My System Forces Me to Live off Women-Chapter 226 - 205: Slurp Slurp

"Recently, male editors might contact you, don't believe a single word they say—it's all just big talk. Just focus on writing your book."

Li Peifeng received a call from Xia Sheng after class ended, a little after 3:00 PM. Editor Xia started by declaring that male editors were exceptionally good at making empty promises, not a single one could be trusted, and then he began playing the emotional card with Li Peifeng.

The core message was clear: don't run off with any other editor, stick with me, and I can still satisfy your needs!

As everyone knows, Li Peifeng is anything but a fickle, capricious guy; he's someone who is loyal and cherishes old relationships. Therefore, he agreed immediately, putting Editor Xia at ease—his loyalty is strong, and no one could dig him away.

Afterward, Xia Sheng talked with Li Peifeng about many things, including the ending of "Female Respect," the story of that Otherworld in "Sword and Magic," and his creative ideas for the new book.

Throughout the call, aside from showing affirmation and praise, Xia Sheng also expressed concerns and worries.

Online novels have always been about selling emotions; how to tell a good story and engage readers' emotions is crucial.

Xia Sheng was worried that Li Peifeng, excited about his own writing, would let the epic background and worldview overshadow the story's intelligence, or that the literary quality would improve, but the storytelling might lag behind.

"If you had told me before I saw your outline that you wanted to write fantasy, I might have suggested you look at 'Lord of the Mysteries' and 'Sword of Dawn,' which are quite nicely integrated. But now, after reading your work, it seems that's not viable. You can't glean anything from market novels anymore; the path ahead is yours alone. If you don't have any ideas, take a break; if you do, then write."

"Start by following your own ideas, write freely and get the detailed outline and a 30,000-word beginning done, and then I and other editors will review them and give you suggestions... Contact me anytime if you have questions! "

Xia Sheng's expectations for "Sword and Magic" were evident, and the fact that it would be a joint review by editors was something Li Peifeng had never heard of, which indicated that other editors also placed great importance on this book, though it added some pressure for Li Peifeng.

He clearly knew his writing capabilities, and this story's structure was beyond his level because the basic structure of "Sword and Magic" was copied from numerous historical books of the DQ01 Magic Plane.

Those heroic characters existed in real history, not merely in his imagination, and many dialogues from different characters were directly quoted without alteration.

Even the poetry and songs in the Twelve Books were originally from the Otherworld, authored by poets and singers from another world. Li Peifeng merely translated and beautified them, memorized them in the Otherworld's library, and inputted them into his computer after waking up.

In other words, the contents of that 200MB document were basically not original. Li Peifeng was merely a transporter and patcher while other people only thought he was brilliant for constructing such a grand and flawless real-world in his mind.

But what comes next? The background structure is merely a stage for the work. Now that the stage has been built, the protagonist has yet to come on stage to perform, and the real story hasn't started.

If on such a splendid and exquisite stage, the protagonist not only appears plain but also sings off-key and speaks incomprehensibly, the audience will still not buy it and might even become more disgusted.

This is what's called, "placing a beast's head on a straw house and embroidering peonies into burlap—totally mismatched."

"The road ahead? Indeed, it's one that only I can walk on."

Li Peifeng was filled with emotion, he wanted to go home and continue writing but had no ideas, so he went into Zhao Qingge's office instead. As soon as he entered, he saw Old Zhao holding a notebook, standing up as if he was about to head out.

"You're leaving?"

"There's a meeting," Zhao Qingge glanced at his watch, "It starts in ten minutes, make it quick if you have something to say."

After a brief hesitation, Li Peifeng spoke, "Do you have time tonight? I'd like to have dinner with you, watch the stars, and chat about literature."

Zhao Qingge's eyelids drooped slightly, "We'll see, I won't get off work before six today."

This was an agreement, and Li Peifeng smiled, "Then I'll book a restaurant now, let me know when you're almost off work."

Zhao Qingge gave a light nod and walked out of the office first: "Are you leaving? If so, I'll lock the door."

"I'm leaving too, go ahead and lock it."

Having arranged with Old Zhao, Li Peifeng didn't head home but went to find Wu Wenyue.

