look fake if nobody else dies in the grand finale, which depicts the most brutal war. If someone else must die, so be it. Still, I really don’t want to interfere with your creative process unless it’s absolutely necessary."

Lin Yuan remained silent.

Knowing the main trio wouldn’t die had greatly eased Jin Mu’s nerves; he didn’t dwell much on Lin Yuan’s silence.

...

Jin Mu conveyed the message back to Silver Blue Books.

To Jin Mu’s surprise, the company still wasn’t reassured and suggested this:

"To avoid negatively impacting finale sales, why don’t we invite Teacher Chu Kuang for a written interview? In it, Chu Kuang can personally assure readers that neither Hermione, nor Ron, nor Harry will meet any harm."

Lin Yuan heard about this and was utterly exasperated.

Even Silver Blue Books doesn’t trust Chu Kuang now?

Does Chu Kuang really seem that unreliable?

After some thought.

Lin Yuan agreed.

A written interview, after all, wouldn’t require Chu Kuang to show his face.

That afternoon.

Silver Blue Books’ editor successfully added Chu Kuang as a friend and conducted a friendly written interview.

Silver Blue: "Hello, Teacher Chu Kuang! I’m the interview editor from Silver Blue Books!"

Chu Kuang: "Hello."

Silver Blue: "The Harry Potter series has seven volumes in total. Did you decide on this length from the very start?"

Chu Kuang: "Yes."

Silver Blue: "Everyone says characters dying in every installment of Harry Potter has practically become a tradition. What are your thoughts on this?"

Chu Kuang: "Actually, I don’t want any good people to die. Everything is destiny’s choice."

Silver Blue: "..."

The editor reviewing this nearly coughed blood.

You don’t want any good people to die?

Coming from you, this sounds utterly ridiculous!

What a "I don’t want to wield the knife, says old rascal Chu" moment.

Silver Blue: "Now that readers know the grand finale is coming, they’re very concerned whether the main trio will survive."

Chu Kuang: "They will live and successfully defeat Voldemort."

This counts as a spoiler, though not a full one.

Voldemort, as the ultimate villain, has to die anyway.

Silver Blue: "I’m sure readers will be happy to hear this. What about Snape?"

Chu Kuang: "Dead."

This spoiler is also partial.

Silver Blue Books’ interview editor continued to ask various questions regarding the Harry Potter series.

For instance, they asked whether there would be extensions like post-series bonus material after Harry Potter concludes.

Chu Kuang’s answer was, "Yes."

Another question was about Harry Potter’s romantic destiny.

Chu Kuang’s answer was, "There will be."

Although brief, his responses were highly cooperative.

The editor wasn’t surprised; Chu Kuang the old rascal’s aloofness is well-known across the world, and getting him to agree to an interview was achievement enough.

Finally.

Silver Blue Books’ editor asked: "Do you have anything to say to readers ahead of the release of the Harry Potter series’ final installment?"

Chu Kuang: "I hope everyone enjoys it."

Rather than an interview, this felt more like a statement.

A message to readers.

Reassuring them to purchase "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" with peace of mind.

And proof showed:

Such reassurances were well received by readers, carrying plenty of positive impact.

Upon seeing the written interview release.

Readers even felt a little flattered!

"I can breathe now!"

"Everyone can relax; Chu Kuang the old rascal promised the main trio will survive the finale. Plus, everyone’s most hated Voldemort and Snape are confirmed to die—this is a full-on feel-good story; enjoy it worry-free!"

"I’m already feeling good about this!"

"The old rascal says he doesn’t want to kill any good people. Do you believe him, brothers?"

"Haha!"

"As long as Voldemort and Snape take their farewell, that’s enough for me!"

"A pity Harry and Hermione won’t end up together, but as long as they survive, it’s already great. Snape and Voldemort—shiver under the old rascal’s blade!"

"The old rascal finally acted like a decent human!"

"Given Chu Kuang’s personality, him offering this preview as a courtesy to readers is rare. I’ve decided to trust him!"

"You must trust him!"

"I think we shouldn’t get overly optimistic. Although the trio won’t die, it doesn’t mean other good characters won’t perish."

"Yeah, I get it. With the final installment, sacrifices are inevitable. I won’t blame the old rascal for that."

"After all, this is just part of growing up."

"Even though the old rascal didn’t fully spoil the finale, based on the tradition of each volume claiming a death, surely one beloved good character will die. I really can’t bear to lose any of them!"

"The old rascal has done his best; we don’t need to badger him unnecessarily."

"Hurry up and release the finale; I’m dying of anticipation!"

Across Blue Star’s continents.

Countless readers screamed in excitement!

——————————

PS: Calling it a day for now. The idea that shifting time zones lets you dodge deadlines—it’s ridiculous, right? This month’s been 15 days so far; averaging about 6,000 words daily counts as decent output for a slacker like Polluted White. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to store up manuscripts; I feel physically uncomfortable if I don’t post them immediately. That’s why updates fluctuate with the slightest breeze or disturbance.