Lin Yuan also knew about the tremendous success of "The Prince of Tennis" because Jianyi and Xiafan had been discussing the book recently.
Especially Jianyi.
While discussing the novel with Xiafan, Jianyi couldn't resist taking a jab at Lin Yuan, saying, "Now you understand how difficult it is to become a superstar, right? You should focus on your work, not on writing novels to make money, unless you can write a novel as good as 'Tennis Prince' like Chu Kuang."
It seemed that Jianyi and Xiafan both assumed that Lin Yuan's dream of becoming a superstar had failed.
After all, Lin Yuan had never mentioned that "Chu Kuang" was actually himself.
In addition to Jianyi and Xiafan, the editor, Yang Feng, also regularly reported the performance of "Tennis Prince" to Lin Yuan and even discussed the possibility of expanding the novel's outline.
"Can't do it," Lin Yuan refused decisively.
Yang Feng was a bit persistent, explaining the benefits of increasing the word count, "The performance of 'Tennis Prince' is excellent, and ending it early would be a pity..."
"No way," Lin Yuan rejected once again.
Of course, he knew the principle that more words meant more money, and he agreed with some of Yang Feng's points. However, the system provided only a million words for "Tennis Prince."
According to the system's explanation:
A million words are just right; writing more would dilute the quality.
Yang Feng couldn't force Chu Kuang either, considering the immense success of "Tennis Prince." Chu Kuang was no longer an ordinary new writer.
So, Yang Feng could only sigh deeply at Chu Kuang's rejection, saying, "Alright."
In Yang Feng's eyes, Chu Kuang was quite stubborn!
For such a popular novel, Chu Kuang was content with a million words and was unwilling to expand the content, even though Yang Feng had analyzed it thoroughly. As a newcomer, Chu Kuang still had no idea how difficult it was to create a hugely successful work.
Meanwhile, on the campus.
Lin Yuan was paying attention to the latest notification from the system, and he had finally completed the task of breaking a thousand in literary reputation!
[Task Completed: Comprehensive Development]
[Task Description: Literary Reputation Exceeds a Thousand]
[Task Reward: Three Bronze Chests]
Lin Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Open one of the bronze chests."
Let's test his luck.
He opened the first bronze chest, and the system announced in pale blue text: [Congratulations! You've obtained the song 'Balloon' by Xu Zhepei.]
Xu Zhepei's "Balloon"? This outcome wasn't particularly good or bad, but overall, it was just average luck. So, Lin Yuan decided to store the remaining two bronze chests and open them later, when he felt luckier.
Now, he was going out to have a meal.
This time, the person Lin Yuan had agreed to meet was Jiang Kui.
Previously, Jiang Kui had been promoting "Dance of the Fish Dragon" in Qi Prefecture and had only recently returned to Qin Prefecture.
Her song "Dance of the Fish Dragon" had transformed her from an unknown newcomer into a somewhat famous singer. So, the first thing she did after returning was to invite Xianyu for a meal to express her gratitude.
Just like how he hadn't refused Sun Yaohuo, Lin Yuan didn't refuse Jiang Kui either.
He greatly enjoyed being treated to a meal.
But upon arriving at the agreed-upon restaurant, Lin Yuan suddenly realized that this was the very place where he had previously dined with Sun Yaohuo.
"Mr. Xianyu."
Jiang Kui was a rather attractive young lady. Before leaving today, she had taken care of her appearance, although she was a bit short; conversing with Lin Yuan, who stood at a towering one meter eighty, required her to instinctively tilt her head.
"Call me Lin Yuan; that's fine."
Jiang Kui smiled, "Then I'll call you Mr. Lin Yuan."
Lin Yuan didn't correct her, and she chose a table to sit at. Before he could even settle into his seat, a voice of surprise suddenly rang in his ears:
"Junior?"
Lin Yuan turned around to find the speaker was none other than Sun Yaohuo, accompanied by a heavily made-up woman.
"You go back first."
Sun Yaohuo said this to his companion.
The woman looked dissatisfied, pouting and stomping her feet, but Sun Yaohuo remained indifferent.
