"I don't think it's possible! I need to revise my thesis and write, so I might not have time!"
Li Peifeng is definitely not going to give that lecture; if he did, it would be a big joke.
The School of Arts and Sciences at Northern China Normal University is a force to be reckoned with, alternating with the Chinese Department at Yandu University for supremacy. Numerous contemporary literary giants have been recruited by Northern China Normal, including Nobel Laureates and winners of the Zhuang Zhongwen Literature Award.
These luminaries are all professors at the School of Arts and Sciences, frequently giving lectures and participating in literary festivals, sharing their creative experiences, and earning the admiration and respect of students.
And me? Just a second-year grad student at the School of Arts and Sciences, a third-rate author of Mary Sue stories, CEO romances, and pig literature, daring to give lectures… I'm already trying my best to hide; why would I boast about my identity as a female genre author, even shamelessly flaunting my creative insights?
Zhao Qingge was somewhat disappointed with this response, though it was expected: "Let's talk about it later then."
Talk about it later, and ghost me!
After dodging a bullet, Li Peifeng began to ponder—how exactly does one live off Zhao Qingge?
Is seduction really the only way?
No way, Old Zhao, you should have sensibly given me thirty thousand bucks earlier instead of forcing me to resort to this trick.
I really can't do this outrageous and despicable act...
"Ahem~"
The small speakers on the computer desk sounded the TT chat software's notification. Li Peifeng glanced over and saw a group chat with the "Wind" character icon flashing madly in the lower right corner. At this moment, he realized his phone was also chiming with message alerts.
Perhaps the group admin had noticed the chat group was set to not allow anyone to join, and they were asking Li Peifeng why. But that's beside the point... the point is...
Zhao Qingge actually infiltrated his TT book club!
Well, the seduction is already in progress.
Suddenly, Li Peifeng had an epiphany.
Why does he appear in her mind as someone 'frivolous and wanton'?
Oh no! Let me hide in a three-bedroom apartment using my toes!
A storm was raging in Li Peifeng's heart, shaking his very core.
Zhao Qingge was momentarily taken aback, and the office fell into a few seconds of silence. She didn't turn to look at her student's expression, simply operating the mouse slowly, exiting the TT software, and said nonchalantly: "For your thesis, I glanced at this novel you wrote, including a few others before. It was a casual read during the National Day holiday when I had nothing to do. Honestly, I think there's an issue with your current creative direction. Sit down, let's talk."
Li Peifeng sat in the nearby chair, compelled to ask: "What's your TT username?"
"I didn't see it!"
Zhao Qingge reflexively responded...
Li Peifeng's smile was uglier than crying: "Hmm, you didn't see it."
I damn well asked you what your TT username is, and you told me you didn't see it?!! Didn't see what?!
Zhao Qingge also realized she unwittingly revealed herself, tilted her head thinking for a long time, suddenly furious: "If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't want to mention this! Your behavior at school, chasing skirts, is part of your private life, not out of line. I don't want to comment on it, but posting those kinds of photos online? You're seriously lacking moral integrity, whether you are poor or need money; doing such things is unacceptable. Do you understand?"
Who mentioned it?!
Li Peifeng weakly said, "I just asked for your TT username, not anything else."
Zhao Qingge continued to reprimand: "Moreover, if your personal information is leaked, and others know you're a student at Northern China Normal, these photos circulating online could have repercussions for you and the school—do you understand?"
"...So what's your TT username?"
"Clap~"
Zhao Qingge stretched out her dainty hand, slapped the table, raised an eyebrow, and said coldly: "What is the school motto of Northern China Normal?! 'Educate to be a teacher and behave as an exemplar!' You have not remembered a single one of these eight characters! How dare you post such photos in the group! And allow readers to send you private remittances? Do you have any sense of shame?"
"Are you worthy of my usual teachings? Are you worthy of your parents? If you continue like this, what will happen to you? You are just one step away from committing a crime!"
