Chapter 861: Husband

After fussing with her in the car, Li Luo finally let Xu Youyu go, driving out of the underground parking garage.

Xu Youyu's face was flushed, her chest rising and falling slightly yet already like turbulent waves; she took a long while to recover.

By the time Li Luo, face serious, was steering onto the highway, Xu Youyu finally closed her eyes, put on a sleep mask, and lay down for a peaceful nap.

About half an hour later, Xu Youyu was jolted awake, groggily removed her mask, and yawned as she gazed out the window.

"Are we there?"

"Mm." Li Luo had already parked the car; he leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt and casually kissed her, "Get out. The Writers' Association is upstairs."

"Oh." Xu Youyu murmured, finally snapping out of her daze, slipped on her shoes, and followed Li Luo toward the elevator.

Yuhang City's Municipal Writers' Association and Qianjiang Province's Provincial Writers' Association are in the same building, so Li Luo and Xu Youyu weren't unfamiliar with the place.

It was already around eight in the morning; when they reached the floor housing the Provincial Writers' Association, they followed the signs to the meeting hall for today's session.

The meeting was scheduled for nine, so there was still plenty of time.

Li Luo and Xu Youyu arrived early mainly to meet some people.

"Teacher Chongran, hello hello."

As the two entered the empty hall, a young man who had been waiting there stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Li Luo, "I'm Wang Jingtao, secretary to Director Li of the office. Just call me Xiao Wang."

"Hello, Secretary Wang." Li Luo extended his hand in greeting.

"Director Li asked me to wait here for you, saying you wanted to learn about matters concerning provincially key-supported works?" Wang Jingtao asked politely.

"Mm, mainly I want to ask how to apply for and handle things like work seminars." Li Luo nodded in response.

"For others, this might be a bit difficult, but for you, it's certainly no trouble." Wang Jingtao smiled and guided Li Luo out of the hall toward the adjacent office, "Let's go sit in the office first—I'll explain everything in detail. Director Li will be here shortly."

Li Luo nodded and followed Wang Jingtao with Xu Youyu into the adjacent office.

About twenty minutes later, after learning the details, Li Luo and Xu Youyu were joined by Director Li.

Not long after, Tudi arrived.

"Oh?" Tudi poked his head into the office and asked Director Li, "Am I interrupting your guest?"

"You two are close enough—why ask me?" Director Li chuckled, waving Tudi over.

After everyone sat down, they briefly continued the previous topic, then Director Li added: "This council election is just a formality—the slots were already decided before the vote; it's just going through the motions."

"This morning is the Provincial Online Writers' Association meeting. After the council election, we'll handle a few other matters, then the meeting ends."

"This afternoon there's another Provincial Writers' Association meeting—you two must attend, especially Chongran."

"Huh?" Li Luo raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Do I have to attend?"

"Secretary Cao of our provincial association heard you were coming and specifically told me not to let you slip away." Director Li chuckled, "Besides, you can't leave anyway—this meeting needs to preliminarily vote on this year's provincial quotas for the National Writers' Association. With your stature, you'll definitely hold a seat."

"Oh right, the National Writers' Association." Li Luo rubbed his chin, finally catching on, "But… does Secretary Cao even know me?"

"Don't you know Secretary Cao?" Director Li glanced at him in surprise. "Secretary Cao said you've met before."

"Ah?" Li Luo paused, then asked softly, "May I ask, what's Secretary Cao's full name?"

"Cao Qiwén," Director Li said. "Qǐ for 'open,' wén for 'culture' with the water radical."

"Oh oh, that guy." Li Luo, using his extraordinary memory palace, instantly identified this Secretary Cao—but then hesitated and asked, "Didn't he used to be deputy secretary?"

"He was promoted this year," Tudi chimed in. "The previous secretary was transferred."

"I see." Li Luo nodded, understanding.

Back when he was in first year of high school, Li Luo and Xu Youyu won an essay contest and were invited to the Municipal Writers' Association to collect their prize.

One of the honored guests at that award ceremony was this Deputy Secretary Cao Qiwén of the Provincial Writers' Association—though now he's just Secretary.

Also present then were Municipal Writers' Association Chair Li Yuhang and Professor Xu Rongsheng of Qianjiang University's Literature Department—yes, Xu Youyu's own father.