She had to leave.
Sun Yaohuo sat down on Lin Yuan's right, his face full of eagerness. "Since we've bumped into each other, let me treat my junior to this meal!"
"Sun Yaohuo, today I'm treating Mr. Lin Yuan to dinner."
Jiang Kui and Sun Yaohuo were both rising stars, acquainted, and on decent terms in their usual interactions.
But today.
The two found themselves at this restaurant, sitting on either side of Lin Yuan. Between their exchanged glances, sparks seemed to fly.
"Jiang Kui, please."
Lin Yuan remained unaware of the pair's unusual tension.
Jiang Kui smiled, glanced at Sun Yaohuo, and then ordered an array of dishes, matching the amount Sun Yaohuo had ordered the last time: "Is there anything else Mr. Lin Yuan would like to add?"
"River fish, braised elbow, plus two servings of rice." Sun Yaohuo smiled and looked at Jiang Kui.
"Yes."
Lin Yuan nodded in agreement.
It seemed that Sun Yaohuo understood Mr. Lin Yuan's preferences quite well, sparking an instant sense of crisis in Jiang Kui: "Didn't you just eat? Wasn't it with your girlfriend?"
"We broke up."
Sun Yaohuo stated matter-of-factly, "She didn't even allow me to eat with my junior, why keep a girlfriend like that?"
"..."
Jiang Kui almost suffered an internal injury.
How can you be such a suck-up!?
Soon, the dishes and rice were served. Though Sun Yaohuo had just dined with his ex-girlfriend, it didn't dampen his appetite.
After the meal, Jiang Kui swiftly rushed to settle the bill, fearing that Sun Yaohuo might snatch it first.
In just the span of a meal, Jiang Kui witnessed the extent of Sun Yaohuo's flattery.
During the meal, Mr. Lin Yuan spoke just a few words. Sun Yaohuo managed to echo twenty, punctuated by occasional laughter, as if Mr. Lin Yuan's words were incredibly humorous.
Initially, when Jiang Kui invited Mr. Lin Yuan for the meal, it was both to express gratitude and to flatter him a bit.
Who hasn't been a 'lapdog' at some point?
Though the probability was low, what if Mr. Lin Yuan's mood improved and he gifted a great song? Wouldn't that be a jackpot?
But after encountering Sun Yaohuo, Jiang Kui learned what being a 'lapdog' truly meant.
After the meal, as they left the restaurant, Sun Yaohuo suggested, "Let's wander around, digest a bit."
Lin Yuan didn't object.
Naturally, Jiang Kui had no objection.
After fifteen minutes, Lin Yuan asked, "Where can I get some water?"
Whoosh.
Sun Yaohuo and Jiang Kui simultaneously looked at Lin Yuan, "Junior/Mr. Lin Yuan, how about bubble tea or something similar?"
"Mm."
Lin Yuan nodded, and then the two vanished like the wind.
Five minutes later, Sun Yaohuo returned with a cup of bubble tea, "Junior, here's your bubble tea."
"Phew."
Jiang Kui, perhaps being short in stature with shorter legs, was still a step behind Sun Yaohuo.
"Comparing with me? You're a bit green."
Sun Yaohuo looked smugly at her.
But soon, Sun Yaohuo was stunned, his mouth hanging open wide.
Because in Jiang Kui's hands, there were six cups of bubble tea, and she was considerately saying, "Mr. Lin Yuan, since I didn't know your preference, I bought various flavors from the tea shop."
Lin Yuan chose a lemon flavor and remarked, "Isn't this too much?"
Jiang Kui smiled faintly, "Not at all."
Saying that, Jiang Kui distributed the surplus bubble tea to a few kids passing by in the mall, pointing to Lin Yuan, "This gentleman is treating you to bubble tea."
"Thank you, mister!"
The children were accompanied by their parents, who, untroubled by the tea's safety, graciously allowed the kids to express their gratitude.
Isn't this just flattery? Who hasn't done something similar?
Jiang Kui glanced back at Sun Yaohuo; it was a checkmate move.