The next day, Heyu Tea House.
Fang Qiu sat on a wooden chair, silent as a winter cicada. Sitting opposite her at the tea table were three women.
Fang Qiu knew all three of these women.
One was her editor.
Bai Qing.
The other two were also editors.
However, they weren't her editors, but Bai Qing's seniors.
She didn't know why they had come along with Bai Qing.
However, what Fang Qiu found strange was that all three editors, Bai Qing included, were looking at her with expressions full of resentment.
Their stares made Fang Qiu's heart turn cold.
It gave her an illusion.
Could it be that after falling asleep yesterday, she sleepwalked to their homes and did unspeakable things to them?
For instance, stripped them naked, tied them up on their beds, and then stole their rice?
Otherwise, why would they stare at her like this without any grievance or enmity?
Fang Qiu subconsciously shrank back.
Bai Qing looked at Fang Qiu resentfully.
Yesterday, after drinking and going home, she had a dream. She dreamed of Arima Kousei and Miyazono Kaori playing together. Then, as they played, Miyazono Kaori's body turned into particles of light and dissipated.
Then she woke up with a start.
Her pillow was soaked with tears.
Her mind was full of thoughts asking why a miracle didn't happen.
So much so that she didn't sleep all night.
"Sigh."
Looking at Fang Qiu, who wore an innocent expression, Bai Qing sighed and said, "I've read the manuscript. There are no issues. It can be released on the sale day three days from now. This is the contract, take a look."
Saying that, Bai Qing took two copies of the contract from her bag and handed them to Fang Qiu.
The other party to the contract, Liyue Publishing House, had already signed.
Fang Qiu glanced at it casually. After finding no major issues, she signed her name directly.
"Writs are drawn, and promises sworn. Those who break their contracts shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock."
The contract was settled.
Bai Qing separated the contracts, kept one for herself, and gave the other to Fang Qiu.
"It's about time. Do you want to grab a meal together later?"
Bai Qing asked after putting away the contract.
"Then I'll thank Editor Bai Qing in advance for the treat."
Fang Qiu's eyes lit up, and she spoke immediately.
Fang Qiu didn't want to miss an opportunity to mooch a meal.
"Uh..."
Bai Qing froze, then rolled her eyes at Fang Qiu.
This guy...
She didn't say she was treating...
However, seeing that Fang Qiu was mentally stable, Bai Qing breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, anyone who could write such a tear-jerking work couldn't possibly be normal...
She had even suspected for a moment that Fang Qiu was heartbroken.
But with Fang Qiu's looks and figure, surely she wouldn't be the one getting dumped, right?
She still remembered the scene when she first met Fang Qiu.
At that time, she had just joined the Liyue Publishing House.
However, her luck wasn't great. On her first day, she received a submission from Xingqiu.
Thus, on her very first day, she felt the immense pressure of being an editor.
Just as she was apologetically rejecting Xingqiu's manuscript, an elegant, frail, and devastatingly beautiful woman walked up to her, bathed in the twilight.
It had to be said, she was stunned in that moment.
It was as if a little deer was bumping around in her heart, thump-thump, thump-thump.
It made her flustered, confused... enamored...
She had actually fallen for a woman.
But when she took the novel Fang Qiu handed over, Fang Qiu's image in her heart suddenly shattered.
That throbbing heart simply returned to calm.
Come to think of it, the current Fang Qiu, whether in writing ability or personality, seemed a little different from before.
She seemed even more moving.
Looking at the faint smile the frail young girl couldn't suppress because of the free meal, Bai Qing felt her heartbeat speed up just a little.
"No need to be so formal, just call me Bai Qing."
Bai Qing waved her hand and said, "I'm a year or so older than you, so you can also call me Sister Bai."
She didn't know why, but even though it was just a polite remark, Bai Qing felt her heart accelerate again.
"Okay, Sister Bai."
Fang Qiu glanced at Bai Qing and nodded.
"Eh? Then Ah Qing, what about us?"
The two seniors sitting next to her eyes lit up when they heard Bai Qing was treating.
"Seniors, if you want to come, you have to pay for yourselves."
Bai Qing rolled her eyes at them and refused grumpily without hesitation.
These two had much higher salaries than she did.
"Oh you, Ah Qing! You recommended Fang Qiu's novel to us yesterday and made us lose a night's sleep. We haven't even settled that score yet, and you dare to be so biased today!"
The two female editors immediately pinched Bai Qing's arm, laughing and scolding.
"Alright, alright, I'll pay for your shares too."
Bai Qing surrendered immediately.
Just as they were playfully bickering, the sound of storytelling rang out from downstairs.
Fang Qiu listened closely; the content sounded somewhat familiar.
"It's Legend of the Lone Sword, which Senior Li Ling is in charge of."
Bai Qing said, "The content of this book is quite popular in storytelling. Everyone likes listening to it. Every year, the tea houses in Liyue Harbor pay a royalty fee to our publishing house, and the author gets a good share of the money too."
"Is that so?"
Fang Qiu looked thoughtful.
This was just like novels being adapted into audiobooks in her past life.
Thinking of this, Fang Qiu's eyes lit up.
Since this world had Kameras and phonographs, but no movies.
It seemed there wasn't even manga.
Then could she...
Thinking of this, Fang Qiu couldn't help but feel a bit excited.
However, Fang Qiu also knew a truth deep down.
You have to walk the road one step at a time, and eat rice one bite at a time.
Steady and sure, advancing step by step.
She had to make a name for herself first.
After chatting for a while, they didn't take the long way to Wanmin Restaurant but chose a random eatery to make do with a meal.
After eating, Fang Qiu decisively chose to pack up the leftovers.
These dishes were enough for her to eat for another two meals.
Frugality is a virtue.
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