Chapter 58

Sun Xinyang smiled foolishly, sprinted out of the dormitory, and both Yu Xiaoshu and Zhao Kan looked unwilling, including Liu Jingtong, who was stunned for a few seconds before regaining his senses. Although he had seen other high school power couples who also attended Tsinghua University.

"The ancients said that there is gold in books and beauty in books, and they did not deceive me," Liu Jingtong added, then lowered his head to reply to Mi Hu's text message with five words: "Always ready."

After replying to Mi Hu's text message, Liu Jingtong started his computer and went online, as usual, to browse the reviews of the new chapters of "Shuke and Betta" and "Seven Swords Descending from Heaven."

The two mice maintained a high level of stability, while the Seven Swords, due to the sudden popularity of martial arts novels, were increasingly being compared with other works. Liu Jingtong had no time to pay attention to the various praises and criticisms, and casually searched for a few works that were frequently mentioned, including Beihetang's "Tianlu Tower," but none of them stood out.

In fact, after being influenced by masters like Jin Yong, Gu Long, Liang Yusheng, and Huang Yi, one's perspective and psychological acceptance would change significantly. When reading other martial arts novels, one would naturally make comparisons.

However, the new martial arts novels had one noteworthy point: their language had completely aligned with modern novels. This was not a deliberate attempt like Gu Long's, but rather the result of writing habits and linguistic skills.

Despite the rising trend of martial arts novels, there was not much attention from mainstream media or literary critics. Even Gu Yongsheng, who had gained some fame, gradually appeared only in martial arts novel forums. Liu Jingtong did not find this inappropriate.

Reflecting on the few times when martial arts novels had gained attention, each time it was either due to a trend or being caught up in a hype. There had never been a situation where a novel itself sparked a nationwide discussion. Thinking about this, Liu Jingtong silently opened the document for "The White-Haired Demoness" and, after some thought, sent a chapter he had already written to Mi Hu.

After that, he logged into his microblog and saw that Xue Muliang was once again being cute and advertising "Tianlu Tower," Han Shuo had posted another blog criticizing current events, Yi Shui'an was making comments on love that were detached from the mundane world, and the Star and Ocean beauty pageant was in full swing...

In terms of topic, "Tianlu Tower" had already surpassed "Seven Swords." However, as Luotou's comment said, "At present, that tower is still a long way from the sword."

As for the beauty pageant, Star and Moon had entered the finals, and the three finalists each had their strengths. Liu Jingtong did not feel he had the ability to judge which one was more suitable for the role. So when Gong Cheng'en sent him three photos and the contestants' personal information for evaluation, Liu Jingtong instinctively looked at the WC number and phone number columns, then sent a joke with a bit of mischief to Gong Cheng'en:

"There was a rich man looking for a wife, and three beautiful women came. The rich man gave each of them 100 dollars and asked them to buy something that could fill the entire room. The first woman bought wood, the second bought cotton, and the third bought a candle and a box of matches. In the end, the rich man chose the one with the biggest chest."

Gong Cheng'en, after reading the joke, mistakenly thought it was a riddle from the original author. He recounted the joke to Wang Qianqian, who laughed and said, "Always a perverted uncle," then told Gong Cheng'en to choose the one with the biggest chest.

...

At 7:30 PM, the instructor indeed appeared in the dormitory, took attendance, and then told everyone the rules for placing toothbrushes, cups, shoes, hot water bottles, and luggage, as well as the most important one: how to fold the quilt into a block.

Half an hour later, Liu Jingtong slipped out of the dormitory, half anxious and half curious, thinking that the moment of meeting the parents had finally come.

Just as he stepped out of the dormitory door, he heard Mi Hu's voice from the left. Under the dim light, he saw the girl walking over with her mother.

At that moment, Liu Jingtong's anxiety suddenly vanished. Many people have this experience: before something happens, they are very nervous and worried, but once it happens, they become calm.

"Good evening, Auntie, good evening, Editor Mi Hu," Liu Jingtong greeted politely.

"Liu Jingtong, you can stop it. I've already told my mom about our relationship," Mi Hu said, showing dissatisfaction with Liu Jingtong's formal "Editor Mi Hu."

Liu Jingtong looked apologetically at Hu's mother and said, "I'm sorry, Auntie, I lied to you at the canteen entrance this afternoon."

"Oh, which part was a lie?"

"The expressions and the deliberate conversation with Mi Hu."

Hu's mother smiled as if it was no big deal and said, "You know, you can't hide things from adults. Let's take a walk." Hu's mother started walking, and Liu Jingtong first walked beside Mi Hu, then realized something and moved to Hu's mother's side.

Mi Hu tilted her head and said to Liu Jingtong, "I received the novel you sent. I'll read it when I get home."

"Is it 'Seven Swords Descending from Heaven'?" Hu's mother suddenly asked.

"Yes, does Auntie know about it?"

"Xiaomi likes this job, so as a mother, I naturally need to understand a bit. But I haven't read the novel. Martial arts novels with all the fighting and killing are not suitable for someone my age."

