Chapter 176: Fame
The successful launch of Ballad of the Enchantress proved Yu Linna’s commercial viability, silencing the initial doubts within Wenqing. The editors now focused on nurturing her talent, recognizing her immense potential, a future pillar of the company.
They had initially been concerned about her handling both writing and illustrations, an unprecedented arrangement at Wenqing.
But having proven herself, no one underestimated her anymore.
However, Yu Linna wouldn’t be writing anytime soon, her updates indefinitely postponed as she focused on the gaokao.
After the hundred-day pledge, the pressure intensified, the final sprint demanding unwavering dedication from every senior student.
“The top scorer in our class for this quiz is Yu Linna. I want to commend her especially for her essay, which received a score of 57 out of 60, the highest in our class, and perhaps even the entire grade. I hope you’ll all follow her example and ask her for guidance.”
As always, Yu Linna was the star student, admired, envied, but never surpassed. The gap between them was simply too wide.
“Wow, let me see your essay! I want to see what a near-perfect essay looks like!”
Fang Jiangning, eager to read Yu Linna’s essay, asked for it as soon as the papers were returned. Who wouldn’t want to see a high-scoring essay?
“Here.”
“Mmm, I wish I could get a score like this.”
Fang Jiangning’s envy was evident.
Perhaps it was due to her writing experience, but Yu Linna’s essay was well-written, the prose elegant, the structure clear, and the content relevant. Its only flaw was its lack of originality, a safe, predictable approach that often appealed to teachers. Perhaps that was why their homeroom teacher had given her extra points.
“By the way, Linna, are you still working on your manuscript? Shouldn’t you be studying for the exams?”
“I finished the illustrations. I’m not working on anything else. I’ll wait until after the exams.”
“Linna, I promoted your novel on my livestream, and my viewers went crazy! They probably didn’t expect it to be so popular!”
Indeed, no one had expected it to be a success, initially just another ordinary novel.
And yet, it had become a hit.
Perhaps it was simply a well-written story in a market saturated with mediocrity, earning it the readers’ favor.
The livestream, not having garnered much attention at the time, was now difficult to find, though some recordings had surfaced on Bilibili, circulating among fans.
Yu Linna was famous, a recognized novelist.
She would continue writing, creating more captivating stories.
Ballad of the Enchantress was now popular among high school students, though less so among seniors, who were focused on their studies. Fortunately, Yu Linna’s identity remained a secret. If they knew the author was a cute girl, their reactions would be… interesting.
It was a good thing she was so mysterious.
After school that day, Tang Yumeng, unexpectedly, came to see Yu Linna, who was surprised. Shouldn’t she be on set? Tang Yumeng explained that filming hadn’t started yet and her school had granted her a leave of absence.
“Linna, can I talk to you… alone?”
Tang Yumeng glanced apologetically at Fang Jiangning, her meaning clear. Fang Jiangning, understanding, excused herself.
They walked together, Tang Yumeng’s height and figure more mature, but Yu Linna’s face more captivating.
“I met Nangong Ying.”
“!—!”
Yu Linna looked at her, surprised, unsure of her intentions.
“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to meet her. And I wanted to know… what kind of person could be called your… friend.”
“…And what did you think?”
“She’s… driven.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Yu Linna fell silent, wanting to change the subject. Anything related to Nangong Ying, to her past, was a sensitive topic.
It was a source of pain.
“You’re probably wondering why I would go out of my way to meet someone I don’t even know.”
“Why?”
“I was curious. I wanted to know the real reason you left the entertainment industry. I thought you quit because you couldn’t make it, but now I realize… it’s more complicated than that. I think you left because… it brought back too many painful memories.”
“You’re not wrong.”
Tang Yumeng lit a cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke that dissipated in the air, unable to dispel the melancholy in her heart.
“I… I always wanted to make a name for myself, so I entered the entertainment industry, but… I haven’t achieved much. My dad wants me to take over his business, but I refused. I know how difficult this industry is, but… like you, I don’t want to give up.”
