Fang Yi sat down at the desk and expertly booted up the computer.
After dialing into the internet, he navigated to the homepage of Under the Banyan Tree.
The moment he opened the site's backend, a flood of internal messages greeted his eyes.
Sipping his chilled Coke, he began clicking through them one by one.
Most of the messages were from the editors at Under the Banyan Tree, all asking the same thing in various ways: why he had stopped updating, and when he planned to resume.
But soon, one particular message caught his eye.
"Hello, I'm the chief editor of Hongyan Publishing House in Shanghai. I've been following your work with great interest. If you're open to discussing publication, please leave your contact information…"
Heh. Finally couldn't hold back, huh?
Before, Fang Yi had been the one at a disadvantage. But now? The tables had turned.
Because while there were many publishers in the country, there was only one Ghost Blows Out the Light.
Fang Yi had options. Hongyan Publishing only had one.
It was simple logic. The online explosion of Ghost Blows Out the Light had already proven its value. Who would pass up a guaranteed moneymaker?
—
"Wait—your book's getting published?"
At some point, Han Ning had appeared behind him. When she saw the message on the screen, she gasped in surprise.
She had known he was writing a novel lately, but she'd assumed it was just a hobby, something for fun. Never in a million years did she expect a real publisher to come knocking.
Fang Yi didn't even turn around as he replied, "I haven't responded yet. And if it does get published, it probably won't happen until the end of the year."
Publishing a physical book was a drawn-out process—multiple rounds of editing, proofreading, ISBN registration… it all took time. Half a year would be the bare minimum.
Han Ning's eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, "When your book comes out, promise you'll let me know. I have to buy a copy."
After replying to the message and leaving his phone number, Fang Yi closed the webpage and shut down the computer.
Seeing this, Han Ning asked, "You're done?"
"Yeah."
Fang Yi nodded and stood up. "I'll head home then."
"Alright. Be careful on your way back."
Fang Yi grinned. "Aw, I thought you'd at least invite me to stay for dinner."
Han Ning blushed. "I… I haven't told my parents about us yet."
That piqued Fang Yi's curiosity. "Oh? So when do you plan to tell them?"
Biting her lip in hesitation, Han Ning murmured, "After school starts… maybe."
With girls like Han Ning, you had to use a different approach.
She might have a rebellious streak deep down, but years of being the "perfect daughter" had turned that into a habit. She'd never be the first to make a move.
So you had to take the initiative—gently tease her, sprinkle in your real feelings disguised as jokes.
It was like working an abacus: give it a little push, and the beads would start moving.
—
After parting ways with Han Ning, Fang Yi headed straight home.
On his way past the front gate of the neighborhood, he spotted someone selling pears from a pushcart.
He stopped his bike and spent three yuan on a big bag, then pedaled over to Zhao Wanqiu's place.
She had been discharged from the hospital a few days ago, but her surgical wound hadn't fully healed yet, so she was still stuck at home recovering.
He knocked on her door, and after a moment, he heard the slap-slap of slippers shuffling across the floor.
The door opened.
When she saw it was Fang Yi, Zhao Wanqiu's eyes lit up instantly. "Yi-ge! You're here!"
"I saw someone selling pears at the gate and thought you'd like some," Fang Yi said as he stepped into the living room with the bag.
Pears were good for the lungs and helped with coughs—perfect for her current state.
He picked out two large, plump pears from the bag, rinsed them in the kitchen, then handed one to her while biting into the other himself.
The moment his teeth sank in, sweet, juicy flavor burst in his mouth.
This batch was excellent—thin skin, crisp flesh, full of juice.
Zhao Wanqiu sat cross-legged on the sofa, nibbling at her pear in small bites while grumbling, "Yi-ge, I'm so bored at home. I'm going stir-crazy!"
"Read a book. Watch some TV," Fang Yi suggested casually.
"But it's the same old dramas over and over! I'm so sick of them!"
That was just how she was—always full of energy. Asking her to sit still at home for a week was like putting a bird in a cage.
She glanced at him with hopeful eyes. "Yi-ge, how about I come over to your place tomorrow?"
"I've got a lot on my plate these next couple of days. You need to stay home and rest up. Once you're better, I'll take you out, promise."
As he said this, he reached out and ruffled her short hair, gently rejecting her request.
He figured Hongyan Publishing would probably contact him soon to discuss a contract. He needed to be ready.
"…Fine."
Zhao Wanqiu pouted but nodded reluctantly.
After finishing their pears, the two chatted for a bit longer before Fang Yi finally got up to leave.
As she watched his figure disappear through the door, Zhao Wanqiu puffed up her cheeks and sulked.
Just now, she had caught a faint fragrance on Fang Yi's clothes—a subtle scent, light and pleasant… definitely a girl's scent.
Had Yi-ge gotten a girlfriend?
If he had… would he still take her out to play?
Suddenly, the pear she was holding didn't taste sweet anymore.