Zhao Qingge shook her head with a sigh: "Sad, I am sad for you. You are my first protégée. But now, even with my eyes wide open and wearing glasses, I can't see your future anymore!!"
"Tell me yourself, are you wrong?!"
Li Peifeng hung his head: "I was wrong... but what's your TT username?"
Li Peifeng swore to the heavens that he had no malicious intent, he just wanted to know Zhao Qingge's TT username and then kick Old Zhao out of the book club!
"And these novels you wrote!"
But Zhao Qingge didn't respond; instead, she searched for Li Peifeng's pen name on the computer, entered the entry, and the screen showed all the works of 'One Ounce of Wind in the World'...
"The Demon CEO Enraptures Me," "The Runaway Empress and the Sickly Crown Prince's Forbidden Love," "Three Lifetimes, Three Eras, Always the Mistress," "Imperial Concubine's Live Broadcast," "The Bald Girl from the Stars," "The Million Male Cultivators in the World Kneel to Me"...
"Look, look at what you wrote!"
Zhao Qingge pointed at the screen, practically heartbroken: "In your thesis, you clearly stated, 'Online literature cannot be separated from the market economy; it needs to cater to contemporary readers and the latest markets, but the only way to cater is for the author to express the true self, express genuine inner thoughts. Beneath the seemingly superficial trends, write about people's deeper fears and loves, directly address people's core anxieties and spiritual directions, grasp the zeitgeist, and spread correct values.'"
"Well said, deeply analyzed. But how have you been doing? Have you expressed your true self? Is there any bit of your own reflection on the world in these books? I can't see the influence of academic principles on you in these books; everything you've written caters to readers, merely pandering to the market! Each one is more vulgar than the last!"
Li Peifeng quietly defended himself: "Each one makes more money."
"Making money is good, but you must have a bottom line, right? Let's not mention other novels, just look at the one you're writing now..."
Zhao Qingge finally changed the subject and searched on the computer for "Female Sovereign: One Hundred and Eight Babies; I'm a Big Boss on Liang Mountain." She clicked the first search result, and as the screen displayed the novel's directory, she sternly asked, "Tell me what you're writing in this book? Postpartum care for sows or a biological miracle?!"
"That's just the surface!!"
Even knowing the other was changing the topic, upon hearing his book being criticized like this, Li Peifeng couldn't help but retort: "The nation is currently facing the harsh issue of an aging population and negative population growth, so I felt inspired to write this book. It expresses the spirit of encouraging multiple births in line with national policy. Due to significant gender antagonism present in society today, the book's setting was placed in ancient matriarchal times."
"The work belongs to satirical literature. I create using exaggerated methods and satirical attitudes, using spicy language and despicable, ridiculous characters and plots in the book to rebuke the darkness of human nature, targeting social ignorance with criticism... Teacher, you should understand me!!"
Zhao Qingge squinted: "Can't decide on a theme, so it's satire literature, right?"
"If I hadn't read a few chapters of your book, I might have believed your nonsense. Maybe during the doctoral interview, you can try saying this about your creative direction to the professors. Hopefully, they'll believe you."
Believe it or not, I write books just to put food on the table.
Li Peifeng didn't mind, he glanced at the monitor with a faint smile.
Because he noticed that the chapter titles in the directory were all grayed out, including the newest chapter 'Chapter 254, Xia Lanbing Ascends the Throne Large Ceremony, Smart Star Advises Choosing Male Concubines.' This chapter was also gray.
What does that signify?
It signifies that Zhao Qingge read the entire book from start to finish, not just casually glancing at it as she claimed.
Clearly, she was completely hooked!!
Hmph, just criticized my pig literature harshly, but behind the scenes might be laughing like an aunt, woman!
Thoughts flashed quickly in Li Peifeng's mind, he withdrew his gaze from the screen, realized something was wrong, and checked the webpage carefully, finally discovering a problem...
"This is a damn piracy site, isn't it?!"