Chapter 190: Childhood Sweethearts
Zhao Yuyan’s dream was to be a lazy otaku, living a carefree life, writing only when she needed money, and splurging on her favorite things when she had it. Asking her to write proactively? In her dreams. She wasn’t that kind of person.
“Air-sensei, if you don’t submit your manuscript, I’ll cancel this month’s publication of your short stories.”
“Sister Chen, no!”
Chen Xi wouldn’t show her any mercy. This girl had been procrastinating for too long, constantly submitting short stories to meet her publication quota, a habit that deserved divine punishment.
Why was she so lazy? Not doing chores, not cleaning, and now, not even writing… this girl… she wouldn’t learn her lesson unless she was taught one.
Zhao Yuyan was simply… self-indulgent. She could be writing her novel, earning a fortune, but her laziness always won, resulting in a constant stream of short stories, nearly ten of them so far.
“Air-sensei, if you don’t publish Volume Four of The Rich Man’s Game next month, I’ll lock you in a hotel room and cut off your internet access until you finish.”
“No! Not that! The internet is my life!”
“Then go write.”
“wuuu…”
Goodbye, beautiful vacation. Zhao Yuyan put down her game console and reluctantly went to her room to write. For her own happiness, she had to work.
Compared to Yu Linna, Zhao Yuyan was a slacker. Couldn’t she learn from her junior? She had just finished her exams, and Volume Two was almost done. And this girl… she hadn’t even started Volume Four of The Rich Man’s Game in six months.
Chen Xi had to push her; otherwise, her readership would dwindle. And with the anime adaptation of The Rich Man’s Game in production, the lack of material would affect the anime’s length. She had to make Zhao Yuyan write.
“Air-sensei, please focus on your manuscript. I’ll be back tonight. Don’t sneak off to play games while I’m gone.”
“You’re a demon!”
“It’s for your own good. I’ll be checking on you every day until you finish Volume Four.”
It was over. Her last chance at procrastination was gone. Zhao Yuyan wanted to cry.
But it was her own fault for procrastinating so much. She deserved it.
A few days later, Zhao Yuyan had finally settled down, focusing on her writing. She had considered using her university classes as an excuse to procrastinate, but Chen Xi knew her well. She was just coasting through university, often skipping classes, her grades barely passing. Her teachers were frustrated, but they couldn’t do anything about it. After all, she was a famous novelist, a millionaire. She didn’t need to attend university. She was just there for the… experience.
Luo Nan came to visit her that day, bringing snacks. Seeing her at her desk, working, she was surprised.
“Yuyan, so strange to see you writing. What’s wrong? Are you short on money?”
“Get lost! I’m not short on money! It’s because of my demon editor!”
“You deserve it.”
Luo Nan knew her friend well. She must have been reprimanded for procrastinating. This girl… she was always slacking off, despite being a popular author.
“Yuyan, I’m serializing two novels now, earning millions. I’ll catch up to you soon. If you don’t work harder, I’ll surpass you.”
“Hmph, I don’t care about that. I want to play games…”
“Just focus for a while. You’ve played enough. Come home with me this summer. Your mother said she’ll beat you if you don’t. And we can go on a trip, relax a little.”
“Hmph, games are more fun than traveling.”
“Yuyan, I’ll drive. My probationary period is over; I can drive on the highway. You don’t have a license, do you?”
“…”
Luo Nan ended up staying for dinner. Zhao Yuyan was a terrible housekeeper, often leaving piles of dirty clothes on the sofa, never cooking, always ordering takeout or buying fast food.
Luo Nan sighed, looking at the mess, then rolled up her sleeves and started cleaning.
“Yuyan, didn’t you buy a washing machine? Why don’t you just throw your clothes in? Why let them pile up?”
“Well… it’s not full yet.”
Zhao Yuyan lowered her head, embarrassed.
“And you even leave your underwear and bras on the sofa! Honestly! How can you be so messy? You’re a girl! You’re acting like a boy!”
Luo Nan, holding up Zhao Yuyan’s underwear, lectured her like a disappointed mother. Zhao Yuyan, her face burning, her underwear on display, was mortified. She fidgeted with her clothes, wanting to disappear.
Why was Luo Nan holding her underwear? It was so embarrassing! Couldn’t she just put it down? She was so ashamed.