Back then, there had been a funny incident that made everyone laugh and blush.

Xu Youyu, listening beside him, was utterly confused—three or four years had passed; how could she remember so clearly?

So Li Luo leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words; instantly, she recalled everything, her cheeks flushing slightly as she quietly poked him a few times.

After all, back then she'd been hiding in Li Luo's room, opened the door thinking it was him, and sweetly called out, "Brother, you're back!"—only to find Xu Rongsheng standing outside.

Even now, recalling it made her shiver with goosebumps—utterly unbearable to remember.

"Alright, time's about up—let's go to the next room to prepare for the meeting." Director Li checked his watch and stood up. "As for your work seminar stuff, Xiao Wang will email you the documents later—just submit them when you get them."

"Alright, thanks a lot, Director Li and Secretary Wang." Li Luo stood to thank them.

"No problem." Director Li chuckled, ushering them out of the office and into the adjacent hall.

Li Luo pulled Xu Youyu to their assigned seats with their names on the placards, then waited quietly for the meeting to begin.

The meeting content was dull, especially since the council election was just a formality, so Li Luo recorded the proceedings in his memory palace while pulling out his phone.

Tudi, seated in his position as Vice Chairman of the Provincial Online Writers' Association, also quietly pulled out his phone and messaged Li Luo.

【Tudi】: Want to grab lunch together? My treat.

【Chongran】: Sure.

【Tudi】: By the way, are you and the one beside you—Early Sleep—a couple?

【Chongran】: That's pretty nosy, isn't it?

【Tudi】: Damn, I'm just asking.

【Chongran】: Yeah.

【Tudi】: Then what about the other one? I remember at the weekend annual meeting, there was another pretty girl—your company's?

【Chongran】: Oh, her too.

【Tudi】:?

【Tudi】: Wait.

【Tudi】: I remember seeing your livestream before.

【Tudi】: No, wait—it was Yuan Wanqing's livestream. Aren't you also close to her daughter?

【Chongran】: Yeah, that's my wife too.

【Tudou】:???

【Tudou】: Are you kidding me?

【Chongran】: Why would I lie? We're bros, I'm not hiding anything from you.

【Tudou】: Fuck.

【Tudou】: This is even worse than hiding it.

【Chongran】: I'm just learning from Brother Tudou.

【Tudou】: Hey hey hey, you can eat whatever you want, but don't say things like that—I'm totally faithful.

【Chongran】: My first Online Novel was《Battle Through the Heavens》—didn't Xiao Yan have tons of wives? I learned it all from you.

【Tudou】: Get lost! You can blame me for that? You're a bastard.

Li Luo looked at the chat log and burst into laughter.

He was becoming less and less secretive, especially with people he was close to—he no longer hid anything, and if anyone asked, he answered honestly.

Xu Youyu leaned over curiously to take a peek, then wrinkled his nose in disgust: "You're showing off now?"

"How's this showing off?" Li Luo chuckled. "I'm just telling the truth."

"You better be careful," Xu Youyu warned. "Don't corrupt others." "Definitely not," Li Luo grinned. "Brother Tudou clearly looks like a decent guy."

The two chatted idly while Li Luo casually messaged Tudou on WeChat.

Not long after, Li Luo received messages from Chanxi and Zhusheng.

【Ying Chanxi】: Are you in a meeting yet?

【Li Luo】: Yeah, but it's not my turn—I'm just going through the motions.

【Ying Chanxi】: What about this afternoon? Are you coming back?

【Li Luo】: Can't come back this afternoon—there's another meeting with the Provincial Writers Association. Secretary Cao specifically called for me to attend.

【Ying Chanxi】: Hmph~ You're just bragging. Why would the Provincial Writers Association secretary specifically ask for you?

【Li Luo】: Doesn't it show how awesome your husband is?

【Ying Chanxi】: Pfft! Who's your husband? Don't say stupid things.

【Li Luo】: Zhusheng calls me that in bed.

【Ying Chanxi】: How can she be so bold!

【Li Luo】: What about you? Say "husband" to me.

【Ying Chanxi】: No way!

【Li Luo】: Then I'll ask Zhusheng to say it.

【Ying Chanxi】: (voice note, 2 seconds)

Seeing Ying Chanxi's voice note, Li Luo raised an eyebrow, smiled, pulled out his earphones, and clicked play.

