Chapter 55: An unexpected encounter!

In the pitch-black room.

Natsume Chikage took out his phone and lit up the screen.

He carefully checked the current word count of the document and found it had accumulated to about 30,000 words.

His fingertips lightly touched the screen, quickly sliding through the dense text.

At this rate, he was afraid he could finish the manuscript for "The Devotion of Suspect X" this week.

If he could get his hands on Yukimura Lingyin's special equipment this week, it would definitely take the quality of this novel to the next level.

But Natsume Chikage could clearly feel that Yukimura Lingyin didn't seem to like socializing much and only preferred to read books quietly by herself.

Not to mention finding an opportunity to approach her and get the 'ink trinket' hanging on her schoolbag, even just figuring out how to talk to her naturally without causing her resentment was a problem.

He sighed lightly and shook his head.

Never mind, things will work out in the end.

Maybe there will be some opportunity in the future.

Natsume Chikage cast those chaotic thoughts to the back of his mind for the time being and refocused his attention on the phone screen.

His slender fingers began to tap the virtual keyboard rapidly, focusing intently on typing.

He planned to type as many words as he could before going to sleep at twelve o'clock!

Actually, what many people fear most is not finding a direction for their efforts.

But Natsume Chikage was different; he was very clear about his current goal—to earn enough money as soon as possible to buy back his house and IT company.

To take back everything that was lost!

With this clear goal, his motivation was endless!

As for writing novels and participating in shogi tournaments, they were actually just means to achieve his goal.

"Brother, it's very late now, aren't you going to sleep yet?"

A sleepy mutter came from beside him, the voice soft and sweet.

Natsume Chikage turned his head to look upon hearing the sound.

He found that Ruri had woken up at some point and was rubbing her sleepy eyes while looking over.

"I'm not sleepy yet, I was just thinking of writing a bit more of my novel." Natsume Chikage explained softly, then asked with concern, "But why are you awake? Can't you sleep?"

Natsume Ruri subconsciously shrank her head into the quilt, revealing only a pair of bright eyes.

"Sleep now, and remember to sleep early too; don't write your novel too late."

She urged in a muffled voice, the sound coming through the quilt with a slight nasal tone.

"Mm."

Natsume Chikage responded gently.

Upon hearing the reply, Natsume Ruri secretly poked her head out and found that Natsume Chikage was still focused on writing his novel on his phone, his fingertips dancing rapidly on the screen.

She couldn't help but feel a little emotional, her lips unconsciously pouting slightly.

She just felt that her brother used to go to sleep punctually around 10:30 PM.

Now that he had started writing novels, he was sleeping later and later instead.

Although she knew that the novel written by her silly brother definitely wouldn't be anything special, and she didn't hold any expectations for him earning money through writing and submitting manuscripts.

But she never expected him to be so serious this time, persisting in creating even late at night.

However, thinking about it, this could be considered a good thing; after all, it was rare for her brother to be so attentive to something.

She secretly decided in her heart: when her brother finishes this novel, she would praise him.

The next day.

Subway station.

The platform was packed with students rushing to school and commuters heading to work.

"Ruri, I've already seen your train coming, go to the front of the platform quickly." Natsume Chikage tilted his head slightly, speaking to his younger sister who was hugging him tightly from behind.

Natsume Ruri was pressed against Chikage's back, her arms wrapped around his waist, still not wanting to let go.

She buried her face in his school uniform jacket and muttered in a low voice: "Ruri is so sleepy today, let me lean for a while longer, I'll naturally get on when the train is about to leave."

Her voice carried a heavy sense of sleepiness.

Natsume Chikage raised an eyebrow in confusion: "Didn't you go to sleep earlier than me yesterday? Why do you look sleepier than me?"

Ruri raised her face, pouting and complaining: "I didn't sleep well yesterday because I dreamed that Brother was being led around by the nose by a bad woman, and I was angry all night in my dream."

She suddenly tightened her arms, her tone becoming serious: "So Brother, you absolutely must not let women get close to you casually, you know?!"

"What kind of twisted logic is that?" Natsume Chikage was between laughter and tears.

At this moment, the train arrival announcement sounded, and the train slowly stopped at the platform.

Ruri reluctantly let go of the hand hugging Chikage, straightened her clothes, and prepared to board the train.

But the moment she turned around, she keenly noticed several girls around them secretly eyeing her brother.

"Brother, you must remember my words!" Natsume Ruri narrowed her eyes and urged again, her tone carrying obvious vigilance.

"You silly girl, stop overthinking so much... get on the train quickly." Natsume Chikage smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

Natsume Ruri waved goodbye reluctantly: "Brother, then I'll go first."

"Mm." Natsume Chikage also raised his hand in response.

As soon as Ruri stepped onto the train, she immediately saw a girl approach Natsume Chikage to strike up a conversation through the train window.

Fortunately, she saw Natsume Chikage just politely shake his head, rejecting the other party's approach, and then quietly lean against a pillar, tapping on his phone, clearly continuing to write his novel.

Natsume Ruri breathed a sigh of relief, nodded repeatedly, and a look of relief appeared on her face.

She felt that letting her brother immerse himself in writing novels was indeed a good choice, to avoid being cheated by bad women.

After a while. ===== CHAPTER 56 =====