Chapter 862

"Why out of nowhere invite me to your place?" Li Luo chuckled. "I remember your place is… "

"By Xihu," Tǔdòu said. "It's only about twenty to thirty minutes' drive from here."

"I can do that—no plans this evening anyway," Li Luo mused a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Though he'd already promised Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng he'd return home early, this was Tǔdòu's invitation; the man had helped him greatly within the Writers' Association, so if he'd asked, Li Luo owed him the courtesy.

Turning down his first invitation would've been inappropriate.

But Tǔdòu clearly hadn't invited him just for the sake of it; once Li Luo agreed, he grinned sheepishly and added, "Actually, I need a favor—could you help me out?"

"What is it?" Li Luo asked curiously. "Just say it outright."

"It's not a big deal," Tǔdòu waved a hand. "A few months ago, the Provincial Writers' Association teamed up with the Provincial Online Novel Association and the Ministry of Education to host a Youth Literature Competition."

"They set up a track for university students' online novel writing and invited me to be one of the award ceremony guests."

"But I forgot about it—didn't remember the ceremony date—and then I promised my wife I'd travel with her."

"So the dates clashed, and…"

"Oh, I get it," Li Luo smiled. "So your wife comes first—you want me to replace you as the award ceremony guest?"

"Ahem, yes," Tǔdòu chuckled. "The Provincial Writers' Association isn't a problem—I can just say a word. But the Ministry of Education insists on a heavyweight guest."

"It's their first online novel competition—if I bail out halfway, it'd look bad and risk offending people."

"I can't find anyone suitable right now, so you're the only one who fits."

Hearing this, Li Luo teased, "I don't have the credentials to match you—I can substitute, sure, but will the Ministry even agree?"

"That's why I'm letting you know first," Tǔdòu said. "If you agree, I'll ask Secretary Cao during today's meeting and contact Ministry officials."

"I've got no problem with it," Li Luo nodded. "But when's the award ceremony?"

"Tomorrow," Tǔdòu said. "The Provincial Writers' Association has a routine meeting tomorrow morning; the Youth Literature Competition award ceremony is in the afternoon."

"Oh," Li Luo nodded. "Then it works—I've got nothing else planned."

"Then it's settled!" Tǔdòu clapped Li Luo's shoulder happily. "The other bastards all refused me, making excuses—only you've got my back."

"Who are these 'other bastards'?" Li Luo's expression turned odd.

"Ahem… let's not mention them," Tǔdòu coughed, brushing it off. "Honestly, you're even more qualified than they are."

"You're currently Wen Yue's hottest new star—once the copyright for 'The Grand Patrol of Da Gan' sells, you'll immediately be promoted to their top-tier authors, and definitely their most favored one."

"What do you mean?" Li Luo grew curious.

"Up top, there's always been this idea—author idolization," Tǔdòu scoffed. "But most of us writers are total shut-ins—completely unsuited for that kind of thing."

"You're young, brilliant, and good-looking—you're perfect for it."

"I'm serious—if Wen Yue really packages you up and promotes you, you'll be an idol-level author without a doubt."

Li Luo pulled a wry face. "I feel like you're mocking me—better skip the idol stuff."

"I was just saying," Tǔdòu grinned. "Anyway, it's settled—thanks a ton, you've saved me from a crisis."

"The Ministry leaders haven't agreed yet."

"If it's you, there's no problem," Tǔdòu patted Li Luo's shoulder again, more confident than Li Luo himself.

After lunch, the three returned to the Provincial Writers' Association to prepare for the afternoon meeting.

The meeting began precisely at 1:30 p. m.

Li Luo first found Xu Youyu's seat tag, consulted with others, and successfully moved her seat to sit beside him.

Though Li Luo was now a council member of the Provincial Online Novel Association and vice-chairman of the Municipal Online Novel Association, at the Provincial Writers' Association he was still just an ordinary member with no special position.