She couldn’t even look at her.
“Fine, I’ll wash them for you. But next time, you have to do it yourself.”
“Really…?”
“We used to bathe together as kids. I know how many moles you have on your chest, how much hair you have down there. Why would I care about your underwear?”
“Stop it! Don’t talk about that!”
This Luo Nan, once a timid follower, now so bold, so… shameless! Couldn’t she just let it go?
It was strange. Zhao Yuyan, with her sweet appearance, her long scorpion braid, a super cute girl on the outside, was a complete slob in private, a personality that wouldn’t appeal to most boys. Luo Nan, on the other hand, with her boyish short hair and androgynous appearance, was surprisingly feminine, skilled in both cooking and cleaning.
And she was a few months younger than Zhao Yuyan, practically her little sister.
But Zhao Yuyan wouldn’t dare say that. If she did, she might not get lunch.
Luo Nan, tying her apron, started cooking, using the groceries Tang Yulong had bought a few days ago. Though not fresh, they were still edible. She hadn’t cooked for Zhao Yuyan in a while.
“Luo Nan, I want eggs.”
“Be patient. I’m just about to crack them. The same way as always?”
“Of course.”
Zhao Yuyan and Luo Nan had been friends since kindergarten, their families close. Luo Nan had always followed Zhao Yuyan around, and Zhao Yuyan, enjoying her company, had always included her in her games. They had attended the same school until high school graduation, when Zhao Yuyan went to Guangnan University, while Luo Nan went to Shanghai University, their time together reduced. But whenever Luo Nan had a break, she would fly back to Guangnan City.
“By the way, Luo Nan, didn’t you have long hair when you were younger?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
Luo Nan, cooking, turned to look at Zhao Yuyan, who was playing on her phone, waiting for her meal, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.
“Just wondering. Why did you cut it? You looked so good with long hair.”
“I just didn’t want to have long hair anymore.”
Luo Nan’s answer was simple.
She had forgotten about her long hair, and Zhao Yuyan’s short hair. Now, they had switched.
But it didn’t matter. Zhao Yuyan was still cute, though no longer the mischievous tomboy she had been, now a young woman, albeit a lazy one. It was fine. This way, few boys would be interested in her, and she wouldn’t marry some random guy. It was for the best.
Whether anyone else thought so didn’t matter; Luo Nan did.
Zhao Yuyan couldn’t become someone else’s wife. That was unacceptable.
“Luo Nan, I’m hungry.”
“Okay, okay, it’s almost ready. Go sit down.”
Cooking for her… it was nice. She would become even more dependent on her. The thought made Luo Nan happy. She regretted not staying in Guangnan City.
Lunch was ready, a warm, delicious meal, their laughter filling the air, the atmosphere sweet and intimate.
And next door, Yu Linna, working on her manuscript, was eating instant noodles again. Though a millionaire now, she still preferred junk food while working, not for any particular reason, just… convenience.
Finishing her noodles, she returned to her work, completing Volume Two of Ballad of the Enchantress in the afternoon. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she sent the manuscript to Chen Xi. Finally, she could relax. Now, she had to work on the illustrations.
Opening the refrigerator, she realized she was out of food. She didn’t want to eat instant noodles again, but the thought of going grocery shopping, of being recognized, gave her a headache. She tried on a few outfits, even a hat, trying to look less conspicuous, but her mixed-race appearance was too distinctive.
And then, she had an idea.
A few moments later, Tang Yulong, reluctantly, drove his car to her apartment, picking her up for a grocery run. He didn’t want to, but he was at her mercy, her blackmail effective.
“Thank you for taking me grocery shopping, Bai Chen-sensei.”
“It’s… no problem…” he said, forcing a smile.
This girl… she had him wrapped around her little finger. What could he do? He was desperate.
“Shion-sensei, we’re here. Let’s get out.”
“Okay.”
Looking at the bustling market, a sea of people, Yu Linna knew it would be a battle, a war against the aunties, to get the ingredients she needed. It was unusually crowded today.
“Bai Chen-sensei, I’m going in. You’re my backup.”
“Shion-sensei…”
Tang Yulong wanted to say, You’re a famous author! You shouldn’t be fighting with aunties over groceries! It’s beneath you…
