Chapter 757

Around five in the evening.

Lin Xiuhong had just finished playing mahjong with Cui Suling, hurriedly left Cui Suling's house, drove her little Fit that Li Luo had bought, bought some vegetables at the market, and headed home.

These days, Lin Xiuhong's life was going quite well.

Every morning, she woke up early, went downstairs for breakfast and took a walk, then stayed in Chongran Culture's office, enjoying the air conditioning with Li Guohong.

She handled the agencies that came knocking wanting to commission songs for Li Luo, and checked the accounts prepared by Li Xiang, who was interning here.

When there was nothing else to do, she'd cook lunch in the office, and then Li Guohong would go check on the hotpot restaurant.

Lin Xiuhong would meet up with her girlfriends to play mahjong or go shopping.

Most of the time, she did everything with Cui Suling.

She came home in the evening to cook dinner, then went out to dance in the square, or stayed in to watch TV and read the books her beloved son had written.

Every month, at the right time, she collected rent from the other shop on Xijie, besides the hotpot restaurant and the bubble tea shop.

A few thousand yuan a month, plus the salary Chongran Culture paid her, gave her over ten thousand yuan monthly income—she barely spent any of it, and hardly had to do anything at all.

All she had to do was enjoy life.

Lin Xiuhong never imagined that at barely over forty, she was already living a life better than she'd ever dared dream of.

Humming a tune, carrying her groceries, Lin Xiuhong strolled to her front door, pulled out her keys, and unlocked it.

As she changed her shoes, she looked down and saw two pairs of shoes by the door; still wearing her slippers, she walked toward Li Luo's bedroom and knocked.

"Li Luo, you're back?"

"Lin Yi~" Ying Chanxi opened the door, "Are you cooking? Let me help you."

"You're here too, Xixi?" Lin Xiuhong smiled happily, then glanced inside the room to confirm the other two girls hadn't come along, and took Ying Chanxi's small hand, saying, "Come, let's talk."

"Mm." Ying Chanxi obediently followed Lin Xiuhong into the kitchen to help her.

Li Luo wandered in behind them, only to have his mother shove a bulb of garlic into his hands.

Squatting by the trash bin peeling garlic, Li Luo watched Ying Chanxi tie on an apron and skillfully assist Lin Xiuhong—it felt as if time had instantly transported him back to when he first returned from his rebirth.

Over these three years, Lin Xiuhong didn't seem to have aged a bit.

Ying Chanxi had matured considerably, yet still looked petite and adorable.

And himself? He remained as handsome as ever.

Li Luo touched his face and chuckled softly.

Nothing had changed, yet everything had changed.

Li Luo, squatting beside the trash bin, sighed inwardly; Ying Chanxi felt much the same, even happier than he was.

This home in Jincheng Community felt like her own personal domain—every time she returned, it felt just like coming home.

Technically, her own home should be across the hall, but for Ying Chanxi, Li Luo's place had more of the taste of home.

…

Around six in the evening, Lin Xiuhong prepared five dishes and one soup, which Ying Chanxi and Li Luo carried to the dining table in the living room.

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening came just in time.

Li Guohong walked in with Li Guoru, and the rich aroma of the meal hit them immediately.

"Lin Xiuhong's cooking is as good as ever," Li Guoru chuckled, walking to the table and politely complimenting her.

The elders exchanged pleasantries and sat down; Li Luo pulled Ying Chanxi to sit with them.

After picking up their chopsticks, they chatted awhile, and the conversation soon turned to serious matters.

Li Guoru took a sip of baijiu and said to Li Luo, "I came over for a free meal mainly to remind you of something."

Li Luo immediately knew it was serious—he put down his chopsticks and looked curiously at Li Guoru: "What's on your mind, Uncle?"

"It's not about me—it's about your future development," Li Guoru said carefully. "You know I'm a member of the City Writers Association."

"I have a good friend there named Sun Jingchun—he once hosted the award ceremony for that writing contest, 'Entertainment Dream, Urban Spring and Autumn.' Do you remember?"

