Check out my new translation!
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"Zubayr Theater… may I ask, is this Zubayr Theater?"
"Hello, are you here to watch a performance? I'm sorry, it's not performance time yet. Here is our program list—"
"No need, we're here to ask about some matters. May I ask, who are you?"
"I am Sheikh Zubayr, the playwright and manager of Zubayr Theater." Out of courtesy he gave his name, and Sheikh Zubayr frowned as he said, "If you're journalists here for an interview, then please allow me to decline."
"Journalists? No no no, you must have misunderstood. My name is Qi Xiuming from Liyue, and this person next to me is Victor Wang, the inventor of chewing gum and bubble gum."
Sheikh Zubayr watched the two cautiously, clearly unconvinced. With no other choice, Qi Xiuming produced his certification from Liyue's General Affairs Office, and only then did their conversation continue.
"The thing is, we are here on behalf of 'Tianquan Star' Lady Ningguang… later on, we learned the Akademiya seems dissatisfied with Zubayr Theater's productions as well, and some even wish you to shut down. So, we want to ask—how does your theater manage to stay in operation?"
"..." Sheikh Zubayr opened his mouth, but said nothing.
"Oh, also—if it's convenient to tell us, we're willing to offer a small gift."
"You've come to the wrong place. Zubayr Theater has no ability to oppose the Akademiya. What we do is compromise as much as possible, and for the parts that can't be compromised—well, to put it bluntly, we just pretend to obey while secretly resisting, dragging things out as long as we can…"
Glancing at the troupe members currently rehearsing, Sheikh Zubayr shook his head. "Honestly, I don't even know how much longer Zubayr Theater can hold on."
"Is it really just relying on stubborn endurance?"
"I've no need to lie to you. The Akademiya has always held a poor impression of us. They've come many times demanding we improve 'performance quality,' insisting we produce plays with more 'wisdom.' But that sort of thing… heh, no one would watch it. Following their advice would be no different from shutting down the troupe altogether."
Enduring for this long just by sheer will?
And truly with no relations inside the Akademiya?
Victor Wang knew Zubayr Theater had no real backing, but of course Qi Xiuming didn't believe that.
Sensing Qi Xiuming had no intention of leaving, Sheikh Zubayr added, "And forgive my bluntness—no matter how mundane our plays seem, they are created with the troupe's collective effort, sweat, and meaning. Bubble gum, for you, is merely a business. I harbor no ill will toward bubble gum, but there are many differences between us."
"Then let's not talk about bubble gum. There is something even more important and valuable—" Qi Xiuming's eyes turned sharply as he abruptly shifted the topic. "You said just now you're a playwright. Then have you heard of Dust?"
"That great writer who penned Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Fontaine, and Hamlet in succession? Of course I know him. Though our styles differ, his dramas have given me immense reference and inspiration."
"Actually, the person beside me is Dust himself."
"You're not joking, are you?" Sheikh Zubayr looked at Victor Wang, utterly astonished—so astonished he even began doubting Qi Xiuming's identity. "You're saying this man is both the inventor of chewing gum… and the great writer Dust?"
A cry of surprise caused the troupe members to turn toward them, though none dared speak. Only Nilou asked, "Mr. Zubayr, what happened?"
"Ahem! Nothing. Stay focused—when on stage, you must never be distracted by anything happening below the stage."
"As long as it's nothing…"
After curiously glancing at the two visitors, the troupe members returned to their rehearsal.
Qi Xiuming smiled and continued, "There's another very important matter we need to negotiate with the Akademiya. Dust's Alice in Wonderland was inexplicably classified as a banned book. For this reason, we want justice."
"…I've seen that book once, by coincidence. If that's your objective, then I do have a way." Although Sheikh Zubayr still held deep suspicion and was even considering the true intentions of Qi Xiuming and Victor Wang, he still pointed out a feasible path. "I suggest you debate with the Akademiya. Whether Sumeru citizens who cannot dream should treat such a book as forbidden—at least that gives you far more footing than arguing about whether blowing bubbles is indecent."
"Just a debate is enough?"
"To a scholar of the Akademiya, debating is like dueling. If you win in debate, then you gain a chance."
"So, Dust's book is not to be judged by its readers… but entrusted to a ridiculous debate instead… fascinating." Beneath Qi Xiuming's calm expression lurked emotions far from friendly. He sneered, "Since that Pravina is the head of the Review Department, book publication reviews must fall under her jurisdiction. Dust, let's go—time to challenge him to a duel!"
Hearing his pen name shouted out loud, Victor Wang jolted in fright, I'm a man, but my interests run feminine! Don't yell that out loud!
"Ahem… could you not call me by my pen name? I have a proper name—use that instead. Also, Mr. Zubayr, could I take a look at your program list? I'm actually quite interested."
Coming to Sumeru, there was one thing he absolutely had to do—watch Nilou dance.
…
"You're here for bubble gum again? Did we explain not clearly enough?"
Seeing Qi Xiuming keep a stern expression, Pravina nodded toward Victor Wang. "I've heard you're the inventor of chewing gum. A pleasure, truly. Chewing gum brings a touch of color to our dull work and research—especially the mint and chili flavors. They refresh the mind perfectly, solving the problem of spilled coffee getting everywhere, and they don't irritate the stomach. How miraculous. How wonderful."
"But bubble gum is absolutely unacceptable. No blowing bubbles in the laboratory, and pedestrians on the streets mustn't blow bubbles either. Otherwise, that sort of scene… tsk tsk tsk, far too disgraceful."
Victor Wang sighed. "You think too highly of bubble gum. Very few people blow bubbles walking down the street—it's mostly done in private settings."
"This matter doesn't even hold a shred of value for discussion. Do not waste my time. Only because of chewing gum have we refrained from banning bubble gum entirely—is that not lenient enough?"
Qi Xiuming seized the moment. "If this holds no value, then let's discuss something that does—why was Dust's Alice in Wonderland labeled as a banned book?"
Pravina froze. "And what does that have to do with you?"
"This here is Dust."
"Heh… heheh, who would've thought…" Pravina glanced at Victor Wang again, then said matter-of-factly, "Isn't it obvious? Sumeru people have no need for dreams. Not just dreams—imagination itself is unnecessary. Both are obstacles to wisdom, unnecessary existences."
"'To the most dazzling, most dreamlike treasure of humanity—imagination.' That's how the line goes, right? Heh… imagination is no treasure. Only those who keep their feet on the ground can go far. Dust's understanding ends there."
Qi Xiuming clenched his fists, barely holding himself back. "You bastard… do you dare debate us?!"
"Debate?"
"The topic will be: 'Is imagination useless to wisdom?' If we win, Alice in Wonderland must be unbanned, and you must apologize for your condescending attitude. If we lose, we'll never bring up the bubble-blowing competition again."
Pravina pushed her glasses upward. The temple of the frame brushed the device behind her ear, and instantly several deductions poured into her mind.
There was simply no chance of losing.
Unhurriedly, Pravina said, "Young people are always impulsive. Though this isn't my field, I am still a Haravatat scholar. And now… you intend to challenge a Haravatat scholar to a debate? Think carefully—you're cutting off your own escape route."
"So, you accept? Set a time. Set a place. We'll be there!!"