Online novel authors have gained increasing mainstream attention over the years, but their official status remains quite limited.

Still, the mere existence of a provincial online novel association is already a massive advancement.

"You agreed to attend that youth literature competition award ceremony tomorrow—so you'll have to come back again?" Xu Youyu whispered beside him.

"Yeah," Li Luo nodded. "I've got nothing else planned tomorrow—just going to substitute for him. Do you see a problem?"

"No problem," Xu Youyu smiled. "He's helped us a lot; helping him out now is only right. I just didn't realize—time really flies."

"Why suddenly feel that way?" Li Luo chuckled.

"Three years ago, we were both just sitting there waiting to receive awards at some small writing contest," Xu Youyu grinned. "Now, someone's grown into a big shot handing out awards."

Li Luo smiled faintly. "When will 'Early Sleep God' start working hard to become a guest presenter herself?"

"I've got a long way to go," Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "And don't call me 'Early Sleep God'—makes me sound like some scamming Taoist."

"Then I'll just call you 'Sleep God,'" Li Luo suppressed a grin. "Yan Zhusheng's nickname fits you well."

"Tch," Xu Youyu grumbled, but couldn't think of a better one.

She should have chosen a better pen name back then—who knew her casually chosen pen name would stick as she rose through the ranks and earned the title of "God"?

While they were still whispering during the meeting, the agenda steadily progressed until it reached the preliminary selection of the China Writers' Association nominees.

The Jiangsu Provincial Writers' Association is among the most renowned and influential nationwide, so it can recommend more candidates each year.

But with so many literary talents, competition is fierce.

Still, it had little bearing on Li Luo.

With his current achievements and influence, if he entered the competition, he'd be the undisputed choice.

So during preliminary discussions, Chongran's name had already broken through the crowd and was officially confirmed.

As other candidates were gradually confirmed, only two or three slots remained, sparking heated debate.

But that had nothing to do with Li Luo.

He took the opportunity to pull out his phone and send messages to Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng.

【Li Luo】: Tǔdòu invited me to dinner at his place tonight, so I might be late getting home.

He copied the message and sent it to both girls.

Soon after, he received replies. 【Ying Chanxi】: Got it—if they invited you, you've got to go.

【Ying Chanxi】: But if he drags you out for drinks, don't drink too much—take care of your health.

【Ying Chanxi】: And try to come back as early as possible—I'll be waiting for you at home.

【Li Luo】: Mm, I got it.

Although Ying Chanxi always liked to keep an eye on him, she was always reasonable in matters like this, never throwing tantrums or being unreasonable.

After settling Ying Chanxi, Li Luo opened Yan Zhusheng's message box.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Then can you ask if I can come along too?

【Li Luo】: Xu Youyu and I both write Online Novels—we're colleagues with them. You coming along would feel out of place.

【Li Luo】: Be good, wait for me at home, and have dinner with your sister.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Oh.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Then tomorrow you have to spend the whole day with me.

【Li Luo】: Probably not tomorrow—I promised someone I'd come here for an award ceremony.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Unhappy.

【Li Luo】: What would make Zhusheng happy then?

【Yan Zhusheng】: You have to spend the whole day with me the day after tomorrow.

【Li Luo】: Okay, I promise you.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Then it's a deal.

【Li Luo】: It's a deal.

After settling Zhusheng, Li Luo finally let out a sigh of relief.

He couldn't help but wonder—what virtue or merit did he have to meet three such wonderful girls?

I wonder how normal people even find girlfriends—dealing with just one seems harder than dealing with three of mine.

The meeting was still going on.

After finalizing the China Writers Association slots, they proceeded to handle several other matters.

Li Luo and Xu Youyu listened in while whispering to each other; before they knew it, time passed quickly.

By four in the afternoon, the meeting officially ended.

But Li Luo didn't leave right away—he was soon called over by Tudi and Director Li, where he met a very energetic middle-aged man.

