Chapter 74

"Skylark?" Yishui An looked at Liu Jingtong, revealing a hint of confusion.

"Yes, didn't you hear a bird singing just now?"

Yishui An shook her head, slightly dissatisfied with Liu Jingtong's reaction. After all, she was recounting a painful past, and his concern for a bird at this moment seemed particularly impolite.

"Legend has it that long ago, there was the most beautiful and talented singer on the grassland. Later, because her lover didn't love her, she died of heartbreak and transformed into a singing skylark. However, skylarks generally don't sing on winter nights unless they have something sad to express or have heard something sad."

Liu Jingtong's story about the skylark naturally came from "The White Horse Cries in the West Wind." In the book, the heroine Li Wenxiu was first attracted by the bird's song, which was a metaphor the author intentionally created.

The first time Li Wenxiu heard the skylark sing, her fate was sealed. At that moment, her grandfather sighed and told her, "There are many things in the world that you, a child, don't understand."

In the end, the little girl grew up, not only understanding but also personally experiencing it.

Yishui An, of course, had never heard of the skylark, thinking it was a roundabout way of comforting her. She wrinkled her nose and said, "What a crude metaphor. Besides, I've only heard of larks on the grassland, never a skylark. Are you making this up again?"

"In ten days, you'll see." Liu Jingtong left it at that, indirectly answering Yishui An's question.

In fact, when he first read "The White Horse Cries in the West Wind," the skylark's song left a deep impression on him. While listening to Yishui An's story, he inexplicably thought of that story, so the pleasant bird call he heard just now was probably just his imagination.

Yishui An stared at Liu Jingtong for a while and said in surprise, "You actually started thinking about a new story after coming to the grassland?"

"Just a coincidence."

"Is the story related to the grassland?"

"You should have experienced this too. When a writer is creating a story, it often overlaps with real-world events or places. Fictional names in the story may exist in the real world, and the background settings may match the places the writer is going to. This is a common phenomenon."

Yishui An nodded in agreement. She casually asked, "You said the skylark is a woman abandoned by her lover, and you mentioned that your new novel will be a tragedy. So, is this bird your heroine?"

Liu Jingtong smiled, shook his head, and then nodded. "It is and it isn't."

Yishui An thought for a moment and then realized. "It's a symbol?"

Liu Jingtong nodded.

Yishui An smiled faintly, making no comment. Although she had seen "Seven Swords" and "White Hair" and knew Liu Jingtong's strength, she still had reservations about his "ten-day promise." After hearing his explanation about the skylark and the symbolism, she felt even more that the story was doomed. According to the current public opinion, if the new book didn't have something particularly outstanding, it would inevitably be trampled to pieces by the water army.

However, Yishui An definitely wouldn't say anything to discourage him. Although she always said she wasn't good at social interactions, it didn't mean she didn't understand human nature. This time, she knew very well that President Lu and Qianhong were aware of the risks but still chose to face them head-on. The important thing wasn't winning or losing, but the attitude.

The two continued to chat about the novel for a while. Liu Jingtong got up to leave. As he was about to exit the tent, Yishui An suddenly said, "I'm glad to have met you, glad you came to the grassland, and glad to chat with you."

"Likewise." Liu Jingtong smiled and turned to leave.

...

"Likewise."

While Liu Jingtong was saying goodbye to Yishui An, in a university dormitory thousands of miles away, a bespectacled boy was smiling broadly as he typed these words in the toilet. A second ago, "Day and Night," who he was chatting with, had said "Goodnight," and he replied with "Likewise."

Although he was a bit reluctant to end the conversation, he couldn't continue to disturb her after she said goodnight. In fact, because of this chat, he had already delayed for a long time. According to his routine, he should have been on various forums, leading a group of colleagues to attack the poor martial arts novelist Gu Yongseng, as per the client's requirements.

As the leader of the "Anti-Gu Team" (their operation was called "Anti-Gu Action"), he needed to judge the current public opinion trend, assign tasks, and discuss with other high-level team members how to end the day's operation.

This time, the partners were generally of high caliber, with unexpectedly strong execution capabilities. Two team members not only had excellent writing skills that left him amazed but also had a detailed and thorough understanding of the industry, clearly indicating they were insiders.