"Didn't your novel I Am Really Not a Star win that contest?"

"Oh right," Li Luo nodded. "That did happen."

Back when he was in first year of high school, both Li Luo's and Xu Youyu's entertainment-themed novels had won that contest's grand prize.

That was Li Luo's first connection with an official institution—he successfully joined the newly formed Yuhang City Online Novel Writers Association.

Later, he was invited to join the City Writers Association, the Provincial Writers Association, and the Provincial Online Novel Writers Association.

But these associations were really just formalities—they meant little to Li Luo at the time, so he paid the membership fee and never paid attention again.

Though the associations occasionally held events or contests and evaluations, Li Luo was still in high school then and didn't pay much attention.

Unless something was truly important, Li Luo ignored it all.

After all, in the online novel industry, success speaks for itself.

But Li Guoru clearly held a different view.

"I didn't understand the online novel world much before, but after spending two or three years at Chongran Culture, I've picked up a little insight."

Li Guoru spoke freely at the dinner table. "Online novels do, as you once said, depend on performance."

"But the higher you climb, the less performance alone matters."

"Take your novel Little Joys—if Huayue Film and Television hadn't bought the adaptation rights from Ying Zhicheng, could you really have sold it?"

"Even with the boost from a realistic-themed contest and official endorsement, if it had sold at all, the price would never have been this high."

"In the end, when you reach the highest level, it comes back to data and storytelling."

"As for data—you're completely solid there now."

"But storytelling? You're still lacking."

"So what's your point, Uncle?" Li Luo paused, unsure of Li Guoru's true intent, and probed cautiously.

"Ahem… it's actually simple," Li Guoru cleared his throat. "Sun Jingchun recently mentioned to me that the City Writers Association, including the Online Novel Writers Association, is planning to hold a delegates' congress."

"New members of the Writers Association council will be elected at the meeting."

"Don't think it's a hassle—this title seems useless in daily life, but whenever the Writers Association offers resources, each opportunity adds weight to your own story."

Hearing Li Guoru say this, Li Luo suddenly understood. For the Li Luo of the past, the Writers Association had little use, but the future was uncertain.

Seeing Li Luo begin to think, Li Guoru pressed on, enthusiastically urging: "I don't know if you have any acquaintances in the Online Writers Association."

"If you do, you might try to secure a recommendation slot for a council member."

"With your current online novel achievements, your Platinum status at Wenxue Group, and the film and television adaptation success of 'I Am Really Not a Star.'"

"Once you actually get a recommendation slot, being elected to the council should be straightforward—your credentials speak for themselves."

"But if you don't seek it out, don't ask anyone for a recommendation, and don't run for election, then it's normal for them to withhold a slot from you."

"If you join, whenever the government launches support programs or policy preferences, you'll be at the very front of the beneficiaries."

"Moreover, many IP developments and film and television adaptations, along with industry resource connections, will concentrate here."

"Even though you have Wenxue Group and Huayue Film and Television channels, having one more channel means one more bargaining advantage, doesn't it?"

Li Guoru's words were heartfelt—he truly cared about his nephew's future development.

He'd normally just occasionally drop by the Writers Association to chat with old friends, but this one conversation immediately made him think of Li Luo.

He'd even made a special trip over for dinner just to tell Li Luo about this.

After a brief thought, Li Luo nodded in agreement: "Alright, I'll ask around when I get the chance."

"That's the spirit!" Li Guoru smiled happily, seeing Li Luo was seriously considering it. "Among our Li family's generation, you're the most accomplished—don't let this opportunity slip away."

"Thanks for taking the time to warn me, Uncle," Li Luo raised his wine cup and toasted.

Li Guoru laughed as he accepted, clinked cups with Li Luo, and drained his drink—his spirits lifted instantly.

Li Luo didn't waste time; right there at the dinner table, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to a Platinum-level author he knew in the province.