Liu Jingtong nodded respectfully, thinking to himself, "One day, you will be suitable, even if you don't read the books, you'll watch the TV series."

After meeting Gong Cheng'en, Liu Jingtong had more specific expectations for the TV adaptations. When the screen is full of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, no one will say it's unsuitable.

"Neither Xiaomi's father nor I are old-fashioned. We don't think dating is a monster," they walked to the basketball court below the boys' dormitory and looked up at the two tall apricot trees by the side, and said, "But now, studies should be the priority. Think about it, if you don't get into college, what will you do in the future?"

Liu Jingtong listened attentively, knowing it was a rhetorical question, and looked like he was being taught a lesson. Mi Hu softly added, "He can write."

"I knew you would say that, but without higher, systematic education, even if you work in writing, it will be very difficult. You are young and lack life experience and accumulation. Relying on writing purely entertaining martial arts novels won't lead to great achievements."

Liu Jingtong nodded humbly without any rebuttal. It was at this moment that he realized a truth: when a person's confidence is incredibly strong, they won't bother to explain or counter misunderstandings.

Mi Hu, however, said somewhat displeased, "Martial arts novels are also novels, a form of literature that the masses enjoy. Mom, you don't understand."

Hu's mother laughed lightly, "I've read real novels," her tone full of disdain, "and Xiaomi, do you remember what you promised us when we agreed to let you take a leave to be an editor?"

Mi Hu lowered her head, "To get into a key university."

"So, the focus should still be on your studies. Xiao Liu, you should also think about this. I'm sure your parents have taught you the same."

Liu Jingtong continued to smile and nod, "My parents hope I can get into a good university."

Hu's mother looked at Liu Jingtong with eyes that seemed to see through all the tricks of children and said, "Then, don't send your novels to Xiaomi anymore, at least until after the college entrance exam. Can you promise Auntie that?"

Mi Hu suddenly pulled away from her mother's arm and called out, "Mom!" Hu's mother ignored her and just stared at Liu Jingtong. Liu Jingtong smiled and said, "Sure!"

In the adult world, children's tactics are always seen as naive and laughable, easily seen through. In Hu's mother's eyes, Liu Jingtong's manuscripts were a clumsy tactic, a covert love letter, a cunning boy's little tricks. Liu Jingtong understood the adults' thoughts, so he found it amusing.

The conversation lasted only about twenty minutes, mainly with Hu Xiaomi's mother subtly conveying a message to Liu Jingtong: don't harass my daughter anymore.

Of course, such a warning was useless. In fact, as soon as Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu returned to the dormitory, they immediately opened their WC chat.

"I didn't expect my mom to say those things. You're not angry with her, right?"

"Of course not. If I had a daughter, I would do the same."

"Why?"

"First, I would see someone like me and think they have too many ulterior motives. Always sending text-based things to my daughter is definitely not good."

"Aren't you just a kid? Have you forgotten?"

Liu Jingtong was taken aback and replied, "That's just what you see. My heart is actually much older than you think." After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "Actually, my soul comes from another world."

After a series of ellipses, Mi Hu replied, "Everyone's soul comes from another world. It's just that some have awakened, and some haven't. Those who have awakened are called geniuses."

Liu Jingtong was deeply moved by this. Since he came to this world, he had always had a question in his heart: why him? Seeing Mi Hu's casual words, he felt this could be an explanation. Everyone in the world is a穿越者 or a reborn person, the difference lies in the memories they have awakened. In fact, since ancient times, no one has truly known the secrets of this world. What people see are just records. What the world was like 300 years ago, no one has seen with their own eyes. What it will be like 300 years from now, no one can know.

This world is full of various terms and concepts. People accept conventional things and behave according to certain rules. Ultimately, no definition is absolutely correct. The advanced ideas of sages in economics, politics, literature, and other fields may be a form of穿越 theory. For example, Einstein, Copernicus, Galileo, Homer, Aristotle, Goethe... these people may also be穿越者 or reborn.

Finding such a reason, Liu Jingtong felt much lighter and typed back to Mi Hu, "Later, these geniuses all became the main characters of history."

"Like a novel?"

"Yes, the main characters in novels are the same. It's because of their experiences and abilities that they become the main characters. From this perspective, the author is actually just a recorder."

This statement was a reverse inference. Because Liu Jingtong had such a unique experience, for him, characters like Wei Xiaobao, Guo Jing, Yang Guo, Hu Fei, Li Xunhuan, Chu Liuxiang, and Lian Nishang were already existing artistic images, so he could draw this conclusion in advance. For example, it was precisely because Wei Xiaobao had a smooth journey and accomplished many great deeds that he became the main character of "The Deer and the Cauldron," not Mao Shiba.

"Thinking this way, the narration becomes much more confident, and the fear of the unknown world diminishes. So, what kind of person will this White-Haired Demoness be?"

---

The page ad begins.

The page ad ends.