Baiyu quickly changed the subject. "Oh, by the way, President, why'd you suddenly come to S City?"

"I wanted to see you," Ruoye said with a slight smile. "But more importantly, I found out something crucial—about Teacher Qian Niao."

"What is it?"

Hearing Ruoye mention her favorite author, Baiyu's curiosity was piqued.

"Teacher Qian Niao..." Ruoye said deliberately. "Is actually in this city."

I was startled. Had my identity been discovered? How did she know?

But Baiyu didn't seem too concerned. She smiled helplessly. "Here you go again, President. Last time, you claimed Teacher Qian Niao was in H City in the group chat. You ran off there for months and came back empty-handed."

"This time is different. I know for sure Teacher Qian Niao is a high school student."

"Sigh, last time you said he was a middle-aged uncle. The time before that, an OB-GYN doctor."

What do you mean, middle-aged uncle?! And an OB-GYN?!

Though... that doesn't sound too bad a job...

Ruoye didn't get angry at Baiyu's teasing. She said thoughtfully, "I asked the IF Company to leak Teacher Qian Niao's info. But an editor named Jinmu just brushed me off. Was the money not enough?"

"It's because you keep joking about locking Teacher Qian Niao in your basement to write novels just for you. That's why no one leaks his info. Besides, leaking personal details is illegal."

"I'm not joking."

"What... huh?"

"I've already renovated the basement for him. Once I catch Teacher Qian Niao, I'll take you to see it."

"Huh?!"

Listening from the side, cold sweat dripped down my back. This girl is really dangerous. I felt like Miss Jinmu had saved my life.

My pen name has 'bird' in it, but don't treat me like a bird to cage. Such a nasty joke isn't funny at all.

Baiyu was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "President, you really..."

Ruoye didn't laugh. She took a couple sips of her drink and changed the subject. "I'll be in S City for months. Let's hang out if you're free."

"Come to my place next time. Zong Jun may be a piece of trash, but he cooks amazing food."

What do you mean, 'piece of trash'?! And don't invite such a dangerous person to your house! What if I get locked in her basement?!

Ruoye didn't agree right away. "That guy Zong Jun—is he your guardian? Is he really only eighteen?"

"Mm."

"He's a high school student too? Where does the money to support you come from?"

"I don't know. But I'm working hard to earn money. I won't need him to support me!"

"Is that so?"

Ruoye murmured softly, "A high school student with income... I should meet him sometime."

This girl... could she have already suspected me from just a few words? I am Qian Niao, but it's frustrating to be stumbled upon like this.

Girls' conversations shift quickly. Soon, they were discussing "Zero Hour" again. For two fans, talking about a shared favorite never gets old.

But Ruoye... I can't say I dislike her. Yet she seems more obsessed with Qian Niao the person than my works. Every three sentences, she brings him up. She always says things like, "I'll lock Teacher Qian Niao in my basement," "If he tries to escape, I'll break his legs—he only needs his hands to write," "The past endings were terrible; once I catch him, I'll make him rewrite everything." At first, it sounds like jokes. But thinking deeper, it's terrifying.

Honestly, I'm a bit scared of her. She's beautiful and well-mannered, but her passion is overwhelming. Even knowing it's probably just jokes.

Maybe it's because she looks too serious when she jokes.

After a while, Baiyu and Ruoye left the Western restaurant together.

I got a text from Baiyu: she was going shopping with the president.

The men in suits put their jackets back on and prepared to leave.

Wu Ketou stood up to go, but I called out, "Wait, can I ask something?"

"Young man, what would you like to ask?"

Wu Ketou seemed surprised but stopped politely. This big guy seemed decent.

"You were watching that girl, right? I'm another girl's guardian. I followed her because I didn't trust her meeting an online friend alone."

"My apologies," Wu Ketou nodded. "We're Miss Ruoye's bodyguards."

So many bodyguards protecting her secretly—I never expected Ruoye to be such a formidable young lady.

But Wu Ketou's next words made me panic instantly.

"Because the young lady says worrying things and has actually prepared a basement, our main job is to stop her from finding the author with the pen name Qian Niao."

This is really something... in every sense.