Chapter 45

Happily whistling a tune, when Liu Meng returned to the dormitory, it was already past nine o'clock. Walking to the dormitory door, he found it eerily dark inside. Liu Meng immediately became alert, thinking, "What the hell is going on?"

He first knocked on the door of the adjacent room 305, but there was no response. After waiting a bit and listening quietly, there was still no movement inside. What's going on?

Surprised, he quickly opened the door and rushed in, turning on the light. To his shock, the entire dormitory, even room 305, was completely empty, not a single person was there!

This was very unusual.

"Guys, the dormitory is empty, where have you all gone?" Liu Meng sent a message to the leader of the group.

"Little troublemaker, where have you gone? You've been elusive lately. We're all in the study room, staying up all night to study!" The leader replied quickly. The leader always replied to messages promptly, no matter the content.

Only then did Liu Meng remember that the midterm exams were coming up next week.

Even though the top students played around a lot, they still had a deep-seated passion for exams.

Liu Meng realized he had neglected his studies, and his student identity was becoming a mere formality. Thinking about this, he found it boring to stay in the dormitory alone and unconsciously headed to the main building, planning to check out the study room. He just stood outside and peeked through the small glass window.

To his surprise, he saw Gu Pan. He didn't expect her to be in the study room for class 3, where the entire class, except for himself, was diligently studying.

Although he had a natural advantage in math and a good grasp of English, exams had their own set of rules, and this didn't guarantee good grades. Ability and grades always had a mysterious relationship.

Seeing everyone's high enthusiasm, Liu Meng felt a surge of motivation. How could he not work hard?

Gu Pan continued to do her homework in the study room for class 3. Every time someone entered, she would glance at the door and then quickly lower her head to focus on her books.

"Don't look around, concentrate on your revision," Zheng Wen whispered.

Gu Pan huffed, feeling somewhat annoyed and didn't respond.

Zheng Wen thought, "You're just pretending. How long can you keep this up? Oh well, I won't get involved in your affairs. You two are a pair of stubborn donkeys."

At the new campus of Ice City University of Technology, the main building's study rooms officially opened for all-night study sessions a week before the exams. The top students were enthusiastic, staying up late and studying with great fervor. Some students even brought their blankets, toothbrushes, and basins to the study room, taking naps when they were tired and then continuing to study.

Among the freshmen, Liu Ruyi was probably the only one who remained relaxed. The young girl was still leisurely surfing the internet in the computer lab 508 of the main building, constantly messaging the forum moderator and chatting with him.

"Who is that fatty, tell me?" Liu Ruyi sent a message.

The moderator, "I am a Lone Wolf," replied, "Absolutely not. As a moderator, I must have principles."

"Hmph, your principles are already shattered. If you don't tell me, you'll be in trouble."

"Hehe, I've glued them back together. Don't threaten this handsome guy, I'm scared."

Back and forth, there was no result, which made Liu Ruyi so angry that she threw the mouse and stood up, muttering to herself, "No way, this wolf is too soft. I need to get tough, and see if he talks."

...

For the next two days, Liu Meng stayed in the library, continuing to write his novel, review English, and study some less important non-degree courses like engineering drawing and computer fundamentals, treating it as a way to relax.

As for Zhou Shiyuan, she had become well-behaved and no longer played pranks on Liu Meng. She was probably scared off that night, which comforted Liu Meng.

Regarding the novel, he received an A-sign contract message from Dian Nang Chinese Network, which was expected. He didn't take it to heart. Signing a contract was not his goal. From the moment he received the contract message, Liu Meng suddenly increased his daily updates to 20,000 words. As the word count increased, the Huan Dao Book Alliance was in a heated state, and the entire forum was discussing "Return to Ming."

Some hardcore fans even started researching the history of the Ming Wu Zong period, citing sources in the comments section, making it very lively. Gradually, the novel showed signs of becoming a major hit.

Seeing this, Liu Meng was secretly pleased. It seemed his initial judgment was correct. Instead of waiting for the development of web novels, it was better to guide the readers' interest. This also gave him great confidence.

He was no longer satisfied with just signing a contract and making a little money. He had bigger ambitions and plans.

