Chapter 159

On the way back, Ying Chanxi curiously asked, "Has your class finalized the mini-game?"

"Yes, it's 'Guess the Instrument.'" Li Luo explained the rules of Class Eight's game, then asked, "What about your class?"

"Our class…" Ying Chanxi covered her forehead, "Math problems."

"What?"

"You draw a slip from a box—each slip has a math problem. Solve it correctly to pass."

"You call that a mini-game?" Li Luo grimaced.

"That doesn't count," Xu Youyu chuckled, reminding them, "Mini-games can be brain-teasers, but they can't be directly tied to homework. This is entertainment—no studying allowed."

"So this won't work?" Ying Chanxi asked helplessly.

"Even if you submit it on Wednesday, it'll be rejected," Xu Youyu said.

"Then what game does your class have, senior?"

"Ours?" Xu Youyu chuckled, "Jump rope. After all, Class Sixteen is a liberal arts class—mostly girls, and they're better at this."

"But this activity is meant for students from other classes, right?" Li Luo squinted. "What about the guys from science classes?"

"If they can't, they'll learn—it's not that hard," Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "Much simpler than your 'Guess the Instrument.'"

The three walked home, chatting casually.

Ying Chanxi kept glancing at Li Luo's scarf, then smiling contentedly, her steps lightening.

But when she noticed the sneakers on his feet, she felt slightly unhappy, so she immediately looked away—out of sight, out of mind.

After returning home, Li Luo went to his room, put down his backpack, then sat at his computer, opened his email, and sent a message to Yuan Wanqing's inbox, asking about the weekend plans and details.

Meanwhile, the editor Qianzhou had also messaged him during the day.

【Qianzhou】: We're still negotiating further with Yuan Wanqing's team; the time is tentatively set for Saturday afternoon, but the exact time is pending.

【Qianzhou】: As for distribution channels, we've already secured your slot.

【Qianzhou】: According to the interview schedule, after the weekend interview, the subsequent rollout will be implemented gradually starting in January.

【Qianzhou】: So your book will be released on the channels on New Year's Day.

【Qianzhou】: My suggestion—if you have time—is to stockpile more chapters and release them all on New Year's Day.

【Qianzhou】: Because the traffic might be enormous—Yuan Wanqing's team is willing to promote via Weibo. Even if the main Qidian platform gets little traffic, it'll still significantly boost your paid readership.

【Qianzhou】: If the results are good, Chongran, you might actually go viral this time!

【Qianzhou】: Oh, by the way, I just bought a high-speed train ticket for Saturday morning—if possible, give me your address so I can come see you.

【Chongran】: Got it.

After reading the editor's long message, Li Luo replied briefly, sent his address, then leaned back in his chair, feeling a quiet sense of wonder.

He still vaguely remembered how nervous and respectful he'd been toward his editor's QQ chat window when he wrote online novels in his past life—always tiptoeing through every message.

And most editors barely replied.

You'd ask, "How many readers are following my new book now?"

The editor would reply with just a number—not a single extra word.

You'd ask, "When's the next recommendation coming?"

If busy, they ignored you; if free, they'd say, "Wait for notice."

He never imagined that in the real world, even editors could be talkative when dealing with truly successful authors.

They could write so much.

It just goes to show how real reality sometimes is.

Thinking this, Li Luo got up and went to take a shower.

After he finished and returned to his computer to write, he found a reply in his inbox—sent by Yuan Wanqing.

【Wenxue Group contacted me earlier; I hadn't heard of them until they mentioned they're the platform that signed I Am Really Not a Star—then I realized.】

【Accepting this interview was just a small favor—it's said it could help your novel's performance.】

【Your aunt couldn't think of another way to thank you, so since the chance is here, let me help you out a little.】

【My interview slot should be between 2 and 3 PM Saturday. After school on Saturday noon, you and Zhusheng can come straight to my house—we'll take my chauffeur-driven car to the company together.】

【If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me anytime.】

【Oh, by the way—how do the sneakers Zhusheng asked me to buy for you fit?】

Li Luo hadn't expected Yuan Wanqing to reply so late—he thought he'd have to wait until tomorrow.

