Nowadays, plenty of novels get adapted into web dramas or TV series. Sure, some succeed. But most? I can only laugh them off with a “hehe.”

The plots often stray wildly from the source material. Even the actors fail to capture the original characters. Web dramas hire whoever they can afford—and their overacting is pure theater.

So—

“Absolutely not!”

“Huh? Why not? Having your novel turned into a TV drama is amazing!”

“Willow然, listen. Novels, anime—once they go ‘live-action,’ they ruin the original. Got it?”

“But there are good ones! Like ‘Bu Bu Jing Xin’!”

How many such gems exist anyway?

I snapped impatiently, “Seriously? Sales, adaptations—you’ve been on this since forever…”

Especially when I hate discussing it.

“How obsessed are you with this topic?”

“Huh? Gale Splendor, don’t you dream of your novel becoming a script?”

“Not at all!”

“Never imagined your characters coming to life before your eyes?”

“Not. At. All!”

I replied mechanically, same words each time.

Honestly, even ignoring adaptation quality, my current popularity makes such dreams impossible.

Yes, I’m a popular shoujo novelist. But shoujo isn’t mainstream—it’s mostly girls reading it. Other genres attract both genders.

A script adaptation? I’d need real clout first. That’s why I’m leaning toward xianxia novels.

“Let’s focus on plotting our actual stories instead.”

“What? Writers should get excited about sales and adaptations! It means lots of readers!”

This girl just started writing and already speaks for everyone.

“Think of famous actors—like that ‘Hu not Huo’ CP duo playing leads. Doesn’t it make you giddy? Hot guys! So hot!”

First time seeing her this excited over handsome men.

That annoyed me. Wasn’t I handsome? Why did she show pure disgust whenever she saw me?

“Gale Splendor, don’t fool yourself. You’re just a pervert. Why get excited over a pervert?”

Willow然 shot me a disdainful glance. My thoughts must’ve been written all over my face.

Seriously, her skill at reading people was insane. She saw right through me. Shouldn’t someone with that power be gentle? Why so goofy?

“Still, if you write a novel, you’d totally be the secretly passionate type, huh?”

“W-what? What’s ‘secretly passionate’ mean!”

I grinned wickedly, mimicking her tone: “Outwardly: ‘I-I’m so happy readers like my work!’ Inwardly: ‘Of course they like it—I’m the embodiment of novels!’”

Bullseye. Willow然’s face flushed instantly.

“N-nonsense! I’m sweet to everyone! You’re just a pervert—I treat perverts differently! S-so I’m not secretly passionate!”

Calling herself sweet to me… Where’d she get that confidence? That was peak secretly passionate behavior.

“Yeah, yeah. Fine… Willow然, your cuteness will totally reach your readers someday.”

“G-get lost, pervert! What nonsense are you spouting!”

Her face reddened further, words stumbling out.

“Remember this!”

“Remember your cuteness?”

“Go away!”

Ignoring her outburst, I rested my chin on my right hand. “Seriously, if you’re writing a novel, ask for help anytime.”

If she had her own vision, I’d support her. It was thanks for her care lately.

But Willow然 shook her head firmly. “No thanks. I’ll finish my first novel alone. No plans to publish—it’s just practice.”

Surprisingly earnest.

“I see… Got the plot figured out?”

She covered one eye with her hand, flashing a V-sign with the other. “Obviously! I’m the Chosen One of shoujo novels!”

“…”

Back to spouting nonsense. Still hasn’t learned to save daydreams for sleep.

“By the way, if I finish my first novel, Gale Splendor, will you read it?”

“Of course!”

I answered instantly. The thought alone made me happy.

“Huh? Just that? And after reading?”

“Well… For good parts, I might feel a bit jealous—you’re a newbie, after all. For bad parts? I’ll tear you apart. Probably!”

Every new writer wants feedback but only hears the praise. I warned her upfront.

“If you finish, I’ll treat you as a fellow author. No empty flattery.”

I locked eyes with her. Hoping she’d stay calm even if criticized—and not reveal my secret to readers.

My answer seemed to satisfy her.

She leaned across the table, beaming. “That’s why I don’t dislike you!”

“So you like me?”

“…”

“…”

Crap. Did I say that without thinking?

Would I get slapped again?

Only then did I realize how close we were—noses almost touching. I’d wasted seconds noticing.

“Uh…”

I jerked back. “I-I didn’t mean ‘like’ like that…”

“Mhm, I know…” Willow然’s neck flushed crimson as she fanned herself. “I-I don’t mean that kind of like either… It’s like… liking the human species.”