"Yanyan, why didn't you go to Xu Lin's place today?"
Saturday.
Yu Xinyan staying home reading was truly out of character.
After all, around this time, she'd usually be out of sight, having breakfast and heading over to Xu Lin's.
So Lin Yajing and Comrade Jianhua were quite puzzled.
"Xu Lin is writing a novel today, I don't want to disturb him."
"I see."
The couple exchanged a glance.
On the other side, today was already the third day since the article request from Shifang.
Xu Lin started writing in the morning, worked for over six hours, and finally completed the remaining 40,000 words.
The last 100,000 words took another half an hour to polish, and only then did Xu Lin stretch lazily.
It was already afternoon.
Outside the window, there was a gentle breeze and sun.
Today was another sunny day.
But on the bed, there was nobody.
"Damn, I actually kind of miss it!"
After all, there used to be a girl sitting on this bed, reading or watching him.
Xu Lin sent the manuscript to Shifang, who quickly acknowledged receipt.
"Good thing I'm not specialized in writing web fiction, this industry is too tough."
100,000 words in three days, for others, would be a month's work or ten days at least if they write 10,000 words daily.
But Xu Lin managed it in three days, with top-notch quality, something no one else could do.
However, Xu Lin sees himself as an amateur, picking up projects when he needs money, then living freely when he's got it.
He can't immerse himself in this industry.
Like this time, earning 50,000; with a few more like this, Xu Lin could buy a decent car in full.
If he dared, even a luxury car would not be out of the question with a loan.
Unconsciously, more than two hours had passed.
Finally, a message from Shifang arrived.
"Whoa! Bro, this manuscript is amazing! It's even more thrilling than I imagined the battle scenes would be!"
"I feel like this fight description could be nominated for the annual web fiction awards!"
Shifang sent a dozen messages in a row.
Xu Lin just glanced; he's there to get the job done and doesn't concern himself with anything else.
"Bro, send me the payment code, I'll transfer the money to you."
Xu Lin sent over the payment code.
Shortly after, Xu Lin received the 50,000 in his account.
Shifang: "Bro, I'm waiting for the big explosion! Grin.jpg"
OnlyPayPerDay: "Best of luck!"
[Task: The Man Behind the Gods.]
[Progress: Obscure.]
"When will this progress update?"
Next level after obscure is somewhat known.
Thinking about it, Xu Lin realized he's only worked for two authors, maybe he needs more clients?
"Seems like it."
"If there are other authors needing this, recommend me."
OnlyPayPerDay: "But I only do premium, don't recommend me any mediocre stuff."
"Bro, you got it!"
Shifang replied: "I happen to have some friends in need as well."
OnlyPayPerDay: "Okay, but let's discuss in a few days, I need a break."
Shifang: "Bro, take a good rest! Grin.jpg"
Time quickly flew to ten o'clock at night.
Shifang's message came again.
"Bro! Are you there?"
"You there?"
"Bro, your manuscript is amazing, my sales data is skyrocketing! Whoa! It's way beyond my peak, and still climbing!"
Earlier in the afternoon, Shifang had uploaded five chapters of Xu Lin's manuscript in one go.
After a few hours of brewing, when Shifang returned from his errands and checked, the data had exploded.
"Author, did you take leave just to write this? It's so good, keep it coming!"
"Did the author have a revelation at Dragon Field? Suddenly making such leaps!"
"Author, you don't want me sending blades, do you?"
...
Xu Lin paused his game, glanced at Shifang's message and the screenshots.
He remained calm.
Just replied: "Keep your cool."
Shifang: "Okay, bro, you're too strong!"
At this time, Shifang returned to his small author group, which had only five people, all peers who usually discussed writing together.
At that moment, everyone in the group was tagging him like crazy.
"Damn! How did your book suddenly take off?"
"Awesome, these numbers have me stunned!"
"Shifang, did you get the manuscript written by the person Moonlit Night mentioned?"
Shifang entered and said: "Ahem, yes, obviously the manuscript wasn't something I could write at my level."
"I read your latest five chapters, they're so strong, I wonder what caliber writer could produce that! Those 50,000 bucks were absolutely worth it!"
"Is this big shot someone from ancient times?"
