“When do you plan to publish it?”

“What?”

“The Legend of Sword and Fairy!”

“Oh, oh, after Qin’s Moon ends, I’ll take a break first.” As they walked down the street, Cheng Mengxi asked, and Gu Zhinan replied after thinking for a moment.

She was completely immersed in the manuscript of The Legend of Sword and Fairy. Although it was just a rough outline, Gu Zhinan’s detailed framework was surprisingly complete. She had never seen a novel like this before. Such a world of Xianxia.

When she was a child, she had imagined herself as a female hero, but as she grew older, reality took over. Still, she really liked Lin Yueru.

Just like how Gu Zhinan described Lin Yueru in the book, a spirited, proud noble lady, falling for a hero through a martial contest. Dreaming of a lifelong partnership, and roaming the world together as a couple of warriors.

When she first read the outline, Li Xiaoyao seemed like a typical modern-day scumbag. But as she read on, she realized he was actually a man of deep emotions and strong commitments. Because in youth, it’s easy to fall for someone but keeping your boundaries is the hard part.

The spirit of chivalry lasts forever!

After thinking for a moment, Cheng Mengxi turned to Gu Zhinan. “Gu Zhinan.” Gu Zhinan had no idea why this mature and sophisticated chief editor suddenly called him. “What’s up?”

“Why did you write Li Xiaoyao’s ending so tragically?”

“Is it tragic?”

“Can’t you give him and Ling’er a happy ending? He could have it, you just need to change a little.”

Even though it was only an outline, Cheng Mengxi could already feel the hardships and emotions Li Xiaoyao went through. For a young man in his twenties, and as the protagonist of a novel, the ending was just too heartbreaking!

Gu Zhinan had never thought about this before, but since Cheng Mengxi asked, he paused to think. She waited for his answer.

This is a game adaptation, turned into a drama, and now I’m making it a novel. And you’re asking me to change the ending? Isn’t that just making things difficult for me?

“Editor Cheng, if Li Xiaoyao wasn’t the Li Xiaoyao in this story, don’t you think he would be missing something?”

“Huh?”

“Hurry up, we shouldn’t keep people waiting.” Gu Zhinan finished speaking and kept walking toward the restaurant. Cheng Mengxi froze. She hadn’t expected that answer. She fell into deep thought. It wasn’t until they reached the restaurant entrance that she snapped out of it, giving Gu Zhinan a slightly resentful look.

He was right. But as a woman and as a reader, she still wished the protagonist could have an easier life. But if that were applied to Li Xiaoyao, then he wouldn’t be Li Xiaoyao anymore.

She recalled a line from the detailed outline, “If I fall in love with a girl, I will love her for a lifetime!”

As the elevator reached the third floor, they stepped out, and Gu Zhinan immediately saw a ponytailed girl. An angry one. Du Xiaoyan stomped her way toward him, puffing her cheeks. “I’ve been waiting for you for 20 minutes! Grandpa wouldn’t let me eat without you, I’m starving!”

“Sorry, sorry! Traffic jam!” Gu Zhinan lied smoothly. Cheng Mengxi almost laughed. What traffic jam? They were just at a café a few hundred meters away! They were late because she got too absorbed in reading. 

Feeling a little guilty, she took Du Xiaoyan’s hand. “Don’t be mad, little sister! Let’s go eat now!”

“Hmph! Mengxi-jie, let’s go!” Du Xiaoyan knew Cheng Mengxi because her grandfather was acquainted with Cheng Mengxi’s father. Gu Zhinan scratched his nose and followed them in.

Then suddenly—

“Wait! Aren’t you staying nearby? How could there be a traffic jam?” Du Xiaoyan turned around, suspicious. Just as Gu Zhinan was about to make another excuse, Elder Du Guangyu walked over, grabbed his hand, and dragged him inside, saying something about how latecomers must drink three glasses as punishment.

Du Xiaoyan was left standing there, stunned. Wait… who’s really his grandkid here?!

“Grandpa Du, I caught a cold, I can’t drink alcohol! Can I substitute it with tea?” As Gu Zhinan entered, he noticed that quite a few famous authors from their online platform were here, along with two senior editors, and even Min Zhi was present.

Yet, Elder Du Guangyu made him sit right next to him, even giving Du Xiaoyan’s seat to him, making her sit on the opposite side, where his seat originally was!

Du Xiaoyan glared at Gu Zhinan. Gu Zhinan felt awkward. Wasn’t Elder Du being a little too enthusiastic? It was just one poem, wasn’t it?!

The large round table sat 20 people, yet it still felt spacious. Gu Zhinan couldn’t help but feel the extravagance.

“Old Du, is this the poetry champion from the contest?” An elderly man in traditional attire, similar to Elder Du, asked.

“Yes! Let me introduce, this is Gu Zhinan, an author from the Chinese Literature Network, and the poetry champion of the contest. He wrote Across Dongting Lake. Too bad he refuses to join our Poetry Association!” Elder Du sighed regretfully.

“Young friend Gu, nice to meet you! I’m one of the directors of the Poetry Association, surname Li.” Elder Li stood up with a smile and extended his hand.

Holy! Gu Zhinan quickly stood up and shook his hand with both hands. “Director Li, please, just treat me as a junior. You’re being too formal!”

“Hahaha, straightforward! I like that!” Director Li laughed heartily, raising his glass to everyone. “I regret missing the poetry contest earlier. That was my mistake. Let me toast everyone!” Everyone stood up. Gu Zhinan, still unwilling to drink, poured himself tea and joined the toast.

Just as he was about to start eating, a man seated two spots away from Director Li raised his glass toward him. “I heard from Zhizhuan that Brother Gu is talented in poetry and couplets. I regret missing your performance earlier. Allow me to toast to you!”

Gu Zhinan hesitated. “I’d rather not. If I drink tea while you drink wine, it wouldn’t be fair.” He declined politely. Quan Zhizhuan smirked internally. This is going to be fun. He knew this guy’s temper well!

Sure enough, instead of letting it go, the man sneered. “Tsk, just a little talent, no need to be so arrogant.”

“???” Bruh, are you mentally ill?

“Liu Yong! Watch your words! Just eat!” Director Li scolded. Liu Yong laughed it off. “I always speak my mind. Brother Gu, no offense!” Then, with a sly grin, he added, “Since Brother Gu refuses my toast, how about a poetry battle?”

“Great idea! I’d love to see more of Brother Gu’s poetry!” Quan Zhizhuan was the first to agree, and soon, several young members of the Poetry Association joined in. The online platform authors, however, frowned.

“Oh, I forgot. This isn’t a Poetry Association banquet. The online writers probably aren’t good at poetry. My bad! I’ll drink as an apology!” Liu Yong downed a glass smugly.

Even Elder Du’s face darkened. This Liu Yong was talented but way too arrogant!

Then, unexpectedly, one of the online authors slammed the table and stood up. “Who are you calling bad at poetry? You weren’t even at the contest! Do you even have poems published on the poetry site?”

Gu Zhinan looked up.

Holy crap! Guang Chengshuang?! This shameless, drama-loving uncle! His novel genre must be all about face-slapping scenes, right?!

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