After receiving a reply, Li Luo made a phone call.

"I know what you're talking about," the Platinum author told Li Luo. "If you're interested, I can ask for you—this requires at least three recommendations from current council members or members of the chairmanship to qualify for candidacy."

"And it's not a full re-election—just expanding the number of council members."

"But..."

"But what?" Li Luo asked curiously.

"Ran Shen, Ran Shen—do you have some misunderstanding about your own current level?"

"What? Is the council member position that hard to get?"

"No..." The Platinum author sounded exasperated. "Think about what level you're at right now."

"One book, 'I Am Really Not a Star,' broke records for average subscription and sales in the entertainment genre."

"One TV adaptation, 'Little Joy,' was this year's mega-hit."

"One book, 'Night Watch of Great Qian,' is nearly hitting ninety thousand average subscriptions—what if it breaks a hundred thousand? Do you know how insane that number is?"

"At your current achievements, just becoming a council member would be a waste of you."

"I say, go straight for a vice-chair position."

"Huh?" Li Luo blinked, caught off guard. "Is that even possible?"

"Maybe not earlier or later, but right now?" The Platinum author chuckled. "One vice-chair is elderly and just stepping down this year."

"The member congress you mentioned—expanding council members is just a side matter. The real business is replacing the new vice-chair. They're already in the selection phase."

"If you're truly interested, I'll nominate you directly."

This Platinum author was himself a vice-chair of the Online Writers Association, a well-known figure in the industry.

Because Li Luo had once given Yuan Wanqing a concert ticket and helped his wife get Yuan Wanqing's autograph, their personal relationship was quite good.

Seeing Li Luo interested, and having just finished his latest novel, he was bored and immediately took this matter seriously.

"Then... thanks for your help?" Li Luo asked tentatively.

"No problem," the Platinum master chuckled. "But after it's done, you've got to treat me to dinner. Oh, and if there's any news about Yuan Wanqing's concerts, remind me—my wife still hasn't had enough of her last performance."

"Easy," Li Luo smiled in reply.

After hanging up, Li Luo looked at Li Guohong, who had been staring at him all along, and couldn't help smiling.

"Done?" Li Guohong asked curiously. "Sounded like there was some drama?"

"Is there a chance?" Li Guoru also asked eagerly.

"Well... there's definitely a chance, but it's beyond expectations," Li Luo blinked, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"What happened?"

"My friend says my current achievements and status make competing for a council member position completely unnecessary," Li Luo said, looking innocent. "I should just be nominated for vice-chair."

"Huh?" Li Guoru froze at this.

He'd already overestimated Li Luo's achievements and strength, yet still unconsciously saw him as a child under twenty.

So he'd never even considered the possibility of nominating Li Luo for vice-chair of the Online Writers Association.

Now, hearing this, he frowned skeptically: "Is your friend reliable?"

"He's definitely reliable," Li Luo scratched his head. "He was already a Platinum author five or six years ago. He can only be vice-chair here in Qianjiang Province—if he were in another province, he could be the chairman."

Hearing this, Li Guoru had no more doubts; his face lit up with relief and joy: "That's great—if it really happens, it'll be a major boost to your future path."

"Yeah," Li Luo nodded and smiled, secretly looking forward to it.

In his past life, after writing a successful novel, he'd joined the Yuhang City Online Writers Association, at Xu Youyu's urging.

He'd even joined Xu Youyu on a Writers Association field trip once.

Back then, he'd seen the chairman and vice-chair of the Online Writers Association speak on stage—each one a highly renowned author in the industry.

Now, without realizing it, he seemed to be reaching the same height in the online novel world.

"By the way," Li Guohong, seeing this matter settled, shifted to the next topic, asking Li Luo, "Last night, your Uncle Xu brought a colleague to our hotpot restaurant."

After they finished eating, I went over and chatted with them for a bit, and I heard Uncle Xu say you were planning to donate a scholarship to Qianjiang University?

Isn't that right?

(End of Chapter)