Chapter 167: Gradual Changes
“The livestream went really well! I’m sure your book will be a hit!”
Fang Jiangning was pleased with the livestream’s results. Though she had initially worried about being too promotional, it seemed to have worked, generating interest in Yu Linna’s novel.
With so much support and pre-release buzz, the book was bound to be a success.
Yu Linna certainly hoped so.
“I hope so.”
She was still unsure if her novel would resonate with readers. It wasn’t a typical commercial novel, a deliberate choice reflecting her own anxieties about its reception.
“How about we go to the bookstore together on release day?”
Many authors visited bookstores on their release days to check their sales, a common practice, especially for newcomers.
“Sure.”
Yu Linna agreed.
Despite winning the Gold Award, she was still a newcomer, her anxiety about her debut understandable. Many new authors experienced sleepless nights before their releases, their worries consuming them. Yu Linna was no exception.
Fang Jiangning tried to reassure her, but her anxiety persisted.
“Linna, you seem… troubled lately.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Very obvious. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but… you don’t seem to smile as much anymore.”
“…”
Yu Linna remained silent.
Her silence was an answer in itself.
She sometimes wondered what she used to be like, the memories blurring.
The past didn’t matter; what mattered was the future.
That was all that mattered.
“Linna, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“…It’s nothing. I should be going. It’s getting late.”
“There’s still time. Stay for dinner.”
“No, thank you. I have to go home and study.”
“You’re already at the top of the class. Why study?”
Yu Linna didn’t explain, simply saying goodbye and leaving, despite Fang Jiangning’s attempts to make her stay.
“Ningning, your friend is so pretty! And she’s the top student in your class! You should spend more time with her. Why didn’t you ask her to stay for dinner?”
“I tried. She didn’t want to.”
“Well, next time, invite her to our house for dinner. Look at you, your grades have improved so much since becoming friends with her. I was worried you wouldn’t get into a good university.”
If Yu Linna had heard those words, she would have been delighted.
Having always been considered a jinx, to be acknowledged and cared for was a rare and precious thing. But now, she didn’t seem to care.
Because she had found something more important: her writing.
As her release date approached, her friends rallied around her, offering their support. Dai Wenqian, excited about her upcoming publication, even returned to the Light Comic Group, which she had left, to promote the novel to her juniors, much to their confusion.
Ye Zhiyun, as a businesswoman, couldn’t be too overtly promotional, simply posting a brief message on Weibo. However, she recommended the book to her mother and even asked her housekeeper to order a hundred copies on release day.
Everyone was helping her, supporting her. She wasn’t alone.
Her phone vibrated. It was Ye Zhiyun.
“Zhiyun.”
“Your book is coming out soon. Are you nervous?”
“No.”
“I think you should be saying that to yourself, not me. Where are you? Let’s have dinner.”
“Okay.”
Ye Zhiyun was now one of her closest friends, their relationship mirroring her past friendship with Nangong Ying.
Though Ye Zhiyun didn’t command the same level of trust and dependence as Nangong Ying once did, she was still one of the few people Yu Linna considered a true friend.
Ye Zhiyun, dressed in her usual business attire, her hair tied back in a ponytail, had just returned from her studio, her days filled with meetings, negotiations, and managing her business, all while attending school.
“Just got back?”
“Yes. Let’s go eat.”
“Okay.”
They had developed a silent understanding, their communication effortless.
“You’re still working? The gaokao is coming up.”
“You should be saying that to yourself.”
“How much longer?”
“Almost done. I’ll take a break soon and focus on studying.”
“Do you have any universities in mind?”
“Not yet. My parents want me to study abroad, but I want to stay in the country.”
They chatted as they waited for the pedestrian light to turn green.
Ye Zhiyun sometimes thought about their first encounter on the bus, the two-yuan incident that had sparked their unlikely connection.
Back then, she had wanted to strangle Yu Linna, to teach her a lesson.
She had genuinely disliked her, that annoying blonde girl.
But now…
She couldn’t bear the thought of anyone hurting her.
She just wanted her to be safe, to be happy.
“Nana, how about we… live closer to each other in the future?”
“I don’t know.”
Yu Linna didn’t seem to grasp the implications of her question.
Ye Zhiyun sighed. So, asking directly was still too difficult.
As night fell, the two girls, standing on the street, were a sight to behold, their beauty attracting attention, several men earning glares from their girlfriends for staring.
To cater to Yu Linna’s preferences, Ye Zhiyun took her to a Korean BBQ restaurant, a cuisine she usually avoided, the greasy food not to her liking. But for Yu Linna, she endured. They often had dinner together, just the two of them, a habit they had developed.
Though Yu Linna had moved out, they still occasionally had dinner together, a comfortable routine.
“Order whatever you want. Same rules as always.”
“I have money now. I’m a millionaire.”
“Oh really? And how much am I worth? Have you checked?”
“Well… you’re the boss. You decide.”
Ye Zhiyun chuckled, taking the menu. Being with Yu Linna always made her happy. As long as she was with her, everything felt right.
If only they could attend the same university, be in the same class…
Ye Zhiyun sometimes regretted not meeting Yu Linna sooner, their initial encounter on the bus now a distant memory. And she had heard that Yu Linna could have attended the Experimental High School, but the principal of First Municipal High School had poached her. She mentally cursed the unknown principal.
“Zhiyun, how have you been… lately?”
Yu Linna, after much hesitation, finally asked.
She was deeply indebted to Ye Zhiyun, owing her more than she could ever repay. Without Ye Zhiyun, she wouldn’t be here today. And Ye Zhiyun had been so kind to her, giving her everything. It wasn’t how friends usually treated each other; it was more like… family.
Yu Linna had even wondered if Ye Zhiyun considered her a daughter.
“I’m fine. You, however, seem troubled.”
“No, I’m not.”
“There you go again.”
Ye Zhiyun didn’t press the issue. She knew Yu Linna wouldn’t tell her, so she gave up asking.
As long as Yu Linna was okay, nothing else mattered.
Yu Linna couldn’t bring herself to talk about her encounter with Yu Tianchen at Lex Film Productions, deciding to keep it to herself. And Senior Yumeng had landed a role, her novel about to be published; it should be a happy occasion.
“Anyway, Zhiyun, remember Senior Yumeng? She said she’s inviting us to visit the set. She got the role.”
“That’s great! She’s been so worried about not getting any work. Let’s celebrate with her sometime.”
“Okay.”
They continued chatting, their conversation light and easy, as they ate. Their relationship had reached a comfortable plateau, neither progressing nor regressing, a stable, if not particularly exciting, dynamic.
After dinner, Ye Zhiyun walked Yu Linna home, then took a taxi back to her own apartment. On her way, she received a call from her childhood friend, Li Muqing. Though she no longer had any feelings for him, she answered out of courtesy.
“Zhiyun, long time no see. You’ve been busy. Your brother just called, asking about your university applications.”
“I told you, I’m staying in the country.”
“Yes, but your family wants you to study abroad.”
“Then they should talk to me, not you.”
“I don’t know. They said you would listen to me. So, Zhiyun, you should study abroad. It’s better there.”
“…”
So, her father still thought she liked Li Muqing?
How clueless.
Her mother should be the one calling her, not him. Her father was useless.
Somewhere, a certain father sneezed.
“Alright, I’ll think about it. Muqing, you should focus on your own applications. Don’t worry your parents. Anyway, I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.”
Ending the call, Ye Zhiyun yawned. Her future was already decided; why overthink it?
Time passed, and Yu Linna’s novel release date drew closer…
