Chapter 68: Professor Qiluo's Request

Ever since that day of political discourse, Professor Qiluo's gaze toward Allen during class had changed.

It made Allen regret having talked too much with Professor Qiluo that day, fearing he might expose his identity as a transmigrator. But then he thought again: the theories and strategies he spoke of that day already existed in the Muggle World; they would simply reach their peak thirty years later.

Besides, what he said back then was purely hot air; Professor Qiluo probably wouldn't take it to heart.

Time quickly passed to Saturday night, and Allen arrived on time once again at the door of Professor Qiluo's office.

Just as he was about to knock, he found the door opening automatically, leaving Allen momentarily stunned.

"Allen, come in quickly! It's a bit cold outside! Be careful not to fall ill!" Professor Qiluo's voice came from inside the room, carrying an unexpectedly kind tone.

Allen was bewildered by Professor Qiluo's attitude. Previously, every time he came for supplementary lessons, he would have to wait ages after knocking before Professor Qiluo opened the door, making Allen suspect that the single man was doing something in his room before his arrival and thus urgently cleaning up the scene after the knock.

However, since Allen never found any suspicious tissues in Professor Qiluo's office, that thought eventually faded away.

But opening the door this early was the first time he had ever seen it, and the professor even started caring about his health—this was truly unprecedented! Allen thought silently in his heart.

Confused by Professor Qiluo's abnormal attitude, Allen couldn't figure out what was happening at the moment, so he decided to take things one step at a time.

Allen carefully entered the office, only to find Professor Qiluo sitting behind the desk, smiling as he looked at him.

"Hurry up and sit down! Would you like something to drink to warm yourself up?" Professor Qiluo said cheerfully.

Allen felt that today's Professor Qiluo was particularly strange, and for a moment he couldn't even speak.

Instead of paying attention to Allen's reaction, Professor Qiluo patiently asked, "I have hot chocolate, hot milk, and tea leaves from the East. Which would you like?"

Allen finally came to his senses and quickly said, "No need, Professor, I'm not cold! No trouble needed!"

Professor Qiluo ignored Allen's refusal and made the decision for him: "Then let's have some tea. I obtained some tea leaves during my travels before; I heard they come from the distant East. Let's drink them today!"

Then, he waved his wand to start brewing tea. In a short while, a steaming cup of tea floated before Allen.

Allen carefully took a sip; it was a familiar taste—Tieguanyin. Having not drunk tea for a long time, he couldn't help but take several more sips.

Observing Allen's actions as he drank tea, Professor Qiluo asked casually, "Judging by the color of your eyes and hair, are you of Chinese descent?"

Allen looked at Professor Qiluo in surprise. Ordinary wizards generally couldn't distinguish the ethnicity of Muggle-born wizards, yet Professor Qiluo actually asked such a question, which was truly beyond his expectations.

Noticing Allen's expression, Professor Qiluo raised his cup toward him and said, "I see you like drinking tea very much. I heard that people from the East all love tea, so I assumed you were of Chinese descent."

Allen quickly raised the teacup in his hand and replied, "Perhaps so! I am an orphan; I don't know who my parents are. Hearing you say this today, I feel I indeed should be of Chinese descent..."

After finishing, he took a few more sips of tea, raised his cup, and said, "The tea is very delicious!"

"You are actually an orphan? I thought you came from a Muggle political family, which is why you knew so much about politics." Professor Qiluo said with some surprise.

He was actually starting to inquire about my background; Professor Qiluo indeed began to suspect me. Allen thought silently in his heart.

However, Allen showed no sign of panic on the surface.

"My political knowledge is very common in the Muggle World; Muggle newspapers report on these things every day."

Allen quickly explained.

Professor Qiluo did not refute Allen but looked at him with a half-smile.

Allen felt a chill in his heart from his smile and quickly raised his cup to take a few sips to mask his emotions.

However, Professor Qiluo had no intention of digging deeper. Instead, he walked over to Allen and said, "Let's stop playing riddles. I feel that given our relationship, some things don't need to be concealed. I won't beat around the bush; I'll just say it directly."

Allen was indeed stunned by Professor Qiluo's straightforward attitude and quickly said, "Professor, please go ahead—"

"You know I only started teaching Dark Magic Defense this year. Before that, I always taught the Muggle Studies course."

"And privately, I have been writing a book about Muggle politics. Your conversation last week deeply inspired me and brought me many new ideas."

"So I would like to invite you to co-complete this book with me. After the book is published, your name will also appear in the author list; you will become the second author of this book. What do you think?"

Professor Qiluo's words made Allen fall into thought: No wonder Professor Qiluo reacted that way after hearing my speech; there was actually such a reason. This wizarding world is truly isolated; I just spoke casually, engaged in some hot air, yet it was treated as gospel. However, publishing a book is something worth considering, though having my name on it wouldn't be very useful to me!

The more Allen thought about it in his heart, the more pleased he became, and he subsequently made his decision.

"Professor, publishing a book is a good thing. I see that books in Diagon Alley are sold at very high prices." Allen began to hint indirectly to Professor Qiluo.

Professor Qiluo indeed understood the hidden meaning behind the words and readily said, "Right! When the time comes, I will not only give you authorship but also use thirty percent of the royalties to thank you."

Hearing this, Allen immediately became excited.

"How much would thirty percent be?" Allen asked somewhat eagerly.

"My previous book earned me 500 Jin Jin Jialong in royalties. With your involvement, this book can at least double that!" Professor Qiluo said calmly.

"That would be 300 Jin Jin Jialong?" This number was beyond Allen's expectations. "Is writing books so profitable?"

"We are writing a good book that can be widely circulated; how could it not be profitable?" Professor Qiluo, noticing Allen's interest, continued to tempt him.

Allen suddenly changed his mind. He gritted his teeth and said, "Then if I don't want authorship, can you give me fifty percent of the royalties as compensation?"

"No! How can you not have your name on it? That would be a desecration of the knowledge you contributed." Seeing the fish had taken the bait, Professor Qiluo secretly rejoiced while pretending to refuse.

Allen thought Professor Qiluo was afraid of leaving evidence, so he continued to persuade him: "Professor, please rest assured. Give me fifty percent, and I will help you write this book. Imagine, by then, this book will be completed by you alone. Moreover, we have an Unbreakable Vow between us; you don't need to worry about the matter being leaked."

Allen began to tempt Professor Qiluo in return.

Professor Qiluo pretended to be in intense inner struggle. After a while, he said to Allen:

"Deal!"