"Long time no see," the man said to Li Luo with a smile, sizing him up. "Last time I saw you, you weren't this tall—you've grown some more."

"Secretary Cao, good to see you," Li Luo greeted with a smile. "I did grow a bit in high school, but Secretary Cao, you still look just as young as back then."

"Ah, that's going too far," Secretary Cao chuckled. "I'm old, old—I've got white hairs now."

After some small talk, Secretary Cao returned to the matter at hand. "Li Hu told me earlier—if it's you, replacing him as a guest is no problem at all."

"In fact, it's even more fitting."

"After all, this is a youth literature competition with an Online Novel track—you, a platinum author still in college, are clearly the perfect choice."

"Oh, no, no," Li Luo demurred. "I suspect many contestants grew up reading Tudi's books. Seeing me as the award presenter might disappoint them."

"You're poking fun at me?" Tudi laughed, pointing at Li Luo. "People usually say I look young—now you're going out of your way to say I'm old?"

"I'm being completely sincere," Li Luo grinned. "I grew up reading your books too."

After some back-and-forth, laughing and chatting, Secretary Cao said: "Then it's settled—Li Luo gets a slot in the China Writers Association too."

"There's a routine meeting tomorrow morning. Since Li Luo will be attending the award ceremony, he might as well join the meeting too."

"Director Li told me you plan to apply for a work seminar—this needs confirmation and approval at the meeting. Your presence will make things easier."

"Sure, no problem," Li Luo immediately nodded. "I'll be there tomorrow morning."

With Secretary Cao's word, the work seminar was now a done deal.

Li Luo relaxed completely, saw Secretary Cao out of the conference hall, and bid him farewell at the door.

Then Li Luo took Xu Youyu with him, followed Tudi downstairs to the underground parking lot, got in his car, and followed Tudi's vehicle toward his home.

Evening.

Over dinner, with many toasts, Li Luo had been heavily poured wine by Tudi—he was clearly unfit to drive.

Originally, Li Luo had wanted to leave right after dinner, but Tudi dragged him off to the study.

"You told me before you could livestream on Douyin—I set up a whole livestreaming rig, but I still don't know how to actually go live."

"Since you're here today, give me some advice?" Tudi pulled Li Luo into the study and asked for his livestreaming secrets.

Seeing the two men deep in conversation, Tudi's wife pulled Xu Youyu upstairs, picked out a guest bedroom, and kindly said: "It's very late now—just stay here tonight. Tomorrow you'll be going to the Writers Association anyway, so you won't have to commute back and forth."

Xu Youyu blinked at the guest bedroom, then beamed: "Sure, thank you, Sister-in-law~"

After tidying up the guest room, the two women came back downstairs to the study, watching the two men fiddling with a computer.

Midway, Tudi went live for an hour, dragging Li Luo along—and it caused quite a stir in the Online Novel community.

Stories of the two livestreaming together spread across every Online Novel group, forum, and Tieba, sparking countless discussions.

As for Li Luo, one of the two main figures, after Tudi signed off, he stretched and was about to take Xu Youyu home.

But Xu Youyu pulled him upstairs to the guest bedroom, leaving him utterly bewildered.

"What's this mean?"

"Sister-in-law said it's too late—we should stay here tonight," Xu Youyu said, blinking her innocent big eyes at Li Luo. "You've been drinking, and my driving isn't great—let's not drive at night."

Li Luo: "This… I feel like the alcohol's mostly worn off already—still…"

"No way," Xu Youyu shook her head, leaning close to Li Luo. Suddenly, a plastic square was between her lips. She pushed him onto the bed, smiling sweetly. "Xixi and Zhusheng aren't here—such a perfect chance? I'm not letting it slip."

"Wait—I need to send a message to Xixi and Zhusheng first."

"Fine," Xu Youyu smiled brightly. "Send yours—I'll do mine."