...

At 8 PM, the chief editor of Huan Dao Book Alliance, Ye Lang, was still at work. He lived and ate at the company, with no concept of work hours. Apart from eating, drinking, and using the restroom, he spent his time staring at the computer, reading the novels on the site.

He had just finished reading the 20,000-word update of "Return to Ming" for the day, feeling somewhat unsatisfied. He lit a cigarette, took a deep puff, and exhaled a series of smoke rings, a satisfied look on his face.

To his surprise, "Return to Ming" had not yet applied for a contract. Usually, authors would eagerly apply for a contract as soon as they reached the 50,000-word threshold, but this fatty had not made any moves.

He searched and found that the novel had not signed with Dian Nang Chinese Network either. Moreover, Huan Dao Book Alliance always maintained a 4,000-word lead over Dian Nang Chinese Network.

Since this was the case, he decided to continue showing sincerity. Treating people sincerely would always bring rewards.

Thinking about this, Ye Lang decided to give "Return to Ming" a major feature next week to fully promote the novel. He believed that the fatty would reciprocate and sign with Huan Dao Book Alliance.

However, the major feature for next week was already reserved for one of the big names at Huan Dao Book Alliance, Super Brother's "Mercenary Legend." How to convince Super Brother to give up his slot? This gave Ye Lang a headache.

...

Donggua had been restless for the past two days. He had sent the contract message to the fatty, but the fatty had not responded. It wasn't that he had no response; at least he had suddenly increased his daily updates to 20,000 words. With this update speed and quality, the novel was hard not to become a hit.

Donggua confirmed again that this fatty had ulterior motives. He wanted more than just a contract. What did he want? Donggua fell into deep thought.

In the past few days, Donggua had discussed with the chief editor, Yan Hui, several times. With Yan Hui's insight, he naturally saw the potential of "Return to Ming." However, he was busy negotiating investments with several major investors and couldn't focus on this side. He entrusted Donggua to contact the fatty and sign the contract as soon as possible.

Donggua had been trying to contact the fatty, but the fatty only left a QQ number, not a phone number. Attempts to add him as a friend were met with no response, making it impossible to reach him.

This fatty must be doing this on purpose. Donggua gritted his teeth, looking at the unresponsive QQ.

...

Another weekend arrived. Early Saturday morning, the class president, Guo Yu, found Liu Meng and confirmed that a few class officers would go to the mall on Sunday to purchase items needed for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival party. He asked Liu Meng to bring the class funds and free up his Sunday, emphasizing that he must not let them down.

What he feared came true. Although there had been some progress with the novel and the math conjecture, he couldn't generate a few thousand yuan in real money, and his life remained difficult.

Unable to think of a solution, he headed to Guo Yuting's house, hoping to borrow a month's salary to cover the class funds shortfall.

On Saturday, Zhou Shiyuan was not at home, as she had piano lessons. Liu Meng didn't need to come today and hadn't made prior arrangements with Guo Yuting. He came here out of desperation.

He pressed the doorbell, but no one answered. He pressed it again, still no response. Just as he was about to leave, Guo Yuting finally appeared and opened the security door upon hearing it was Liu Meng.

Liu Meng entered the house and saw Guo Yuting still in her pajamas, a delicate silk set with a classical ink pattern, which complemented her well. However, her eyes were slightly red and swollen, as if she had just been crying.

"You can sit down first, I'll change my clothes," Guo Yuting said, her voice clearly choked up.

Liu Meng swallowed his words. It was inappropriate to bring up money when she was in such a state.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, he heard Guo Yuting walk into her room and close the door. Moments later, he heard her crying inside. She seemed to be on the phone, speaking in a mix of loud and soft tones, but he couldn't hear clearly. Guo Yuting seemed very agitated.

Liu Meng had never seen the usually calm and elegant Guo Yuting so out of control.

Soon, he heard the sound of something being thrown inside, followed by silence. Liu Meng's heart raced. What was going on? This was too unusual. Could Guo Yuting be in trouble?

Thinking of the worst, he couldn't sit still and rushed to her room, pushing open the door.