"I've read books for over a decade and have never seen writing of this level. This giant is incredibly strong! Meeting him is like an ant seeing the sky!"
"To have such writing skill and only do ghostwriting, that's really wayward. If it were me, I'd be deified immediately, and the highest kind of god!"
"Shifang, share the big shot's contact info. Let me figure it out!"
"Share it with me too!"
"And me!"
Shifang: "Guys, give it a few days. The big shot is resting, and make sure to keep it confidential!"
[You have a new message alert!]
On the other side, Xu Lin received a system message alert.
Huh?
Xu Lin murmured under his breath and opened it.
[Task: The Man Behind the Gods.]
[Task Progress: Gaining Some Fame.]
"Huh?"
"It actually upgraded!"
"If it upgrades one more level to 'Rising Fame', then I can get a reward!"
Xu Lin was in a good mood.
Soon it was Monday.
In the morning, Xu Lin went to pick up Yu Xinyan. After they had breakfast by the roadside, they headed directly to the site for the second driving test.
"Xu Lin, I'm a little nervous. I heard the second driving test is very strict."
Yu Xinyan said behind Xu Lin, with both hands on his shoulders for a sense of security.
Although she wanted to go a step further — that is, hug Xu Lin.
"The third test is even harder, you have to drive on the road."
"Oh, what should I do then?"
"Isn't it just about using your hands?"
"Xu Lin, you're not being serious."
Xu Lin burst into laughter.
Very soon, the two arrived at the test site and met Lei Haolong.
There were only the three of them taking the test at this time on Monday. As for previously forming a group from the class, that was just for registering together.
Later, Lei Haolong also scheduled group test times from the first test to the fourth.
Except for the first test, from the second test onward, Xu Lin and the others ignored Zhao Yifei.
"Xu Lin, I'm a little nervous!"
Lei Haolong quickly said when he first saw Xu Lin.
"Why are you, a grown man, nervous about nothing?"
"Xu Lin, what if I really don't pass?"
"Then you might as well smash your head in."
"Damn it!"
In the end, the result was the same for all three; Xu Lin passed easily, Yu Xinyan was a bit nervous but also passed.
Lei Haolong was the most nervous, but he ended up passing too.
It was just a small episode.
[Task: Get the Driver's License.]
[Task Progress: First test (completed), Second test (completed), Third test (pending)]
"Once I complete the third and fourth tests, I can get the reward!"
Xu Lin looked forward to it eagerly.
As night fell.
In the class group chat Zhao Yifei @everyone: "Is everyone ready for the second test? Let's go take the test together tomorrow! Everyone, type 1 to respond."
Many people who had already registered responded quickly with a 1.
Zhao Yifei went through the list one by one.
In the end, he found that three people didn't type 1; they were Xu Lin, Yu Xinyan, and Lei Haolong.
The people Zhao Yifei disliked the most were Xu Lin and Lei Haolong, especially Xu Lin.
Zhao Yifei @ Yu Xinyan: "Yu Xinyan, are you ready for the second test?"
Yu Xinyan came out with, "Xu Lin and I have already passed the second test!"
Zhao Yifei was surprised, "What? Why didn't you all go with the main group?"
Zhao Yifei felt like he'd missed out on a huge opportunity.
Because this way, he couldn't see Yu Xinyan.
"Xu Lin, you damn fool!"
Xu Lin, who happened to be on the chat app, replied: "Fei, are you out of your mind? Do you need a big group to take the second test? Are you a milk dragon?"
Lei Haolong: "Class president, I've finished too, felt like all I needed were hands."
Fuck!
These two bastards!
Zhao Yifei saw the two people he least wanted to see.
"No way, I have to block them!"
Zhao Yifei thought he couldn't be associated with them, planning to find and remove Xu Lin and Lei Haolong from his friend list, only to realize after search that...
He didn't even have their contact.
This gave Zhao Yifei an unsettling feeling, like sitting on a toilet with pants down but unable to go, with something stuck inside.
"Damn it! These two bastards! They really piss me off!"
"Forget it, I shouldn't stoop to their level. In a few days, the results of the college entrance exam will come out. I bet they won't be able to laugh then!"
Thinking of this, Zhao Yifei began fantasizing about his shining moment when the results are released.
After the college entrance exam, he had already checked the answers, securing a stable performance.