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In an instant, Ye Qinleng's face turned completely red. The three of them—Xu Lin included—looked at him in unison. Xu Lin hurriedly moved to stand beside Chu Qingchan, shaking his head innocently as if to say, “I don’t know anything!” Heaven can be my witness—I, Xu Lin, have never clung to a sugar mama’s coattails!

Ye Qinleng was utterly dumbfounded. Why did he have to open his mouth and ramble on that night! Still, at least now it was clear the other party didn’t have a girlfriend; he wasn’t coveting someone else’s boyfriend. But his composure was shot—it was all that brat’s fault!

Back when he’d just risen to his position, he’d barely had any help. Even when facing a dozen board members, he hadn’t felt this flustered!

“I was only saying Xu Lin is handsome, writes well, and can shoot arrows—just casual remarks, nothing more. Don’t get the wrong idea!” he hurried to explain.

“What could we misunderstand? Xu Lin doesn’t have a girlfriend, right, sis?” someone chimed in.

“That’s right,” Chu Qingchan nodded, biting her molars and giving her sister a discreet jab—“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you!”

“No, really,” Ye Qinleng said, desperate to avoid more awkwardness, “the people around me are always a mess, all sorts of things going on. So I think Xu Lin’s personality and looks are quite nice, but he’s just too young.”

His honesty left Xu Lin a little stunned—he hadn’t expected such candor.

“You know so many people; I’m just an ordinary high school student—nothing special.”

“It’s different,” Ye Qinleng replied. “Anyway, please forgive the ramblings of an old woman.”

“No worries, let him like whoever he wants,” Chu Fengyi tossed her hair, not even glancing at Xu Lin, but he could feel Chu Qingchan’s gaze growing colder.

After dinner, Xu Lin didn’t go play with little Peony. Instead, he went straight back to his room to immerse himself in writing.

Now, he told himself, I am an unfeeling writing machine—women are all fleeting distractions. I only want to write in earnest!

He didn’t know how much time had passed before his phone rang. It was already 11 o’clock. He checked his novel’s stats—over three thousand collections now, rising by four to six hundred a day, and this was only the first recommendation. Xu Lin took a deep breath; things were looking promising.

Although it probably wouldn’t become a huge hit, at least he could save up his first bit of earnings. Maybe his parents would worry less, and he could help Bai Xiaoxiao too.

Thinking of Bai Xiaoxiao, Xu Lin suddenly wanted to return to school. Even though classes were dull, they brought him a different kind of inner peace.

He wondered how Class Rep Ji and the others were doing. He opened QQ, planning to send a message, but realized they were probably already asleep.

He set his phone down, but a few seconds later picked it up again, sending messages to Ma Zhiyu and Li Bin.

Both replied quickly, asking what he was doing out of town—what fun and good food he’d found. Xu Lin promptly created a group chat for the three of them.

His leave had been arranged by Chu Fengyi, who’d spoken to the director herself. As the school’s top donor, her word carried weight, and approval had come easily. Most classmates heard the generic explanation that something had come up at home, but Ma Zhiyu and the others, who knew him well, knew he’d traveled far.

“I’m in Jinling; if all goes well, I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon,” he wrote.

Ma Zhiyu: Welcome back to the joy of classes!

Li Bin: You have no idea, lately there’s been so much damn homework I haven’t even had time for the new anime.

Ma Zhiyu: I’ve been reading novels lately.

Li Bin: What, Battle Through the Heavens? Soul Land?

Ma Zhiyu: No, a light novel—it’s called, I think… “Daily Life,” by the author ‘I Have Twelve Zodiac Signs’.

Li Bin: What kind of name is that? Is it any good?

Xu Lin saw their conversation, and his brows furrowed—what a coincidence, a friend was reading his novel. Was he really that popular?

His pen name, if anyone learned its true meaning, could get him in trouble. The “Twelve Zodiac Collection Plan” was his dream—unrealistic, perhaps, but pleasant to fantasize about. If the Zodiac Sisters found out, he’d be torn into twelve pieces.

Ma Zhiyu: It’s good—you two should check it out.

Xu Lin: I wrote it.

Ma Zhiyu: Ha! You, writing a book? Sure you did!

Xu Lin: I’m serious.

Li Bin: Xu Lin doesn’t usually lie.

Ma Zhiyu: I don’t believe it. You can write essays, sure, but a novel? No way.

Xu Lin: [Screenshot of the backend]

Ma Zhiyu: Li Bin, look! Is this photoshopped? I can’t accept this!

Li Bin: Zhiyu, get a grip. Isn’t it better that your favorite author is a classmate?

Xu Lin: I’ll spoil something for you.

Ma Zhiyu: No spoilers, damn it!

Xu Lin: I haven’t written much yet—there’s not much to spoil.

Ma Zhiyu: Still, you’re impressive. Have you made any money?

Xu Lin: Not yet—it needs to go on sale and get subscriptions.

Ma Zhiyu: I’ll support you when it’s out.

Li Bin: Have you ever paid for anime, novels, or movies?

Ma Zhiyu: I’ll support my brother! How could I read pirated copies? That’s an insult to my character! If I don’t become your top supporter, I’ll do a handstand and pee on the spot!

Xu Lin: No need for that, brother!

After chatting a bit more, Xu Lin opened Ji Yun’s chat window and sent a message: “I’ll be back soon.”

Not two seconds passed before a reply came—just a short sentence, but it warmed him entirely.

“Be careful on the road. It’s going to rain here tomorrow, colder than where you are. Wear more. Welcome home.”

“You should get some rest too.”

“Mm.”

Then he opened Teacher Su’s WeChat and sent a quick message. A reply came within seconds.

“Coming back is fine, but why bother telling me! You didn’t even tell me when you left~”

Xu Lin smiled, immediately starting a voice call. It rang a few times before connecting—a low voice, as if from under the covers.

“What is it?”

“My mom’s nearby. I’m under the covers. She told me to go to bed early.”

“Then go to sleep. I won’t bother you.”

“Turn on the voice call!”

“Teacher Su, weren’t you just complaining I didn’t tell you I was leaving?”

“No need. Our relationship is clean—just teacher and student. You don’t have to tell me everything.”

“But you’re my dearest, most beloved teacher. How could I neglect you? Sorry for not letting you know.”

“Stop it, you’re making me cringe.”

“Haha.”

“All right, I’ll hang up now… Mom, why are you coming in?”

Her tone changed abruptly, and Xu Lin heard Su’s mother’s voice.

“Chatting with Xiao Xu?”

“Mm.”

“Don’t talk too late.”

“I know.”

“Chat all you want. Next time, bring him over—let your father meet him.”

“Oh.”

“Xu Lin, did you hear that? My mom wants you to come over.”

“No way. Hanging up.”

Xu Lin instantly ended the call. In Linshui, Su Qingwan stared at her phone, momentarily stunned.

Xu Lin, you dare hang up on me… Sigh, I’m really losing my authority as a teacher.

Finally, Xu Lin considered contacting Bai Xiaoxiao, but remembered she didn’t have a smartphone—just a landline. It was almost midnight; better not disturb her mother. He’d visit in person when he returned.

With these thoughts, he glanced through his contacts—Class Rep Ji, Teacher Su, Senior Bai… He was starting to look like a bit of a playboy.

He still had to work harder!

Encouraging himself with a vague determination, drowsiness overtook him. He lay back, gazing at the ceiling, eyes slowly closing.

But that night, for the first time since arriving in Jinling, he drifted into sleep with a smile on his lips.