"Sister Bai, don't."
Fang Qiu immediately admitted defeat and spoke.
Although she knew Bai Qing was joking, Fang Qiu, knowing she should play along with Bai Qing's performance, did her best to act the part.
"However, you just finished Sword and Fairy, so you probably haven't started conceptualizing the new book yet. It's the perfect time to talk to you about it."
Looking at Fang Qiu, whose face said 'I was wrong this time, but I'll dare to do it again next time,' Bai Qing couldn't help but sigh. She picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth to calm her anger, and then spoke with a serious expression.
"Mm, go ahead, Sister Bai."
Seeing Bai Qing's serious expression, Fang Qiu also nodded and answered earnestly.
"For the next book, you cannot write a tragic ending."
Bai Qing put down her chopsticks, glanced at the fiction enthusiasts chatting happily nearby, then turned back to Fang Qiu and said, "Counting this one, it's already the third book you've written. There's a saying: 'bad things shouldn't happen thrice.' If you write this genre again for the next one, readers will feel weary and won't choose to pay for it anymore. So, the next one must be a book with a happy ending for everyone."
Seeing this scene, several editors paused their chopsticks and cast their gazes toward Fang Qiu.
They had been working in the editorial industry for a long time. Many authors had their own temperaments. They went their own way and didn't listen to a word the editors said. Especially authors of hit books.
"Mm, I understand."
However, to their surprise, Fang Qiu nodded very honestly without almost any hesitation and spoke.
Actually, Fang Qiu had planned this as well. If she kept stabbing the readers, they would be lost very quickly. Although tragic works left a deep impression, constantly torturing the audience would create resistance.
After all, people ultimately read books to relax, not to seek abuse. Occasionally liking to be abused is called seeking stimulation, but constantly being abused is called torture.
So, one needs to give a stab, then give a candy, and then stab again, making it impossible for people to stop.
She already had a few candidates in her mind, but she hadn't had much time these past few days, so she hadn't decided which one to choose. She would slack off for a few days first, then calm down and think about it properly. The next book was extremely important; the choice of topic couldn't be sloppy.
"Do you really understand?"
Looking at Fang Qiu's expression of 'I got it,' Bai Qing looked suspicious. She suspected Fang Qiu didn't understand at all.
After all, Fang Qiu had previously promised her that the male and female protagonists would live happily together. The result? This girl did a great job; they indeed lived happily together, but the male lead was about to die, and the female lead didn't even know about it!
Just thinking about it made one want to cry. It was an unsettled grievance. This guy was a repeat offender!
"Don't worry, Sister Bai. I guarantee a happy ending for everyone this time," Fang Qiu said with a smile.
"Really?" Bai Qing questioned again.
"Really. You can't expect me to sign a written pledge, right?"
Looking at Bai Qing's face which seemed to ask, 'Is this book really guaranteed to be sweet?', Fang Qiu was a bit caught between laughter and tears. She smiled and said, "When the time comes, if you aren't satisfied, I'll take the book back on the spot."
"Alright then, it's a deal. If the book gets rejected then, you can't complain about me," Bai Qing said.
"Rest assured, how would I dare?"
Fang Qiu smiled softly, extended her chopsticks, and placed a piece of meat into Bai Qing's bowl. "Here, Sister Bai, taste this. It's delicious."
"That's fine then."
Bai Qing let out a breath, picked up the meat Fang Qiu had placed in her bowl, and sent it into her mouth.
It smelled so good. Oily but not greasy, melting in the mouth immediately. As expected of Chef Mao of Wanmin Restaurant, his skills were indeed exquisite.
Soon, the food was swept away like wind curling the clouds.
This speed made Fang Qiu, who had been hungry for several meals, dumbfounded. Did these female editors eat a bit too fast? She had only eaten until she was half full, and the dishes were already gone.
As expected, the work in the editorial department was too exhausting. Evil capitalism. Increasing the editors' workload made them hungry fast. Being hungry fast meant they ate more. Eating more meant they spent money quickly.
Then the capitalists would sell ingredients back to the restaurants to make money. It was practically a closed loop.
"Alright, time's about up. Little Qiuqiu, we're leaving first. We can get together again next time."
The female editor named Li Yao touched her slightly bulging lower abdomen, rested one hand on Bai Qing's shoulder, and waved the other hand at Fang Qiu as she spoke.
"Mm, definitely next time."
Fang Qiu smiled and nodded. At the same time, the other party's form of address for her made the corner of her mouth twitch involuntarily.
Little Qiuqiu...
Why did it sound so much like Hilichurls...
"You just want Miss Fang Qiu to treat us, right?" Li Ling, standing to the side, rolled her eyes and said.
"How can you say that? Next time, I'll cover Little Qiuqiu's share."
After protesting, Li Yao turned back to look at Fang Qiu and said, "Let's wait until the busy days after the book launch are over. Little Qiuqiu, you should be old enough by now; let's go to a tavern and have a drink together."
"That's a good proposal. Should we call a few authors under us to come along then?"
"Let's just invite girls. After all, Miss Fang Qiu is so pretty; it would be bad if male authors harbored ill intentions."
"Makes sense. Let alone male authors, with Little Qiuqiu's looks, even girls like us can't hold back when looking at her. Don't you agree, Ah Qing?"
Before Bai Qing had time to speak, Li Ling pinched her cheek and said, "What nonsense are you spouting in front of the person herself? Don't be embarrassing. Let's go quickly."
After speaking, Li Ling hurriedly pulled Li Yao toward the exit of Wanmin Restaurant.
"Then, we'll leave first. See you next time."
Bai Qing smiled, stood up as well, and spoke.
"Mm, see you next time." Fang Qiu nodded.
Only after Bai Qing and the others had left did Fang Qiu react.
Wait...
Did they just say something about going to a tavern to drink? She was someone who got drunk on just one touch...
For a moment, Fang Qiu felt a bit of a headache. She couldn't very well chase after them now to tell them she couldn't drink...
Forget it. That female editor named Li Yao was probably just saying it for fun; maybe she would forget by tomorrow. Furthermore, even if she didn't forget by then, Fang Qiu could just say she didn't drink when the time came and focus on eating the food properly.
Thinking of this, she didn't mind it anymore.
"Chef Mao, can I order a few more dishes?" Fang Qiu asked.
"No problem, what would you like?" Chef Mao said.
"I want to eat Boiled Fish with Shrimp Dumplings." Fang Qiu thought for a moment, smiled, and spoke.
"Uh, I heard from Xiangling that you can't handle spicy food very well, right? Boiled Fish is very spicy. Are you sure you want to eat it?"
"Eh... then I'll just have Shrimp Dumplings. Thanks for the reminder, Chef Mao." Fang Qiu smiled and said.
"Small matter, small matter. You are my daughter's good friend, so naturally, I must entertain you well. Wait a moment; the Shrimp Dumplings will be here right away."
Chef Mao smiled. After speaking, he turned and entered the kitchen.
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