"First, before we start writing, we need to clarify one concept," Su Su said. "What exactly is a commercial web novel?"

"Or rather, why do they succeed? Why attract readers? Why earn rewards and monthly votes?" Su Su added.

Bai Su hesitated, then answered tentatively, "Because it’s fun?"

Su Su shot him a glare. "Then why do readers find them fun?"

"Huh? How would I know... I barely read web novels..." Bai Su scratched his head.

"Sigh, forget it. I’ll explain directly," Su Su said helplessly. "Why do they attract readers? Simple—they make readers feel incredibly satisfied."

Bai Su pursed his lips. Wasn’t that obvious?

Frustrated, Su Su lightly rapped Bai Su’s head with her fist. "Dummy, you really are a dummy. Is that all you see? Is your brain just for show? Think harder!"

"Why do they make money? Mainly, they give readers the thrill of nurturing a character, plus the rush of underdog triumphs and humiliating enemies. They hint that anyone can rise from nothing with a bit of luck, becoming extraordinary."

"They offer ordinary people a world where childhood dreams live. Everyone’s a once-glorious genius now bullied by reality. With one chance, they leap to greatness, becoming the peerless heroes they cried for as kids."

"Most readers just want fun. Novels focused on complex settings or plots are rare and often flop. Most follow the same formula—authors tweak it slightly but never overhaul it."

"Readers unwind with mindless, satisfying plots. They project real-life hates onto villains, then watch the protagonist humiliate them. Readers get their fix, and collections plus monthly votes pour in."

Su Su picked up her teacup and took a tiny sip. "Got it?"

Bai Su nodded vaguely, face blank with confusion.

Su Su sighed. Indeed, explaining web novel common sense to someone who missed its explosive era was tough.

"Since you nodded, Bro, what’s most important for a successful commercial web novel?" Su Su asked with zero hope.

"Hmm..." Bai Su pondered. "Making readers feel satisfied, I guess..."

"Only satisfied readers tip. Obscure plots won’t sell. So straightforward plots matter too."

"Maybe writing style? Good writing keeps readers. Terrible writing loses them, even with great plots."

"Also... Su Su, you kept mentioning that reversal-and-face-slapping formula. Is it a fixed plot for extra satisfaction?"

His expression turned troubled as he scratched his head. "That’s all I can think of."

Su Su stared at him, shocked.

WTF?

Could he also be possessed and reborn like her?

"What’s wrong? Was I incorrect?" Bai Su asked.

"Nothing," Su Su said dazedly. "Just doubting life."

"???"

"Ahem... never mind, Bro. You’re right. You’re perfect for writing web novels," Su Su said firmly.

Of course—he’d never touched web novels or lived through the info boom, yet grasped this. A genius!

If, with her guidance, he couldn’t write a book to dominate the market, they might as well quit.

Assuming his writing wasn’t utterly terrible. If it was, they were toast.

"Bro, I’ll give you a scene. Write a snippet for me," Su Su said suddenly.

"Oh, okay," Bai Su nodded. "What to write with?"

Su Su pointed to his room. "Use your computer."

Bai Su almost agreed, then froze. His face flushed red. He dashed inside, shouting, "Wait—I’ll tidy my room!"

Su Su instantly understood.

Teenage boys—what’s in their rooms is imaginable. She’d been through that age.

Though in her past life, he never grew out of it. Sad.

Rummaging sounds came from his room. Su Su frowned—hiding secrets shouldn’t need this much noise.

Bai Su finally opened the door, panting. "Su Su... come in..."

Su Su followed, brimming with mischievous curiosity.

She rarely entered his room. Despite their bond, he kept it locked nightly.

She sifted through the fifteen-year-old’s memories.

Wait—she had entered once!

Su Su strained to recall. That memory should be vivid; the old Su Su was curious about his mysterious room.

But... why blank?

She frowned, trying again.

Only a pure white void filled her mind. From stepping in to leaving, all memories had vanished eerily.

"Did ‘Su Su’ deliberately forget this?" she thought absurdly.

With incredibly mixed feelings, she stepped into her brother’s room.

[To be continued]