The printing factory Qiong had mentioned stood outside Fog City.
Unlike the shabby, unlicensed Printing Shop on Glass Street that Li Wei had visited before, which had only a single printing press, this place was a proper factory. When Li Wei stepped inside, he heard the roar of machinery and smelled the heavy scent of ink.
"Welcome, both of you."
A round, stout, smartly dressed man who clearly wasn't a worker approached them. He greeted Qiong first.
"Ah, Miss Lista, welcome to you as well. The posters for your next play have already been printed. They'll be ready to load and ship soon. Before long, I'm sure people all over town will be seeing posters for your new production."
"You're as quick as ever, Mr. Richards. I'm sure our troupe leader will be delighted to hear that."
Qiong gave the barrel-shaped man a faint smile, then turned to introduce her companion.
"This is Sir Li Wei. I'm sure you've heard of him."
"Ah, Sir Li Wei!"
At Qiong's introduction, the barrel-shaped man froze for a moment, then hurried eagerly over to Li Wei and bowed.
"I never imagined you would honor us with a visit. Please forgive me for not coming out to welcome you..."
"No need for such formalities."
Li Wei waved a hand, and Qiong spoke up beside him.
"Actually, Sir Li Wei is here because he would like to print a picture book."
"A picture book?"
"That's right. Sir Li Wei has drawn some very interesting pictures, and he'd like to print them as a picture book to sell."
"Ah, I see. I understand. Please follow me."
Still smiling enthusiastically, the barrel-shaped man bustled along on his short legs, leading them out of the noisy, roaring factory and into a building next door. He invited them to