With a tip from Tang Yan, he knew she was in class. So, he bought a cup of milk tea and brazenly walked into the classroom, placing it in front of Wu Wenyue, then casually took a seat next to her, playing the part of "Your Desk Mate," quietly accompanying her through the class.

Wu Wenyue didn't even touch the milk tea or acknowledge him, acting as though Li Peifeng was air as she attended her class and took her notes.

Through it all, Li Peifeng didn't speak a word, only propping his head on his hand, tilting his head to gaze at Wu Wenyue, an expression of deep affection...

He had his reasons for this; now, both girls had not only exited the family group chat but also blocked Li Peifeng, entering a complete cold war state.

He figured he needed to make his presence known, to stay in their sight; he couldn't disappear from their lives completely, he needed them to know he still cared about them.

Otherwise, if the cold war continued and he never showed up, their relationships could truly turn cold.

As for apologizing, it wasn't necessary, he had already apologized once this week!

Accompanying her quietly in class was a subtle way of expressing his apology.

When Li Peifeng entered the classroom, the class was already more than half over, so soon the teacher announced the class ended. Wu Wenyue packed her books to leave on her own, and Li Peifeng followed her pace with the milk tea in hand.

"Wenyue, I saw that dunking video got 2.3 million likes, it's currently trending. How about we shoot a collaborative video to maintain its popularity..."

Maybe because it was work-related, or maybe being stared at with those mushy eyes for so long during class, Wu Wenyue's expression softened, she glanced at him, "Do you have a good idea?"

Li Peifeng pondered, "Shoot that martial arts-themed costume transformation video on the Great Wall, and I'll sing for you, how about it?"

Wu Wenyue thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay, but we can't shoot today, there's not enough time. I'll have the team refine the idea tonight and we'll shoot when the weather is clear the next few days."

"Okay, what are you up to next? I saw you seemed a bit uncomfortable during class, how about I give you a back rub?"

Wu Wenyue pursed her lips, "I'm going to the lab, I have work to do."

"Can I come in?" Li Peifeng smiled mischievously, "I could get your back, assisting you with little tasks."

Wu Wenyue halted her step, furrowing her brows as she glared at him for a moment, "If you don't mind donating one of your kidneys, I can test it for you..."

"Don't joke around." Li Peifeng waved his hands dismissively, "Let's be serious, get me off that blacklist, this is starting to feel like a quarrel between school kids."

"No way."

"Is it necessary?"

"Absolutely!"

"I don't get it..."

"You do!"

Wu Wenyue couldn't be bothered with him, continuing to stride ahead briskly, making Li Peifeng follow her closely, which made her even more anxious: "If you have no time, go pick up trash in the street, do something decent for once!"

Li Peifeng sighed deeply, "In the end, it's me with this tongue that gets on people's nerves, I will leave now, keep distance to not annoy you again, but I'd like to advise two more words before I go."

"Speak."

Li Peifeng rambled, "When your back hurts, remember to call me, I'll come to give you a massage; hospitals are far, I know you hate going, finding it expensive and want to save money, but you must not delay the injury, I can use a fascia gun and tools to massage for you, remember not to be miserly and cherish your face too much, wouldn't I feel heartache seeing you in pain? Watching you frown and wiggle during class, I wished it was me who fell and not you."

Wu Wenyue's lips twitched, finally letting out a humph, "You're just going to lick me up, aren't you? Wrap it up and go substitute as Tahm Kench in League of Legends, seeing you just irritates me!"

Li Peifeng took no offense, gazing even more deeply, "Since when did our relationship become about licking or not? I've licked every part of your body, and you've bitten mine all over too..."

Wu Wenyue's expression changed instantly, "Get lost!"

Li Peifeng added worriedly, "Brother Yue, remember, the moment you look back, you'll see me waving at you."

With that, he turned and left. Wu Wenyue couldn't help but glance back, only to see Li Peifeng had taken just two steps before turning back, corners of his mouth tilting upward as if wanting to smile but suppressing it. His tone softened, holding a trace of gentleness, "What are you coming back for?"

Li Peifeng nonchalantly, "Manning, where's Manning? I'm going to check on her."