She exhaled another puff of smoke, the years of struggle, the disappointments, weighing heavily on her.
She had defied her family, pursuing her acting dream, even picking up smoking. In their eyes, she was a rebellious daughter, a disappointment. For a single word, “dream,” she had chosen to stay in this cutthroat industry, away from her family.
She had done it all to achieve her goals, to reach greater heights.
“Nangong Ying, as an actress, she’s incredibly talented. Even without anyone’s help, she would have eventually become famous. I’m not defending her, but I’m just saying… whether she betrayed you or not, she would have reached this point eventually.”
She extinguished her cigarette, coughing, then offered Yu Linna a piece of gum.
Yu Linna knew she was trying to comfort her.
“Senior Yumeng, I understand. I won’t give up. I’ll keep moving forward. I won’t let Nangong Ying hold me back. Because I’m Yu Linna, and my life is my own.”
No matter how close they had once been, it was in the past.
She could move on without Nangong Ying, could achieve her dreams on her own.
She wouldn’t let Nangong Ying define her future.
She would prove to everyone that she wasn’t just a grain of sand on the beach.
“That’s good to hear. I was worried about you.”
Tang Yumeng had been concerned about Yu Linna after seeing her with Yu Tianchen, afraid she would be affected by his words. But she seemed to be doing better now.
“I’ll be starting filming soon. Come visit the set if you have time. If this film is successful, I might finally get some recognition. Anyway, let’s both do our best.”
Tang Yumeng, as always, reached for another cigarette, her addiction a constant companion.
“Senior Yumeng, you shouldn’t smoke so much. You’re a girl.”
“You little… fine, fine, no more smoking. Here, have some candy.”
The sunset was beautiful, but fleeting.
Yu Linna, having let go of her past, was moving forward, towards her own destination.
Shion, having gained recognition in the industry, was now hailed as the next Air, even considered a future pillar of Wenqing, their influence undeniable.
They had written one novel, created a few illustrations, and become famous.
Though not a household name, they had made their mark.
In the past, people bought light novels for the illustrations, the story often secondary. Now, people read Shion’s work for the story, the illustrations a bonus.
This shift had started with Zhao Yuyan.
It was a sign that Wenqing was moving in the right direction.
“Hahaha, see? I told you my junior was talented! Look at these sales figures! Even higher than yours!”
Zhao Yuyan, dressed in a raccoon onesie, taunted the girl sitting across from her on the sofa, her tone, however, devoid of malice, while the other girl’s face flushed with anger.
“She just got lucky! I won’t lose next time!”
Luo Nan, determined to save face, vowed to surpass Shion in sales.
“But you lost this round. No matter how you spin it, you lost.”
“Yuyan, how could you say that to your old friend? We grew up together, and you’re taking her side?!”
“Hey, you were the one who boasted about crushing Wenqing’s newcomers. You can’t back down now.”
“I don’t want to hear that from someone who spends all day playing games in their pajamas and skipping classes.”
“…”
Zhao Yuyan was speechless.
It was true. Though a student at Guangnan University, she often skipped classes, rarely even going to her dorm room. Everyone knew she was a novelist, and the university, recognizing her talent, gave her considerable freedom, allowing her to skip classes with impunity.
Though she still technically lived in the dorm, attending classes was optional, depending on her mood.
“Luo Nan, we’re childhood friends! How could you say that to me?”
“Oh really? Want me to remind you of your embarrassing childhood stories?”
“No, thank you.”
Even Zhao Yuyan was no match for Luo Nan’s sharp tongue.
“Yuyan, though you’re a famous novelist, debuting even before me, you’re so lazy! You’ll never get married! No man would want you!”
“I don’t care! I don’t need a man to support me! I can earn my own money!”
“That’s what you say, but your mother must be furious. You’re acting like a spoiled brat.”
“Hey, that’s too much!”
The tea grew cold…
