I was struggling to keep up with Willow Ran’s rhythm. Her unusually high spirits caught me off guard.

We’d agreed she’d help me plan the perfect date. But Willow Ran seemed to have completely forgotten. She scanned the room left and right, then actually started rummaging under the bed!

“Hey! What are you even doing?!”

Watching Willow Ran’s upturned rear, I reluctantly looked away. Honestly, that angle, that pose—it was a bit too tempting to let my imagination run wild.

But Willow Ran didn’t mind at all. She kept wiggling her hips while searching.

“Novels say boys’ rooms always have 2,000 dirty books. I’m just checking.”

“What manga scene is that?! And 2,000 is way too many!”

“So… 200?”

“Impossible!”

“At least 20?”

I mentally calculated. Yeah, about right.

“Ahem! Enough nonsense! Remember why you came!”

At that, Willow Ran’s wiggling finally stopped. She pulled herself out from under the bed.

“Dates? You’re a young author—you should know.”

Of course I knew. But honestly, it was all book knowledge. And you offered to help.

“Gale Splendor, I know I’m vital. You’d be lost without me. But—”

Willow Ran suddenly looked at me earnestly.

“Even fledglings leave the nest. For tomorrow’s date, you should think for yourself. Don’t rely on me so much.”

“I get it. So what’s your real reason for coming today?”

That brat stared at me with an annoyingly smug look. I shivered at this “truth.”

“Me? I told you—I wanted to see Master Maple’s workspace.”

“When did you say that?!”

“When you were still a girl!”

“When did I—”

I froze. Back at our first meeting, before she knew I was a guy, I had said something like that.

Such a long time ago.

Seeing me speechless, Willow Ran’s lips curled into a victorious smile.

“So, Gale Splendor, do you usually write novels in your bedroom?”

“No. I brainstorm outlines there. Actual writing happens in my study.”

“Oh? That’s a weird habit.”

“…”

It’s not set in stone. Everyone has their quirks. It just feels right this way.

Humans are strange creatures.

Under Willow Ran’s insistence, I led her to the study.

The study was simple. Bookshelves lined the walls. A printer and shredder sat in the corner. At the center stood a rosewood desk with a desktop PC. Beside it, a comfy executive chair looked like a boss’s throne.

The room had an antique vibe. A faint scent of incense lingered in the air.

“Ohh, I see.”

Willow Ran nodded thoughtfully after entering.

“The view outside is lovely. It’s easy to focus here. A great workspace.”

She walked to the window, gazing at the park and the nearby stream.

I didn’t think much of the view. But I kept that to myself.

“Huh? Gale Splendor, why are there cardboard boxes piled in the corner?”

“Ah… those? The editorial department sent sample books.”

“Sample books? That many? Your works don’t need whole boxes!”

Willow Ran exaggerated her surprise.

Heh, so even you show that expression—I felt ridiculously pleased.

This is how a true fan should react!

“No choice. Elder Sister Liu Xin wanted signed copies. So they sent tons for me to sign. Plus, with reprints selling well, more samples arrived… Too much stuff. Can’t just toss it. Such a hassle.”

I couldn’t help showing off.

I pointed to a box. “Take any you like.”

Willow Ran probably owned all these already. I was just flexing.

“Really?! Then give me another set of *Beneath the Stars*—signed!”

Willow Ran beamed.

“Huh? You haven’t bought it?”

“I have! But having duplicates is normal. One for reading, one for collecting… I own two sets already. But no signed copy! I’ll show off my old set to others.”

Basically, evangelizing?

Fine. It cost me nothing.

Besides, it warmed my heart to see my books loved so much.

I handed her the signed book. In that moment, her usual arrogance vanished. She smiled with genuine, youthful delight.

It made me a little embarrassed.

Many would envy this perk—getting a personal signature from their favorite author.

I wondered when I’d get that from Master Oathblade’s signed books.

“Tch. Gale Splendor, your handwriting’s awful!”

Whoa, such a mood swing—but seeing her innocent smile, I let it slide.

“Still, people pay for this ugly writing. How foolish.”

“You asking for a beating?”

Was this fan interaction?

I’d never imagined a fan visiting my writing space.

This scene felt truly happy.

Then Willow Ran suddenly jumped onto the executive chair. She started operating the computer.

“What are you doing?!”

“Checking if you have any shady websites on your PC!”

Still hung up on that?

Fine. She could look. I never browsed anything weird on this machine.

Seeing no resistance, Willow Ran opened the browser.

The browser opened…

A chill shot through my body!

I hadn’t visited adult sites. But I had read Master Cha’s blog. If Willow Ran clicked it, Yao Star Yan being Master Cha would be exposed!

My plan would be ruined…

Bad!

Really bad!