The only thing he was glad about was that Yuan Wanqing hadn't mentioned a single thing about his novel's content—probably hadn't read it at all?

Thinking this, Li Luo felt a surge of relief and happiness.

He quickly drafted a reply, sent it to Yuan Wanqing, then began writing.

…

On Tuesday, Li Luo told Hua Xiuxiu to announce the results from yesterday and explain Class Eight's mini-game to everyone.

Then Hua Xiuxiu collected the names of classmates who could play instruments and handed them to Li Luo for review.

Li Luo glanced at the list and was surprised to find his classmates were surprisingly talented.

Chen Zhongqi could play the pipa, Ren Zheng could play the dizi—this he already knew from yesterday.

But he hadn't expected Lu Jiahao could play the accordion?

Even Zhang Guohuang could play the trumpet?

Besides that, there were students who could play the violin, the guzheng.

Just those who had studied piano numbered seven or eight.

"You really can't judge a person by appearance," Li Luo muttered, clapping Zhang Guohuang on the shoulder. "You can even play the trumpet?"

"Cough… I only learned a bit in elementary school," Zhang Guohuang said, unusually humble. "Just a little. Barely enough to get by in the mini-game."

There are so many people in class who can play various instruments; this little game will proceed smoothly enough.

After finalizing the personnel, Yan Zhusheng began scheduling.

After all, everyone surely wants to visit other classes' games, collect stamps, and complete achievements; it's said that collecting all the stamps allows you to exchange them for prizes.

"My mom called me yesterday," Yan Zhusheng turned to Li Luo during the break, "she said you're coming to my house for dinner on Saturday, then we'll go to her company for an interview?"

"Hmm, did Auntie tell you?"

"She did." Yan Zhusheng nodded. "I'll come along too."

Li Luo: "... Actually, you don't have to come."

If Yan Zhusheng was watching beside him, Li Luo felt he wouldn't be able to say many things comfortably during the interview.

"But I want to go," Yan Zhusheng said. "Mom said they'll ask some questions, and she asked if I had any I wanted to ask."

"What do you mean?" Li Luo blinked. "Aren't all the interview questions prepared by their side?"

"Mom said her side can also provide some questions they'd like answered," Yan Zhusheng tilted her head. "If I have anything I'm curious about, I can tell her."

"This... really?" Li Luo chuckled awkwardly, then smiled ingratiatingly. "Uh, Zhusheng, Sister Sheng, let's keep it normal, no weird questions, okay?"

"Then I want to watch your interview."

"What's wrong with that?" Li Luo said firmly. "We'll go together—I'll let you watch as much as you want."

Yan Zhusheng blinked, surprised Li Luo had surrendered so easily; she felt uneasy. "But... I actually have a few questions I really want to ask."

"Then just ask me privately," Li Luo waved his hand.

"But didn't you say before not to talk to you privately about novels?" Yan Zhusheng said sweetly. "I'm very obedient—I never do."

"So now it's my fault?" Li Luo twitched his mouth. "Fine, you can speak now—only for this moment."

"Then I'll ask?"

"Ask."

"When does the protagonist sleep with Mo Qinghan?"

"..." Li Luo took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, his brow twitching. "Yan Zhusheng, even if you told your mom that question, she'd never dare ask it during the interview."

"That's why I'm curious," Yan Zhusheng said honestly. "You wrote how she trembled slightly when kissing, and..."

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Li Luo hurriedly cut her off, his skin crawling with embarrassment. "I'm begging you, Sister Sheng, spare me—let's not talk about this, okay?"

"... Alright." Yan Zhusheng blinked, still a little confused, but seeing Li Luo's expression, she guessed she wouldn't get an answer from him. "Remember to meet at the rock club this evening—the president said they'll discuss the New Year's Eve performance setlist; we have to submit it tomorrow."

"Yeah." Li Luo nodded. "Let's have dinner together, then go over."