"H-husband~"

Ying Chanxi's soft, sweet, shy, and slightly resentful voice echoed in Li Luo's ears.

So beautiful.

Li Luo listened several more times before finally letting her off, satisfied.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Miss you.

【Yan Zhusheng】: (image)

Yan Zhusheng sent a photo of herself sitting at the piano, deliberately shooting straight up at her long legs—she clearly knew what Li Luo liked.

【Li Luo】: Behave yourself. Why do you keep trying to seduce me every day?

【Yan Zhusheng】: Can I come see you this afternoon? I'm so bored at home.

【Li Luo】: I've got another meeting this afternoon—there's no seat for you here.

【Yan Zhusheng】: I'll sit on your lap.

【Li Luo】: That wouldn't look good if someone saw.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Then can I hide under the table?

【Li Luo】: … Are you serious?

【Yan Zhusheng】: If you want, I can be not serious.

【Yan Zhusheng】: (image)

Then Yan Zhusheng sent a photo of herself with her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted.

【Li Luo】: Cut it out. Tone it down.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Okay.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Come back early then.

【Li Luo】: I'll be back after the meeting.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Still want to see? I'll take more photos—do you still want my legs?

【Li Luo】: There are people all around—I'm afraid others will see.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Afraid of embarrassment?

【Li Luo】: Not that. I just don't want others to see—I'd get jealous.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Can I come find you?

【Li Luo】: Good girl. Sing me a song—sing me "Countdown."

【Yan Zhusheng】: Okay.

【Yan Zhusheng】: (voice note, 57 seconds)

"What's this Zhu Sheng posted?" Xu Youyu leaned over again to take a look, catching only that long voice message, and asked with confusion.

"She's singing." Li Luo replied softly.

"Pretty romantic." Xu Youyu gave him a look, "I'm sitting right here, and you're still chatting with Xixi and Zhu Sheng?"

"Then what do you want to talk about?"

"Hmph~ You're asking me that? I think you don't love me anymore."

"Did I not love you enough this morning in the car?"

"How could that be the same?" Xu Youyu glared at him irritably.

The two whispered and bickered at the table, and the dull, tedious meeting passed quickly.

By eleven o'clock, when the meeting ended, Li Luo had become a council member of the Provincial Online Literature Association.

He now held certain decision-making and intervention rights over some matters of the Online Literature Association.

He could also speak up at events like work seminars or when recommending film and television rights to studios and directors.

These were all channels and networking resources.

Two books of equal quality become easier to sell once you have channels and networking.

Li Luo disliked these things, but he understood the logic behind them.

He was lucky—he met Tudi as a mentor, which allowed him to skip levels smoothly within the association.

Without connections, no matter how good his record, he'd be stuck waiting, one level at a time.

It would take at least two more years to reach the same height.

This year, becoming vice-chairman of the Municipal Online Literature Association and a council member of the Provincial Online Literature Association was entirely due to Tudi's recommendation.

Of course, his own achievements meeting the standards were also essential.

"Let's go, let's go, let's eat," Tudi walked over to Li Luo after the meeting ended, smiling and calling out to him.

But the hand he slapped on Li Luo's shoulder was unusually forceful—no one knew if he was seeking revenge for something.

Li Luo found it amusing and teased him a little; Tudi immediately shot back.

After some laughter, the three had walked out of the hall, bid farewell to Director Li, and Li Luo led Xu Youyu to follow Tudi to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

"How did the rights deal go?" Tudi asked Li Luo curiously.

"Xixi—yeah, that girl you just asked about—is from my company," Li Luo said. "She's still helping me negotiate with Tencent Video; the progress has been fairly smooth."

"That's good." Tudi nodded. "But you're only talking about film and television rights, right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"What about animation rights?" Tudi asked again. "You should consider that too—I think it'll be a sizable market later. Don't waste such a great IP."

"Mm." Li Luo gave a slight nod, showing he understood.

This was a major pitfall Tudi himself had once stepped into.

Because the rights to Doupo weren't in his own hands, he couldn't interfere with either the animation or the TV series, and it caused quite a stir.

"What are your plans tonight?" Tudi changed the subject.

"None, I think." Li Luo shook his head. "After the meeting, I'll just go home."

"Oh?" Tudi stroked his chin, thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Then come over for dinner at my place? I'll have my wife cook."