With such outstanding teammates, the tasks he had assigned were completed beautifully. The new book promotion was going well, and the readers were very enthusiastic. The love-themed essay contest also had entries trickling in.

The entire forum was filled with a harmonious and lively atmosphere, and everyone was eagerly awaiting Gu Yongseng's new book in ten days. This anticipation grew with each passing day, and no one paid attention to the hidden conspiracies and undercurrents beneath the surface.

To be honest, "Can't Help It" had no personal feelings toward Gu Yongseng or his novel. He had only read the popular "Sword of the Yue Maiden" for the contest, and it left him with no particular impression, neither liking nor disliking it, just adding some talking points for the forum.

Today, there were no special tasks, just reinforcing the initial activities and subtly expressing anticipation, such as saying, "I'm really curious about how many heroines there will be in Gu's new book. I think Gu is very skilled at writing female characters," or "Only nine days left, I can't wait. I hope time passes quickly."

At 11:30 PM, Can't Help It posted the usual countdown: "Only eight days until Gu's new book release. Pay attention to the formation."

After posting, he refreshed the page. In half an hour, there would be a dozen replies, and then he would log out of the forum, transforming from a water army member back into a normal college student.

He opened the chat and looked for "Day and Night" in his friend list, hoping her profile picture was still lit. To his excitement, she was still online, but a wave of disappointment hit him.

She had said goodnight to him an hour ago, so why was she still online?

Gathering his courage, he asked in the most natural tone, "Still awake? Beauty, staying up late can give you panda eyes and damage your skin."

Ten seconds passed with no reply. "Maybe she didn't see it," he consoled himself.

Half a minute passed with no reply. "Maybe she's watching a TV show."

Five minutes passed with no reply. "She must be brushing her teeth."

Ten minutes, half an hour... the profile picture suddenly turned gray. He finally gave up, "Maybe she fell asleep, and her roommate turned off her computer."

After consoling himself, he opened the chat and saw that "Day and Night" had updated her status ten minutes ago: "I love such a night, such a conversation. Goodnight!"

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him in the middle of winter.

"She was there, she was always there! But why didn't she reply to my message?"

"What kind of conversation was it? With whom? What did they talk about?"

These questions pierced him like ice picks. Then a sudden realization hit him. She must have been talking about the conversation with him!

With this breakthrough, everything else made sense. She must have seen his message, and her expression was sweet and happy, with a hint of shyness, so she didn't reply. But the sweetness couldn't be hidden, so she posted this status before going to bed.

"It must be so!" the boy confidently told himself.

...

"Hey, anyone there? I finally finished my Singles' Day article, praise me!"

At 3 AM, Luo An, the top-selling author of "Ding Novel" and the queen of campus novels, completed a short story of over ten thousand words and excitedly posted a message in the quiet author group.

A minute later, Xue Muliang sent a flower-throwing emoji. Luo An was surprised and asked, "President Xue, you're still up?"

"You're up too. Congratulations on finishing. I don't even know where my manuscript is."

"Can I say it's a joy to see?"

Xue Muliang sent a cute, pouting emoji. At that moment, another company giant, Shen You, suddenly chimed in, "I still have 1,500 words left. I'm so sick of writing. I really want to write, 'The hero and heroine lived happily ever after,' and end it."

"Meiyou, are you writing a happy ending?" Luo An asked.

"Of course, isn't it about spreading positive energy?"

"Do you think it's appropriate to give a happy ending on Singles' Day? It might make single authors feel too tragic."

"No problem. There are people who like writing tragedies. We don't have to insist on this," Xue Muliang interjected.

Luo An and Shen You naturally knew who "people" referred to. After a brief silence, Luo An cautiously asked, "Do you think it's possible in ten days?"

"He's already at the bottom of the water, and more water is still being added. This is different from usual. Everyone's expectations have been pushed to the limit. Even if he performs at his normal level, he will still be drowned by the readers' criticism."

"Desire fulfilled." Xue Muliang typed four words. Although the two female authors couldn't see his expression, they could imagine his cold, ruthless look.

Xue Muliang seemed to realize that his four words were too undignified and added, "Let's see what he can write." (To be continued. Please search for Piaotian Literature for better and faster updates!)